Satellite Bar and Lounge

Feels like a hip Boulder,CO bar/brewery. Incredible, large back area with corn hole, dogs, music and tree canopy. Ages 21 to 81. Like nothing else that I have visited in Wilmington.

Always a good time. Love bluegrass on Sundays

This place is always a go to for lounging and socializing. We recently hosted an event here. They host live music, dance 💃🏼 and movie nights, and their little taco joint - Block Taco has a variety of fresh made tex mex and vegetarian options. The atmosphere is casual & fun with indoor & outdoor entertainment like cornhole and picnic tables for games or cards.

A little slice of Asheville in Wilmington. Quirky and cozy, it gives off mountain cabin vibes. Great selection of local and craft beers and full bar. Great tacos next door!

Very cool place especially to bring your dog while you put down a couple beers/drinks while you kick back on comfy furniture. Or for the movie nights on the huge well lit open air patio, also where you can hear great live music on Fridays & Saturdays.

What a great spot! A taco window provides amazing street tacos and nachos just outside the main entrance. Plenty of seating is available out there, and you can even bring your drink from the bar. However, I can’t recommend the back patio enough. Strategic seating allows you to feel separated from others, while also giving you glimpses of the cornhole area to watch the heated competition. As the sun sets, there are tea lights strewn over the patio and they give you a lovely visual with the umbrellas. The drinks were great and reasonably priced and the bartenders did a fantastic job for how busy it was.

I love Satellite. We lived right next door for the longest time, and now that we live elsewhere we still make our way down to Satellite. The weekends, especially Sundays, are super busy, so we tend to come there on the weeknights. The bottle selection is on point and is constantly rotating. I also love their on tap selection. There is always something I like! Adding Block Taco onto the side has been perfect! Highly recommend their nachos, guacamole, and salsa. Everything you need. Dog friendly. Kid friendly.

One of my favorite bars in Wilmington! Bluegrass on Sunday night is always a good time! Staff is friendly and they have a great selection. There is something for everyone - different types of music and people of all ages!

Can't say enough great things about their Sunday night bluegrass. Beautiful patio with market lights, dancing floor and side seating. Plus games of corn hole. We had a great time!

I don't think there's much to write about here that probably hasn't already been said! Satellite rocks. The inside, the outside, where it's located, the staff, the drink choices, the community involvement, the events, the list goes on. It's just a place to be. You could bring anybody here, really. Their social media or the chalkboard inside for upcoming weekly and monthly events. They don't serve any food here, but there is lots of food nearby to choose from. You can bring anything there to eat. Comfortable seating, no matter where you sit. Overall, a good place to be. I'll be back 1 million more times.

I hate to do this, because this has been one of my favorite bars in the area, and I've spent quite a few nights here under the care of the wonderful bartenders here; however, last night someone working here stole my partner's debit card information and tonight tried to ring up $96.10 in Uber eats food and when it wouldn't go through, also tried to ring up an $80 Uber tab. They only got this card a few months ago, and this is the very first business where someone other than they have had possession of the card, as they usually use tap to pay. They also hadn't use the card in weeks before this visit. Last night they handed the card over twice, once to take care of their tab and once to pay the tab of their friend.

I rarely give 1-star reviews. I can't recall the last time I did. My wife and I had great food from Block Tacos that we carried into Satellite. The space is fun, warm and comfortable. The bar service sucked. The bartenders behind the bar would walk past me, looked at me, make eye contact, and then look away as they sped off to help other customers. This happened repeatedly for well over 10 minutes. It was a Wednesday night, the place wasn't all that busy with many bar stools empty. So while this goes on as new patrons walk up to the bar and receive service with a smile immediately. I have know idea why I received this sort of service, all I can say is it was an awful experience. Your mileage may very and it looked like a lot of people were having a good time. Oh, lastly, when I finally did secure a drink it was a watered down shadow of a Paloma. I'll go back to The Ibis or The Starling Bar where the drinks are awesome and the teams are really nice people.

Fast and friendly service. Ordered food from Block Tacos, restaurant next door. Delicious! Highly recommend the pork taco. Plenty of seating out doors and the bathrooms were spotless!

Please, please stay far and clear from this place. Accidentally to eft debit card after paying bill and they don't even have a phone number to answer should you have an issue, silly taco place next door answers and says they have no phone and doesn't car to try and ask someone connected to the establishment to help see if someone could help. He hung up on me and don't answer the phone now to help get to someone that would help. Your money is better spent somewhere else, they just don't care to look out for you after you even pay them

So, eaten here probably 50 times. Mostly good with good degree of variation. Taken food back twice. First time they were kind and made it right with a new order. Today they berated me and rep made the order with a paltry amount of food and were extremely rude A.F. About it. Had tipped 20% too for a counter order. Seems like the place has gone supremely downhill full stop.

Right next to Block Taco, these two businesses really make the other shine brighter. The atmosphere is killer. Well, it was decked out for Halloween so it really blew us away. Skeletons riding bears through a spiderwebbed sky? Dream come true. I ordered a canned kombucha and thoroughly enjoyed it, and my beau ordered a nice draft beer and had a ball. When it's nice out, they open the doors for a lovely cross breeze. Highly recommend.

Bartender was great this Easter afternoon.. great spot to meet with friends and wide selection of beers

I love coming here in the summer with the live music and dancing. The outdoor area is fun and lively!

Love this place! Always expect it to be busy on a weekend but the service is still great and they work fast to take care of everyone. If you walk through to the back there's a huge outdoor area that has a live band sometimes, corn hole, and a few tables. There is a taco place next door that is super good and always busy, goes hand in hand with Satellite. There is front outdoor seating and it's dog friendly!

This is a great place to get a drink and sit outside and just chill. They have such a great outdoor area and several places to sit - picnic tables, benches, lawn chairs, etc. They have a great selection of drinks, but if they offered a few specialty cocktails, that's be cool. Sadly, I choose not to drink beer anymore because it destroys my stomach, and I don't always want wine, so I like to try new cocktails. It doesn't have to be fancy, but I think they'd sell well. We really liked the few of this place and there were people there of all ages! We'll be back for sure.

Fun place to hang out with friends and dogs. Drinks are watered down, at least my vodka drink was watered down. Will have to try a different drink the next time I'm there. My friend had a red wine and had to exchange it for another one. Apparently the wine bottle had been open too long. Casual place with sitting areas. Very much a place to sit, relax, and hang out with friends. Next door is Block Taco, where you can order food and enjoy it in the lounge area. There is outside seating but it was on the chilly side when we were there.

We seem to gravitate to this place fairly regularly. Satellite has a good selection of draft beer from local breweries. The building is very cool with inside and outside seating. The setup is not like many other bars, it is more like a coffee house. Block Taco shares one end of the building and they will bring your food to you into the Satellite provided it isn't too busy. Outside there are lots of tables, lounges with coffee tables and several heaters scattered around. This is not a secret place. It can get crowded on weekends. On Sundays there is a farmers market which also adds to the charm. You won't be disappointed.

Great vibe. Bluegrass jam Sunday night. Large outside area with cornhole. Food close by; dog friendly.

Easily my favorite bar in Wilmington. Very cool interior, well curated beer list, eclectic music, and great outside sitting area. Block taco is in the same building and you can bring your food in to satellite. it doesn't hurt that this place is right next door to New Anthem, giving you a complete night in one stop.

Super fun local bar. There's indoor and outdoor areas, never enough seating for the number of people who want to hang out. Block Taco is literally right outside the door and you're allowed to bring you food inside. You can also grab food at Benny's to eat or bring in a birthday cake. The drink selection is wide. As a cider drinker I so appreciate the variety of ciders kept in stock and how a drink is under $6.

Live music, endless beer choices, and chill vibes. Taco window right next door to fulfill those late night munchies. The back gets packed quickly so if you want your friends to be together comfortably, I recommend a medium to small group, less than 6. Live performers interact well with the audience and everyone has a blast! Parking may be a pain in the lot on weekend nights

Good ambiance, dogs allowed, drinks are usually good. Bar does beg a little busy at time so it might take a minute to get your drinks

I love this place. Over the years, it's gotten super popular and a happening place. But it's a great place to come and hang out for a couple of beers or to pregame before you eat at one of the nearby restaurants. Their selection is crazy large -- tons of things in the coolers from canned hipster water (why?) to spiked seltzers to wine and tripels to IPAs. The prices also span the spectrum -- from cheap (National Bohemian) to pricey top shelf liquors or craft beers. They also have rotating taps of local stuff. Lots of places to sit here both inside and outside (out on the curb and in the backyard with cornhole, a stage, and a movie screen). If you're just rolling up by yourself or if you need a space for a bunch of folx to congregate, Satellite is an easy place that can appease many. No food is served here, although I've bought my own potlucks (with approval from the bartenders) and cakes for celebrations I've had here over the years. And of course you can always step out and get yourself a Bloc Taco (delicious!) to pair with your drinks!

Great place to chill and have fun with friends. Love Sunday evening live Bluegrass.

There is a woman bartender. Skinny, long sandy blonde hair. She is SO RUDE. I used to bartend forever, I know how it is and am always so nice to any staff at a hospitality establishment. She does not belong in front of people especially bartending. Was also so slow. I like this place but they need to replace her.

Such a cool vibe both inside and out back - amazing beer selection too! Especially loved that they had folding chairs to add more seating and corn hole outside - would absolutely come back here anytime I'm back in town!

This is a really chill place. I love that it is pet friendly and even kid friendly. It is really eccentric and hipster trendy at the same time. Great music on the back patio and a lot of parking. Not to mention directly beside all of these great restaurants!!

Excellent place to hang out with friends!! We had a few glasses of wine and the local Amber Ale -- great drinks! They have comfortable options for both indoor and outdoor seating. Next to a great taco stand as well. Cheers!!

A great place to relax, good music, corn hole, dog friendly. I recommend it. 5 You can sit inside or outside, good vibes!

Satellite is 100% my favorite bar in town to just relax and hang out. Tons of outdoor space, fire to keep warm by in the winter, cornhole if you're into that, and they show movies (usually something sort of kitschy) at least once a week. Their beer section can't be beat - it's HUGE and their draft selection has some favorites as well as some rotating stuff. You can always find a rotating cast of creative, seasonal brews. Wine select is small but decent. Pre-COVID they had a full bar, as well, and often had some decent live music. Every time I go, I see a few people I know, which just goes to show what a popular spot it is, but it rarely feels crowded to me. Instead it feels like hangout out at someone's killer backyard (where you also have to pay for your drinks...haha). It's close enough to downtown that it's convenient, but far enough that it never gets too packed. Bonus for being connected to a great taco shop.

I've been here a dozen times and it is a great spot on both weeknights and weekends. There is a large outdoor space that has live music and fire pits for chillier weather. The inside has eclectic chic decor sprinkled with taxidermy busts--it's a cool vibe. There is a huge selection of cans, bottles and some classics on draft (like Allagash White). Bloc Taco is directly adjacent to the main entrance and they'll bring your food into satellite if you want to have a drinks while you wait! The true star of the bar is taco cat - a little black cat who has made Satellite her home base for scrounging for taco scraps. Be careful on holidays - there can be very long waits for drinks as the bar gets super packed (at least it was on Halloween and Labor Day)

Bar tenders are way to slow for suck a busy bar. They had no clue what they were doing. Normally good service

Atmosphere is very pleasant and great outdoor space! It is a pet friendly establishment

Satellite bar is that local neighborhood spot that we all wish we had. Huge open doors keep it feeling airy. The decor is all vintage mid century lodge vibes with a quirky twist. We carried our tacos over from Block Taco and ordered a beer and a spicy margarita. I love a spicy marg and these were no joke. The friendly bartender cut up my jalapeño and muddled as much jalapeño into my drink as I wanted- which was a lot. Before I knew it everyone in the bar was ordering spicy margs. They were just SO GOOD!

Great vibe, cool surroundings and friendly staff! Good drinks selection - always a favorite stop

After ordering tacos next door we came here to sit down and eat, which we were told was okay, it was too cold outside to eat. The bar staff didn't tend to us whatsoever when we sat at the bar. Other than that, it was a really clean spot with a lot of liveliness to it. Great decor. Trendy lights and cool patio area. Large beer selection but the service was subpar.

Conveniently right down the street! Love grabbing a quick beer and enjoying their relaxing setting with friends :) def a spot to hit!

Chill spot for a drink. I got a glass of Chardonnay that was absolutely terrible. Usually you can't mess that up I really liked the chill vibes though and I'll certainly try it out again

I would give this bar zero stars if I could. I live in south front so quite literally across the street. Their bartenders are super rude and disrespectful. I've come here numerous times and tried to get a drink and ended up waiting 30 minutes because they're "chatting with their friends" it's constant slow & poor service. They don't even know my name is Karen lmao

Absolute shit service. Used to love coming here and to Block Taco. Such a shame as I am in walking distance. For some reason, Tuki, dooki or whoever the hell the older lady behind the bar was had no respect whatsoever. Deciding to ignore me specifically at the bar for no reason. One of our friends claimed she's normally friendly, but who cares...she was incessantly rude for no reason at all. After waiting nearly 25 minutes for a drink after others were being served, I asked "when you get a chance could I get a ...." was met with a confrontational "When I get a chance?!?" Learn customer service. Absolutely disgusted. I will not be back or recommending this place to anyone. Shitty service. Cool atmosphere, but learn how to talk to people. I don't give af how bad your day is going......show respect.

Satellite is the "Cheers" of Wilmington. Great, local, neighborhood bar. I love popping over there while waiting for reservations at Benny's. But Block Tacos is also a great alternative for dinner. They have a vast selection of bottled/canned beer, my only complaint is that their taps don't change. But they also have your basic liquor drinks, nothing fancy though. Lots of seating, inside and out. They have mini golf, corn hole, live music, and not sure if they still do or not, but they used to show movies. Sunday nights are blue grass nights and there is always a huge group of people who contra dance. Inside can be a little loud when there is a band, but there is a huge space out back where you can be a bit farther away from the music. There are nights when there is standing room only, but it's a fun experience!

I'm so surprised I've never written a review for Satellite before! We LOOOOOOVE this place. We aren't regulars or anything but when planning a night out it usually involves Satellite. This afternoon we are pre-gaming for Michael Franti at GLA. The vibe here is very kicked back and relaxed. The beer list is huge and they also serve wine and cocktails(so something for everyone). The bartenders are always friendly and knowledgeable and the outdoor space can't be beat. 100% the best bar in ILM

Satellite was the first bar I went to when I moved to Wilmington (thanks to Yelp) and it is still one of my favorites places in town. The atmosphere is really unique, and unlike any other bar I've been to. The building was once a small market and has been transformed into a retro/hunting lodge of sorts. It has an open air setup, with big doors and windows along the front so you can sit on either side and still converse with friends. Bring your dogs! Play some cornhole (or bags, or sack toss, or whatever the heck you wanna call it). Listen to some excellent live music. Get some street tacos out of an order window. Take lots of pictures! Please--do--because I obviously failed at that part.

I'd live in this neighborhood just so that I could make this my neighborhood bar. HUGE selection of NC Beers and Ciders as well as hipster faves like PBR and Coors Banquet (along with the standard fair of Bud Light, Miller Lite, Michelob Ultra, etc). Whiskey/Bourbon selection is decent, but they really could use a cocktail menu with some signature drinks. Great eclectic indoor bar and seating area with an "open to the neighborhood" feel, but their outdoor space is what sets them apart. A covered porch seating area, several picnic tables, chairs, corn hole sets, piped in music at just the right volume, and a small pavilion area for live entertainment and dancing. All with adequate mature trees for shade and atmosphere. They host a weekly outdoor movie night during spring and summer as well as holidays like Halloween and Xmas. PLUS, the excellent Block Taco has a window next door if you need a bite to eat. I've read several reviews critical of the wait time for bar service, but I've never had an issue (but I'm usually there during less busy times) and I have always found the staff to be attentive and friendly. If you're looking for a place to relax, have a few drinks, and converse with friends/family, you could do a lot worse than Satellite.

Came here for a company Christmas party and was thoroughly impressed. Eclectic beer selection, comfy couches to lounge, and, the kicker, projection tv in the outside area. Who doesn't want to play Cornhole while Wayne's World streams in? I was somewhat nostalgic of Bryant Park's " movies on the green". Fire pits roaring helped keep us warm. I hear it's packed Sundays for acoustic night and I hope to drop by. Definite chill and great environment. We will be back.

Service is always great. Loved sitting out front with a bestie to catch up on life. Well done protecting all of you patrons.

Wilmington hipster joint. Outside and inside seating. A patio outback has games and tons of people w/ their cancer sticks... smelled so bad we couldn't even hang out. $8-9 per drink and that's not even top shelf. I did like the vibe though. They also have an over priced taco joint attached and this place is literally a block away from the projects of Wilmington.

Satellite Bar and Lounge is a great spot that I will be going to all the time! They have a very extensive beer menu and plenty go-to options! The space is large and open with two outdoor sections and an inside. It's perfect for late summer nights with friends! They have live music outback some nights and even cornhole and a dance floor! The perfect summer spot for everyone and their friends!

This bar has been a staple of Wilmington for years. Great music, Block Taco is so delicious and is the perfect snack to fill your belly pre and post drinks here. Bluegrass on Sundays is charming and there are always dogs!! Love the dogs!! Chuck is the sweetest bartender, super efficient and always remembers your name, always has a smile , he is a total asset to this place. Erin is a fantastic bartender as well, she is tall, gorgeous and funny! Great neighborhood bar amongst delicious restaurants!

This place is an absolute MUST to check out. The building itself is gorgeous with vaulted wood ceilings and a long, polished bar. The bar has chairs and couches, of all sizes, colors, and textures, filling up open space so folks can relax while enjoying music from local bands. We enjoyed quick service at the bar and almost immediate bussing as drinks were finished. The place fills up quickly, so make sure you come a little early for any show. Sunday evenings are reserved for local bluegrass bands, but anyone with an instrument and/or a desire to sing can join in on the fun. The music is amazing! They keep an area in front of the band open for those who want to grab a partner and get out on the dance floor. It was a blast. I feel like I should be at home practicing so I can join in on the good times next Sunday. This is definitely a place we are going to check into regularly. The atmosphere, the service, and the music all make it worth checking out!

I came here Sunday night before July 4th and the place was poppin'. The place was packed, but we still managed to find parking in the lot. There is also street parking in case it is full. The bar is nice inside and there was a band playing some swing. There is a small area to dance in and a few couples were showing off some nice moves. The ambiance was great. In the back there are 2 corn hole sets to play with, but it always seemed busy so I have no idea if it is a sign up sheet or just wait around to play setup. The back also has ample seating and shade as well as another bar area and a stage. It was full of people and some had dogs. I love the fact that this place is pet friendly because I love dogs. I saw some really cute breeds and pups while here. There seems to be a big selection of beer in can and on tap, but I didn't drink much. I would say it is a bit pricey though for 2 drafts to be 10 dollars. Where am I South Beach? Regardless, the ambiance made up for it. I will come again.

Love this place. Best place to come in a location that needed it badly. Still my favorite place to have a chill time. Live shows often, indoor/outdoor vibe. It really does cater to a multitude of people, there is the huge bar for the chatty and meet new people or just sit their and brood a bit types, there are tons of couches and seating for people just wanting to chill or gather, there is often live music inside. There are two outdoor spots, one beside where the food truck parks and is able to hear the live music. The other side has the fun outdoor movie nights, the swing, the corn hole, and outside bar. I love this place. Good beer selection and good liquor too.