2020 Nightlife Guide

The Beach House Bar is a casual taste of the islands in the northern Ogden region of the Cape Fear area. Known for its nightlife, cold drinks, and ultra laid-back atmosphere, the Beach House Bar is the place to go for a...

Beer Barrio is a chic Happy Hour destination in the heart of Downtown Wilmington that’s renowned for ice cold drinks, fresh cuisine, and an abundance of good times. A perfect stop for refueling after a lengthy...

Billy Ray’s Family Restaurant is a unique destination that attracts sports fans and southern cooking fans alike. Located in a busy but more local section of Carolina Beach Road, this relatively new eatery serves...

The Brown Coat Pub and Theatre is a veritable catch-all for entertainment in the heart of Downtown Wilmington, with an ever-changing array of live theater, local concerts, and karaoke, which is complemented by a full...

Buzz’s Roost is a fun little spot in the heart of Downtown Wilmington that is known for its solid sandwiches, seafood, and plenty of good times. With a nice long interior bar that boasts a full row or TVs, and a...

Beer and wine lovers will be in a casual and locally cool heaven when they pay a visit to Cape Fear Wine & Beer – a longstanding local bar and beverage shop that has been raising the bar for beer fans for...

Take a break from the daily grind and dive into a game of volleyball, a trivia night, or just a few rounds and a hearty meal with friends and family with a visit to Capt’n Bill’s Backyard Grill & Sports...

The Carolina Beach Boardwalk is the place to go for family-oriented or even late-night fun after a sunny day on the beach. Noted as one of the top 10 boardwalks in America by Food & Wine magazine, this classic...

Downtown Wilmington explorers don’t have to venture too far to discover the Port City’s exceptional theater scene thanks to the conveniently located City Stage Theater. Featuring a “Level 5” bar...

Nothing is more relaxing and liberating than a big belly laugh, and Wilmington’s own Dead Crow Comedy Room is a perfectly convenient destination for Cape Fear visitors to sit back, enjoy a drink, and let loose...

Dig & Dive is a neighborhood sports bar and restaurant in central Wilmington that is gaining a following that’s well outside the collection of apartment complexes and residential communities which border the...

Fibber McGees Irish Restaurant & Pub is a sweet little pub and restaurant that’s found on a picturesque business-lined street on the outskirts of Landfall, and which is close to a handful of golf courses...

Firebelly Lounge is a longstanding hang-out for Wilmington’s college crowd. Originally located in the downtown area, and recently moved to its new location along Carolina Beach Road, this restaurant and lounge...

The Fox and Hound Pub & Grille is a prime destination for visitors to relax with a pint and a hearty meal after a long day of shopping in the ultra-posh Mayfaire Town center. Featuring a full menu of drinks and...

Movie buffs and foodies alike will have a fine time at Hell’s Kitchen, a chic little Downtown Wilmington restaurant that had a guest role in the homegrown TV series, “Dawson’s Creek.” Located...

“Pleasure Island” is all about having fun, and the Hoplite Pub & Beer Garden, a true pub or “public house” lives up to this reputation with a full menu of brews and pub grub, and a relaxed...

Summertime visitors who want to hop off the beach and enjoy a cold drink, an easy-going bite to eat, and a fine oceanfront view can stroll along the boardwalk to reach Hurricane Alleys. Located just off the dunes, this...

Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill is a fun destination for a Happy Hour drink and round of appetizers, an easy-going lunch or dinner, or a late-night snack right before the party begins. Located next to the Kure Beach...

Jax Fifth Avenue Deli & Ale House may look like a Swiss retreat, but the downhome cuisine and friendly atmosphere is the hallmark of a southern destination. Featuring an expansive interior with plenty of bar seating...

Juggling Gypsy Café is a completely original destination where food, drinks, live music, a hookah bar, and even belly dancing can all be found. A popular hang-out with the college crowd, and a fun late-night...

Katy’s Grill and Bar is a haven for sports fans, thanks to a recently renovated living room, a full bar with rows of flat screen TVs, a cool outdoor dining area complete with shady umbrella-topped tables, and an...

King Neptune Restaurant is an all-encompassing breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night hot spot that boasts a friendly hometown vibe, and a big wave of classic American fare with a coastal and southern influence. Known...

Casual and perfect for the college crowd, Low Tide Pub is where locals go to grab a beer, a bite to eat, and a little after-hours entertainment. This pub and bar is located on the edge of the UNCW campus, which makes it...

Might as Well Bar & Grill is a modest-sized bar and restaurant that’s a solid destination for filling food and Happy Hour or late-night drinks with friends. Boasting a big array of beverages and drink...

The Old American Fish is a popular bar on the water’s edge of Southport that has a magnificent view and a unique and decades-long history. Located at the very end of Yacht Basin Drive, it’s an easy spot for...

Paso Fino is a completely authentic Mexican food restaurant, bar, and lounge that serves up overflowing plates of budget-friendly cuisine, as well as hosts big name Latin acts and live music in the adjoining lounge...

Poe’s Tavern is an effortlessly chic spot for Happy Hour drinks, a post-beach meal, or a late night adventure with friends reminiscing about the day over a round of beers or two. Featuring a cool brick and dark...

Being this close to the water may inspire a taste for the islands, and Wilmington visitors can appease this craving with a visit to Reggae Hut Bar and Grill. Located in the heart of the Downtown area, and just a few...

The SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar is a casual little spot that has a definitive coastal vibe and a hearty menu that’s seemingly designed to appeal to salty appetites. Found just a block away from the oceanfront...

Shelby Jeans Restaurant is a prime example of Carolina Beach’s love of late-night destinations and good southern restaurants, and this centrally located establishment that’s a minute’s walk away from...

Silver Dollar is a fine representation of what makes “Pleasure Island” a popular destination for the after-hours crowd. Located along the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, and sandwiched in between a couple of cool...

Wilmington residents and visitors in the Monkey Junction area have a new venue for a Sunday football game or a Happy Hour drink with friends in the form of the Slainte Irish Pub. With a friendly atmosphere, plenty of...

The Dive is an ultra-casual little spot that’s a fun destination for the after-hours beach crowd. Located just off of US 421, and bordered by a collection of beach bars, motels and restaurants, this little...

Take a trip to the edge of Downtown Wilmington to dive into authentic Irish cuisine with a visit to The Harp – a subtle little eatery that’s found just a couple blocks away from the Cape Fear Riverfront, and...

The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery is a fun Happy Hour or late-night destination for pub fans who like good eats, a fun atmosphere, and a good excuse to sit back with a beer and watch the game. Located just off of the...

Whiskey Trail Pub & Grill is a hidden gem that’s tucked away near the Masonboro Sound, and which serves as a popular hang-out for Wilmington residents in the Masonboro Loop and Monkey Junction area. Serving up...