When Sam Steger opened Mess Hall at the Outpost in the summer of 2020, he knew he was taking a big gamble. After all, he was opening a restaurant during the early days of the pandemic. 

But he soon found success with the burger-based menu with seating at the Cargo District’s shared space including a coffee stand and beer garden. 

Fast forward two years and Steger along with his business partner, Stone Tippett, are trying something new called Ruff Draft.        

“It’s a dog park bar,” Steger said.

Ruff Draft opened in September and already is attracting locals and their four-legged friends. 

And while it’s not a new concept, it is a first for Wilmington. Dog-friendly bars abound in the Port City, but this one puts the canines front and center.

Steger said there were challenges to get it open.

“It’s a whole different kind of thing with permits and the process you have to go through to open something new like this,” he said. Taking that in stride, Steger and Tippett decided to let their creativity flow and set up Ruff Draft in a unique way not just for the pooches but for the people too.

The dog park is located between the two buildings at 2144 Wrightsville Ave. – the site of Steger’s relocated and expanded Mess Hall space – and a fence is along the front. 

Just like any other bar, there are some rules; these, however, are pet related. Pets must be spayed or neutered as well as be up-to-date on their vaccinations. 

Ruff Draft’s membership is based on if customers bring their dogs. Humans are free to visit and imbibe, but a day pass for a dog is $8, with monthly and annual passes also available for pooches.

“We like to think of this as a time for you to allow your dog to play while you have the time to sip on a drink and enjoy the afternoon,” Steger said.

It wouldn’t be a dog bar without dog treats, according to Steger. The bar is going all out with a “dog of the month” program. The “dog of the month” gets its picture and bio hung on Ruff Draft’s wall. 

Steger said he has always loved dogs.

“Anytime I get stressed out, if there’s a dog within 15 feet of me, I pet it and I feel so much better,” he said with laughter. 

Ruff Draft isn’t alone. Pet-themed locales are popping up all over. Charleston’s Pounce Cat Café allows visitors to sip wine or coffee while petting cats living in the shop. Charlotte has a similar dog park/bar scenario with Lucky Dog Bark & Brew. 

Locally, Bill’s Brewing Company has branded and brewed beers based around Billie, the family’s English Bulldog. Bill’s has several beers based around dog themes for human consumption and Calvin’s Craft Dog Beer, a nonalcoholic blend of beef broth, vegetables and herbs, for the pups.

And what’s for humans who drop by Ruff Draft? Eight beers are on tap that are all local Wilmington beers. Steger said the beers are all in cans, no glass to protect dogs’ paws. In addition, there is a full cocktail bar as well as white and red wines. The plans are for only North Carolina beers to be served at Ruff Draft.

While Steger has been pouring his energy into Ruff Draft, he has not forgotten about Mess Hall. Slated to reopen on Wrightsville Avenue by the end of the year, Steger said Mess Hall will return with its popular Sam Burger as well as the McWhat? The restaurant will also add something new when it returns – a breakfast menu – and will be opening earlier in the day. Plans for the reopened Mess Hall are currently underway.  

In this new venture, Steger brought along Tippett as a partner. Steger says Tippett was the first person he hired at Mess Hall, and the two collaborating on Ruff Draft allowed them to really make the new establishment the best it could be. 

“Expansion is always exciting, and we want to get everything going here. It’s fun to have something new for customers but fun for us as well,” Tippett said.

Both are locals to Wilmington. Steger studied at Cape Fear Community College’s culinary arts program. He said restaurant work was a natural choice even with everything else that comes with the job.

“When I first started in this business, I thought people were highly competitive, but I feel like we have received so much support not just from customers but from other business owners in the neighborhood as well,” Steger said. “It makes me very grateful. We are excited about what lies ahead with both locations.” 

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