Dinner, Drinks and a Password

Dinner at Bridgewater Wines+Dines and drinks at 18•21 Speakeasy make for a memorable night out in Leland for The PubScout and his crew.

It had been far too long since the Missus and I spent an evening with Keith and Christa. Sure, there was the occasional get-together with our circle of friends at their home, and, of course, crossing paths at their wildly popular OIB lounge with No Name.

But the one-on-one (or two-on-two) dynamic hadn’t happened in a bit.

So with my newly acquired membership to the speakeasy at 18•21 next to the Scapegoat pub, we made plans for a night out in Leland.

Part One of that plan called for dinner at a place called Bridgewater Wines and Dines, featured prominently in the Winter 2026 issue of North Brunswick Magazine. It was chosen also because it was close to our speakeasy appointment at 18•21 when dinner was concluded.

Bridgewater Wines, with a tag line of Eat. Drink. Shop., is a classy place owned by Susan and Doug Zucker. It serves as not only a fine restaurant but as an upscale wine shop, as many vintages from around the world line its walls.

There’s a sister operation in Porters Neck, and both have a thriving wine club. Susan’s mini-me Courtney was in charge of Leland on this night.

In fact, if none of the offerings on the wine menu tickle your fancy, your server (in our case a delightful young lady named Caitlin) may suggest you get up and wander through the collection until you find one that suits you.

Which is exactly what Christa, a semi-sommelier in her own right, did. And she came back with a blend called “The Owl and the Dust Devil.” Both she and Keith (a semi-cicerone with a keen beer palate) sang its praises.

The Missus opted to abstain, but you don’t have to guess what The PubScout ordered, and both pints of the Leland Hazy Days IPA were delicious.

Our table appetizer was a positively incredible Bavarian Pretzel with accompanying Queso Dip and Mustard. Perfectly done and enough for all four of us, it’s a must-try.

Our personable server Caitlin light-heartedly chastised me because I ordered it before she could tell us about “her” specials, which included a fish neither I nor Captain Keith had ever heard of called a “unicornfish.”

Supposedly delicious, white and flaky without that fishy taste, it sounded quite appealing when Caitlin described it.

But the ladies had salads (the missus added her standard crab cake), and Keith ordered the Prime Rib Special, which came in two sizes — North Carolina and Texas — though they called them Queen and King.

Must have been two inches thick, but I had to hand it to the former Army Ranger… he managed to put the Texas sized-one away.

Caitlin had shared that the Nonna’s meatballs were a signature dish, so I ordered the Bucatini in Marinara that came with those polpette. The pasta was perfectly done, and both the marinara and the meatballs had exceptional flavor.

As we were on a schedule, we had no time for dessert, so we packed up, leaving the empty Owl and Dust Devil to fend for themselves and headed to Part 2 of our Leland Night.

Part 2

Just 15 minutes away in Compass Pointe, the 18•21 Speakeasy awaited our arrival. Since my story about this venture will be appearing in print soon, I won’t duplicate what is already due for publication.

But as we pulled up, Keith and Christa were a bit confused — as most visitors will be — because there is no signage and no entrance.

At least not visible to the uninitiated, unless you bend down and look very closely at the front door.

Because after making a reservation with your membership, you have two check in via The Scapegoat, adjacent to the private speakeasy. And there you will be cleared for entry and given a password.

Which this night was “Let me in, old sport.”

If that sounds a bit F. Scott Fitzgerald-ish, there was a reason. Because on this night the theme of the speakeasy was The Great Gatsby.

We walked through the darkened entrance and emerged into room proper, only to be transported back in time to the Roaring Twenties. Both guests and hosts were attired in Gatsby-era clothes and the room was decorated to enhance the scene.

Of course, we weren’t so attired because:
A. I have no clothes from the Gatsby era
B. My clothes are from The Happy Days era, and a leather-jacketed Fonzie would not have “played well with others.”

But both Connie and Jessica (part owners and fully costumed) assured us such attire was optional and not necessary in order to enjoy the many remarkable cocktails that come from behind the bar.

Husbands Derek and Aaron also joined in the masquerade, making me wonder whether normal folks have to rent these togs or just have them in a closet somewhere.

Regardless, both Christa and Keith, no slouches with cocktails themselves, were duly impressed with their visit, so much so that they became members on the spot.

But I could see their wheels turning as they glanced admiringly around the room.

And during the ride back to OIB, I wondered whether I would soon need a password to enter the No Name Lounge.

If so, I hope the first theme night involves the Cunninghams, Potsie and the Fonz.
Because I have the leather motorcycle jacket.

You Should Go

Bridgewater Wines+Dines
52 Waterford Business Center Way, Leland
(910) 408-1900
bridgewaterwines.com
Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm

18·21 Speakeasy at The Scapegoat Taproom
2789 Compass Pointe South Wynd NE, Leland
(910) 399-5382
1821speakeasy.com
Thursday to Sunday, 5 pm to midnight