When it comes to bars, I’ve been to more than a handful in my life! So it’s rare that I run across something that blows my mind. But a visit to Carolina Beach (just south of Wilmington, NC) did just that. Some friends had recommended the Fat Pelican to me, so on a warm Friday evening, I headed on over for a visit! It’s a small storefront on Lake Park Boulevard and as I pulled open the door… Well, read on if you want to find out more!
Step into the Fat Pelican and it feels like you’re traveling to a different time and dimension (cue in the Rod Serling, Twilight Zone voice). Maybe not another dimension but wow, it’s something I had never seen before! The Fat Pelican features a small bar (five seats) to your left and behind that is the beer and cider walk-in refrigerator. The Fat Pelican has a tremendous selection of canned drinks, grab your favorite, pay for it at the bar and she’ll open it for you!
From that point on, it’s all about finding a place to sit down in to relax and enjoy this odd and quirky space. The Fat Pelican spans 6 or 7 rooms inside, strung up with holiday lights, knick-knacks, and random decor that might be befitting a Goodwill store! Surfboards, flags, street signs, outdoor furniture, and more. You’ll even find a small room with a handful of cabinet video games inside.
Oh, and you’ll find signatures and graffiti everywhere. I’m guessing that maybe people just bring in their own pieces of decoration and leave them behind? I mean, who would ever know otherwise? But guess what intrepid bar explorer, there’s even more outside to enjoy!
As you walk in, you may not have noticed the chain link gate to the right of the storefront and that’s where the REST of the Fat Pelican is! A large outdoor space littered with more lights, seating, cubbyhole areas, and things to discover. I imagine the Fat Pelican gets super busy on warm weekend evenings if it needs all this overflow space.
So what can I say?! I’ve been to a handful of bars (sarcasm, let’s say thousands) and the Fat Pelican definitely threw me off. It’s a dive bar, beer bar, outdoors garden and more all wrapped into one space. And definitely a must-do if you’re visiting Carolina Beach and enjoy adult beverages. While it may not be for everyone, it should be a mandatory visit for any curious adult at least one time in their life! So rock on, Fat Pelican!
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