PLAID, CANDLELIGHT & COCKTAILS: Dram & Draught Transforms for the Holidays

The holidays hit differently at Dram & Draught Wilmington — and this year, they’re hitting in full Ralph Lauren splendor. Think rich textures, layered plaid, glowing candlelight, evergreen draped from corner to corner, and that unmistakable blend of American luxury and fireside comfort. Step inside and the whole bar feels transformed: warm, nostalgic, elevated, and ready to turn even a casual drink into a tradition worth keeping. This season isn’t just festive — it’s D&Ds most ambitious, immersive, and joy-soaked celebration yet.

What will make the holiday season at Dram & Draught Wilmington special?

This year, Wilmington is going full Ralph Lauren for the holidays — so we’re going all out: rich textures, candlelight, layered plaid, evergreen garland, and that classic American luxury-meets-cozy aesthetic, Ralph Lauren is known for. The bar will be fully transformed—It will be warm, nostalgic, and designed to make every visit feel like a new holiday tradition.

What seasonal menus, events, and experiences is D&D offering this year?

This will be Dram & Draught’s biggest holiday season ever, across all locations. We’re launching eight holiday cocktails, each inspired by the Christmas theme of our seven Dram & Draught locations across North Carolina — with Wilmington representing Ralph Lauren. The eighth cocktail? A holiday espresso martini, because honestly… who doesn’t love one of those?

Events: Repeal Day Celebration — Friday, December 5 (All Locations.)

Specials: $10 Old Forester Old Fashioned, $10 Gold Rush, $10 French 75 with Ford’s Gin.

DJ: Enjoy a midnight toast and a photo at every bar. Celebrate the freedom to imbibe as we please. This night also marks the official launch of our month-long holiday takeover

December Holiday Takeover — Friday, December 5 – December 31 (All Locations.)

Each Dram & Draught will have its own unique holiday theme. Wilmington’s theme:

Ralph Lauren.

Cocktail menus remain consistent across all bars — featuring Brown-Forman products & Don Q Rum.

Ty’s Going Away Party — Friday, January 30

New Year’s Eve Party — Masquerade Theme, featuring a specialty menu of cocktails and shots throughout the night, along with live music and a midnight toast.

Weekly Events/Specials

● Our “Break-Even Bottle” series features limited spirits every Sunday. Guests can try a special bottle at the bottle cost.

● Monday Nights - $1 off Boilermakers.

● Trivia every Tuesday is hosted by our bartender, Matt. Each week features drink specials, while Matt brings comedy, competition, and local energy to the bar.

● Tuesday Nights - $9 Classics Cocktails (Over 40 classics on special.)

● Thursday Nights: Agave After Hours. Enjoy tequila specials with a unique drink menu every Thursday night, crafted for agave lovers.

Other Experience (We’ll also be offering)

Tastings with select spirit partners throughout the season/year.

Bartender Competitions

Speed Round Competition is coming soon. Head-to-head competition with multiple rounds, fastest bartender wins.

Wilmington has already become a home for great events. This season is our chance to show how much we love celebrating with this community.

Photo Credit: Lexi Cross

What inspires the holiday cocktail menu?

Every cocktail tells the story of a different Dram & Draught location — and a different holiday personality. Expect flavors like gingerbread, peppermint, chocolate, toasted nuts, cranberry, vanilla, maple, cinnamon, winter citrus, spices and rich coffee for the espresso martini. The flavors were built with intention: unique enough to explore, familiar enough to crave again.

Is there a signature cocktail guests shouldn’t miss during the holidays?

NY Cashmere Sour — our holiday cocktail inspired by our Wilmington theme. A Christmas take on Ralph Lauren’s New York winter look. Warm spice and maple with a soft mulled-wine foam. It’s cashmere for people who prefer their luxury served in a glass. It features Rittenhouse rye, allspice dram, maple cinnamon syrup, lemon, topped with a mulled-wine foam.

If you could capture the essence of the holidays at Dram & Draught in a single moment, what would it look — or taste — like?

It would look like this: a cool breeze coming off the river, the door opening to candlelight, worn leather, brass accents, laughter rising over clinking glasses… and that moment when the rosemary is torched over a cocktail and everyone at the bar pauses just to breathe it in. That’s the moment — when the entire bar feels connected. Holidays at Dram & Draught taste like memories being made.

What are you most proud of as you head into the new year at Dram & Draught?

Our staff — without question. The Wilmington team has built something truly special here. They work incredibly hard, they care about every guest who walks in, and they’ve created a space where people feel at home. They love hosting events, bringing people together, and making every night fun — and it shows. We are proud of the bar we’ve built, but we are even more proud of the team behind it. As we head into the new year, that’s what matters most.