28 Best Cocktail Bars in Wilmington

“Both bartenders and bouncers were very professional and friendly. The vibe of the atmosphere and crowd felt fun and safe!“

“LOVED it! Excellent drinks, great service and super cute ambiance. Highly recommend!“

“This unique cocktail bar was recommended to us by a friend and we’re so glad we stopped in this weekend! We love the atmosphere and the cocktails were top notch! I tried a couple different drinks the bartender recommended and my husband said it was the best Old Fashion he’s ever had. We quickly decided to become members and will be back hopefully soon!!“

“My husband and I have been looking for an authentic feeling of a British pub and this is it for us! Best in Wilmington!“

“Lots of fun, great band, service not so great….waited 30 minutes at the bar to get waited on ☹️☹️☹️“

“Absolutely love this place ! Great people !“

“Great drinks, staff and atmosphere!“

“This evening we were excited to bring friends who had never been to Seabird, and it was my wife’s birthday! The food did not disappoint. Our friends loved it. It was good to see a restaurant with a sense of humor when they brought out a “no calorie” birthday cake! (A lit candle stuck to a dessert plate)“

“Olivero is easily our new favorite spot. The homemade pasta was unlike anything we’ve had before—fresh, perfectly cooked, and paired with flavors that were unexpected but worked together beautifully. Every dish was impressive. The service was just as outstanding. The team worked seamlessly, bringing fresh plates and silverware after every course and keeping the table spotless. No awkward moments of figuring out where to put your utensils—just smooth, attentive service that made the whole experience feel effortless. Incredible food, impeccable service—Olivero sets the bar high. We’ll definitely be back often!“

“Stopped in around 2:30. Bartender and GM Lexi very friendly. Dwayne(The Rock)Johnson guarding the front door.“

“Incredible food, very flavorful and perfect. oysters on half shell the best I had ever eaten. 10 out of 10 on service and experience. It was worth it!!!“

“Great place for live Jazz and good drinks.“

“The art features! Someone is a magician with a vision!! Ai many fun and comfy seating areas! The Rift Pizza is hot out of the oven and great!“

“Great cocktails, a varied wine list, outstanding food, fun music and relaxed atmosphere. So glad we had dinner here!“

“Our service was flawless and our dinner was amazing we had the scallops and chicken saltimbanco. Would highly recommend.“

“10/10 recommend! We had the best Valentine’s Day dinner here. The space is beautiful and airy, and the food was incredible. The Oysters Millionaire (that salmon mousse!!) and the Seacuterie board were the perfect start. I treated myself to the Surf N’ Turf with lobster thermidor and it was so decadent and delicious. It was exactly the high-end but laid-back night out I needed. Can’t wait for brunch!“

“Had a mix up with a gift card. They fixed it quick fast and in a hurry. Thanks so much Porter’s neck location!!!!“

“Fabulous addition to the neighborhood with great food and atmosphere . Super brunching !“

“I just moved here to Wilmington for school and come here most mornings to get my matcha before classes. Reba and all the other baristas are friendly and have good service.
Ibis has become a regular for me and a safe place before mentally preparing for the workload of classes and studying.

One day when I went out for coffee here I saw ibises sitting in a tree on my way there.so I take it as a lucky sign.“

“Great music and awesome stout“

“Amazing drinks, food & service 💕“

“The food was amazing! We loved getting to enjoy the view as well. Highly recommend.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Great service and food!“

“Went here tonight gor the first time. We ordered a special and loved every bite. Beautifully presented and flavor profiles were were fabulous. We look forward to returning. Our server was delightful. Unfortunately cannot remember her name.“

“Amanda was excellent to start! The Little Gem salad was amazing! The Beef Tartar wonderful! A staple is the Chicken and Dumplings. Every variation of the cheesecake is amazing. Paired perfectly with a Tequila Rep Espresso Martini. We already look forward to coming back. Thank you for the great meal and hospitality.“

“Great place. Beautiful view of Wilmington.“

“Wonderful service from Tyler! Made our night!“

“Varnish is hands down the best bar in Wilmington! The bartenders are the best in all of downtown—they’re fast, friendly, and always make sure you’re having a great time. The venue itself is the perfect size—big enough to keep the energy high but never so packed that you feel like you’re missing out. Even if there’s a line, it moves quickly, so you never have to wait long to get in and be part of the fun. The door staff is always on point, making sure things stay safe and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, I can’t recommend Varnish enough!“