Simmer Down

“Wow what an awesome place! We loved the Speakeasy vibe complete with a hidden behind a curtain entrance in the basement. Our bartender was lovely and our drinks were both delicious! Best of all, it was so wheelchair accessible! There was a ramp into the restaurant and an elevator down to Simmer Down! They also had gender neutral, accessible restrooms. We loved this spot!”

“Found this speakeasy underneath The Quoin and it was easily one of the best cocktail experiences I’ve had in Wilmington. The atmosphere is exactly what you’d want from a speakeasy: dim lighting, candles throughout the space, great music, and plenty of seating without feeling crowded. It’s the kind of place where you can relax, have a conversation, and enjoy a few drinks without feeling rushed. The real highlight, though, was the service. Jorge Meza and Leyna were fantastic behind the bar. Jorge especially went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of all night. He gave excellent drink recommendations, took the time to explain different options, and every cocktail he suggested was outstanding. You can tell he genuinely cares about making sure guests have a great experience. Leyna was equally friendly and attentive and helped make the evening even better. Between the incredible cocktails, top-notch service, and amazing ambiance, this place is a hidden gem in Wilmington. We’ll definitely be back and highly recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a great night out.”

“10/10 atmosphere for a cozy date night, located at the basement of the Quinn hotel. Instantly felt very warm and insulated and is dimly lit. Smaller space and can accommodate parties of 3-4. The fireplace is a great vibe! I'd the Pina Colada which was custom made 💕”

“Simmer Down bar and lounge is top tier and up and coming staple of the Wilmington hospitality scene. The level of service, quality of drinks, and atmosphere are all outstanding. Being with Tom and Karen, hearing about the concept, and seeing their passion show how exciting this place is! Stop in, treat yourself, and ask for Tom and Karen to concoct some of their favorite cocktails!!! Don’t forget snacks from their French Restaurant just upstairs.”

“Great location and fantastic drinks; I’ve truly enjoyed many positive experiences here in the past. The atmosphere and quality have always stood out, which makes this feedback especially disappointing to share. Over the last few visits in 2026, I’ve arrived around 11:15–11:20 p.m., while the website lists the closing time as 12:00 a.m. Unfortunately, the doors were locked and no one would let guests in. If the bar is no longer admitting customers after a certain time, it would be helpful to update the website to reflect that clearly. Additionally, the communication at the door has been frustrating. The woman working the entrance has simply yelled “closed” and walked away, which feels abrupt and discourteous. A brief explanation or more professional interaction would go a long way. I understand that arriving later in the evening is close to closing time. However, 45 minutes is still enough time to enjoy a drink or two and leave promptly at closing. The recurring issue isn’t the policy itself; it’s the lack of clarity and communication. As a side note, I am a person of color and have recently noticed other people of color sharing challenging experiences at this location as well. I’m not claiming that this is the reason for what I’ve experienced, but the comments and patterns have stood out enough to be a data point. To avoid disappointment, I would recommend assuming they stop admitting guests around 10:45-11:00 or earlier unless the posted hours are updated. I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as I would genuinely like to return and have the consistently positive experiences I’ve had in the past.”