Destination Wrightsville | What to do: Night on the town
BY Staff
NIGHTLIFE
Of course Wrightsville Beach is famous for its surf sand and sun but its equally well known for its nightlife. Whether your idea of a “night on the town” is kicking back at a seaside eatery and watching the tide or jazzing it up at one of our famous beach establishments and dancing the night away Wrightsville has everything you need for an enjoyable evening at the beach.
22 North An array of menu items awaits you at 22 North on North Lumina Avenue and for late night a pool table and booth seating offers guests a chance to relax and enjoy life at the beach.
Blockade Runner Lounge The poolside bar offers guests a covered area to enjoy the salt air while the modern glass encased lounge inside the hotel offers visitors a garden lawn view and a glimpse of the beachs horizon.
Buddys Crab House and Oyster Bar Dollar bills with the John Hancocks of visitors and locals decorate this pirate-inspired bar but dont let the name fool ya no food is served at this local establishment.
Gabbys Lounge at the Holiday Inn SunSpree One of the lounges located within the hotel open from late morning until Live entertainment is featured on the weekends and outdoor seating is available.
Jerry Allens Sports Bar and Grill To catch up on all the games you missed while lounging seaside and catch a quick bite to eat pop over to Jerry Allens Sports Bar and Grill. The tantalizing treats off the late night menu are served until they close up shop at 2 a.m.
King Neptunes Pirate Lounge Located adjacent to one of the beachs finest seafood restaurants the lounge at King Neptunes offers visitors a peek into the life of a pirate. With Jolly Rogers flags and pirate memorabilia mounted on every inch of the walls you can find locals and visitors alike sharing in the swashbuckling celebration of a day well spent.
Lagerheads Tavern Located directly across from Roberts Grocery Lagerheads is situated just right for people watching on Lumina Avenue. Locals can be found hanging out on the front patio all day long enjoying the summer sun.
The Palm Room Located next to Johnnie Mercers Pier the Palm Room offers visitors a large venue to hear both local and regional bands. Comedy shows also frequent the venue and kicking up your heels is always an option.
Red Dogs Equipped with bars on the upper and lower levels Red Dogs also offers its patrons two levels of dancing. With different DJs showcasing their musical stylings on a regular basis the venue is popular amongst many college-age coeds.
Wrightsville Beach is also minutes away from Historic Downtown Wilmington a favorite hot spot for locals. Luckily a cab ride from Wrightsville Beach to Wilmington city center is only $25. While youre downtown you can watch a play at one of the outstanding local theaters stroll along the Riverwalk listen to an abundance of live music take a horse and carriage ride catch a ghost tour or eat in one of downtowns renowned restaurants.
THEATER
Shakespeare on the Green
If its summer it must be Shakespeare at Greenfield Lake. The festival now in its 17th season welcomes all to its free performances. In the newly renovated stage and amphitheater the 21-member company will perform two of William Shakespeares romps The Merry Wives of Windsor and Comedy of Errors during the month of June.
There is an early 6:30 p.m. picnic seating for patrons who wish to pack a basket and enjoy the beauty of one of Wilmingtons natural wonders. Curtain is at 8 p.m. In the event of rain call (910) 762-6393 to confirm show time.
The Merry Wives of Windsor runs June 57 June 1214 June 1921and June 2628. Comedy of Errors performed by the Shakespeare Youth Company runs June 911 and June 1618.
Thalian Hall
At the corner of Third and Chestnut streets Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts housed in an 1858 landmark structure produces a full slate of world-class musical and theatrical events. It shares its main stage and its black box studio theater with the Thalian Association the official community theater of the State of North Carolina Opera House Theater Company Big Dawg Productions Willis Richardson Players Theatre Exchange and Theatreworks. Expanded cinema and art house films are screened weekly during Cinematique sponsored in partnership with WHQR 91.3 Public Radio and during Cucalorus an annual indie film festival in early November.
(910) 343-3664
www.thalianhall.com
Level 5 at City Stage
At 21 North Front Street in the 1897 Masonic Building City Stage at Level 5 dives into its full/year-round season of musicals and plays with a full range of edgy productions theater classics and Broadway musicals. Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris has become a holiday staple.
(910) 342-0272
www.citystageatlevel5.com
The Brown Coat Pub & Theatre
At 111 Grace Street the new home of the Guerilla Theatres raw unbridled dramatic and comic productions is also the headquarters for Playwrights Producing Companys staged readings and productions from new and emerging artists.
(910) 233-9914
www.guerillatheatre.com
Red Barn Studio
Creative directors Steve Bakunas and Linda Lavin restored a relic automobile garage and opened their doors last year to a coterie of seasoned theater television and film artists to perform small cast plays in an intimate setting at 1122 South Third Street.
(910) 762-0955
www.redbarnstudiotheatre.com
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Student actors under the direction of the universitys faculty and guest directors perform theater classics in the new state-of-the-art Cultural Arts Building. Opening this fall is Waiting for Godot (Oct 15-19) followed in hot pursuit by Wild Duck (Nov 19-23).
www.uncw.edu/thr
EUE Screen Gems Studios
The largest full-service motion picture facility in the United States east of California is located right here in Wilmington. Over its 20-year history EUE Screen Gems Studios has been the home to more than 300 film television and commercial productions including Dawsons Creek and One Tree Hill. Wilmington has been the heart of the North Carolina film industry for more than two decades.
A one-hour walking tour of the studios nine soundstages is open to visitors at noon and 2 p.m. on Saturdays year-round and Saturdays and Sundays from May through September. Tickets are $12 with discounts available for students military seniors and children. Group tours are also available by reservation. The studios are located at 1223 North 23rd Street in Wilmington. (910) 343-3433