Drinks and Brews
in Carolina Beach, NC

Coastal Cocktails

For a taste of the tropics, choose from Salt Fish Restaurant and Bar‘s menu of retro “rummy and yummy” concoctions, including classics like Mai Tais and margaritas, as well as show-stopping specialties like the “Pineapple Royale,” a whole pineapple filled with rum punch. Soul Flavor Kitchen and Bar serves cocktails crafted with fresh-squeezed juices and scratch-made syrups. The house red and white sangrias are local favorites, and the bar also offers a rotating beer taps and a wine selection.

Brews in Unique Settings

Good Hops Brewing is the island's family-owned, small-batch craft brewery. Relax in the outdoor beer garden filled with games like cornhole and giant Jenga, and order a flight to sample seasonally-rotating brews such as the Boardwalk Brown Ale, Flip Hop IPA and Good Hops Pale Ale. For a round of friendly competition, head to the on-site Trinity Disc Golf Course, a PDGA-registered 9-hole par 3 course. Stop by Hoplite Irish Pub and Restaurant for Irish-inspired favorites like Jameson and Guinness alongside bangers and mash. Located in a former bank, The Vault is a hybrid coffee shop and bar that offers 16 rotating taps of local craft beer and 9 wine taps. Browse the hip spot’s vault to choose from a curated selection of exotic wines to enjoy there or take home.

Food and Drinks with Scenic View

Overlooking the Atlantic, The Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar was named one of “America’s Best Beach Bars” by Thrillist.com. Upstairs, savor panoramic views from the dining room or have a drink at the bar or enjoy the sea breeze from the downstairs patio area. Located just steps from the Ocean Grill, the Tiki Bar extends over the ocean and is the perfect place to enjoy cocktails or a cold brew after a day at the beach. Live music shows take place on select Thursday evenings during the summer. Or, visit High Tide Tiki Bar located on the Carolina Beach Pier adjacent to Freeman Park for tiki-inspired mix drinks like the Caribbean Bramble or the Mermaid Water. Enjoy their quick bite menu featuring griddled dogs like the Tar Heel Dog made with warm chili, pimento cheese and slaw. Or, try their 12-hour slow roasted Pulled Pork Sandwich topped with cheddar cheese, white barbecue and summer slaw. The bar also hosts weekly entertainment, live music, daily specials, themed game nights and more.

Another popular spot for drinks on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk is Hurricane Alley's, a bar and grill serving 18 beers on tap, along with steam pots, crab legs and grilled sandwiches. Watch the waves and Boardwalk action from an ocean-facing deck that is covered on the ground floor and open to sea breezes on the upper level.

Stoked Restaurant offers dock-and-dine service in addition to marina views from the comfort of its outside patio or casual indoor setting. The waterfront hotspot serves libations like the orange-hued “Stoked Sunrise and “The Waterway,” which blends rum, pineapple juice and blue curaçao. The Bloody Mary Shrimp Ceviche is a must-try appetizer that combines Stoked’s signature cocktail sauce with fresh shrimp, avocado, cucumber, tomatoes, cilantro and a hint of lime.