Summer Sip List: Downtown Wilmington’s Buzzworthy New Bars
Photography by: Heart First Agency
Wilmington is upping its bar game with a slew of new bars opening downtown over the last several months, many offering unique experiences. With options ranging from retro arcades and billiards to line dancing, karaoke and dueling pianos, Feast has the rundown on what to check out this summer.
The Beer Garden at the Cryptid Den
From the team behind Rooster & The Crow comes The Cryptid Den, a bar inspired by the mysterious world of cryptids such as Bigfoot, Mothman and the Loch Ness Monster. The bar is located just behind the restaurant in the Old City Market building, and leads to the outdoor Beer Garden, where live music regularly takes place on weekends. The Cryptid Den’s menu features both classic and craft cocktails that pay homage to the Cryptids, such as the Red-Eyed Mothman, the Screaming Banshee and Bigfoot’s Springwater. There are also plenty of craft beers on tap. Find them at: https://roosterandthecrow.com.
Cinch Bar and Billiards
The team behind the popular craft cocktail lounge, Underfront, launched a new bar, Cinch Bar and Billiards, at 115 N. Front Street in December of last year. Owner Joseph Sena renovated the 100-year-old building in an Art Deco design and created an elevated pool hall that boasts two 7-foot Olhausen and two 9-foot Gold Crown tables. The space also offers TVs for games and arcade games, as well as quiet nooks and a 45-foot handmade bar. Find them at @cinchbilliards.
High Horse
If you’re looking for a country-themed bar with line dancing, look no further than High Horse at 206 Market Street, the former home of Coglin’s. High Horse offers free line dancing classes on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, with social dancing on Saturday and country karaoke on Tuesdays. The full schedule of times, dances and instructors can be found at @highhorsewilm.
K-Town
Planning your next karaoke night? K-Town has everything you need for a proper downtown karaoke experience. Located in a retro-designed basement at 275 N. Front Street, K-Town offers a stage within the main bar, as well as four soundproof rooms with iPads, microphones, LED lights and comfy seating where you and your friends can curate your own private karaoke experience. Visit their website at https://ktownkaraoke.com for reservations and to see the nightly bar specials.
Series of Events
Series of Events, or SOE, is a members-only bar and lounge located above Tap Tea Bar at 251 N. Front St. The bar is open to the public for a $5 cover charge, or members can choose from several tiers of membership, each with its own perks. The club regularly hosts DJs and theme nights such as singles’ socials and watch parties for sporting events and television shows, and has a large menu of craft and classic cocktails. An outdoor patio will soon be open, and the space is available for private events. Find them at @soebarilm or https://www.soebarilm.com.
Market House Beer & Wine
With beautiful views of the Cape Fear River, Market House Beer & Wine is a bar and bottle shop in one. They offer over 175 beers, wines and THC beverages, as well as non-alcoholic options, and host weekly events including live music, wine tastings, trivia, cooking classes and artist markets. Market House is located at 119 South Water St., Suite 12, in the Old City Market. Find them at https://www.markethouseilm.com and @markethouseilm.
Avenue B
Located in the heart of the Brooklyn Arts District, Avenue B is a cozy cocktail and wine bar with a regular rotation of live music and other special events. Oyster lovers will want to check out the raw bar pop-ups from Big Cypress Mariculture on Thursdays at 6 p.m. Avenue B is located at 723 N. 4th St and can be found at https://avebilm.com and @avebilm.
Yacht Club Wilmington
Yacht Club, formerly known as Greenfield Lake Yacht Club, has relocated from Carolina Beach Rd. to 127 Princess St., where they now host live music in collaboration with Bourgie Nights. For events and hours, see https://yachtclubilm.com or @yachtclubilm.
Level 1 Retro Lounge
Level 1 Retro Lounge is an arcade and bar filled with nostalgic 90’s and 2000’s era video games and memorabilia. Located at 21 N. Front St., they have 32 beers on tap, nightly specials and weekly open mic nights. Find them at @leveloneretrolounge.
String & Key
Liven up your Friday and Saturday nights with a dueling piano show at String & Key, located inside the Murchison Building at 201 N. Front St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. each Friday and Saturday with shows starting at 7:30 p.m. There is a $5 cover charge, or you can purchase a $10 membership that includes unlimited entry for a year. VIP seating and private bookings are available. Find them at https://stringandkeybar.com and @stringandkeypiano
Docs at the Ivey
An offshoot of The Ivey in the Ally, Docs at the Ivey is located at 11 Dock St. and is an espresso bar by day and a cocktail bar by night. They offer a full line of espresso drinks, as well as signature lattes, matcha and homemade pastries for daytime guests, and specialty cocktails and live music in the evening. Find them at @docsattheivey.
