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!
Shaw Satterfield
I go to UNCW and this is the spot to be downtown! All my friends are here on the weekends. Great music and energy. The bartenders are attentive and amazing! I love Varnsih
Ike Ezekwu
It is the perfect mix of energy.The atmosphere is electric, with great music, stylish decor (especially after the renovations) and just the right vibe. The staff is top-notch—friendly, fast, and always making sure you have a great time. Easily one of the best spots for a night
Jason Sattler
Beer selection ok downstairs but meh upstairs. Bouncers try to micromanage the crowd. Meh, I've been to a lot better.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 3
Tori Vanderkuur
Bartenders were absolutely awesome! Visited for my 21st birthday and the vibe was great and I would definitely go back once I’m back in town, DJ that night was great too!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Vercifier.
I’ve been coming here for quiet sometime, The Owners are pretty much great people,very cool and laid back, what I love about this place is that Varnish not only has the most traffic but it welcomes all races & people, it’s also the one place where you can dance, sing or even mosh (lightly). It’s a really fun, young and a vibrant club/bar. The moment you arrive you’re greeted with lights,outdoor music, beautiful women and smiles at the desk or maybe even a dope ass convo with the door guys. Shout Out Ryan. But This place has a lot going for it, This place has a lot of definition. Would not be Surprised if they open a second location.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Carol Menetti
They don’t have enough room to let you go upstairs. Will take your money and tell you you they’re at capacity. When we told the bouncer it was unfair they took our money and won’t let us in, he threw a drink at us. Definitely will never come back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
a acevedo
awesome staff awesome drinks!!! we normally have such an amazing time.
the last handful of times we’ve gone the music has been absolutely trash. nobody wants to listen to taylor swift at the club, yall need to work on that lol!
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 5
Marta Melendez
Tori is the best. Music she selected is awesome for some one like me, love it
AMAZING PLACE! Wonderful bartenders and the best bouncer team In Wilmington by far. Never been at a club and felt so safe and taken care of. Tori is by far the most amazing soul and one of the most thoughtful bartenders around!!! Everyone should go to the best club In Wilmington!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jay Dee
Make sure you’re keeping your receipts and the amount you tip.They will charge you more than what you tip, expecting you not to realize what they do.I will definitely not go here again, and the fact they have no number to contact. RidiculousUpdate: manager Clark got in contact with me, stated that i had the merchant copy of receipt so by NC law they can charge x amount for tip so it explains the charge.I sent pictures of receipts showing i had customer copy of the charge i didn’t authorize the amount they put and the merchant copy i did have was a charge that was done correctly.So obviously that shows bartender Tay Tay and Matt are adding more tip intentionally.Regardless it’s 1 $it the fact that it is being done.I wonder, for how long? N how many people?1$ adds up real quick , if they do it pretty frequently.Also, Didn’t appreciate manager tone with saying”refund you ur 5$ “as if that what my fuss is about.It is the integrity.I hope he does look into this and hold the one’s accountable for stealing.I am glad i caught this, as i use to work in this industry so i know the shady things bartenders do.Be smart people, don’t have tabs open and keep your receipts, always especially at Varnish.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Sam Mitchell
Best club in Wilmington! 3rd floor is insane, so much fun! DJ Snowah is the ?
Cammie Deviney
Definitely recommend stopping in if you’re looking for a fun night club scene. If it’s not the music bringing you in and it’s the fun atmosphere the staff creates. I’ve found myself coming in weekly to see Tori on the weekends and enjoy a few drinks with my friends before dancing. Tori truly brings people into the club with her fun drink creations and friendly face! Check it out if looking for a fun place to visit downtown on the weekends!
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!
I go to UNCW and this is the spot to be downtown! All my friends are here on the weekends. Great music and energy. The bartenders are attentive and amazing! I love Varnsih
It is the perfect mix of energy.The atmosphere is electric, with great music, stylish decor (especially after the renovations) and just the right vibe. The staff is top-notch—friendly, fast, and always making sure you have a great time. Easily one of the best spots for a night
Beer selection ok downstairs but meh upstairs. Bouncers try to micromanage the crowd. Meh, I've been to a lot better.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 3
Bartenders were absolutely awesome! Visited for my 21st birthday and the vibe was great and I would definitely go back once I’m back in town, DJ that night was great too!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been coming here for quiet sometime,
The Owners are pretty much great people,very cool and laid back, what I love about this place is that Varnish not only has the most traffic but it welcomes all races & people, it’s also the one place where you can dance, sing or even mosh (lightly).
It’s a really fun, young and a vibrant club/bar.
The moment you arrive you’re greeted with lights,outdoor music, beautiful women and smiles at the desk or maybe even a dope ass convo with the door guys.
Shout Out Ryan.
But
This place has a lot going for it,
This place has a lot of definition.
Would not be Surprised if they open a second location.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
They don’t have enough room to let you go upstairs. Will take your money and tell you you they’re at capacity. When we told the bouncer it was unfair they took our money and won’t let us in, he threw a drink at us. Definitely will never come back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
awesome staff awesome drinks!!! we normally have such an amazing time.
the last handful of times we’ve gone the music has been absolutely trash. nobody wants to listen to taylor swift at the club, yall need to work on that lol!
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 5
Tori is the best.
Music she selected is awesome for some one like me, love it
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Loved it!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
It's a good place but not the humans
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
AMAZING PLACE! Wonderful bartenders and the best bouncer team In Wilmington by far. Never been at a club and felt so safe and taken care of. Tori is by far the most amazing soul and one of the most thoughtful bartenders around!!! Everyone should go to the best club In Wilmington!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Make sure you’re keeping your receipts and the amount you tip.They will charge you more than what you tip, expecting you not to realize what they do.I will definitely not go here again, and the fact they have no number to contact. RidiculousUpdate: manager Clark got in contact with me, stated that i had the merchant copy of receipt so by NC law they can charge x amount for tip so it explains the charge.I sent pictures of receipts showing i had customer copy of the charge i didn’t authorize the amount they put and the merchant copy i did have was a charge that was done correctly.So obviously that shows bartender Tay Tay and Matt are adding more tip intentionally.Regardless it’s 1 $it the fact that it is being done.I wonder, for how long? N how many people?1$ adds up real quick , if they do it pretty frequently.Also, Didn’t appreciate manager tone with saying”refund you ur 5$ “as if that what my fuss is about.It is the integrity.I hope he does look into this and hold the one’s accountable for stealing.I am glad i caught this, as i use to work in this industry so i know the shady things bartenders do.Be smart people, don’t have tabs open and keep your receipts, always especially at Varnish.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Best club in Wilmington! 3rd floor is insane, so much fun! DJ Snowah is the ?
Definitely recommend stopping in if you’re looking for a fun night club scene. If it’s not the music bringing you in and it’s the fun atmosphere the staff creates. I’ve found myself coming in weekly to see Tori on the weekends and enjoy a few drinks with my friends before dancing. Tori truly brings people into the club with her fun drink creations and friendly face! Check it out if looking for a fun place to visit downtown on the weekends!
Atmosphere: 5
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