From bourbon to brunch to beach, Wilmington food and drink events to check out in May

Allison Ballard, Wilmington StarNews
Updated ·4 min read
One of the sofa lounges at the Wine Knot Sky Bar and Lounge club on the ninth floor of the Murchinson Building at 201 N. Front St. in downtown Wilmington, N.C. ALLISON BALLARD/STARNEWS
One of the sofa lounges at the Wine Knot Sky Bar and Lounge club on the ninth floor of the Murchinson Building at 201 N. Front St. in downtown Wilmington, N.C. ALLISON BALLARD/STARNEWS

It’s a month that begins with the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo (and all of the bourbon and Mexican fare that come with them) and ends with a classic beach party weekend. And, oh yeah, the year's brunchiest holiday, Mother’s Day, is sandwiched in there, too. So of course, there’s a lot of food-and-drink fun on the calendar in May. Here’s a look at some local events.

May 3-4: The Carolina Strawberry Festival is returning to 206 S.W. Railroad St. in Wallace. Events begin at 6 p.m. Friday and continue with two days of live music, attractions and lots of food vendors and a pig cook-off. There's also a beer and wine tent, picnic area and craft vendors.

May 11: It's the food-service kick-off for the N. Sea Oyster Co. with chef Nick Chavez at 674 Old Landing Road in Hampstead. The tide-to-table menu is available 4-8 p.m. in the oyster farm's Oyster Barn. Picnic tables have a $10 deposit that will applied to the final bill.

May 11: In downtown Wilmington, Wine Knot Sky Bar & Cocktail Lounge is the starting point for a Sip & Shop: Boutique and Bar Crawl event to support local, women-owned businesses. A wrist band allows you to get a drink at Wine Knot and The Vine plus discounts and a glass of wine at nine boutiques like Modern Legend, Hues of Violet, Girl Style Boutique and Home Body Collective. Tickets are $38 and the event takes place 2-5 p.m. starts at the ninth floor at 201 N. Front St.

May 17-19: The St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is once again hosting its uber popular Wilmington Greek Festival at 608 S. College Rd, Wilmington. Look for traditional food and music, dancing, and cooking demonstrations. Entry fee is $5 for adults.

May 18: It’s time again for a fan favorite from Ellipsis, End of Days Distillery and Boombalattis. Burger Shakedown begins at 3 p.m. with three courses of artisanal burger sliders paired with boozy milkshakes at 1502 S. Third St. in Wilmington. Tickets are $48.

May 18: Wilmington's green and sustainable Mad Mole Brewing, at 6309 Boathouse Road on Oleander Drive near Bradley Creek is hosting a Six Year Anniversary party with beer specials, live music and food trucks all day. It begins at noon.

May 18: Another anniversary party is taking place at the Wilmington location of Dram & Draught, which is celebrating two years in business at 109 Market St. downtown starting at 3 p.m. Look for cocktails, raffle tickets, live music and a DJ.

May 20: Block Eatz on the north campus of Cape Fear Community College in Castle Hayne returns with its monthly Chef's Vision event, with a chat with Tracy Mullins from Hieronymus Seafood Restaurant. The event begins at 5:30, and it's free, but you can register to let them know you're coming.

Blue Surf Arboretum West at 414 Arboretum Drive in Wilmington, N.C.
Blue Surf Arboretum West at 414 Arboretum Drive in Wilmington, N.C.

May 21: Blue Surf Arboretum West at 414 Arboretum Drive in Wilmington is partnering with Leland Brewing Co. for this month's Chef's Dinner. Look for a selection of craft brews and a four-course menu from chef Jon Webb. Cost is $65 and it begins at 5:30 p.m.

May 22: Shuckin' Shack in downtown Wilmington is hosting a Meet the Makers Oyster Roast 6-8 p.m. at 127 N. Front St. Look for all-you-can-eat local oysters from Three Little Spats Oyster Co., brews from Maine Beer Company, and live music. Tickets are around $42.

May 23: There's a unique event that blends literary and culinary fun at Cast Iron Kitchen, 8024 Market St. in Wilmington's Porters Neck area. Author Karen Barefoot will discuss her journey and the best-selling "Brave, Bold, and Barefoot." Chef Josh Petty will offer a picnic-inspired spread to go along with it. Tickets are $20.

May 25: In midtown Wilmington, Henry's Restaurant and Perry's Emporium are hosting a 25th anniversary party. It's 2-7 pm. at 2508 Independence Blvd. The event features live music and a low country boil with all of the fixings, including the boil, salads and sides, and desserts. Drinks sold separately. Tickets are $25.

May 25: Blue Shark Vodka's series of beach clean-ups continues with this one at Ocean Isle Fish Company in Ocean Isle. It takes place 10 a.m. to noon. and begins at 65 Causeway Dr.

May 29: As a part of their new efforts in Carolina Beach, Salt & Charm is hosting its first Kindred Community Dinner at 205 Charlotte Ave, in Carolina Beach. It begins with an aperitivo hour at the bar for cocktails and pre-dinner snacks, which not included in the ticket price. The $36 tickets do include a family style dinner in the chapel with Slow Roasted Pork Carnitas and Braised Ancho Chili Chicken Tacos, as well as sides and desserts. It starts at 6:30.

May 30: Another first comes in the form of this Craft Beer Collaboration Dinner with Front Street Brewery, Biggers Market and Seaview Crab Company. Look for a four-course dinner of seasonal, Southern-inspired dishes paired with FCB beers. It's at 6:30 p.m. at 9 N. Front St. and tickets are $65.

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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: Restaurant, food and drink events in Wilmington, NC in May 2024