The Fat Pelican

The Local man at dive bar is Wearing a shirt that tells anyone looking at his back to F off. He also has a little white dog, the kind my father would call a ««varmint» on a leash. Somehow he reminds me of professors I’ve known (the man, not the dog.
We came to this inimitable dive bar on advice from our friend, Dave, who thought it would be a good place to watch the hockey game (go Pens!!!). The cable is off and so is the music, so it’s nice and quiet. I love the octopus near the front door (see photo).
You go into the back to find the beer you want. The selection is staggering. There are lots of electronic games and couches.

We walked in to order a drink and the man said check out the beer in the cooler as I looked at the white ice cooler behind him in which I was like oh. Then he pointed to the Mecca walk in cooler that had selections from Bud to Trappist beer! I love this place. The inside has many different places to sit and various different types of bar wall art. It gets even better with the large outside lounge area with cozy sitting areas. Did I mention the music is awesome too. The Fat Pelican will be my go to bar in Carolina Beach this summer!

Love this old favorite. Beer cooler allows you to choose from a ton of beer and cider or non alcoholic beverages. Inside has character and charm like the best kind of hole in the wall. Outside, lots of tables and corners for people to hang out. This will always be a go-​to, must-​see.

Despite being from Wilmington, I have not spent much time at the CB beach bars. After an event at Carolina Beach State Park and few friends and I decided to grab a drink here. I walked in solo to a very divey and crowded bar. I looked around and was immediately greeted by a friendly stranger. The stranger pointed me toward the walk in cooler and with simply instructions to «grab a beer.“Holy fridge! The walk-​in was amazing. All of my favorite craft beers where chilling waiting for me. After me third beer I decided I wanted to try something new and asked for a recommendation. The bartender was awesome, we talked about my preferences before she grabbed bottle and a chilled glass. We spent most of the evening outside which is everything you would expect about a dive bar. Some people hate that this business only has bottles but I love love the atmosphere and friendly patrons.

Hands down my favorite bar. Walk in cooler with a fantastic beer selection. Eclectic setting with so much to look at. Chill and fun.

Really unique bar, just a short distance from the ocean and beach. It is a little bit divey, but cozy at the same time. There are well worn-​in couches, a wood stove, comfortable chairs, and has sort of a private feel to it. They open pretty early too. I would enjoy slipping in here for a drink if I got off of work early and beat the traffic down to the beach.

This bar is great. It is one of a kind and the staff was amazing We popped in for a beer and walked out with such a great experience

Fun local bar. Great selection of over 400 beers. Warm atmosphere. Cool people. Out doors is unique. Highly recommend if you not in hurry. If you are go home.

This is not a review of the bar or the staff, but of a local group of older, white, former military men who seem to be regulars there. We walked over last weekend from a house we were renting for New Years and our first anniversary, and were really looking forward to the great beer selection, quirky atmosphere and the cornhole. All of those things delivered, and we would have had an A+ time if we didn’t experience some pointed racist comments from one man in particular («I’ve told my daughter, if you hang out with trash, you started to smell like trash»), and a very cool reception from most of the group (i.e., we asked to sit down at a large circle around a fire pit and no one responded, everyone stopped their conversation and were slow to pick it back up, and one person got up and left immediately). Would not recommend for this reason, which is a shame.

This is a very cool place. My best description for the Pelican is like drinking in someones basement. IF that someone has a walkin cooler for a refrigerator. Its a very cool place. First thing walk in the bar and make your way to the cooler grab your beer and then go and give the bartender a card to start a tab. Definitely start a tab you will be there for awhile. THe bartenders are very friendly and helpful. Ok so your options are drink outside or inside. We started outside and there are a few places to sit and drink around the firepits, we decided to head back inside and just as we did we found a place in front of the wood burning stove. From there I just sat and drank my beer and just took it all in. It was nice to sit in front of the stove and feel the warmth and drink. I would like to check this place out again in the summer to see the atmosphere, the time we were there it was relaxed and easy going. So go here and drink a beer and look around and take it in and then drink another beer do it some more.

Some places are just this awesome and unique.
The epitome of a cool, laid back beach bar. Walking in, you simply go up to the bartender and start a tab. Afterwards, whenever you want a beer, you just walk into the expansive walk in cooler (which feels awesome in the summer time), grab your beer from the literally hundreds available, and let them know what you took. When it’s time to go, you can even do the same thing with a six pack (or two).
The rest of the place is decorated like a cross between a kids club house and a redneck hoarder. There are multiple rooms with furniture ranging from old couches, to a worn out barbers chair. Outside, there is an equally eclectic set of furniture, gazebos, etc, along with several fire pits. Meandering through all of it is an awesome clientele ranging from beach bums and locals, to up tight tourists that all seem to mesh together well.
Can’t recommend this spot enough. if you’re in the area, definitely check it out.

Must stop by! Amazing beer selection and the décor is super cool. Very eclectic and lots to look at. Great outdoor area. The serve yourself craft beef selection is great!

Holy beach bar!
This place is the epitome of a beach bar and it is everything. From corn hole to the beer warehouse to the sand on the ground this place is everything you are looking for to make your visit to Carolina Beach perfect.
This rundown, shack of a bar is perfect. The bartender will greet you with open arms and ask you, «do you know how we operate,» and she will continue explaining, «go into the cooler and grab a drink. Come back to the bar and pay here, either start a tab ($ 10 min on cards) and close out when you leave.» It’s such a fun and phenomenally trusting concept. There are so many drinks in this cooler. Personally, I am not a huge beer fan and I even found something that I liked: Shark Bait – it’s a mango wheat beer.
Outside, the Fat Pelican has a grill, and corn hole set up for anyone to start a game. For seating you can pop down on the sand or grab a seat on any of the offerings: random chairs, Adirondack chairs, tables, etc.
Two things to note: (1) there are two bars outside, but only open during certain times and (2) be sure to recycle your cans and bottles properly on your way out!
Let’s face it, The Fat Pelican is the the cherry on top of the sundae in terms of Carolina Beach.

Its like a garage exploded onto the walls. Best place for a beer. Walk in cooler and great prices. Low key place. Come as you are. Everyone I know loves it! Cornhole and an old boat to sit in the back.

I thought it was pretty cool how you can just go into their fridge and get whatever beer you want. But then It started to get cold in there while walking around and trying to figure out what I wanted. I think some of their beers are overpriced but whatever. Who knows actually how they price their beers or what the prices are when you get them. I love how they have San Diego beer out here tho. You know stone ipa is where it’s at. Their patio is super chill minus the Mosquitos. My friend got bit 3 times before we moved our janga action inside.

There are some places you visit that are just… Like no where else on earth. That’s this place.
I loved the beer cooler. You walk in and grab what you like, And the variety is notable for sure.
Come with a small group, sit inside on seemingly questionable couches or outside where you can play corn hole, drink beer, and listen to music.
A place to see at least once :)

The coolest bar on Carolina beach! Don’t miss this gem of a place. Great staff, relaxing place with lots to see.

The Fat Pelican is a must visit place for any trip to Carolina Beach! It was, until recently, the only place I would recommend to get a beer but funny enough, they don’t have any drafts, bottles only! If you compare the bottle shop to any shop in a large city, you might be disappointed, which is why you’ve got to make sure your expectations are are in line with a small beach town. Every time I go visit Fat Pelican I try something new, make «friends» or at least chat with strangers, and receive good service. Whether you sit at the bar or find a seat in a dark corner or even better outside on the patio, you won’t regret making a trip to The Fat Pelican.
Located conveniently blocks from the beach so it’s a great place to take a break from all that suntanning. You walk into a large cooler, grab your drink of choice and open a tab (because you know you’ll want another one). Whether you drink it out of the bottle or one of the chilled glasses they offer, you’ll quickly feel right at home. I don’t love paying over $ 5 for a bottle when I know I can get a whole six pack for $ 10-​$ 12, but for a bottle shop that specializes in microbreweries, expect for prices to be a little uncomfortably high if you’re thinking logically. Other then that, may I express again that Fat Pelican is definitely worth a visit and you won’t be disappointed by the local charm and the great selection. Not sure if you can buy bottles to go here but will have to find that out next time I visit, maybe there’s a discount for a six-​pack?
**Note, if you’re looking for a good brewery with draft beer straight from the source, I recommend checking out Good Hops Brewery, a seven minute or so ride from The Fat Pelican.

This place is the definition of a awesome dive bar or hole in the wall! If your trying to find this place for the first time be aware it has a tiny sign out front. The staff here is nice they call you by your first name once and go out of there way to bring a awesome dive bar experience to you. One of my favorite parts about this place is it has a walk in cooler where you can choose from all kinds of microbrews! Also they have a great lounge with couches, wood stove and plenty of room for everyone! If your a local like myself to CB this is a great hangout

This is a great dive bar in Carolina Beach. At the recommendation of a friend for their craft beer, I saw they were open on Christmas Day 2014 and stopped in for a couple of beers.
The décor is what you would expect from a dive bar… lots of beer signs everywhere including the ceiling, and a lot of other things mixed in. There is a small bar as you walk in. There is comfortable seating in the side room, a few video games around the place and a TV in the back room. There is also a large outdoor space.
The best thing about this place is the beer trailer. You go inside the refridgerated trailer and select your beer, bring it back to the bar and pay. The selection of beer is amazing with plenty of craft beer represented.
The staff is super friendly and a great bonus the day I was there was the free buffet of grilled chicken, ham, cole slaw, baked beans and sweet potatoes.
The clientele was also diverse. Great place. Definitely need to come back here!