River trade
Busy docks shaped the city’s early character and brought new faces daily.
Wilmington's Iconic Irish Pub
40+ years of Irish Tradition
Paddy’s Hollow Restaurant & Pub is the oldest Irish Pub in Wilmington and carries forward a downtown legacy —warm lights, good food, outside dining, and the kind of welcome that turns strangers into regulars.
Cape Fear days
In Wilmington’s seafaring era, the Cape Fear River was a lifeline. Ships came and went with cotton, timber, and stories from far-off ports. The waterfront moved to a steady rhythm of dockworkers, merchants, and mariners.
Harbor life
Sailors filled local lanes looking for food, music, and camaraderie.
The Legend
Why they called it “Paddy’s Hollow”
Paddy's Hollow is housed in a structure that was once a three-story mariner's saloon in the 1880s.
That spirit of welcome and spirited conversation still guides the tables at Paddy’s Hollow today.
A table for locals and newcomers alike
For generations, downtown Wilmington has welcomed people arriving by river, rail, and road. Paddy’s Hollow keeps that tradition alive with relaxed dining, honest food, and a room that always feels familiar.