LM Restaurants: Private Event Spaces

Something for Every Party

From picturesque settings to chef-driven menus, LM Restaurants offers event spaces for every occasion.

Local hospitality group LM Restaurants is behind some of Wilmington’s most popular restaurants including Oceanic, Bluewater and Hops Supply Co. Though each location offers a variety of different private and semi-private event spaces able to cater to a slew of different occasions, what unites them all is their commitment to high-quality service and cuisine. Each restaurant employs an executive chef who wields creativity and control of the menus, which have a focus on seasonality to maximize flavor and utilize fresh ingredients.

Helming each event is Meredith Scull, dedicated private events manager for Oceanic, Bluewater and Hops Supply Co. Scull acts as a singular point of contact, handling the booking from the moment of inquiry, helping create menus, drafting floorplans and working closely with the management teams to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Oceanic

After undergoing damage from 2018’s Hurricane Florence, LM Restaurants took the opportunity to reimagine Oceanic, not only in terms of décor but also the guest experience, completing a renovation designed to maximize the property’s scenic setting.

“No matter what you’re doing, when you walk into the restaurant, you’re never going to lose sight of the ocean and the coastline,” Skull says.

With the coveted distinction of being Wrightsville Beach’s only oceanfront restaurant, Oceanic creates a timeless backdrop of blue skies, sand and surf, making it ideal for wedding ceremonies, receptions and other elegant events. Connected to the historic Crystal Pier, built in the 1900s, Oceanic offers private pier access that can accommodate up to 100 guests or up to 175 thanks to an attached side deck.

“Some people might decide they want to have a beach or coastal wedding but then the idea of being on the sand might not be ideal,” Scull says. “On the pier you get the best of both worlds because of the pier being over the water and getting the same exact views and experience.

Interior event spaces include the first floor Lumina Room (capacity 40) and third floor Mira Mar Loft (capacity 75), which offer picturesque views of the coast, their names paying homage to the property’s plentiful history. The second floor, which accommodates up to 120 seated guests is also available in its entirety and boasts nearly 360-degree views. The interiors of each space are minimalist yet elegant, lending themselves to being a perfect blank canvas to either shine on their own or be decorated to guest specifications.

Hops Supply Co.

Further inland, Hops Supply Co, with brick walls and wood cladding on the ceiling, offers a warm and cozy atmosphere. In the semi-private Pub Room, which can be easily transformed from a seated dinner for 60 to a standing cocktail reception for 75, the space offers a perfect place for rehearsal dinners, corporate happy hours, meetings or holiday parties. For larger events, the entire restaurant can be rented with a capacity for up to 200 guests.

Hops Supply Co’s expansive menu was created by Executive Chef Brett Chamberlain and General Manager Jason Ivady in tandem with Top Chef alum Katsuji Tanabe, who holds the distinguishable position as LM Restaurants’ Culinary Innovator.

“We have a really talented team that’s in place from our executive chefs to our sous chefs and management, who are always working on new and innovative recipes,” says Marianne Stokes, Senior Brand Manager, LM Restaurants.

Depending on the event, the chef can even create specific menus.

“Whether it’s a business luncheon or an anniversary party, each event gets the same level of planning, and our team is put into place to make sure that every single event is handled flawlessly.”

Bluewater

Situated on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), just 1.2 miles from the beachfront, the two-story Bluewater offers a tranquil coastal setting.

“There’s so many different space options at Bluewater,” Scull says. “We can accommodate so many different groups of many different sizes.”

The restaurant can host intimate events for small parties of up to 18, 35 and 40 in the sun-drenched Florida Room, The South Café and the Sunset Room, respectively, all the way up to a huge bash of up to 200 served cocktail-style on the second floor. For those looking for an old-school nautical atmosphere, the renovated Captain’s Lounge stars a curving wooden bar, oceanic artwork and leather-swathed seating in addition to a private covered deck. Capacity in the Captain’s Lounge ranges from 20 to 50 guests and can be booked in addition to the Main Banquet Room or The Sunset Room for additional seating.

No matter what type of event you have or which venue you choose, LM Restaurants will make it special from beginning to end.