9 Best Dive Bars in Wilmington

“It’s a great local bar that has great local bands that play.“

“Great time and the bartender was amazing. Would recommend for sure.“

“A must-stop of the Wilmy bar scene. A true dive and locals joint, chill vibes and reasonably priced drinks. Love the small patio out back as well most people miss. The service is great too, the bar staff are quick and the doormen are always great. Trevor has been super kind, inviting, and handles any situations that arise smoothly- even when the door gets super busy. Makes my group feel like we’re coming back to a familiar/ homey spot every time we walk in, which makes all the difference. Will keep coming back for sure!“

“Absolutely love this place ! Great people !“

“Brian has created a unique and FUN place!! Beer selection second to none. Ambiance is open and cool. His people Avery, Jack & Ana made certain we lacked for nothing. The individual taps made for a fun comparative experience. Great tastes!!!

We had an extremely large group of 60 + people and it handled us easily. Go and enjoy!!!“

“Stephanie is the bomb!!!!“

“Love dancing at Cody’s South on Tuesdays. Tabitha, the bartender, is super-friendly and makes the best margaritas!“

“This was the first bar on our Haunted Pub Crawl to see. According to the tour guide, this bar was a barbershop with a flamboyant proprietor hundreds of years ago. Growler's Tavern had the best drink specials. I had an Apple Bush beer for $2-3. Service was fair. I liked how they had many play areas with games, fuse ball, video games, and pool tables. It was not too crowded. We congregated at a nice sitting area to hear the ghost stories and got to see the original door and area of the barbershop untouched.“

“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!“