Really cool local spot. Very solid beer list. Service was great. I'd definitely be back.

What a great little dive bar spot! They even have a pool table and pinball machines. They have 15+ rotating beers taps to choose from, with most of them being local beers (local being North Carolina) which was great as I was visiting from out of state. The lady working that night was amazing. She knew all the regulars and even made us outsiders feel welcome and seen. She is a keeper and if I could transplant her to Oregon, I would! Hands down recommend this place for a beer and a spot to sit while you are walking around. read more

Quick Review - Beer, wine and cocktails - Right on Front Street in the heart of downtown - Huge draft beer selection, including regional and local beers - Seating at the bar, other inside seating, and outside seating in the front - Go to the bar to order you drinks, no wait staff - Very friendly and efficient bartenders - Cards and cash accepted - They also have wine by the bottle if you want to take it home - Diverse customer base Long Review Not sure why it took me two years to come here. I have walked by this place numerous times but finally decided to come in. Lots of beer option on the menu, including many regional and local beers on draft. Wine by the glass or grab a bottle from their selection in the back. Despite the name, they also have cocktails on the menu. The bar is a little dark, probably because the ceiling is painted black. Most bars are dark so this is not a complaint. Inside seating is at the bar or seating to the side. Small outdoor seating available right on Front Street. Pool table up front if you want to play. The bar was at high capacity when I went in and was shocked to see they only had one bartender on staff (Saturday night). I hate going to bars where you have to push your way to the bar and hope to get the bartenders attention. This was not the case here. We got a spot at the bar and within a few minutes the bartender acknowledges us and stated she would be with us shortly. True to her word, she came back and took our drink order. Despite, in my opinion, the shortage of staff, the bartender was very skilled at managing the customer base and ensuring everyone got their drinks in a timely manner. read more

We met a bunch of friends here Saturday night for my girlfriend's surprise birthday. We had a great time. All of the staff and owners were engaged and friendly. The other patrons at the bar were also very friendly. They have a great selection of beers, mostly local. They also have a fair wine selection, although I only had beer. Great place to meet and hang. read more

I always enjoy coming to Cape Fear Wine and Beer. Normally when we are near the Riverwalk we head on down the street to at least have a beverage or two here. The staff is always welcoming, and we can always find a spot to sit. They do have pool which is great but often times occupied. We normally sit inside, however, they do have some outdoor seating in the front, and you can sit at the bar. All sorts of drinks ranging from cocktails to drafts and they range from local beers to your basic selection. I have also enjoyed some of their rose selection here too, so it is pretty versatile in the drinks department. So if you want a cool chill place to have a drink downtown, go on down to Cape Fear Wine and Beer! **I always feel that I should preference that I am older and have a child so my bedtime is early. I typically frequent these places in the early afternoons, so I have no idea if it gets super packed or what the "nightlife" is like. Those days are behind me. read more

Cape Fear Spirits & Beer - a liquor shop - Pubs Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Probably the most diverse and unique draft list in Wilmington at any given moment. Also a really solid bottle & can selection. Full bar & wine too, so something for everyone. I never have trouble picking a couple new brews to try. read more

Cape Fear Spirits & Beer - Honey Drip Brown Ale by Bill's Brewing Co. - Pubs Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Great drinks and good vibe....prices are hard to beat...nice staff, definitely will come back

We came to Cape Fear for pumpkin coffee shots. There were 4 in our group and wanted to split the tab 4 ways (she had not rung up the shots yet). The bartender CeCe said "I am going to give you a lesson on bar etiquette. When you go out one of you gets one tab and the other gets the next and so on. I can tell you guys are military girlfriends from Jacksonville here for the marine corps ball" We all live in Wilmington and frequent the bar often. We also all work in the service industry and have never complained about splitting tabs even when we have 20 people at a table. I understand having a bad night, but I have never taken it out on my customers before. read more

A beer selection worth a nod and pinball for some Nostalgia, but that's it? Fair warning, they have a juke box and even if you play within the genre, they will skip the songs. You will pay a dollar a song, but the bartender will hit skip almost immediately to get back to his playlist. Not much of a crowd either... avoid if you have a group or turned off by over imposing bar tenders... read more

Cool small spot. There's multiple small tables and ample bar seating. It has a cool vibe- small, dark inside, cool decor. There's also some seating along a bar outside. The best part is the wide selection of beers! So many and a wide variety of options. Nice electronic screen displaying them. They also had a variety of wine options and some bottled beer available for purchase from the cooler. Would definitely return! read more

I visited Cape Fear Wine and Beer after meeting friends at Orton Pool Hall. This bar is located downtown in a wonderful, old building. The first thing that I noticed when I walked in was the music...really quirky, fun vintage tunes that helped set the ambiance like that of a speak easy. I felt right at home. CFWAB has a nice selection of wines at a good price per glass. Generous pour, too. I thoroughly enjoyed my Borsao Rose. The service was equally as nice as the other amenities. Service with a smile is always appreciated. read more

I've been coming here for years. This is the best bar in town for good beer. Anyone that thinks otherwise is an idiot and doesn't know beer.

Good bar for local beers and pinball. They have 4 pinball machines which are all newer and fun. The bar have about 20 local beers of all assortments (IPA, stout, kolsch, etc). Fun to stop in when bar hopping around Downtown Wilmington. read more

If I lived in Wilm, I would be here every day, I swear. I would have already reached one hundred beers and have earned my Low Life status for sure. I know this because, during an impromptu overnight visit to one of my BFFs who calls Wilm home, we visited twice: Saturday night, then early Sunday afternoon for Beer Church. What I love about this place is it's divey, but still somehow spacious and clean. The owner and bartenders are covered in tattoos and piercings and clad in black leather with metal spikes, and yet they are some of the nicest freaking people you will ever meet. Everyone is welcome! The bartenders graduated summa cum laude from Beer University, if such a place exists, because they can tell you by heart about every color, flavor, finish, and note in each of the four hundred beers and wines they carry. That is impressive as hell. And they're not snobby about it at all. Except, actually, you know what you should do? Ask for a Miller Lite, then act really put out when they tell you they don't have it. That would be bloody brilliant! I'm a big fan of the punk CD-playing jukebox, pool table, and foosball table. Also, the outdoor area is perfect for people watching on Front Street. The night we visited, a Storm Trooper came in, posed for photos, danced a little, then left. Also, there are purse hooks under every table surface in the place: all along the bar, underneath every table, and, in the ladies' room, there's a purse hook underneath a drink stand, so you can have somewhere to set your drink while you whizz. That is basically the most thoughtful thing I've ever heard of. Cash is preferred, but they'll take cards: there's a $10 minimum on card purchases. All pints are around $5-6; bombers are ~$8. During my two visits, I drank nine pints (I am a lush), so I started a Low Life card, because I come visit my Wilm buddies pretty regularly. Fifty different beers on your card earns you a Cape Fear Wine & Beer t-shirt, and a cool hundred makes you part of the beer-drinking elite: the Port City Low Lifes. Beer Church is a national organization that gets you a free collector's glass when you drink that week's chosen brew, with proceeds benefitting various charities. In the eleven years since it was founded in Seattle, Beer Church has raised $100,000 for charity. Start this awesome program in your own community by becoming an ordained Beer Minister: http://www.beerchurch.com/index.php/participate/83/ read more

Cape Fear Spirits & Beer - Beer & wine list, front cover - Pubs Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Stopped in around 2pm on a Saturday a few weeks back for some reprieve from the heat. It's a really laid-back bar with a TON of great beers to choose from. Please don't come here for a Bud Light or Blue Moon. Step out of your box a bit! Service was fast and friendly. We loved this place! read more

Great selection and knowledgable staff. The bartender, when she found out we were from out of town, gave us a brief tutorial on the local breweries and even gave us a local publication on the beer scene in Wilmington. They also have an Ipad menu that does a great job of describing beers on tap, wine opperings, and cocktails available. Really low key vibe and a great place to catch up with friends, both new and old. read more

Found a beer close to home, 5 hours from home, that I love, at this joint. Nitro beer too. Well run place from bar tending to cleanliness on the glasses and lines. Hell yes! I'll be back and I recommend you visit too. read more

This will always be my favorite bar. Before I got married I use to go here to drink alone. Drinking alone isn't always recommended but this venue has amazing staff and regulars to keep you safe and entertained. CFWB is dog friendly, best bartender in town Megan Loux and Josh (usually at the door) gives some of the best hugs in Wilmington. I love sitting out on the front patio to people watch or check out a local parade. Best part? They don't serve domestics. Basic bitches keep out Tip: Check out the regular events. Sunday Beer Church, Monday Beer and a Massage, Wednesday Wine tasting and many more. read more

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Pretty sweet place with a huge beer selection. If you don't know what you want just ask the bar tender they will point you in the right direct, they are great people and really friendly. I found one of the new favorite beers here. Nice place to stop for a beer. read more

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This place is awful, they are rude and have a staff that I could not belive could be so disrespectful, do yourself a favor and skip this place. The bar next door will treat you so well that I can't believe they are forced to share the same patio, I hope Fat Tony's doesn't lose business because they are next door to a bar that should be out of business!! read more

Very pleased with the food and service here! We originally drove all the way from Myrtle Beach on our motorcycles for Lula's but due to false advertisement/misinformation, they were closed so we walked across the street to George's. What a very nice experience there! We were told our table would be available in about 20-30 minutes do we sat at the bar where service was super quick and friendly. After about ten minutes our table was ready. We had excellent seats outside and the food was pretty good all around. We will definitely be back. read more

Cape Fear Spirits & Beer - My Marine checking out his Piraat Belgian IPA. - Pubs Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Great place to try a wide variety of wine and beers. The atmosphere was wonderful and the restrooms were extremely clean. They have some convenience type snack but most a spot to have a few drinks. The main bar is exceptionally comfortable and they have a nice bar seating area out front as well. The bartender was excellent, knowledgeable, professional and very friendly. Wish we had found this place at the start of our visit in town cause the place is amazing. read more

I've been here probably 10 times now, and this remains my FAVORITE bar in all of Wilmington. They have a fantastic selection of draft, bottled, and canned beer. I think over 300 varieties? You can't get any better. They've installed new iPad systems that give descriptions of all beers they have. Last weekend, I enjoyed a tasty draft meade. Only downside is that they often have two or even only one bartender working, making bar service slow at times. (The bar staff is trying their best, but they struggle to serve everyone at the bar in a timely manner.) Still, the bar's product and vibe are great, so I'll keep coming back! read more

Staff is awesome, very dark atmosphere, tons of beers on tap. Great place to spend a few hours and relax.

Heard lots of great things about this place and wanted to love it, but...i just cant. Not a big fan of smoke, and even though there is no smoking inside, i somehow still smelled like it on the way out. I tried asking about a few of their beer selections (they have SO many), but I felt ignored and rushed, and everyone in there seemed extremely pretentious. Some guy inside started being a douche to me and my wife. 3 stars for the beer selection, but probably only deserves 2. Sort of feels like the kind of place the "Encourages Individuality" as long as you have the same tastes and personality as the people working there. read more

Okay you guys, this place is THE SHIT. A beer lovers Heaven. SO many selections I have a hard time knowing where to start when I come here. The bartenders are so so so rad, I feel like I've known them forever. And they have BEER CHURCH. There really isn't much more to say except go here immediately and drink your face off. read more

Man I wish Cape Fear Wine and Beer was open when I lived in Wilmington years ago. After hitting up Lumina Station for dinner I was in need of a different scene, preferably a dive to chill with my friends over some good beer or wine. Cape Fear was the perfect joint to check out. I've been hearing about this bar for years but haven't had a chance to get to it until this weekend. For a Sat. night around 10ish it was easy enough to grab a seat at the bar and check out the blackboard full of amazing craft beers. I was happy to see a mix of local NC beers as well as others. They also had a decent selection of wine as well. The bartender was super friendly and spent some time chatting with us for a bit. For a girl who loves her beer this will be my new hot spot while I'm in town. There are a a lot of bars to choose from while roaming downtown Wilmington but none have the selection of beer like Cape Fear. I can't wait for my next visit to Wilmington so I can come back and enjoy myself here a little longer. read more

Love this place. Since discovering this spot I love to come in for beer church, an afternoon beer. They have a constant rotation of craft brews local and otherwise. Barkeeps that are amazing, quick service, loaded with info about what you are drinking. The atmosphere is great. Easy patio in the front and back. Great regulars. If you are lookin for a great place to taste fresh brews while visiting Cape Fear and downtown Wilmington, this is the place. read more

Cape Fear Spirits & Beer - Pubs Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Oh man, I kind of want to move to Wilmington. Sure, the tourists would be annoying, but this bar and the beach, that would be perfection. Anyway, this place drew us in because of the awesome outdoor seating. We needed to cool off after walking the streets of Downtown, though, so we headed in. A bubbly, fun bartender (who repeatedly told us she had only been working there a couple weeks), served us. She gave us some recommendations, but told us the meade was truly awesome. My husband had a glass of that, and I ordered my usual girly beer thing. (Sea Dog Apricot Ale.) Hey, I'm getting better! Anyway, both were delicious; I sampled the meade as well. It's definitely a punk rock kind of bar with punk rock on the jukebox. But even if you're not punk rock, like me, you would not feel uncomfortable here. It's neatly decorated and clean with happy people. They sell wine by the bottle as well. There's not a lot on draft, but TONS of bottles, which you can see pretty clearly through the coolers, but be prepared to spend a bit of time looking over the beer list. A really fun place that we will return to every time we visit Wilmington. read more

When I can make it out, I try to go see Maaike or Lector so they can tell me about the next interesting beer making an appearance on tap, listen to great music and talk to some characters. The new building is fantastic with all that space! I love that they didn't lose the character of the old Water St. location when they moved. Hands down best beer selection in town. If you want to know more about beer, they don't look down their nose at you, they want to talk about beers with you and help you pick something you'll enjoy! read more

We were actually recommended to Cape Fear Wine and Beer from a waitress at another bar, she said it was one of the best bars in town. She wasn't kidding. I have only visited once, so have not had a chance to drink wine here, I was strictly on a beer tour. The selection is top notch, with several local brews as well as craft brews from around the country. One thing I noticed is the selection is constantly changing. If they run out of a beer, they don't replace it with the same keg, something new takes its place. They don't give you tap water here, they make you buy a bottle, so that is a downside. I should have alternated water with my beer, because what I was drinking mostly topped 9% ABV, and I definitely felt it the next day. read more

My dad retired to Wilmington, so obviously I immediately looked for good beer spots for when I visit. After reading the Yelp reviews, I started looking forward to grabbing a beer here. When I vistited last October, I did just that. The Yelp reviews were certainly accurate. The taps, while somewhat limited for today's standards, boast some really nice selections that you don't see elsewhere. I had a delicious Flemish Sour based on the bartender's recommendation. The bottle selection is also very impressive, and I enjoyed a Piraat after perusing the coolers for a bit. The bar really does reek of cool, it's just a great little environment to have a few beers. If I lived in Wilmington, I would absolutely be a regular. The one constant with the other reviews that I didn't necessarily experience was the knowledge of the bartenders. I was really in the mood for a Belgian IPA, so instead of looking over all of the bottles in the cooler in hopes of discovering one, I asked the bartender instead. He said that he didn't think they currently had any, and recommended a Duvel. I let him know that I was going to look around a bit before deciding, and that's when my eyes landed on the Piraat. I don't expect the bartenders to know every beer they currently have in stock, but I thought the recommendation was just a little uninspired. Definitely a small thing, but that's what kept it from being a 5-star experience for me. Great place! read more

It is important to preface this review by saying: I am a beer snob. I love craft beer. Being a college town, Wilmington's night life is inundated with college bars; even in college, I had very little desire to go to any of these with the insanely loud music, crazy crowds, and poor drink selections. Cape Fear Wine and Beer came to the rescue. They offer so many awesome choices for beer that I never try the same thing twice (or I try not to, but sometimes, it's just that good). The bartenders know their stuff, too. Their beers are pricey, but you get what you pay for - quality. I often start my nights here with one or two, because that's all I need to catch a decent buzz. The price and lack of tacky specials scares a way a lot of the rambunctious younger college crowd and brings in a mellower crowd; as a previous review stated, it definitely has a punk rock vibe to it as well as many of the patrons. But that's just fine with me - give me punk rock over Justin Beiber any day! BEST BAR IN WILMINGTON. GO. NOW. Oh, and they're puppy friendly! read more

Frankly, this place is too addictive for me to frequent... Just watched a documentary on the Weeping Radish Brewery (about 5 hours away from Wilmington) and the brewmaster had on a CFWB tee, what more can I say? The Weeping Radish is the Oldest Microbrewery in North Carolina. http://www.weepingradish.com/ read more

Cape Fear Wine & Beer used to be a tiny, tiny little bar, not much bigger than a McMansion bathroom. They've recently moved to a big, spacious spot on Front Street, between Fat Tony's and Trebenzios, so I'm guessing a little on the address. Anyway, this is an excellent bar with THE BEST beer selection of any bar that I've ever been to. You don't come in and order a Bud Light; you ask the bartender what her favorite American golden lager is, and if she's nice enough not to laugh at you for ordering pisswater, she will deliver a detailed analysis of Beer X, Beer Y, and Beer Z, none of which you've probably heard of. The bottom line is that these people know beer. And they serve it too. read more

Best Bar in Downtown Wilmington. That is, for people who like beer. Understand, there are people who prefer a Miller Lite or Sam Adams or something you buy at a market. That's perfectly fine. This place is NOT for you. All the same, venture forth, ask the wise bartenders for some advice, and you might pick up a new favorite or two and expand your horizons. I've been going to CFWB since it was originally on Water Street. A small place that let you select your own beers, the "new" location changed things a bit. Larger and a bit more inviting (pool table, foosball, video games, and significantly more room), the clientele has expanded now that it's on N. Front Street. So what makes it special? There's kind of a "Cheers" vibe I get--place where everyone knows your name, but they have better beer. It's not an upscale, hoity-toity bar, it's low-key and while you're more inclined to seeing people with tattoos who haven't shaved in awhile, it's a judgment-free zone where everyone feels welcome--unless they ask for Coors or Miller Lite. If you are a newbie, best bet is to ask the bartenders for a recommendation and look over the menu. read more

Great bar for beer. Excellent beer selection and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly.

Okay... I absolutely love this place. It may very well be the mecca for craft beer. With well over 200 beers available you are sure to find a beer that appeals to your tastes. Everyone that works here is a beer enthusiast. So they are quick to help with a pick or suggestion on a something you may not have tried before or even heard of. Whether you like stouts, pilsner, limbic, porters, or ales, you will find it here. They also have a nice ,small outdoor bar area on the sidewalk to sit when its nice out. read more

Cape Fear Spirits & Beer - Plank III Belgian Ale - Pubs Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

While visiting my friend in Wilmington, she asked if I wanted to go to "beer church". Ok, it's more like she said, "I know you don't like beer much, but this is where I go on Sundays for 'beer church', so wanna go?" Now, I cannot begin to describe exactly what beer church is. I know it involves being a regular, having a mentor, taking a test, purchasing the special beers and glasses on Sundays, and more. I think. If I have it wrong, I apologize, Wilmington friends. But, what I can tell you is that this place is one of a kind. Dozens of beers on tap, changing ALL THE TIME. A juke box with Motörhead, Fu Manchu, the Circle Jerks, and more. A divey ambiance. A place that could become where everybody knows your name. Outdoor seating, where dogs are allowed/encouraged. Bartenders who will listen to what you like and dislike and do all they can to find something you will enjoy- even if you don't like beer much. Beer and wine ONLY. And the beer is craft beer- no bud or miller here. No hard liquor, and no food (but bringing food from other establishments, or home, to share, is encouraged). I cannot say enough about how great this place is. I can't wait to come back to Wilmington to go here again- and like I said, I don't even like beer. :-) read more

This is my home. I love this bar and it was one of the few reasons i was sad to leave the town of Wilmington. Great beer selection, great people, great tunes, great atmosphere. If you ever are troubled about whcih beer to try, the bartenders know their brews and will help. Heck, sometimes even the customers will help. I miss this bar everyday and the people in it. Love, love, love this bar and can't say enough good about it. read more