This place is a whole experience. I had a fabulous time. I am a self-professed tiki and exotica enthusiast. It's located on a street corner in a neighborhood and has parking around back. It's easy to make a reservation online. They really lean into the performance that they are an institute and they collect artifacts. It's delightful. Their cocktails are amazing. They follow the true culture of tiki and serve traditional exotic drinks. These aren't boat drinks!! Also the Pu-Pu platter is amazing as well as the spam musbui. Just delicious! Not gonna lie, I also bought tiki mugs to go! I highly recommend this place as a true tiki bar and Donn Beach would be proud. read more

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The Sorrow Drowner is always an amazing experience. Adventure awaits at this immersive experience Tiki venue with its carefully curated decor, narrative theme, craft cocktails that go beyond the imagination, and culinary delights. The Sorrow Drowner is the best escapist experience in North Carolina with table service that is exciting and engaging and top tier stage entertainment such as VibeXotica, a musical act that performs classic exotica music with vibraphone. Even better, arriving costumed as your favorite explorer or wearing your Aloha finery just adds to the pageantry. Chart a course to The Sorrow Drowner! read more

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I am a huge tiki bar enthusiast and always seek them out when I go places. I have been to many tiki bars and The Sorrow Drowner is absolutely one of the best! The decor is perfect and well-intentioned. You can tell they knew what they were doing and put tons of thought and effort into it. There are multiple rooms to explore and the main room has live tiki music. The service is fantastic and the employees are very knowledgeably and make it a fun experience. The drinks are amazing! The food was surprisingly good as well, make sure to get the pupu platter! read more

The Sorrow Drowner - Tiki Bars Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

What a hidden gem! The Sorrow Drowner has been on my list since they opened and I finally got around to checking them out. We decided to go for a company happy hour and couldn't have been happier. First; the food is absolutely spectacular! They have unique items (spam sushi rolls!!) and cook everything to perfection. Their drink menu is LARGE and a bit overwhelming but the bartender and waiter did a great job at explaining each item and made recommendations for us. The employees stay in character the entire time - which is so fun! They also allowed us to look around the facilities and were able to answer all of our questions. I'm so happy that we picked Sorrow Drowner to dine at! read more

The Sorrow Drowner - Tiki Bars Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Alert: this is a unique and delightful experience, with something for almost everyone. The folks at the Sorrow Drowner have taken what was a community theater and turned it into an immersive experience- check their socials to determine if you will be there for an event, when staff are all in character, or for a non-event day which is merely terrific. There is a storyline to the entire place - decor, menu, personnel. I can't do it justice so you will have to go see it for yourself. We were there on a non-event day, which for me was an excellent way to encounter the space the first time - it gave me the space to explore each room and really see the decor. We also got to chat with the bartender and one of the owner/managers to hear the story behind the story. The drinks were quite good, and the food the chef brought out for us to sample !! was quite tasty. My favorite part was the extensive decor, which set a mood quite different from the rest of Wilmington. This would be a great place for a group outing, or just to go visit and soak in the vibes. Tiki lovers will appreciate that they have their own mugs. read more

The Sorrow Drowner - View from upstairs - Tiki Bars Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

The Sorrow Drowner is a very cool place. This is a tiki themed bar. The drinks are going to be limited to tiki themed drinks, but they have a lot of them to select from. So let's just say, lots of rum drinks, but not limited to rum. These are not cheap drinks for tourist, but very high end quality cocktails. Just a note, they don't have a full bar, meaning don't expect whiskey or bourbon options. They tend to stick with the cocktails on the menu. Some beer and wine available. The place is decked out nicely. There is a stage, and the intent is to have music and other acts in the future. The food is only two pupu platter options (one meat, one vegetarian). They do have some desserts on the menu but I did not partake. The Traditionalist pupu platter is around $30, but it does feed 2, maybe 3 people. It was very good. Overall, the drinks, atmosphere, pupu platter are all 5 stars. The prices here are higher than normal, but you are getting better quality. The cocktails start at $15. read more

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I hate to be the one who leaves a less than stellar review but I can't justify a higher star level after our experience. I had really been looking forward to checking this place out. I love a good tiki bar and was excited when a friend suggested we come here. We had a party of eight and made a reservation which was great. The atmosphere is amazing. It's like something out of a set or a Disney film. It's truly impressive. There was not a show the night we went but I was okay with it and was looking for a fun night with friends. Everything was great and we were having a good time with the drinks and what not until we realized that it had been an hour and a half since we ordered food. We were given some excuse about the grill not working and then our waitress left. Our waitress brought our food out but didn't provide any plates, utensils, etc. When they were brought to us our waitress made a comment about not knowing how to count since she didn't bring out enough for everyone. It was like the people working there were actors and not waitstaff. It got to the point of if someone ordered another drink the rest of us did too because we didn't know how long it would be before they came back. It seemed like we had two waitstaff and there was no clear chain of command. The waiter apologized for the delay in our food and brought out two more platters about 30 minutes later but at that point I was ready to leave. This whole thing would have been more acceptable if they were busy but it wasn't crowded. We dropped some serious cash and the service just wasn't up to the standards you'd expect. read more

The Sorrow Drowner - Painkiller - Tiki Bars Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

What a fun tiki bar! The staff was very good at their 'character' style roles. Wonder service. Food was great and the drinks are some of the most fun we've had at a tiiki bar and also taste excellent read more

The Sorrow Drowner - Sorrow Drowner - Tiki Bars Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Super bummed because I had visited before and wanted to bring friends. But the vibe has completely changed. It's very specific and only allows a small select reservations. Was not very welcoming and had a 90 food score. read more

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This is the coolest place in Wilmington! The concept and decor is next level and took the owner 9 months to build out! Incredible detail! The food and cocktails are outstanding! We truly enjoyed our experience! read more

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Awesome food and amazing atmosphere. Not many places have a restaurant, museum and theatre all in one. Definitely worth checking out. read more

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I'm giving this place 5 stars tonight just because this is quickly becoming one of my favorite places. They are really understaffed (like most of Wilmington) so drinks and food take forever- however they really work this place with love. Tonight, 6 of us had a reservation for 8pm and we stayed til atleast 11pm. The food is so freaking yummy and reasonable. We had the vegetable samosas, pupil platter with meat, and huli huli chicken. Everything was SO good! It's the vibe here that takes you away. There was live music until 10 which we enjoyed very much. It was a Caribbean feel. We all laughed, explored, drank, and ate! Even though service and food takes forever I still love this place They treat you like family and let you roam freely even before you cash out. read more

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I've had The Sorrow Drowner bookmarked for a while, but just got the opportunity to go last night with one of my friends. I will definitely be back! It was such a cool & interesting vibe in there, from the entrance to the dining room floor, to the stage, to the upstairs area. You could literally spend hours in there & still not explore everything! It's a tiki bar, so we both decided to try their Mai Thais. I got the traditional, & my friend got one of their specialty ones (for our first round). We also got a traditional pupu platter to share, & we really enjoyed it. Next time I'd like to try the reformed cannibal pupu platter (vegetarian). My friend also tried one of their drinks where they set the orange slice on fire in the middle of the drink, & she said that drink was good. Can't wait to go back & try another one of their signature cocktails! read more

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This is my favorite place to go in the entire country. I travel for a living and always look for unqiue atmospheric experiences and nothing beats the ambiance of The Sorrow Drowner. The service provided here is something you only get in major theme parks, which makes this hidden gem all the more of a satisfying find. To top it all off, the quality of food and drink provided here is the cherry atop this deliciously quirky cake making an unforgettable 5 star experience that is an absolute MUST. Whether you're visiting Wilmington or are an avid tiki bar connoisseur- this is a landmark adventure dining time capsule you will not want to miss. read more

The Sorrow Drowner - Tiki Bars Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Went back again with some girlfriends this past weekend and man what an amazing time. They had never been so I recommended the burlesque show and drinks. They loved our adventure and days later still chattering about how good food and drinks were as well. Service was great even with a full house... and atmosphere doesn't get much better unique fun experience highly recommend. read more

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Our favorite spot in Wilmington! The food is amazing, most cocktails come in fun glassware, and the decor is beautiful! The owners are lovely and this place oozes creativity, we recommend it to everyone! A must try in Wilmington! read more

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The ambiance in the place was just like Disneys Jungle Cruise ride. There were tons of artifacts and rooms upstairs to explore. We had the pupu platter and it was amazing, it comes with a variety of options and sauces on the side. We tried the shrouded artifact, which was great but pretty strong. We also tried the uncharted territory, also great but not as strong. The staff were very helpful and attentive. read more

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Amazing environment, stellar drinks, and incredible wait staff that really do play along with the vibe well. read more

The Sorrow Drowner - Amazing cocktail glass bird thing - Tiki Bars Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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The most authentic tiki bar in North Carolina. This is a must visit when visiting Wilmington. Located in a former theater, the space includes a museum, live performance space as well as food and beverages. The food was authentic and well-made. The service was exceptional including servers and bartenders being in character to complete the narrative behind the establishment. The owner is a true aficionado of tiki culture, food and beverage. Wonderful! read more

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We ate at Dram Yard before heading here because the food offerings didn't look that tempting. Glad we did because we noticed a couple of tables sent their food back. We did have the rum cake which was excellent, especially if you like a lot of rum, which I don't. But that's my problem, not theirs. Drinks here are an experience, but as others have said, a bit pricey. The vessels they're served in are inspiring, and certainly add to the drink. The decor was creative and well thought out, and Contessa, our server and all around hostess, was fun and stayed in character throughout the night and frankly, was more entertaining than what was happening on stage. There's a little bit of work that needs to be done in the entertainment aspect of this place. We saw a comedian, a 'pirate' and a couple of burlesque dancers, the latter of which were outstanding, BUT, the comedian did not command the stage and the pirate pretty much just read off some script that most of us couldn't even understand, but we got the impression we weren't missing out on much. There's a missed opportunity here. The owners should seriously consider upping their game to include more professional and yes, raunchier acts. This is supposed to be burlesque, so my advice would be don't underestimate your audience and think we're prudes and get easily offended. Anyone who fits that bill can go to any comedy club or Thalian Hall. Give the audience something they can't get elsewhere in Wilmington and they'll be back. read more

The Sorrow Drowner - Tiki Bars Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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If you go to sorrow drowner please understand BEFORE you go that this is a classic tiki bar!! The food is meant to be playful, the drinks dramatic and fun, the staff is in character the whole time, and there will always be a show! This is our favorite place in Wilmington because of the atmosphere and the people, but unfortunately I see some guests come in expecting a formal experience. This is not the place if you are looking to be serious! And that's why it's the best! If you want a fun time, explorative food, obnoxiously large tiki drinks, and a blast of a staff - THIS is the place! Thank you guys for always being awesome hosts! read more

A super, cool tiki experience in downtown Wilmington, the Sorrow Drowner has been years in the making! This show-restaurant offers a rich and fun experience for explorers at heart. Enjoy fruity, frozen drinks, pu-pu platters and much more while being entertained by a cast of characters! A unique dining experience if you're in the area.... read more

The Sorrow Drowner - Tiki Bars Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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IYKYK Super stoked to finally have a really incredible Tiki bar & experience located in the heart of Wilmington. They just opened (so it seems like they are ofc working out some of the kinks that go into running a smooth bar experience) but the menu is SOLID, with some really amazing house specials, as well as a lineup of classic tiki cocktails. If you *think* you know what a Mai Tai is, but you've never had one at a legit tiki bar, prepare for those taste buds to be dazzled. It's hard to learn how to master the layering that goes into these cocktails, but so far I think that the Sorrow Drowner is nailing it. We just ordered a few drinks to try it out, but the Uncharted Territory and Mokopuni Luku definitely wowed. We've yet to go back for the entertainment, but the decor & ambiance alone is sure to stun (especially if you're a fan of any Disney properties, the vibe is GOOD). Can't wait to see how this place evolves and am happy to get to experience it right as it emerges in the scene here. **As of 3/24/22 they're only taking reservations by phone for Friday & Saturday night, but you can walk in Thursday, Sunday, and Monday. read more

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The food is eh not many options The drinks are over priced It takes forever to get the food and the wait staff is tooo happy and friendly read more

The Sorrow Drowner is so unexpected. It's a tiki bar with a cabaret show and amazing styling by Trader Brandon who styled Disney's Trader Sam bars. It takes a page out of the pageantry of tiki bars past. It has a deep story and local acts with lots of humor. If you enjoy dinner theatre you'll love this. It's campy and fun. Completely unique. We saw a lounge singer, comedian and a fan dancer. The drinks are exotic tropical perfection. These are really good tiki cocktails. Strong and fruity and spicy, never too sweet. It doesn't have a cover which was a huge surprise with a 2-hour live show. We spent over $100 on booze, but we would have done that damage without a show. Wonderful experience. Highly recommend that you find yourself in the Lemurian Institute in Wilmington, NC. Lots of vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free options! Parking is easy in the neighborhood. read more

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Dropped in to check out the cool new place everyone in the downtown area has been talking about and aesthetically it certainly did not disappoint. The atmosphere, decor and vibe are all amazing and it is certainly being added to the list of best hangout spots in Wilmington, especially once the second floor opens up. I love the old timey tunes and sorta tropical noir lounge club style of the place. Makes me wish it was still cool to show up to places in a 3 piece suit smoking cigars with a glass of scotch on the rocks. That being said, the prices are pretty much universally excessive. All the drinks are fantastic, doubly so for the specialty cocktails but there are no options for folks who might just want to kick back for a few drinks with friends without breaking the bank. A tropical themed place without margaritas was also a major puzzler for me. The majority of bars in Wilmington you can get a decent mixed drink for $6 to $8 but the baseline here is $16 so be prepared. Also, the platters, while appealingly presented and fun, were nowhere near worth the nearly $30 asking price. The meat was overcooked and low enough quality to be confused for something that came out of a $2 box of Lean Cuisine. Aside from that, I still loved the place, had a great time and understand these are growing pains, they are still getting into the swing of things and there might be adjustments in their future that I'm quite excited for. Just had to offer a bit of constructive criticism because I care lol. Great new super unique spot in Wilmy, just be sure to come for the occasion. read more

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We had an amazing experience. If you've visited a Disney property, this is right on par. If you haven't, it's a great way to experience what some of the magic is about. Getting to explore the rooms is fun and interactive. Drinks were good. They were down a bartender (maybe too) so it took a long time to get drinks. The food options had just changed that weekend so some of the options we saw online were not available (like the pulled pork). The pupu platter was good, I thought the coconut shrimp was way overcooked. I did have to ask for a dipping sauce, which several of the items really did need. The service was great. The burlesque show was a different experience and the performer was very talented. I was glad we didn't have the table right next to the stage, because they got a close up of the performers backside very up close. Overall would highly recommend this dining experience for at least one visit. read more

The Sorrow Drowner - Dr Funk - Tiki Bars Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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This place was a top notch experience. Tiki bar meets speakeasy. The drinks were delicious, the food was scrumptious, and the service was unbeatable! The hosts were hilarious and created a quirky and fun experience from the start. And the two waitresses we had made the experience the quality that it was. They were amazing!! They were efficient, entertaining and so kind! 10/10 would recommend! And we'll definitely be back! read more

My husband and I went to Sorrow Drowner with friends last night. From the moment we entered the front door, it was a fantastic experience. There is so much to see and explore and the staff is incredibly entertaining. The drinks are delicious and very interesting. Worth every penny. We tried the Traditionalist Pupu Platter and it was delicious, entertaining and easily fed two people, we thought the price was good. I would recommend this place for all adults who would like an evening to get away from daily life. It was an amazing EXPERIENCE. Not just tapas and a drink. Much more. We will be going back. We especially want to take our family and friends to experience this place. read more

Great atmosphere and ambiance. Drinks are delicious, perfect for relaxing after the work week. Bartender seems aggressive for no reason but who knows what other people have going on. Perfect besides that, the cocktails are to delicious read more

We found this gem of a place in Wilmington, NC. A PHENOMINAL Tiki Bar. The minute you walk in the door you enter a different world. The ambience and decor are bar none. They offer an awesome cocktail menu and entertainment on scheduled dates. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the best part about visiting this amazing location and that's the owners and people who work there. They are hospitable and will spend time chatting with you about the tiki bar and it's creation. The people who work there are also very knowledgeable and make your visit memorable. If you are living in NC...you MUST check this place out. If you're visiting, be sure to add this spot to your itinerary! read more

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Great environment, show s a little wierd. Glad i went but i wont return. Has potenial to be amazing. Just misses mark.

An unexpected surprise awaits through the doors of this unassuming establishment. Capturing the true essence of transporting anyone who enters in to a tiki world filled with details and adventure. Steven the bar tender is a cocktail enthusiasts dream. Filled with stories and history of the carefully crafted concoctions both old and new. The staff is both serious and hilarious. I've got my secret sorrow drowner passport and will be back again and again. read more

Drinks, service and ambiance is amazing! We will definitely go back! Such a cool place!! read more

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Wow what a unique and magical place for a tropical drink. Amazing vibe. We will be back!

This place is such a rare gem! It's a restaurant, bar, lounge and theater! It was the highlight of our recent girls' trip- the staff, entertainment, food and drinks were absolutely perfect! The theming was absolutely amazing and no element was overlooked. I wish I lived closer so that I could go back sooner. read more

So unique, definitely worth visiting to see everything inside. Service was great and food was too. Very fun spot

Discovered this place while in Wilmington. Great cocktails, great service, and amazing food!! And a great experience! I certainly recommend stopping in to anyone in the area! read more

Where do I begin?! We are in awe of this beautiful hidden gem in the outskirts of Downtown Wilmington! Sooo, we are from Las Vegas visiting for the holidays & we were looking for a fun date night on yelp, when I luckily stumbled upon you guys. We had just finished eating dinner & decided to check you guys out & I am so glad we did! First of all, Collin went above and beyond to make us feel right at home. Since we had eaten prior, unfortunately we didn't get to try the epic Pu Pu Platter that we saw another couple enjoying. So, we decided to try the painkillers, mine being the non-alcoholic version. Might I add, what a beautiful touch to accommodate to us non-drinkers. I will say that a nice touch to making the painkiller cocktail out of this world would be to add a dole whip machine. I know, I know... I'm just being a brat because needless to say, the drinks were phenomenal! I forgot to mention, as soon as we arrived we noticed there was a gentleman playing the xylophone & bongos! Great drinks & live music?! What more could we ask for? Oh wait... there is more! All of a sudden, curtains open & Ms. Bunny is performing a burlesque show! Not only was she so gorgeous, but such great talent. Once the show ended, Collin started telling us about the history of the place & offered to give us a full tour. Each room had a different collection & a story to tell. You just have to see & experience it for yourself. I wish I could post more photos from our time, but yelp only allows so many, so here are my favorites. Next time you're in Downtown Wilmington, be sure to check out the best tiki bar! We can't wait to come back! read more

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We love to visit tiki bars around the country and the Sorrow Drowner did not disappoint! This bar was unique in that you got a show with your drinks! The drinks had a great presentation and tasted wonderful. We had dinner reservations after so we sadly didn't get to try any food, but the food that was coming out did look yummy! We took home a unique map mug for our collection. I would love to come back next time we are in town! read more

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