With options ranging from floating barges to pedaling trolleys, mobile bars in the Wilmington area offer experiences for tourists and locals that fit the needs of small events, from bachelorette parties to corporate outings.

For waterway tours, riders can choose from several floating bars that accommodate fewer than 16 people. Options include the BrewBoat Wilmington and Cruisin’ Tikis, both docked downtown. Additionally, there is the CB Tiki Bar, which is moored at the municipal dock in Carolina Beach.

BrewBoat Wilmington, located at 10 Harnett St., offers a 15-person party boat for bachelorette and bachelor parties, as well as other occasions and outings with friends or colleagues. It has been in operation since 2018 and is run by Chris Haynes and his wife, Mary.

“We serve between 3,500 and 5,000 people a year,” said Chris Haynes, a U.S. Coast Guard-certified captain. “We put on another captain already, which freed me from the helm. As the owner, I had been running 80% of the cruises and more in previous years.”

BrewBoat Wilmington allows passengers to either pedal the boat or relax while the engine does all the work, for a one-and-a-half-hour cruise on the Cape Fear River. Guests can bring their own beverages, alcohol and snacks, while BrewBoat provides coolers, ice and Bluetooth speakers for music.

“We take small groups and large groups, young people and old,” Chris Haynes said. “Bachelorette parties are very popular.

“In recent years, corporate outings have increased,” he added. “In the past six years, nCino has been on our boat about eight times.”

Up to six passengers can ride along on the Cruisin’ Tikis, which is located on the Riverwalk at the intersection of Market and Water streets. The business provides USCG-certified captains, coolers with ice and Bluetooth radio.

“A lot of people have no idea that we are the largest tiki boat operation – 41 cities – in the United States as Cruisin’ Tikis,” said Tom Griffith, operations manager. “Wilmington is a corporate location, but we have franchises in Holden Beach and Beaufort.”

In Carolina Beach, Dave Hartman launched CB Tiki Bar, a custom 30-foot barge that accommodates up to 13 passengers, a year and a half ago. The bar takes partygoers on cruises lasting two to four hours through the waterways of Carolina Beach. Thanks to its popularity, Hartman said, he is gearing up for an expansion with the launch of a new boat this month, designed to accommodate 16 passengers.

Hartman, a USCG-certified captain, has a wealth of experience navigating the waters, having spent the past 15 years living aboard a 44-foot yacht moored in Carolina Beach. By day, he operates a dental lab as well as leads a team of certified captains who whisk tourists and locals alike away on unforgettable tiki boat adventures.

“The two-hour (option) is very popular, especially for sunset cruises,” Hartman said. “That takes people all around the basin and Carolina Beach just out into the Intracoastal Waterway, up through Snow’s Cut, which is that big bridge you cross to get on the island, under that bridge and out toward the mouth of the Cape Fear River. The sunsets out there are stunning.”

The three- and four-hour options provide opportunities for beach activities, including visiting Masonboro Island at the northern end of Carolina Beach.

“I can literally pull it straight up onto the beach, throw out an anchor, and then people get out and walk the beach and do shell hunting,” he said.

Riders are encouraged to bring their own food and drink. At the same time, CB Tiki Boat enhances the experience with ice, coolers, big screen TVs, a surround sound system, an onboard bathroom and a Margaritaville blender. Dogs and children are welcome aboard.

Groups seeking a unique land experience can enjoy Pedal Pub Wilmington or Trolley Pub Wilmington, which take riders through the streets of downtown.

The same company that operates Cruisin’ Tikis also runs Trolley Pub, which opened in Wilmington in 2016. Trolley Pub has both corporate and franchise locations across 18 cities and 10 states. It accommodates up to 14 riders, with a certified driver/party host steering the trolley. Peddlers/riders can enjoy a tour through historic downtown, making stops at several bars along the way. Customized rides are available.

“Trolleys have always been popular in Europe,” said Griffith. “In 2011, our founders started the first Trolley Pub operation in Tucson, Arizona.”

For nearly a decade at its 420 N. Fourth St. location, Trolley Pub has helped riders celebrate a myriad of occasions.

“We are sought-after for all types of celebrations, from bachelorette parties to corporate team-building events,” Griffith said. “Birthday parties have always been our most popular, but we cater to any group.”

Pedal Pub Wilmington, which opened in 2024, offers tours. Each ride, led by a certified Pedal Pub pilot, can accommodate up to 15 peddlers and includes two to three stops at bars and restaurants. Guests are allowed to bring their own drinks and can choose between two routes: the Cargo District or historic downtown. Rides begin at Hi-Wire Brewing, 1020 Princess St. The standard ride lasts two hours but can be customized.

Cory Emerine, owner of Pedal Pub Wilmington, said Pedal Pub is very close to opening another location in Carolina Beach.