NFL
By: Caroline Merrill
Although Wilmington, NC is not hosting Super Bowl 50 (I know, shocker) our quaint beach town is packed full of sports bars that will be dishing out great food, good drinks and an even better atmosphere. After five years in this town, I can safely say I have spent many Sunday’s at these fine establishments but I must admit I am slightly biased to #4 since it is the Philadelphia Eagles bar… Fly Eagles Fly! Maybe next year will be our year…
Below is an alphabetical list of the Top 10 favorite sports bars to enjoy a football game in Wilmington, NC. Unfortunately our list of local places is slim but we are chalk full of chains that are still great places to enjoy watching the big game. You will also find the most important ranking of all time, French fries. Because let’s be real… nothing ruins your game day like a plate of soggy fries.
1. Banks Channel
530 Causeway Drive Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
https://www.bankschannelpub.com/
• TV’s: 8+
• French fries: thin slices of crunchy and salty goodness—you do not want to miss out on these.
• Wing Sauce Options: 7
Banks Channel is a great low-key bar located on Banks Channel in Wrightsville Beach. Inside you will find two different bars, a number of tv’s and games galore. Banks is a great place to kick back and play ping pong, foosball or just sit at one of their high top tables to socialize. If you are looking for a laid back, beach atmosphere for your Super Bowl, this is the place.
2. Buffalo Wild Wings
206 Old Eastwood Road
5533 Carolina Beach Road
https://www.buffalowildwings.com
• TV’s: Projector screens plus 50 additional tv’s
• French fries: Mediocre—at BDubs you can go with your classic basket of fries or you can really indulge in their potato wedges. If you go for the potato wedges, you might as well go all in and add the cheese and bacon on top.
• Wing Sauce Options: 21
If you haven’t experienced BDubs boneless wings on game day then you haven’t been living. Their tagline says it all: Wings. Beer. Sports. What else do you need in life?!
3. Carolina Ale House
317-C South College Road
https://www.carolinaalehouse.com/
• TV’s: 2 large screens and 46 additional tv’s
• French fries: Again… mediocre—CAH fries are a hit or miss—sometimes they are incredibly crunchy and delicious and sometimes they are a little on the soggy side. Consider this your warning to approach their fries with caution. Try and scout out someone else’s plate before committing.
• Wing Sauce Options: 7
Carolina Ale House is a great spot if you have sports ADD. You can find different sporting events on almost every tv so you do not miss a thing. Not only do they have a lot of tv’s, they also have other activities such as pool tables, video games, pinball and foosball.
4. Copper Penny
109 Chestnut Street
https://copperpennync.com/
• TV’s: 4
• French fries: Y’all, Copper Penny’s fries are for real. You can choose between their perfect hand-cut fries or their AMAZING sweet potato fries. You cannot go wrong with either option and they are always on point.
• Wing Sauce Options: 5
I cannot say enough good things about this place. Yes, I am slightly biased because the restaurant is adorned in Philly sports memorabilia BUT the food they serve is unreal. CP was voted as Wilmington’s #1 Sports Bar for the 2015 Encore Best Of Awards—great choice, Wilmy. There is a little something for everyone on their menu. Important note: you can have any burger or sandwich made into a wrap! You can thank me later after you indulge in one of their 21 beers on tap with a basket of sweet potato fries for the Super Bowl.
5. Dig & Dive
3525 Lancelot Lane
https://diganddive.com/
• TV’s: 12+
• French fries: All you need to know is that you can top their fries with a number of toppings, sauce, and meat. That is all. You’re welcome.
• Wing Sauce Options: 7
Back in my college prime, this spot was called Courts & Sports and it was the place to pregame before taking their free shuttle downtown. After they rebranded, this place still knows how to draw an awesome game day crowd. D&D has been nominated as the Panthers bar in Wilmington so if you are looking to share a great Super Bowl experience with your fellow Panthers fans, this is your place. Important note: the crowd does tend to be more college kids than anyone else.
6. Fox & Hound
920 Town Center Drive
https://www.foxandhound.com/
• TV’s: 12+
• French fries: Crunchy and delightful—feeling bold? Get the chili cheese fries.
• Wing Sauce Options: 10
Fox & Hound always tends to be pretty live on game days. Although parking can be a little scarce sometimes, their wings are worth the extra walk from a distant parking spot in Mayfaire. Their menu has a number of options that will appeal to anyone in your squad.
7. Jerry Allen’s
38 North Lumina Avenue Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
https://jerryallensportsbar.com/
• TV’s: 5+
• French fries: Their fries are great but I highly suggest you get the onion rings. Lightly battered yet perfectly crispy.
• Wing Sauce Options: 15
If you go to Jerry Allen’s and order anything but a cheeseburger, you are doing yourself a disservice. However, I fully support your decision to try anything on the menu because their food is phenomenal. Jerry Allen’s is a small dive bar located in the heart of Wrightsville Beach’s bar scene. If you want an even more laid back atmosphere to watch the big game, hit up Jerry Allen’s.
8. Kickback Jack’s
418 South College Road
https://www.kbjacks.com/
• TV’s: 50+
• French fries: KBJ’s fries are on the same level as Carolina Ale House—a true hit or miss.
• Wing Sauce Options: 7
Kickback Jack’s has become a popular game day spot for me and my motley crew. The one menu item that you absolutely have to order is their nachos. I can single handedly eat an entire plate of them (slightly proud of this on some days and on others I am slightly embarrassed) thanks to their indescribably delicious jalapeno cheese sauce.
9. Might As Well
250 Racine Drive
https://mightaswellbarandgrill.com/
• TV’s: 7+
• French fries: MAW’s fries are the perfect combination of half potato, half potato skin that makes for a great salty crunch.
• Wing Sauce Options: 16
Much like Dig&Dive, Might As Well is predominately a college student dominated establishment. However, their food is delicious so if you are in the mood for a great burger then hop on over to MAW. Feeling bold? Try the Heart Attack Burger: 2 patties for 1 full lb. of beef, topped with double cheese, two mozzarella sticks, fried egg, chili, bacon, hot and bbq sauce, jalapenos, and pickles
10. Wild Wing Café
1331 Military Cutoff Road
https://www.wildwingcafe.com/
• TV’s: 12+
• French Fries: They have an entire section of their menu titled: Spud Zone. Their loaded skins or Big Fat Fries are where it’s at.
• Wing Sauce Options: 33
Wild Wing Café is my old faithful. It provided weekend entertainment for me and my gal pals back in high school and it now serves as my favorite place to order wings. My go to flavor choices: Wild West, Italian and ginger. You cannot go wrong with anything on their menu and their prices are even better.
