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Bogue Banks |
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Atlantic Beach When locals think of beach nightlife, they
think of Atlantic Beach. It's home to a number of nightspots, but the town
retains a family atmosphere and surely doesn't have the night scene other
beach-front towns along the East Coast have. Nightspots have come and gone
during the years, although there are a number of reputable places that have
stood the test of time and continue to offer quality entertainment. There
are others, but we'll only tell you about the ones we feel comfortable
recommending. New places often open each spring, others close in the fall.
If you spot a business we haven't listed, there may be several reasons for
its omission — it may not be one we would recommend to a friend; it may have
just opened in the spring; or we may have unintentionally overlooked it. Beach Tavern (BT) BT is open year round and offers an informal, fun
place to hang out. Since 1972 BT has attracted a diverse group of people who
aren't looking for anything fancy. Lots of folks are glad BT allows kids in
from 11 AM to 9 PM, and you'll often see families enjoying meals here. You
can play pool, darts, Foosball, NTN trivia and pinball, listen to the
jukebox and watch sports on a wide-screen TV. The grill serves sandwiches,
burgers, hot dogs and good pizza. BT has all ABC permits. Atlantic Beach Cswy., Atlantic Beach (252) 247-2344 Channel Marker is a mainstay in the summer
nightlife of the county and has been for more than 25 years. This is a
waterfront spot that has definitely gained a positive reputation with
visitors and locals. You'll find great food, a fun waterfront bar with an
atrium lounge, and a beautiful deck overlooking Bogue Sound. There's even
dock space available for folks who prefer to boat up for their dinner
reservations. The bar has all ABC permits and a great selection of beers and
wines, and it is a favorite nightspot for people of all ages. Live
entertainment is offered on Tuesday nights. |
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Memories During the spring and summer, this is one hopping
joint, with shaggers coming from far and wide to participate in an array of
weekend contests and events. Dance lessons are offered year round on the
beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Memories features a number of
DJs and hosts many special events. Winter months find Memories open a few
nights a week and on weekends. Be sure to call ahead for a schedule and for
special events information.
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Pine Knoll Shores Cutty Sark Lounge For a great spot overlooking a calming pool, check out this lounge at the
Clam Digger Inn. Cutty Sark opens on weekdays at 5 PM and on weekends at
noon. The lounge often features special DJ nights and has all ABC permits.
Call for the schedule.
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Indian Beach/Salter Path Frank and Clara's Restaurant &
Lounge The lounge is upstairs over the restaurant and gets in full swing in the
summer, offering a DJ playing a variety of music from beach and shag to
country and rock. It opens about 8 PM every night during the season. In the
winter, the lounge is open on Fridays and Saturdays. Call for the
entertainment schedule.
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Emerald IsleBallyhoo's Island Sports Grill Ballyhoo's Island Sports Grill is a great place to go for
nightlife. You'll enjoy the food and the fun here. There are two bars at
Ballyhoo's, one is non-smoking until 10 PM and and the other is open
later. Ballyhoo's has all ABC permits, a nice selection of wines poured by
the glass, and the largest selection of beer in Emerald Isle. Live
entertainment is featured Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights but is never
so loud you can't enjoy meeting friends or making new ones. Ballyhoo's is
open seven days a week. RuckerJohns Restaurant This upbeat nightspot is very popular with the younger and
middle-age sets. You'll find a nice bar separated from the dining area with
an extensive selection of draft beer and wines by the glass and all ABC
permits. In the summer RuckerJohns often offers entertainment on the outdoor
patio, and that's a great place to relax, visit with friends or meet new
ones.
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BeaufortBack Street Pub124 Middle Street Ln., Beaufort (252) 728-7108 This laid-back place is a small, nothing-fancy spot.
Regulars simply call it Back Street, and there is usually standing room
only on the weekends. A little outdoor alley garden directly behind
Clawson's Restaurant offers some respite from the crowds. Beer, wine and
wine coolers are served at the huge wooden bar. Upstairs is a "sailors'
library" where folks can bring a book to swap or to read. Back Street
Pub has live music year-round; call for details on performers. Winter
visitors will find a cozy fire and a pot of soup. Cru Wine Bar Cru Wine Bar is the perfect place to meet friends and
relax. Within a block of the Beaufort waterfront, this nightspot features a
high bar and several living room–type seating areas, perfect for meeting
friends or making new ones. Cru Wine Bar has an outstanding selection of
wines and specialty beers and serves them by the bottle or glass. The bar
often features wine tastings and live entertainment. The Wine Store shares
the same space and also features sinful chocolates. The Dock House There's something special about The
Dock House. This waterfront bar fronts Taylor's Creek and has long been
a favorite of locals and Crystal Coast visitors alike. Space is limited
inside, but the upstairs and downstairs deck and boardwalk provide extra
room for all the visitors during the summer. Live entertainment is
offered outside in the summer and inside in the winter. The Dock House
has all ABC permits, a good selection of pub food and live entertainment
on tap during the season. |
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Front
Street Grill at Stillwater
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The Rum Bar at Front Street Grill at Stillwater offers
guests spectacular views of Beaufort Inlet, Carrot Island and evening
sunsets. This is the perfect place to enjoy selections from an extensive
rum list, cocktails, wine, beer and light foods outside. The restaurant
has all ABC permits and serves lunch, dinner and a Sunday brunch that is
not to be missed. Come by car or enjoy Stillwater's dock. Royal James Cafe Royal James Cafe is the oldest continually existing business in
Beaufort's historic district and has a local flavor all its own. With an
early '50s Formica, wood and neon look, this cafe and pool room draws an
interesting mix of locals and tourists, families and singles. You'll
find regulation pool tables, an Internet-connected juke box, video games
and a flat-screen TV tuned to sports, weather or breaking news. Sue and
Ed Book are celebrating 25 years of ownership in 2008. The Sandbar Restaurant and Tiki Bar (252) 504-SAND (7263) www.thesandbar.org, www.clairitastikibar.com The Sandbar Restaurant and Tiki Bar at Town Creek Marina offers a
beautiful way to spend your evening. Relax on the upstairs veranda at
the restaurant or enjoy cool breezes at the outdoor Tiki Bar overlooking
the Intracoastal Waterway. There's live music on the weekends.
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Crystal Coast Jamboree Billed as the “Hottest Ticket at the Beach!” this live
variety show is filled with great family entertainment. The Jamboree
features a two-hour, high-energy show that blends country, oldies, dancers,
gospel and outrageous comedy. But don’t think there is only one show offered
here. The Theater also presents a Concert Series that features top
nationally known recording artists; these shows are usually offered once a
month. In November and December the Jamboree Cast presents the Jamboree
Holiday Show that is filled with all the glitz and glamour that one would
hope to find in a Christmas show. This state-of-the-art theater has become
another wonderful destination for visitors and group tours that rivals
anything in Myrtle Beach and points beyond. Make seating reservations early
as most shows sell out early. |
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Midnight Rodeo This Western nightclub and saloon is a hit in the area
and regularly brings in nationally known performers. The club offers
live performances, as well as dance lessons and a full-time DJ. The
general store offers munchies and Western wear, and there are pool
tables, a large dance floor, a mechanical bull, an outside patio and two
bars. Midnight Rodeo has all ABC permits and offers a variety of beer
and wine. The club is open to members, and there is a cover charge for
guests, a charge that varies depending on the evening's entertainment. |
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Raps Grill & Bar Set in a casual atmosphere, Raps is a favorite gathering
place among locals year round. The roomy bar is often packed during the
summer months, but it should definitely be included on your schedule of
things to do. The downstairs bar area surrounds a huge oak bar and has
tables and plenty of floor space. Raps has all ABC permits and offers a
large selection of beers and wines. There are televisions at the bar and two
big-screen TVs for watching games. This is the area's hot spot for watching
the Super Bowl and other major sporting events. Upstairs are two levels of
dining.
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ToursSome visitors and locals like to enjoy the Crystal Coast by day,
some want to see it by night. Below are a few of the area tours that
also offer a bit of nightlife. More information about these tours
and others are offered in the
Attractions chapter. |
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Diamond City The Diamond City is a floating nightclub.
Docked on Beaufort's waterfront, it is available for special
charters, wedding cruises, corporate meetings and fun tours. Onboard
the 149-passenger vessel you'll find a captain and crew prepared to
make your voyage fun and enjoyable. The Diamond City's
nighttime "floating party cruise" is from 9:30 PM until midnight
each Saturday. With all ABC permits, a state-of-the-art sound system
and either a DJ or live entertainment the Diamond City is
the place to be. Reservations are required, and they offer free soft
drinks and coffee to designated drivers. The Diamond City also
offers harbor tours, lunch and dinner cruises, dolphin-watch trips
and Sunday brunch rides. Also check out the sister vessel, the
Mystery, which is docked in Beaufort. TourBeaufort.Com TourBeaufort.com offers several types of tours for
visitors and residents of all ages. The Beaufort Ghost Walk is one
of the most popular as it shares the life of Blackbeard. This group
also offers a tour that focuses on the water, shelling and other
adventures. Reservations are needed for the tours, which vary in
price and point of origin. Good Fortune If you are fascinated by coastal
ecology or want to know more about the subject, arrange to sail with
Capt. Ron White, a marine biologist and owner of the 42-foot sailboat Good
Fortune. This custom-built craft accommodates six and is available
for full-day and two-hour sojourns, educational trips, group and
corporate charters, and evening sails. Capt. Ron will also take you
snorkeling and provide the gear and can provide sailing instruction on
the Good Fortune or on two smaller vessels. Sunset excursions
conclude with complimentary wine. Whether you want a two-and-a-half
hour trip or think you can go all day, trips are priced to
accommodate. Trip fees vary depending on length -- a day-long trip is
$100 and includes lunch prepared aboard or $90 without lunch; a
six-hour trip is $75 without lunch; and a half-day trip (4.5 hours) is
$55 a half-day without lunch. Enjoy a wonderful sunset (2.5 hours)
sail for $45 with complimentary beverages. Capt. Ron offers a dolphin
sail for $40 for adults and $25 for children under 12. All trips have
a four-passenger minimum and lunches are $15 per person. All shore
trips (4.5, 6 and 8 hour trips) include snorkel gear and kayaks.
You'll find Capt. Ron at the docks from April through October. If you
want a cruise during the other months of the year, just give him a
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Lookout Cruises Steve Bishop captains the Lookout, a
45-foot catamaran that can hold 42 passengers. He offers a romantic
and relaxing sunset cruise for adults and night trips for families.
Complimentary beverages are served. It is always best to call ahead
to book a cruise on this popular vessel.
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Movie TheatersThe movie theaters listed here offer discounts for seniors and children. They also run matinees at reduced prices, but check to make sure which days because off-season matinees are usually restricted to weekends. Movie listings are printed in the Carteret County News-Times, published every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Atlantic Station Cinema 4, MM 3, at the west end of Atlantic Station in Atlantic Beach, (252) 247-7016 Emerald Plantation Cinema 4, MM 20, in the Emerald Plantation Shopping Center, Emerald Isle, (252) 354-5012 Plaza Cinema One, Two and Three, Morehead Plaza Shopping
Center, Bridges Street in Morehead City, (252) 726-2081
Liquor Laws and ABC Stores Though you can buy beer and wine at food stores, you must purchase liquor in Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) package stores. Local ABC stores are open Monday through Saturday. Atlantic Beach ABC Store, MM 2.5 on N.C. 58, (252) 726-3221 Beaufort ABC Store, 1791 U.S. 70/Live Oak Street intersection, (252) 728-7924 Cape Carteret ABC Store,
N.C. 24 beside the police department, (252) 393-2631 Morehead City ABC Store, K-Mart Shopping Center, 4915-G Arendell St., U.S. 70, (252) 726-2160 Newport ABC Store, just east of the U.S. 70/Howard Boulevard intersection beside Subway, (252) 223-4136 Swansboro ABC Store,
N.C. 24 on west side of Swansboro, (252) 326-3683
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