Huge walk in cooler full of beer, walk in and take your pick. Big outdoor sandy area with lots of seating and eclectic decor. Great staff. read more

The Fat Pelican - Beer - Beer Bar Near Me - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

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Total Dive and LOVE this place!!!! Huge cooler full of all different kinds of beer. We will go every time we are in Carolina Beach!!!

This is probably one of the best little dive bars I've ever been to! My friend thought that it would be a neat place to hang out just have a drink before going to dinner. Unfortunately, for me, I did not know what I was about to drink because I wasn't paying attention and my friend thought she was funny by introducing this to me, but 50 g of cannabis doesn't sit well with someone who wouldn't even drink too lol The bar has an indoor seating option but they have an outdoor Z themed sort of hangout place. Swings rocking chairs, different Adirondack seating covered, uncovered whatever your heart desires group seating single seating, etc. etc. there are tables there as well outback if you have a group. The bartender was very nice. He even warned us about the drinks. My friend was used to drinking these, but I wasn't lol I should've stuck to my wine. But I will say the way it works is that you're basically going into a back room selecting what you wanna drink if it's not a bar menu item and then you pay for it and then you walk outside or go find a place to hang out and chill. Really enjoyed the vibe. People were really nice. There were some people there alone just having a drink, chilling out and they were others that were just there having fun before going out to maybe the carnival the boardwalk or even to dinner. I did not see anybody eating food so I do not think there is food there maybe some bar nuts and stuff like that but other than that, it's pure just alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic for those that don't drink. I'll go back there again for sure, but I definitely won't be having the drink that I had which was some canned cannabis whatever it was lol! read more

The Fat Pelican - With my Friennnnnd - Beer Bar Near Me - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

This is such an interesting place. I was intrigued by the walk in cooler of pick your own adventure beers, but had also seen pictures of the decor and knew this is a place I needed to see with my own eyes. Highly recommend popping in (at least once) if you are in the area. If you go the choose your own adventure beer route, you pay, they open the beer for you and then you can wander around. It's a fun place, I would go back. I'm not even a beer drinker anymore - but they have wine and selters too. read more

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Best dive bar on the East Coast- Bess is awesome!! great service and atmosphere. Love the fat pelican

Cozy place to grab a beer or glass of wine in Carolina Beach. No food but a lot of places to sit and relax inside and outside. The patrons were friendly and inviting, wanting us to have a good experience. Within walking distance of the boardwalk and various restaurants and shops. read more

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Love this funky bar! They have a big selection of beer in their walk-in cooler, and lots of seating inside and outside.

Rated #1 dive bar in NC and top 25 in America, or so I read, and I agree ! After a long walk on a hot day, the walk in beer cooler was a welcome relief. Amazing selection, eclectic surroundings, and a cool vibe ! Very friendly folks running this place, too. We will be sure to hit the Fat Pelican every chance we get on our next trips to CB. read more

What a unique little dive! One of my favorite spots in Carolina Beach. Unlike anywhere else. read more

The Fat Pelican - Beer Bar Near Me - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

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Let me start by saying everyone here was friendly.. This is a little hole in the wall that is a local favorite. They have a walk in cooler that you get your drink from and then pay. It's very "kitschy", and definitely for a certain type of crowd. I didn't love it there, but it's worth a visit. read more

Walked in and was immediately greeted with friendly staff and patrons. The walk in cooler is a unique experience and they have an incredible variety of local, domestic, and foreign beer. Despite the cold weather, we sat outside in the fenced in patio where they had a fire going. Definitely worth the stop. read more

The Fat Pelican - Beer Bar Near Me - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

Get beer cave with awesome selection of beers and cool bar by the ocean. A must visit when in Carolina Beach.

This bar is awesome just wish someone told me not to Wait in the freezer if you just want a regular beer. Best atmosphere ever

Always incredible! Staff was fun and attentive. Oysters with lobster and caviar was WOW! read more

The Fat Pelican - Oysters with caviar & lobster - Beer Bar Near Me - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

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The Fat Pelican is a place we didn't even know about when we were in Wilmington. No one said anything about it other than we "should check it out." I'm so glad we did. It's kind of a hole in the wall-type bar and if you're just inside it feels a little underwhelming. Once you go into the beer fridge/freezer things amp up and once you step outside it all starts to make sense. A TON of alcohol selections in the fridge/freezer and there is a ton of space outside. Drinks were cheap AF considering how awesome the place was. 5/5 will definitely be going again without a doubt. read more

The Fat Pelican - Alcohol heaven - Beer Bar Near Me - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

This is a true 'dive bar' where you walk into the beer cooler and choose your beers. They have an excellent selection of local beers and domestic beers. 16 oz PBRs for $2.50. Reminds me a little of The Salty Dog in Homer, AK. Memorabilia hanging everywhere, pictures of patrons, signatures of patrons...there's a lot to look at! Highly recommend a visit to this local dive bar! read more

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This bar is one of the coolest and eccentric dive bars I've ever been to! They only serve beer and wine and have a beer cooler with a large selection of various beers including N/A. The bartenders were very friendly and fun. It's a must stop if you're vacationing in CB. read more

The Fat Pelican - Beer Bar Near Me - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

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Probably one of the most unique bars I have been to. Things to know - They only sell beer and wine (bottles and cans, no draft) - You can get domestic beer at the bar - You can also walk into the cooler, yes I said walk in, and pick the beer you want - The cooler is large and has national brands, regional, and local beers - Take your selection to the bar to start a tab or ring out - You can sit and hangout at the bar, backroom or outside - Prices are reasonable - Service is great - There is a $10 minimum if using a card With the backroom and outside area, it is much larger than you would think when you first walk in. The inside and outside looks like Fred Sanford's place. Sanford and Son the 1970s TV show for you kids. Google it. All kinds of signs, mismatched chairs and other decor/junk everywhere. There's even an old wood burning stove in the back room (not sure if it works). It is almost surreal. Now, it seems to work for this place so I am not knocking it. Highly recommend. Again, note my "things to know", they only serve beer and wine. No food either (just and FYI). read more

Such a cute dive. Smaller inside but a huge beer fridge to choose from. Lots of local selections and the outside back area is the best part. While narrow, there's a lot of seating and standing space. I went during the hurricane and spoke with the ladies who ran the place for a little- super sweet and hospitable read more

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Y'all- this place is cool! I love that you can walk in and see all the drink options. You pick what you like and pay at the register. Everyone was so friendly, even though this is definitely a hot spot with locals. They have lots of options for seating and indoor arcade and board games as well. This is definitely a lil hole in the wall type joint but we loved it! read more

The Fat Pelican - Outside - Beer Bar Near Me - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

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Very cool eclectic place. Lots of beeers to chose from and crazy places it sir and drink. There is a courtyard with tables and for cold nights like tonight, a wood stove to sit by. read more

I wanted to go because of TSITP... I know, I know lol It is definitely a dive bar on the inside but it's unique with the beer cooler for getting drinks. The line was veryyyy long getting drink and for the bathroom. It's was a holiday weekend so Im sure that came into play. They had a lot of unique beers, sours and seltzers I've never seen before. The outside is cuter and has sand palm trees and lights giving all the beachy vibes. I personally didn't see any but others in my party saw a mouse/rat running around outside near where we were sitting. I wouldn't say I would make it a must every time in town but I would probably go again. read more

Don't drive too fast or you will miss the Fat Pelican! During a snow storm it seemed to be the central hub for a beverage and socializing. After reading reviews and noting it was recognized as one of the best dive bars in the nation, my husband and I decided it was right up our alley. They have an incredible beverage selection, as well as a unique ambience. Everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming. It is a self serve venue. You go directly back into the cooler and choose from a plethora of options! A must when you're in Carolina Beach!!! read more

The Fat Pelican - Self serve booze cooler - Beer Bar Near Me - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

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Great hole in the wall. Outdoor seating area with fire pit. You go into beer cooler to pick you own beer, wine or spritzer. read more

The Fat Pelican - Beer cooler - Beer Bar Near Me - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

Great place meet for a few brews. Love the sand floors and decorative walls. Many different types of beers to try

This is just a special place. My favorite thing to do here is to go over late in the afternoon, after a day on the beach, grab a cold one from the cooler, find a big chairs to sit in outside, catch up with friends or meeting someone visiting the area. The place has a really chill vibe. read more

What's wonderful bar that we walked to every nite. Come as you are and get the coldest beer in town along with great music and plenty to look at while you site inside or outside. read more

My kind of hole in the wall bar! The staff was friendly and the ambiance was fun - definitely recommend! read more

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I love a place like this. Dive bar, no frills, but a cool location and loads of crap on the walls. The first really cool thing is that you walk into a walk in cooler to pick out your beer/wine. They have an incredible selection of beer to choose from. Once you pick something out, you pay the bartender and then find a seat. Really cool vibes with good music and lots of stuff to look at on the walls. It finally stopped raining so we were able to go outside and check out that area. In the summer or warmer weather, this would be a great location to hang out. read more

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This is probably one of the coolest bars I've been to in a while however be aware that they only sell beer and wine as well as seltzers. I will say they have a huge variety to pick from and once you pick out what you like you go back to the counter to pay there is plenty of sitting area in this location from sitting at the bar to sitting outside this place really does have that local feel and the service is great with reasonable prices as well. I will definitely be back next time I'm in town. read more

The Fat Pelican - Beer Bar Near Me - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

Eclectic,beachy environment with cozy sections of seating to hang with people. In the winter.

This is a must see place in Carolina Beach! Definitely the Best Dive Bar I've ever been in! Eclectic interior and good old fashioned Beach Bumb atmosphere outside!!! Unique Cooler Truck Walk In Cooler to pick your brews, and they have a great selection of craft brews and the standards! Not for foodies, just for a great selection of beer and some good times! Highly Recommended! read more

Absolutely must see spot! We loved the vibe of this place! The people who worked there were so nice as well. Definitely an experience! read more

The Fat Pelican - Beer Bar Near Me - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

LOVE! read more

The Fat Pelican - This place is fun! - Beer Bar Near Me - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

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Friendly, laid back vibe! I visited during the day on a Friday. First, we picked drinks from the walk in fridge. There are soooooo many options. I'm not a huge beer drinker but there are plenty of ciders, seltzers, and THC sparkling water to choose from. There's also wine at the bar. After a quick walk through the inside, we decided to sit outside. I love all of the seating options from oversized Adirondack chairs to picnic tables, etc. We had a couple of very inexpensive drinks and played cornhole and listening to music before heading out. You definitely want to stop in here! Only tip, don't take your shoes off in the sand as it's super dirty ;) read more

Yeah love the concept. It's not a bar bar but still a great place to get hammered nonetheless. Boozy cans galore. This is where you go when you want to try a new beer but don't want to commit to entire 4/6 or 12 pack. Seating is abundant and the staff are hella friendly. The ambiance is superb. I felt like I was at a punk bar in socal. I will think of this place fondly. You had me at Victory... read more

What a great bar!!! I was in town for only one night for a conference and my friend and conference organizer was excited to take a few of us here and I will make this a must visit on any future trips to the Carolina beach area! The whole concept of walking into a beer cooler and picking out your can/bottle of beer is such a good idea! There was great variety to choose from and the drinks were very fairly priced! Now, let's talk about the decor/atmosphere.....it was full of sooooo many random treasures! Just when you thought you saw it all, I would be pleasantly surprised by another random sight! Murals, lights, signage, and googly eyes on an image on a sign, barber chairs and rocking chairs....I loved everything about this place and can't wait to make it a regular stop on future each trips! read more

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This is the best hangout in Carolina Beach! My friends and I make it a must to stop here anytime of year even if it's just for a quick beer. It's really a place designed for every drinking age group and keeps it fun for everyone. I could spend hours walking through there looking at the walls and reading all of the messages people have wrote on things. It's entertaining to say the least! The decor is hand picked, one of a kind, both inside and outside seating, music, games, and more fun to be had. The message on the wall painted in orange was in the bathroom and just one of the very funny messages people left behind! Lol! read more

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I originally only wanted to stop in bc I knew The Summer I Turned Pretty used this bar for a filming location so I drug my husband in lol BUT we both loved it!! It's definitely a stop we'd make again! It's a super cool dive bar!! You walk in, either order from the bar or go into the walk in cooler and pick any drink! There are tons of options! Once you have your drink, you're set to either sit inside or you can go out back and enjoy your drinks in the super eclectic and ultra cool outside space. They have tons of outdoor seating areas set up and so many neat things to look at. We highly recommend it!! Definitely worth the stop!!! read more

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Great spot to hangout! Love the environment!! When you first walk in, it looks small ambuy when you go to the back into the back yard is so cool! read more