Since opening in 1995, the SeaWitch Tiki Bar has become a staple of the Carolina Beach social scene. While the bar and restaurant at 227 Carolina Beach Ave. N. is known for live music and open-air, palm-tree-lined deck spaces, it has also served holiday meals, hosted community fundraisers and been a filming location.
Jenni and Alex Gilewicz owned the property for many years, with Jenni Gilewicz taking over the business after managing it for a previous owner. The Gilewiczes in turn sold the property in 2023 tothe Virginia Beach-based Harmony Hospitality. Plans are now underway to develop the property with a resort hotel, an oceanfront amenity center, and a new restaurant.
First, though, fans and locals can say goodbye to the current tiki bar. Oct.
3 will be its final day open.
Last call before closing
The current owners of SeaWitch are planning a few special events before the doors shutter for good. That includes an all-day Grand Finale Party with a full lineup of live music on Sept. 26.
"It's been a big music venue. That's a huge part of the popularity,” said Grant Meyer, manager.
There’s also a sip-and-paint event on Sept. 27, where participants can paint a stenciled canvas of the SeaWitch, with instructions from local artist Sheila Politis. The tiki bar is also home to one of Carolina Beach’s murals. “Record Weekend” from artist Sharon Dowell celebrates beach music. Owners are hosting a celebration of the mural on Sept. 30. They’ve also invited some of the SeaWitch bartenders from years' past for an “OG Bartender Night” on Oct. 1. There’s also a public auction slated for Oct. 4.
What’s ahead
After a few different iterations, current plans are for an “oceanfront oasis" that will anchor the north end of Carolina Beach, according to Harmony Hospitality.
The site where SeaWitch is now will be a 140-room hotel. A current parking area will become a two-story structure with parking, a 4,000-square-foot ballroom, and a new SeaWitch restaurant, which will overlook the ocean from the second level.
While the timeline is still being finalized, construction should begin soon after SeaWitch closes. The owners say they hope to open the restaurant in 2027. While it will be different, look for some familiar elements – an indoor/ outdoor bar, some of the popular menu items (like the tuna nachos), and a stage for live music – to remain.
"The idea is really to try and bring as much of the stuff that people love about this place over to a new place,” said Alan Nelson, the corporate food and beverage director for Harmony Hospitality.
Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: The last call for this Carolina Beach bar is coming soon
