22 bars and restaurants in the Wilmington area for watching your favorite NFL team
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Pumpkin spice season is coming, and so is wild oyster season. But another fall milestone is already here: football. In preparation, we looked around the Wilmington area for some great places to watch a game. In addition to chains known for dozens of TVs, like the N.C.-based Carolina Ale House, the quarterback-owned Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and sports friendly Kickback Jack's and Buffalo Wild Wings, here are some other restaurants and pubs where you can watch your favorite NFL team.
Many of them offer something unique whether it's good food, a cool atmosphere or team-specific watch parties. We included some from New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. Did we miss your favorite local football spot? Let us know by emailing aballard@gannett.com.
Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard: Now more than burgers, this spot at 1002 Princess St. has added wings with a Cheerwine barbecue sauce, and soon, more apps and sides. Look for watch parties for the New York Jets, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers.
Cowfin Bar & Grill: In the Surf City area, this family-owned restaurant combines unique pub grub (a peanut butter, bacon jam burger and mac-and-cheese skillets) with cocktails, beers and (of course) football at 13500 N.C. 50.
The Eagles Dare: At 420 N. Third St. in downtown Wilmington, this bar has become well known for events that include live music and burlesque. Now, they've mapped out a season of Buffalo Bills games.
Girls with Dough: In Wilmington’s Riverlights community, this pizza spot has also become home to watch parties for the Baltimore Ravens. Look for specials on Maryland-style pie and National Bohemian beer at 204 Arcadian Row.
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Hell’s Kitchen: As they say, this restaurant has been waiting since February for football to start again. Every week, it's NFL Sunday Fundays at 118 Princess St. with every game, wing specials, drink specials and beer buckets.
The Husk: At 31 S. Front St., it's not just football that's returned but their chicken wings, too. This downtown restaurant bar also has drink specials and frequently offers a Taco Bar for big games. It's also a gathering spot for New York Jets fans.
Jax 5th Avenue Deli and Ale House: In addition to watching some Charlotte Football Club, this sandwich-and-flatbread restaurant also has 22 TVs and a full menu until close. It's at 5046 New Centre Drive in Wilmington.
Jimmy’s Wrightsville Beach: You can see live music, and Carolina Panthers games, at many local restaurants and pubs. This bar at 5 N. Lumina Ave. in Wrightsville Beach is the only one, though, that bills itself as the unofficial home of both.
Joe’s Oasis: You might be at 6400 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington, enjoying pierogies and grill grub. But you're really in Pittsburgh Steelers country.
Lazy Pirate: The televised game isn't the only one to be found at 701 N. Lake Park Blvd. in Carolina Beach. There's also axe throwing, volleyball, corn hole and more. Plus, it's the gathering spot for the Carolina Beach Bills Backers.
Local’s Tavern: In Leland, at 1107 New Pointe Blvd. in the Cross Creek Commons shopping plaza near Walmart, this is a spot for NFL games, live music, karaoke and music bingo.
Moore Street Oyster Bar: With 10 TVs, oysters and hard-to-get-bourbons, they have all of the ingredients for football parties. Plus, they often have larger gatherings and buffets at 110 E. Moore St. in Southport for big games.
Paul’s OKI: Lots of places host all of the NFL games, but this restaurant and sports bar at 5419 E. Oak Island Drive in Oak Island posts weekly layouts. You can find out which TVs will be showing what games, and where you should sit to watch your favorite team.
Port City Cheesesteak Company: In addition to Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, and wings, this restaurant also hosts watch parties for the Washington Commanders, but shows other NFL games, too. They're at 21 N. Front St. in downtown Wilmington.
Rebellion NC: In downtown Wilmington, this spot has 13 TVs with sound, and some decadent pub grub. It also has become known as a gathering spot for New York Giants fans at 15 S. Front St.
Riptide Ryno’s Bar & Grill: This sports-themed bar at 17230 U.S. 17 is an ideal spot to watch a game in the Hampstead area. On Sundays, look for wings, food specials and draft beer.
SeaWitch Tiki Bar: At 227 N. Carolina Beach Ave. in Carolina Beach, this spot has 12 indoor TVs and three outdoor TVs all marked with the games that will be shown on them. Plus, there’s a Fan Fuel menu on Sundays with beer buckets (domestic, import and bougie), cocktails, wings and other football snacks.
Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar: In Surf City, Carolina Beach, Leland and downtown Wilmington, these spots will showing all the games. Plus, in Wilmington, they've posted a special Sunday menu that includes a 32-ounce Bloody Mary that comes with low country boil skewers, crab legs, and cheeseburger sliders.
Slice of Life: All four locations of this local pizza restaurant will be offering every game, every Sunday. So if you're near downtown, midtown, Wrightsville Beach or Porters Neck, there's a place to go with pizza, wings and adult beverages.
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Tavern Law 1832: This sports bar/stein club is a cozy spot where you can enjoy local beers on the 16 taps at 106 N. Second St. in downtown Wilmington. Plus, they often offer a little something extra for football. The season opener, for example, had a hotdog cookout.
Tinyz Tavern: Now that the 17th Street location has closed, the football power of two locations will be condensed at 6756 Gordon Road.
Whiskey Trail: There's football at 4039 Masonboro Loop Road and at 3525 Lancelot Lane in Wilmington's midtown. As well as wings, burgers and other pub fare. Plus, the Masonboro location has a large group of Cleveland Browns fans that come every week.
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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Sports bars, restaurants with great football watching in Wilmington, NC
