The Blind Elephant

First time my wife and I visited this establishment. I am retired Army, it is about 40 degrees out and I have my warmest coat on, my old service jacket and I was asked to remove it or I could not enter. I promptly took back out ID’s and left with a highly defensive door man stating he didn’t make the rules. Well, you decided to work for him and the level you were defending yourself tells me you know it’s wrong yet choose to work for such an owner. Shame on you and shame on Blind Elephant. I will never remove the uniform of our great nation for you or anyone else.

Cool Prohibition Era style bar. My wife and I hung out here twice in one night. We went to a few other bars but returned to The Blind Elephant. The staff was polite. Definitely will be returning.

Not only does this venue serve people under the legal limit but their staff is excessively rude. I had to wait 25 minutes for a drink at an empty bar. If you are in Wilmington absolutely do not come to this bar, you will regret it. Go anywhere else.

The smartest bar in town. If you can’t find it it’s because the rest of us don’t want to tell you about it Just yet.

This place is a hipster’s wet dream.
It’s a speakeasy that we found on accident and is a really nice space for a bar. The bartender was super attentive at 8pm when we first came in, and the cocktail was really well made — because the crowd wasn’t there yet and we had time to talk about what I like to drink. She made me something based on my preferences (no idea what it was) and when I got my bill, I was pleasantly surprised to find the magic whisky mystery was very reasonably priced and she didn’t just make me a $ 14 glass of whatever.
That being said, when we came back after 11pm, the bar was packed and when I told the bartender (different person) that I just wanted a whisky soda and well was fine, I didn’t think it was physically possible for a person to roll their eyes as much as they did.
My peasant drink was not stingily poured though, despite how far beneath them it was to concoct, and the crowd was loud but not rowdy. Would definitely go back.

A few friends and I happened upon this place while walking around but we weren’t allowed in because one of us was wearing gym shorts (me lol). If this place wants to be exclusionary and doesn’t want our money that’s fine by me; we went somewhere else for a drink.

Great staff!!! The environment is very old school swanky. Classic old movie music. Couches and primo drinks.

This was place had great drinks and a great atmosphere! Everyone in my group got a different drink and we loved them all. Very hip vibe in the place. Comfortable couches, a dart board and a pool table. A good time was had by all.

This is definitely a hipster bar of the beaten path. I really dig the space and décor. However, unless you have a good group to converse with then I’d skip this place and find something fun to do.

Awesome location! Great beer selection! Love the layout. Bartenders were very skilled and made great drinks. Need more bartenders. Took over 30 minutes to get a drink.

Be aware: men cannot wear tank tops here. However, they DO sell them here and they also do NOT replace the empty dispenser for paper towels in the bathroom. Instead, they leave the entire 20lb. roll on the dirty sink for you to unroll yourself. Classy or not? I’m not quite sure.

Perhaps my favorite «hole in the wall» in town. After all it is a speakeasy. Best bourbon selection I’ve seen in Wilmington and great service. A nice change of pace from the other spots on Front Street.

Having heard of this place from several people in town I was determined to make this bar my new go to establishment. I will say, if it weren’t for the bouncer standing all bouncer like outside, I would have walked right past the place as it is tucked in an alley. As soon as we walked through the door, I was in love. The atmosphere was extremely chill, great vibes with the eclectic furniture and reclaimed wood.
My enchantment wore off quickly as we approached the bar. I was under the impression that the place was going for a mixology prohibition theme. However, when I requested a drink with gin, ginger, and strawberry they just pointed to the board and said they could make anything up there. I’m sorry where is your creativity and craftsmanship pride? The barman made a beetlejuice, which did indeed have the flavors listed above but it was extremely flavorless. Not a trace if ginger because the whole drink was sugar and beet juice. I honestly felt like I was drinking jungle juice at a frat party.
Curtis (one of the bartenders) was great with correcting the poorly executed drink and he did it with a smile on his face while maintaining great convo.
Overall this place has amazing potential with the vibe, the staff, and the location but please invest in some mixology classes for your staff. Your ideal clientele would gladly pay a few $ more for a well crafted personalized cocktail.

So this is where Wilmingtonians come for their craft cocktails. Noted.
It was off to a great start when the bartender not only asked me what kind of tequila I wanted in my requested tequila manhattan (always reposado, for what it’s worth), but also gave me a strong vermouth recommendation for better balance (Vya). And it was pretty much love from that moment on.
Once inside, the vibe is more roadside pub or laneway party than speakeasy, and their attitude reflects it: they care as much about as their house-​made bitters and simple as they do about being friendly and accessible for any Joe off the street. (Minus the whole hidden door thing.)

A very different upscale speak easy /​dive bar. A welcomed edition to Wilmington with well-​executed drinks. Not mixology by a long shot but tasty and an enjoyable all the same. A nice surprise when you’re looking to try a new bar.
Looking for something different? Try the Thyme bomb. It has a strong taste of bell pepper paired with thyme with a balanced sweetness. Exceptionally interesting place with cool drinks.
Go for the drinks stay for the atmosphere.

Great place. Love that it was tucked down an alley and up a metal staircase. Great libations, but my favorite by far was the jinx. You must try it. The décor was dark and evoked a sense of another time. Next time you are in Wilmington, you should definitely check it out.

As a craft bartender myself, I am always hypercritical of cocktail lounges. But rest assured, these guys are legit. Fantastic liqour/​liqueur/​bitters collection and staffed with quality people who know how to execute the classics with the care and artistry they deserve. Great style and ambiance as well.

This is my favorite bar in Wilmington!
Always order myself an Old Fashioned when I come in here, along with good beers, and any other of the several cocktails they expertly make.
Great, friendly staff.
Only thing is its a little pricey, but I will pay the extra to be with such a chill crowd.
This is one of the only places I can go and not expect someone to hit on my wife while I am gone or try to start a fight at some point.
HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend.
Also, I really like the fact that it is hidden a little bit.

This place is AMAZING! If you can’t find it, ask a local because it is worth the search.
The Blind Elephant is a speakeasy tucked into an alley near Front Street Brewery. The cocktails are amazing — all prohibition style. The bartenders craft their own ever-​changing menu and will tickle your tastebuds with Awesome-​ness. They are also really nice, even when crowded, so give them a minute to get to you and I assure you it will be worth the wait. OR go in before dinner and have a delightful start to your night. You can’t go wrong here and if you make it to downtown Wilmington, you have to check this place out. So Fun! Total 5 star experience!

It seems the Elephant gods were listening when I begged for a more apropos soundtrack to this speakeasy’s near-​perfect atmosphere. The last time we snuck down the alley and into The Blind Elephant for a pre-​fireworks cocktail, we were pleasantly surprised to hear the dark and dreamy sounds of live piano floating through the bar. Bravo!