Front Street Brewery

If Wilmington’s beer scene has a founding father, this is it. Front Street Brewery has been pouring handcrafted beer in downtown Wilmington since 1995 — making it Wilmington’s longest-running brewery and the seventh-oldest brewery in the entire state of North Carolina. Long before the city’s craft beer renaissance was in full swing, Front Street was here, brewing in a historic brick building right on Front Street, and helping shape what Wilmington’s beer scene would eventually become. Be sure to check out the pictures below to get a feel for the place before you go — or to relive the visit after.

Brewing in a Civil War-Era Building

Part of what makes Front Street Brewery so special is the building itself. The structure at 9 North Front Street first swung open its doors in 1865, while the Civil War’s Second Battle of Fort Fisher was still underway just down the coast. It started as a dry goods store, and over the next 130 years cycled through chapter after chapter of Wilmington history — at various points housing the most extensive carpet store in the state, a Kuppenheimer suit shop, a showroom for musical instruments and Crosley radios, and from 1940 to 1982, the men’s clothing store Foy, Roe & Company.

The building sat vacant from 1982 until 1994, when Front Street Brewery took over and breathed new life back into the historic corridor. In June of 1995, the first house-brewed pints started flowing — and they’ve never stopped.

The Beer

As the longest-running brewery in town, Front Street has had three decades to refine its craft. The brewery typically keeps 10+ award-winning, in-house beers on tap, spanning a wide range of styles — from approachable session beers and crisp lagers to flavorful IPAs, hearty stouts, and the occasional creative seasonal release. The variety means there’s always something on tap that fits whatever mood you walked in with.

Flights are a great way to sample your way through the lineup, and the bartenders are knowledgeable and happy to help you find your way to a new favorite.

One of the Largest Bourbon and Whiskey Selections in North Carolina

Front Street isn’t just about beer. The brewery is also home to one of the largest bourbon and whiskey selections in all of North Carolina — an impressive backbar lined with both well-known favorites and rare bottles that’s quietly become a draw all its own. For bourbon and whiskey fans, this is a destination in its own right, and pairing a pour with a meal at the brewery is one of the best little experiences in downtown Wilmington.

A Full Restaurant Too

Front Street isn’t just a brewery — it’s a full-service restaurant with a menu that goes well beyond typical pub fare. Expect over 25 gourmet sandwiches and burgers, plus 35+ entrees ranging from their famous Scottish Ale Brew-B-Q ribs to shrimp and grits, ribeye steaks, fried green tomatoes, fresh seafood, and creative daily specials. There’s also a real kids’ menu, plus weekend late-night offerings for the after-show or after-walk crowd.

The food has built its own loyal following over the years, and the menu is designed to pair just as well with the beer as with the bourbon.

The Space

The taproom and dining room are everything you’d hope for from a brewpub in a historic Civil War-era building — exposed brick, warm wood, a beautiful long bar, and the kind of unmistakable downtown character that just doesn’t get built into newer spaces. There’s also an outdoor patio that’s a favorite spot for sandwiches, beers, and wings on a nice afternoon.

Good to Know

• Family-friendly: Kids are welcome, and there’s a real kids’ menu.
• The outdoor patio is a favorite spot when the weather cooperates.
• Daily brewery tours are available — a great way to learn about the beer-making process and the brewery’s history.
• Bourbon and whiskey fans: Plan to linger — the selection alone is worth the visit.
• Located at 9 North Front Street, right in the heart of historic downtown Wilmington — walkable to the Riverwalk, The Cotton Exchange, and the rest of the downtown core.

A Wilmington Original

There’s a lot to love about Wilmington’s craft beer scene, and almost all of it can be traced back, in one way or another, to Front Street Brewery. They were the first to do it here. They’ve kept doing it well for 30 years. And whether you’re a serious beer enthusiast, a bourbon collector, or just looking for a great downtown meal in a building with real history, this is one of those Wilmington stops that earns every bit of its place in the city. Pair it with a walk along the Riverwalk just a block away, and you’ve got the perfect downtown afternoon.

---

---

Resources

Front Street Brewery Website

Front Street Brewery Facebook

---

Location

---

Social Media

---

---