Twelve 33 Distiller is a gem, a delight, a treat and worth visiting. My wife and I did the VIP…read moretour and it was amazing - very well led by SAM who spoke well on how they make their spirits as he showed us around, helping us pick spirits for our sampling and leading us through the equipment then to the "secret" Speakeasy. We loved our time at Twelve 33, enjoying our visit with SAM and KEVIN, the food, the spirits and the general feeling of joy persistent throughout the facility. Highly recommend you work in time to visit! TOUR $29 per person gets you a very personalized tour with an employee - in our case, that employee was SAM TICE who we learned is the Assistant Distiller and Operations Manager so he definitely knows his stuff! On the tour, you start by picking your spirits that will be on your tasting flight. Yeah, it seems weird to pick them up front but then while you're on the tour in the back, their staff is pouring all your spirits so they are ready for you when you're done - very efficient! And don't worry, your guide will assist you in selecting spirits and there's a very descriptive menu to help you out as well. SPIRITS The spirits I tried were excellent and my wife enjoyed hers as well, starting with their Intemperance Vodka that both of us got and fell in love with. And that's saying something! We are both Belvedere fans as our number one vodka of choice, and it's a Rye vodka so normally we're not in on the corn/wheat types but this vodka was smooth, delightful and fun enough that we purchased 2 bottles on our way out. Beyond that, our tastes went different directions as I loaded up on whiskeys and my wife went the tequila and cream liquor route. My favorite was the Triple Oaked whisky which I also procured a bottle of as we exited SPEAKEASY Such a fun surprise - at the end of the tour, you open their speakeasy by uttering the password, and step back into time with early 1900's decor and music, plus your tasting flight waiting with water and pretzels for you to enjoy. They give you time to taste and also select a cocktail (included in the tour) from their menu which they bring to you to imbibe in this fun room! FOOD We only tried one item from their Small Bites menu - a flatbread - but it was awesome. Very interesting flatbread as it was smaller than I think we expected but the ingredients were perfectly balanced and appropriately sized - we had the BBQ Chicken pizza with BBQ sauce, roasted chicken, purple onion and 3 cheese blend. It was cute and the perfect amount of food for a snack before we moved on to dinner closer to our hotel. STAFF Besides SAM who gave us the tour, we met KEVIN OSBORN, the founder/owner/head distiller who swung by to say hello and chat for a moment. He was very nice and it was great of him to drop by. We had servers and other staff that were equally friendly and welcoming - a warm, enthusiastic group of people that all seem to truly love working at Twelve 33 Distillery, and it made our visit even better

Founded in 2017, the Twelve 33 Distillery (named after the month when prohibition ended) was the…read morefirst distillery to open in Horry County (both Myrtle Beach and Little River are located in it). It has a wide variety of different spirits, and has a strongly recommended tasting tour. My wife and I took advantage of our free time near Myrtle Beach during a hotel change-over, making (and paying for) the reservation on-line. Both of us really loved it, and really appreciated how the uncrowded time let us slowly enjoy every part of the tour, especially the tasting(s) at the end. The tour costs $29 per person, paid at the time of reservation. The distillery's bar opened at the same time as our tour (around 1 pm). It is located in a newer strip mall, right off of highway 17, with a dunkin donuts is in the same building. There was plenty of free outdoor parking in front. It's a beautiful space inside, with plenty of open seating and high unfinished ceilings. We were the only two on the tour, and Eric was our guide. We started by writing the 6 chosen spirits for the later tasting. My wife chose - Intemperance vodka - Carolina Peach Vodka - Crusader Spiced Rum - Tipsy Joe Coffee Cream Liqueur - two others while I chose - Blueberry Vodka - Arethusa Single Barrel Rum - Big Six Double Oak Bourbon - Big Six Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskey - Traigh Mhor American Single Malt Whiskey - Rocco Loco American Agave We then went on our tour, in the industrial area of the building. The actual space where the magic happens doesn't require much walking to see all of it. So it depends a lot on the tour guide to keep the spirit going: to entertain and hopefully do a little (in our case a lot) of education. Eric was great at all of it, and we even got to meet the owner (Kevin), who was working the floor. I had done a little studying for a previous distillery review, so what Eric taught us confirmed a lot. Two things of note were the two large vessels , nicknamed 'Bonnie' for the mash tun (where the grains are cooked) and 'Clyde' for the copper still. We then moved to the custom-built hidden speakeasy, where a secret password needed to be whispered to the lion head guarding the room (the secret word is related to Prohibition, like a lot of things here). Once we entered, our flights were ready and included 3 cream liquors as well. Eric then switched over to become our bartender/waiter, bringing water and pretzels, and offering suggestion and answers. He made it clear that we could take our time. Once we were done with the samples, we got to choose a full size cocktail (normally $13). We got a 'Never Trust a Ginger' (peach vodka, OJ, simple syrup, lime, basil, and ginger beer) and 'Eddie the Swinia' (bourbon, agave, lemon juice, cherry bitters). Both were excellent, eminently drinkable. We were having a really good time, admiring the atmosphere of the speakeasy. After we finished our drinks, we ordered 3 of the popular spirits to bring back home: Doc Scoflaw ($69.95), Carolina Peach Vodka ($29.95), and Big Six Double Oak ($59.95). Ten percent was taken off because we took the tour. The tax here was 8% (definitely a lot more palatable then the 21% charged in some places). We stayed a little bit longer to admire the room, and then left...remarking how nice everyone was, and hoping that future spirit tours would be as gratifying as this one.

We really enjoyed our visit here. We came in on a Wednesday afternoon when I had visitors in town…read more They are behind a car wash and had a smaller parking lot. Jake was an amazing bartender/host. He gave us the run down and was super nice. They have 4 kinds of rum. My favorite was the Over Proof or the Queen's Share since its doubled distilled. I got the drink flight so I could try 3 different drinks. All of them were tasty and refreshing. Definitely check this place out. There is plenty of room inside and out. It was comfy and clean! Loved that they let guest email in photos for their Wall of Hounds too!

Located at the next entrance over from Flaming Amy's burritos, behind the car wash, this small, new…read morerum-only distillery has a pleasant bar and tasting room. Check the hours beforehand, as they are not open every day. They currently offer four rums, available as a flight for $22. They also have many cocktails that utilize their rums, ranging from some tiki classics to house recipes and rums mixed with four flavors of a vinegar based shrub made locally. Our host was a merry extravert who offered a warm welcome and seemed genuinely disappointed we were flying home later in the day, making it difficult to return soon.

We love the Cranberry infused vodka. I pick a few bottles up for my brother in FL each year. It's a…read morefan favorite.

We stopped by here to get a drink for my daughter and son-in-law. When you walk in to the left is a…read moreplace to buy merch. There is a dining area to relax and have a drink. To the right is the bar where you can order your drinks and leave or sit at the tables. They ordered their drinks to leave and walk around Barefoot Landing. Service was quick and friendly, and they enjoyed their drinks.

Have been wanting to check them out for a while and finally made it in. Unique barn building with…read moreviews of the distillery area. Cozy and comfy seating. Mercantile shop with merch and bottles to go. They do a tasting as well. Such a cute spot for relax and have a beverage or two!

This place is a fantastic example of how to take history, character, and craftsmanship and blend…read morethem into a genuinely memorable experience. The building alone is worth the visit. Housed inside a restored 1947 Quonset hut -- those curved steel structures originally designed for WWII -- the space manages to feel both industrial and welcoming at the same time. Inside, the high arched ceiling, natural light, plants, and comfortable leather seating create a relaxed lounge atmosphere that feels intentional rather than trendy. Outside, the patio area with string lights and open-air seating gives you a second completely different vibe, perfect for enjoying North Carolina sunshine. The cocktails absolutely delivered. The Brown Butter Old Fashioned is a standout. Brown butter-washed bourbon adds a subtle nutty richness that rounds off the edges of the whiskey beautifully, while the cinnamon bitters and maple bring warmth without turning the drink into dessert. It's creative but still respects the classic Old Fashioned structure -- which is exactly how a riff on a traditional cocktail should be done. The Limoncello Tonic was bright, refreshing, and crisp -- a perfect counterpoint. House-made limoncello with tonic and citrus notes makes for an easy-drinking, sunny cocktail that feels light but still flavorful. Ideal patio drink. Service and presentation appear polished, and the fact that they distill many of their own spirits in-house adds authenticity you don't always get at cocktail lounges. There's also something admirable about adaptive reuse like this. Taking a mid-century industrial structure and turning it into a modern social space is a reminder that good design doesn't have to erase history -- it can build on it. Overall: Excellent atmosphere, thoughtfully crafted drinks, unique historic setting, and a relaxed but upscale vibe. A place that feels both local and special at the same time. A special shout-out to Abigail, the bar back, who had a fantastic system for handling the crowd. Instead of everyone clustering around the bar trying to figure out where the line started or ended, she encouraged us to grab a seat and brought the drinks out when they were ready. It made the whole experience feel relaxed and organized, and it's the kind of thoughtful service detail that really stands out. Kudos Abigail!

This is such a beautiful place to check out! We loved the decor, especially all the cute frames on…read morethe walls. The service was friendly and attentive, and the cocktails were delicious. Even my mocktail was really good! I also really appreciated that the bartender came over to explain that what I ordered might still contain a small amount of alcohol, just in case I was trying to avoid it completely. That really says a lot about the care and attention they give their customers.

Hidden Ships Distillery is truly a hidden gem in Surf City! I grew up in this area and now live in…read moreVirginia Beach, and I make it a point to tell everyone I know about Hidden Ships. I was never a big fan of any liquor, so I wasn't expecting to be impressed--but their gin and bourbon completely changed my mind. Both are incredibly smooth, flavorful, and unlike anything I'd had before. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and you can tell the owner and staff are passionate about what they do. Whether you're a spirits enthusiast or someone who normally skips liquor like I do, Hidden Ships is absolutely worth the visit. If you're anywhere near Surf City, do yourself a favor and stop by Hidden Ships Distillery. It's one of my favorite places to recommend, and everyone I've sent there has loved it. I can't wait to come back on my next trip home!

This bar had live entertainment and good service when we went here. We didn't spend a long time…read morehere yet we will definitely come back. The bathrooms was clean. We stayed here until our Lyft came to pick us up.

Featuring live music on a Sunday afternoon during football, Wilmington Distillery was a nice spot…read moreto enjoy some drinks made with local spirits. It clearly stated that you are supposed to order from the bar, so first sat down to look at the menu. The one bartender working was kind enough to stop by the table to let us know she was ready to help us. They allow simple complementary tastings so got a thimbleful of their whiskey and limoncello. Ordered a Von Moscow Mule ($10) and a Regulator Whiskey ($12). Good pour. My team wasn't playing, so wasn't really interested in what was on the TV (unlike most others in the bar). Instead, enjoyed the live music while sipping on our cocktails, and left once done. It was a good stay.

Had a tasting and left with only 2 bottles. Everything I tasted was good. It was difficult to…read morelimit myself 2 2 bottles. The cinnamon whiskey was my favorite. I recommend stopping by and let them show you some good stuff. I'm going back.

Don't drive away before going inside. The distillery is not in the best part of town and the…read moreoutside needs a little work, but it is worth the stop. We were in town and wanting to visit a distillery, it was a bonus that they made moonshine and whiskey. They are only open in Saturday's so I submitted a message on their website, within two minutes one of the owners, Steve, text me to set up a visit on the only day we were available. He was incredibly accommodating, he even text me the day of to verify our tasting. We later found out that he drove directly from his primary job in another town to meet us there. The tour and Tasting was free! The Distillery was small, but clean and well decorated. We started with a quick tour and explanation of their process. He was very patient with my silly questions and more than happy to explain everything to us. After the tour we moved on to the tasting. He offered for us to try any and all of what they make there. We didn't not need that but tried many of them. We ended up purchasing the whiskey, lemon drop, and blackberry moonshine, although there were several others we enjoyed. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a good way to spend an hour and learn a little about the distilling process.

The Lowdown: Beautiful waterfront views, attentive service, delicious food, fair prices, and a laid…read moreback atmosphere that made for a great girls' night out. The three of us were on a girls' trip to Oak Island, so we took the golf cart over to Lone Rider. Parking was easy, even with a short wait for an outdoor table. But there were plenty of picnic tables and bar seating where we could relax in the meantime. Once we were seated outside, the view overlooking the sound was absolutely worth it. Peaceful, relaxing, exactly what we were hoping for. Our server was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. We all ended up ordering the Smash Burger, and yes, despite the lettuce headlines, we kept the lettuce on and lived to tell the tale. My friends chose tots, and I went with the fries. Everything came out hot and fresh, and the Smash Burger on Texas toast was a great twist. Prices felt fair for the area, especially given the location and overall vibe. No live music the night we visited, but they host bands and events on other nights, which sounds like a fun reason to return.

I look forward to visiting this place with it looks like new owners and atmosphere. I love this…read morespot on the island for gorgeous sunset photos with family or alone. Beautiful part of the island

Having a rough day? Want some booze, or some ice cream? With Hardscoop Distellery, you can have…read moreboth- all while supporting a local business and product. Hardscoop Distellery has a physical location on Clements Ferry Rd., but their ice cream is sold at liquor stores and Harris Teeter. I recently attended a tasting, where I tried the ice cream and learned more about it- and I've since become a fan and customer. Not only is Hardscoop made locally, but they also use local products. The price is very reasonable for the quality of ingredients as well as the alcohol content. A container of Hardscoop is cheaper than one fancy cocktail, and you can eat the whole container in your pajamas while binge-watching Netflix on the couch, with no judgement. Win win. Hardscoop regularly sells vanilla, chocolate, and coffee ice creams, but also offers seasonal flavors like peach sorbet. I tried each flavor, and the chocolate is hands-down my favorite. These ice creams are 16 proof, except the peach sorbet which is 21 proof. Needless to say, it packs a punch, so keep it away from the kiddos (or the lightweights). I can't wait to try some of the seasonal flavors. Rumor has it there will be a pumpkin spice flavor at the end of September, too.

What a fun idea! Too bad it isn't open at night or on weekends. I think they would have a larger…read morebusiness. Very interesting flavors and I didn't feel the price was high. The ice cream is premium! I've paid the same price for non-alcoholic pints of ice cream. Definitely worth a visit!