Hi-Wire Brewing — Wilmington - The Sociable Adventurer

There are breweries you visit because the beer is great. There are breweries you visit because the space is fun. Hi-Wire Brewing’s Wilmington taproom is one of the rare ones that hits both — a bright, spacious, game-packed taproom set inside a beautifully reimagined former car dealership in Wilmington’s up-and-coming Soda Pop District. With 20+ taps of Hi-Wire’s well-loved beer, two outdoor beer gardens, arcade games, and Cugino Forno pizza right next door, this is one of the most fun nights out in downtown Wilmington. Be sure to check out the pictures below to get a feel for the place before you go — or to relive the visit after.

Asheville Brewing, Wilmington Energy

Hi-Wire Brewing isn’t a Wilmington native — the brewery was founded in Asheville back in 2013 and has grown into one of North Carolina’s best-known craft brands, with taprooms now in Asheville, Charlotte, Durham, Wilmington, and Knoxville. Wilmington was their fifth taproom, opening in early 2021 after the team spent months thoughtfully renovating a roughly 8,000-square-foot former car dealership building at 1020 Princess Street.

The building most recently housed Carolina Carburetor Specialists from 1983 onward, and Hi-Wire’s renovation took care to preserve the character of the original space — bright open ceilings, big windows, and an unmistakable sense of place that feels like a perfect fit for the Soda Pop District’s mix of old industrial buildings turned creative spaces.

The Beer (and Then Some)

Most of Hi-Wire’s beer is brewed in Asheville (with some brewing also happening at their Durham facility) and trucked to the Wilmington taproom regularly, which keeps the entire lineup remarkably consistent and fresh. The Wilmington bar pours 20+ taps of Hi-Wire beers spanning their full range — from year-round flagships and seasonals to specialty brews, sour beers, and one-off limited releases you genuinely can’t find anywhere else.

But it’s not just beer. The taproom also serves:

Wine (red, white, and prosecco)
Local and regional ciders on draft
Craft cocktails
Slushies
Non-alcoholic beer and mocktails
Hi-Jinks THC-Infused Sparkling Water — Hi-Wire’s THC beverage line

It’s the kind of lineup designed so everyone in your group can find exactly what they want.

The Space

The Wilmington taproom is genuinely fun. The renovated former dealership keeps its industrial bones — exposed beams, open ceilings, big windows — while filling the rest of the space with bright murals, comfortable seating, a long bar, and a whole lot of games. Foosball, ping pong, shuffleboard, soccer pool, and a rotating selection of arcade games keep things lively for groups of all ages.

Step outside and you’ll find two outdoor beer gardens complete with picnic tables — both excellent spots to settle in with a beer on a nice day. Add in ample on-site parking (a rarity in downtown Wilmington) and it’s easy to see why the taproom has become such a regular stop for locals and visitors alike.

Pizza Next Door

The taproom doesn’t have its own kitchen, but it doesn’t really need one — Cugino Forno is just next door, turning out specialty Neapolitan pizzas, salads, and Italian desserts that you can order, pick up, and bring straight back to your table at Hi-Wire. Hot pizza, cold beer, and a shuffleboard table — hard to beat.

Good to Know

Family-friendly: Hi-Wire welcomes kids and groups of all ages.
Pet-friendly: Leashed dogs are welcome both inside and out.
Ample free parking — a real perk in downtown Wilmington.
Two outdoor beer gardens for the warmer days.
Pizza next door at Cugino Forno — order, pick up, and bring it back.
Events: The taproom hosts a busy calendar of live music, trivia, tap takeovers, Pride Fest, Fall Festival, and other community events — worth checking ahead before your visit.
Located at 1020 Princess Street in the Soda Pop District, just north of downtown.

A Wilmington Standout

Hi-Wire Brewing’s Wilmington taproom is the kind of place that’s just as good for a date night as it is for a group of friends or a family looking to spend a relaxed afternoon. The beer is consistent, the space is beautifully designed, the games are a blast, and the location in the Soda Pop District puts you right in one of Wilmington’s most exciting up-and-coming neighborhoods. If you’re putting together a Wilmington brewery day, this is one to add to the list.