Blackfinn Ameripub is scheduled to open Friday, the first of three restaurants at the Port City Marina to begin welcoming diners.
 
Charlotte-based Blackfinn has about a dozen locations throughout the East Coast and Midwest.
 
Ashley Krieger, sales and marketing associate for Blackfinn, said that each restaurant is tailored to the specific market in which it’s located, and the menu designed for Wilmington includes items that won’t be found in other markets.
 
“We’ve spent a lot of time here researching Wilmington and designing our menu, as well as our beer and cocktail selections, specifically for this area,” Krieger said.
 
While the menu does offer a wide variety of appetizers, shared plates and bar food, there are also plenty of entrees such as Cheerwine ribs with mac and cheese and cole slaw, shrimp and grits with Andouille sausage and “bloody mary” tasso cream, and chargrilled skirt steak with garlic butter, natural-cut fries, arugula and a lemon-oregano vinaigrette.
 
The menu is labeled with gluten-free, vegetarian and lighter side options for those with special dietary needs.
 
Blackfinn’s bar will have 50 taps, many reserved for local beer and several for craft cocktails on draft. Wednesdays will feature half-off wine by the bottle and glass, as well as chalkboard whiskey specials.
 
And while state law prohibits alcohol specials during “happy hour,” Krieger said there will be plenty of happy hour food deals from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to midnight.
 
Blackfinn will be open nightly until 2 a.m. with the full menu available until closing. A DJ will entertain on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 p.m. until closing.
 
Brunch will be served on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an extensive brunch menu as well as the regular menu available during that time.
 
On track to open in just a few weeks, said Krieger, is The Boat Yard, a completely outdoor, casual dining venue located next door to Blackfinn. The Boat Yard’s food will be sourced from Blackfinn, but it will have a separate menu, featuring items such as peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters and casual summer fare.
 
Another restaurant, Vida Mexican Kitchen y Cantina, is scheduled to open later this summer, though it’s possible the name might change prior to opening, Krieger said. All three restaurants are owned by the same parent company.
 
Blackfinn will be open to the public at 5 p.m. Friday with a limited menu through the weekend. For chances to win tickets to Friday’s VIP Grand Opening Events, visit Black Finn Ameripub Wilmington’s Facebook page.
 
Blackfinn Ameripub is located at 18 Harnett St. in downtown Wilmington.

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