N.C. Road Trip Part 2: Nightlife
I had a moment of panic when heading out to experience some of Wilmington, North Carolina’s nightlife on my trip last weekend. Did N.C. have a smoking ban?! Having traveled recently only to states with the ban, I was dismayed to think I’d have to endure smoky haze again. I was pleased to discover I’d be fine — their ban went into effect this year.
I had a moment of panic when heading out to experience some of Wilmington, North Carolina’s nightlife on my trip last weekend. Did N.C. have a smoking ban?! Having traveled recently only to states with the ban, I was dismayed to think I’d have to endure smoky haze again. I was pleased to discover I’d be fine — their ban went into effect this year.
Much of Wilmington’s nightlife is along the River, making walking the best way to get around. On Friday, I found about a 70-to-30 ratio of men to women there. I started at Rum Runners (21 N. Front Street), a dueling-piano bar I’d read about. Had I seen this bar first in the harsh daylight, I probably would not have been as eager to go in, but once inside, a tiki-tropical theme reveals a stage with two grand pianos with a drum set in the middle, backed by a giant mirror. The trio on stage played everything from piano classics to modern pop songs, and occasionally took audience suggestions and traded musicians. I was amused by one of the players’ Austin Scarlet (from Project Runway) hair. The crowd was into it and the experience was entertaining and unlike anything I’d seen before. I was handed a card for a free drink over at the tiki bar, where I discovered an enthusiastic 5-year veteran bartender juggling glass liquor bottles and dangerously stacking shooters. Turns out, Rum Runners is a small franchise, existing in four other states as well.
Just next door, in the same building complex, is Level 5, a rooftop “private club,” I’d read about as well. In N.C., bars that don’t serve food have to operate as private clubs, and that meant a $5 cover; though I got in for free for being female. Climbing the five flights of stairs to the top felt like being in a dorm, and when I reached the top, I discovered a den-like setting with couches and an indoor bar, and then a huge rooftop, mostly-covered patio with outdoor bar, dance floor, and city-view tables. The roof was crowded and people were dancing and sweating and mingling, but I must say, I was expecting a slightly classier experience based on the descriptions I’d read. Sticky carpet and mysterious smells said more “frat party” than “chic club.”
After dancing and sweating to death, I left to pursue air conditioning, and saw life down one of the side streets, in the form of a little English pub called Duck and Dive (114 Dock Street) It was cool inside and not crowded, and the vibe felt more my speed. One side of the bar had a platform area of cushy bench seating and tables. They had a large list of microbrews, and my companion got a Dogfish Head (my hometown brewery) 90 minute IPA for only $4. I couldn’t believe how cheap everything was. The band that night, North Carolina’s own, Ramblin Gypsies, had a dead-on classic rock sound. Their ZZ Top cover prompted us to request more of the same, and we were blown away with each song.
Other noteworthy places included The Soap Box Laundro-Lounge at 255 N. Front Street. I popped into this Laundromat, bar, and music venue for a peek, and it reminded me of Nanci Raygun—dark, grimy, full of music posters. The Front Street Brewery (9 N. Front Street) is the only brewery in town, with affordable pricing and live music. The Wilmington area also has several hookah bars.
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Holly Gordon
Holly Gordon spends her days working with Richmond’s hearty nonprofit community and her nights singing in a community chorus. She loves her feminist book club, and is always distracted by shiny things.
Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.
Holly, great article! …but you forgot the nightlife at the Beach! Wrightsville Beach is where it’s at in Wilmington, especially in the Summer. Check it out next time you are there. Especially Dockside, Bluewater, and the bars at Lumina Station for those of us 30 and over :)
It was so hot after our day at Wrightsville Beach that we just came home and showered, so we didn’t get to see the nightlife there, sorry!The beach there was A-MAZ-ING though. Clearish blue-green water, warm enought to swim in June, able to walk way out into the breakers. I am so not used to seeing this on my beaches on the mid Atlantic!
I grew up in Wilmington, so it was a pleasant surprise to see these articles today. Thanks for the trip down memory lane (even if most of these places weren’t around in the mid-90s)!