Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar

This was an interesting bar down a small alley in town. It was mostly full of college kids. They…read morehad a variety of specialty drinks, and good music playing too. If you are looking to drink and dance, this may not be the spot for you. But you if you want to socialize, then check it out. 2025-09 #560

Great atmosphere! Cozy little bar with a great sazerac. Back…read morecorner of a little alley.

Cool bar

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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

4.5(100 reviews)

0.3 mi

Stopped by WTF in Wilmington. Very cool place with a great vibe. Plenty of comfortable seating, TVs…read moreeverywhere, pool table, and even more space upstairs. Service was excellent and the location is perfect if you're out downtown. Drinks were a mixed bag. The smoked Old Fashioned looked good but wasn't anything special. My Kiss of Fire had a nice spicy kick at first, but it watered down really quickly, probably from the ice, so it didn't hold up the way I hoped. Overall though, it's a cool spot with great service and a fun atmosphere. Definitely worth checking out if you're in Wilmington.

Cocktails and live music were awesome but music was SO loud!!! The band and singer were really…read moreexceptional so my friend and I were happy to sit and listen to them while we enjoyed our cocktails, but had to leave after one drink because we couldn't hear a word each other said, even in the upstairs area (as far as we could get from the music). My espresso martini was delicious but a little pricey. If I were looking to sit by myself and listen to music, this would be a great spot - just not ideal for the start to a night out with friends due to the noise level. I wish there were a more secluded area we could choose to sit in to hear each other.

Lavender sour

Toto and Derrick

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Dram & Draught

4.8(27 reviews)

Great spot to grab a day drink when visiting the Wilmington Historic District. Dude tending bar was…read morevery friendly. Great selection of spirits and beers. Bar smells awesome and the outdoor seating is great if you're bringing the doggos like we did. Love this place!!

Such a cute little spot! It has all the vibes of a speak easy with dark colorings, wood top, low…read morelevel lighting.. and a selection you will never grow tired of as well as on tap beer options. They have a rotating menu which includes seasonal drinks and staff favorites. They also have a few nibbles you can order but it's not a very big selection. The bar keep was very friendly and upbeat for a Sunday afternoon. Totally would go back when in town again and recommend it to people that visit Wilmington.

Another moment please

Bar

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The wall of libations

KGB

4.2(67 reviews)

It was a Sunday night and the bartender was extremely rude. Worked about as slow as he could, had…read moreno personality, and tried as hard as possible to do as little as possible. We just wanted a bottled beer. Do better bro.

Bartender was unfriendly and rude when I tried to order 2 bottled beers. The atmosphere of the…read moreplace was really cool but it was honestly ruined by the poor attitude of the bartender.

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The end of a super night at KGB!

The Blind Elephant

4.0(168 reviews)

This is a wonderful speakeasy, which means food is not available. The bartenders are exceptionally…read morewell trained, and will mix some wonderful and original cocktails. The decor and feel of the location are wonderful Wednesday and Thursday nights. They have live piano. I have never seen it crowded. This may be because there is a five dollar annual membership fee.

Overpriced and underwhelming…read more But incredibly effective marketing. I fell for it, so I have to credit them with that. Nicely decorated interior. They were mostly kind but I should've turned away at the cover charge, and lack of prices for regular cocktails. I was shocked to see a $21 charge for a whiskey sour that had Buffalo Trace.

Upstairs Lounge

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Bare area from above.

The Rooftop Bar

3.2(42 reviews)

Struggled with the rating. I could have gone 3 stars but decided on 4. The deciding factor was…read morehow cheap the drinks were. Located on Front Street, right in the heart of downtown. The Rooftop bar is on the 5th story of the building it is in. There is an elevator, but if you are a glutton for punishment, you can take the stairs. The drinks are very reasonable. 3 beers cost me $10. Not a huge selection of draft beer, but many others in cans/bottles. Bartender was very good, friendly and efficient. The bar is in the middle, with seats all around. You can also take you drinks to seating outside with better views of the Cape Fear River. One section gives you a great view of the battleship across the river. There are criticism in other reviews about the views, which I get. The Southside views are mostly looking at the rooftops of other buildings, not that they can change that. There are other obstructions they can control if they wanted which would improve the viewing experience. The bar is very laid back, with a mixed crowd. Recommend.

If you're looking for a fancy rooftop bar- this ain't it. If you're looking for a cool spot to hang…read morewith a good bartender, this is it. No frills, small bar atop a roof featuring views of the surrounding area. Loud music playing, definitely a locals type joint.

Vodka soda

View from rooftop

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The Underfront

4.3(14 reviews)

0.3 mi

The drink I got here, the pinkie pie, was super tasty and reminded me of strawberry milk. It was…read morevery expensive, but for a downtown nicer bar it was expected. The inside looks really nice and has lots of different fun seating, including couches and different chairs. It was pretty empty when I came, so there were lots of places to sit. The service is where I had a problem. We came in at 10:50 and were informed that last call was at 11, so we closed out our tabs. The place has it posted that they close at 12, so we anticipated having some time to sit there. However, around 11:15 the bouncer came around and told us we had to get out. I wasn't even done with my drink yet, so I finished it quickly and we left. The bartenders were very nice, but someone should have let us know they were closing early before just kicking us out while we were still working on our drinks.

The Underfront…read more Wilmington's destination for boutique cocktails and live music situated in the heart of downtown! Crafted from the ground up. You can tell they have a passion for mixology based on all their homemade ingredients which range from house smoked salts and spirits to fat washed whiskeys and infusions, savory gastriques, supple foams and creams, raw sugar syrups, confectionary treats and house made bitters and tinctures. *| Reposado New York Sour Casamigos Reposado, salted agave syrup. fresh lemon + lime. egg whites. red wine float. + a snow flake. *| Nouveau Carre The Clover rye whiskey. Courvoisier cognac. Cynar. Benedictine. Peychaud's bitters. flamed orange zest.

Bathroom decor...F Scott Fitzgerald Quote!!

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Absinthe eyes on left and Gamblin lady on right

Dram Yard

4.2(196 reviews)

0.6 mi

•$$$

What a fantastic evening at Dram Yard…read more We were a little concerned we might miss our 5:30 reservation after getting delayed by a seven-car accident on the bridge, but we arrived just a couple of minutes late and it wasn't an issue at all. From the moment we arrived, the experience was relaxed, welcoming, and exactly what we needed. We chose to sit in the beautiful courtyard, and with temperatures in the 70s, sunshine overhead, and a gentle breeze, it couldn't have been a more perfect setting. The outdoor gazebo bar creates a wonderful atmosphere for enjoying a cocktail before dinner, and if the weather isn't cooperating, the indoor dining space is equally inviting. A special thank you to Sarah, whose service was outstanding. She was cheerful, attentive, and genuinely seemed happy to be there. The restaurant wasn't crowded, which made for a peaceful and unhurried dining experience. For drinks, I ordered the Ghost Town, while my wife enjoyed the Venus Flytrap. Both were beautifully prepared and easy to see why they're among the restaurant's popular cocktails. The food was equally impressive. I had the Spaghetti Carbonara, and it was exceptional. The kitchen even accommodated my request for extra freshly cracked black pepper, which took an already excellent dish to another level. My wife ordered the Little Gem Salad with shrimp, and it was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. We also shared the Tuna Tartare Tostada, which was outstanding--beautiful presentation, fresh tuna, and a great balance of textures and flavors. Adding to the experience was a bottle of Albariño that paired wonderfully with the meal. What stands out most about Dram Yard is its atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you can settle in, slow down, enjoy a handcrafted cocktail, and forget about the stresses of the day. Whether you're looking for a date night, an evening with friends, or simply a quiet place to relax, Dram Yard delivers. Excellent service, creative cocktails, outstanding food, and one of the most relaxing outdoor dining spaces in Wilmington. We'll definitely be back.

I've been to the Dram Yard a few times for cocktails at the outdoor bar and have always loved the…read moredrinks and the atmosphere with the fire pits but hadn't eaten dinner until last night. The whole experience was perfect. We had to wait a few minutes for our table to be ready. It was such a minimal wait that I didn't think anything of it. Our waitress came over to our table, apologized, and said they'd be sending out their little gem salad and brussel sprouts. Both appetizers were plenty for four of us. The salad was romaine lettuce with fish roe and had a umami style to it that I really enjoyed. The Brussels were exceptional. I'm a big fan normally and these were by far some of the best I've had. For cocktails I tried the man of war and the ghost town which was complex and amazing. For dinner I tried the fish of the day, which were scallops from Maine with ancient grains and a small green salad. The scallops were rich tasting and succulent. My husband had the burger and said it was really good. The whole dining experience was exceptional. The servers were attentive yet knew how to pace our experience. We never felt rushed or imposed upon or forgotten. With all the restaurant choices in Wilmington, Dram Yard rises to the top.

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Dram Yard

Earnest Money & Sons

4.6(16 reviews)

I am very much into cocktails, and this is my favorite spot in Wilmington. They go out of their…read moreway to make off menu curated drinks suited to your interests. Bree always has a smile as she welcomes you in and provides great service. Well worth the annual $25 fee to have access to this place. The vibe is great, prices are fair. Our new go to pre-dinner drink place.

Great place to hang and get some great cocktails , awesome service and very friendly bartendersread more

Cheers to craft cocktails!

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Varnish

2.8(5 reviews)

christian is so awesome! we loved him, came for a bachelorette. Will definitely be back!read more

either love or hate -- there's not much in between. It's a three-story nightclub, and the second…read morefloor is where the real action happens, featuring a packed dance floor, flashing lights, and high-energy music. They typically play current hits with a mix of pole dancing performances from the customer haha that keep the crowd entertained. The drinks are a bit overpriced, but that's pretty standard for most clubs, so it's not a huge shock. Be prepared for big crowds -- it gets very crowded, and you'll almost definitely get bumped into more than once. One major downside is the air conditioning... or lack of it. It gets hot inside, so expect to leave sweaty. The lines to get in can be long, so plan ahead if you're heading there on a busy night. Also, the security team can come off a bit intense and power-trippy at times, which can be a bit of a buzzkill. All that said, if you're in the mood to dance, let loose, and don't mind a little chaos, Varnish can be a fun and wild night out -- just know what you're walking into!