Drinks & Brews

Coastal Cocktails

The Caribbean-inspired Salt Fish Restaurant and Tiki Bar features a festive cocktail menu with retro, “rummy and yummy” concoctions served out of a fun Buddha-shaped glass like its namesake “Salt Fish Sling,” a blend of gin, pineapple, Grand Marnier, bitters, a cherry and a splash of soda. Belly up to the bar at Soul Flavor Kitchen and Bar, where craft cocktails are mixed using fresh-squeezed juices and scratch-made syrups. The house red and white Sangrias are favorites among locals. Six rotating beer taps and a thoughtful wine selection add to the genuine Soul Flavor experience. Enjoy Irish-inspired favorites like Bangers n’ Mash and Shepherd’s Pie alongside Irish-inspired spirits like Jameson and Guinness at Hoplite Irish Pub and Restaurant.

Craft Brewery and Beer Garden

Visit the island's only craft brewery, Good Hops Brewing. This family-owned and operated small-batch brewery that is both dog- and family-friendly offers beers of all styles from golden ales to IPAs. Don’t miss out on the Boardwalk Brown Ale, Flip Hop IPA, Donna Golden Ale or – a classic – the Good Hops Pale Ale. Step into the outside beer garden, plus, Trinity Disc Golf Course, the 9-hole par 3 disc golf course located on the brewery’s four acres of land makes for a unique experience guests are unlikely to find elsewhere.

Food and Drinks with a View

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar was named one of “America’s Best Beach Bars” by Thrillist.com. The upstairs dining room reveals panoramic views of the North Carolina shoreline. Downstairs, have a drink at the bar or enjoy the sea breeze from the patio dining area. Located just steps from Ocean Grill, the Tiki Bar extends out over the ocean and is the perfect place to enjoy a tropical cocktail – like the “Surfer Rosa,” “Suckapunch” or “The Coconut Monk” – or cold beer after a day at the beach, along with live tiki shows on Thursday evenings during the summer.

Carolina Smokehouse moved its family-owned location from Cashiers, N.C., to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. In addition to BBQ recipes that have been featured on PBS and the Food Network, Carolina Smokehouse serves up a full menu of drinks and cocktails and ocean views from its “Topside” rooftop bar. The bar offers a selection of margaritas – frozen and on the rocks – mojitos and mules, along with featured cocktails like the “Peached Whale,” “Mermaid Water” and “Beach Please.”

Also located on the Boardwalk is Hurricane Alley's Taproom & Restaurant. This oceanfront bar and grill offers steam pots, crab legs and great grilled sandwiches with an ocean view deck that is covered on the ground floor and open to sea breezes on the upper level. Hurricane Alley’s offers 18 beers on tap.

Located at the Carolina Beach Marina, Stoked Restaurant offers dock-and-dine along with marina views from the comfort of its outside water view patio or casual indoor setting. If you’re always in search of the perfect Bloody Mary, be sure to try Stoked’s Bloody Mary Shrimp Ceviche. The restaurant’s signature Bloody Mary cocktail sauce comes together with fresh shrimp, avocado, cucumber, tomatoes, cilantro and a hint of lime for an appetizer that’s good enough to drink.