Introducing Tipsy Toad Gallery: Fine Spirits & Art Now on BHI

After decades of hauling liquor to Bald Head Island, longtime homeowner Alex Munroe decided enough was enough. “There’s never been an ABC store on the island,” he says. “It’s always been a hassle getting spirits here. I figured, why not fix that?”

So he did. Alex, who’s owned a home on BHI since 1994, founded Cape Fear Distillery in 2014 just up the Cape Fear River in Elizabethtown. Since then, he’s developed an award-winning line of spirits—bourbon, whiskey, rum, vodka, gin, and tequila—all with coastal flair and serious flavor. His Elizabethtown shop, Tipsy Toad, was such a hit that he decided to bring the concept to the island.

The result? The brand-new Tipsy Toad Gallery on Bald Head Island—a boutique destination offering free daily tastings of internationally acclaimed spirits like GameFish Vodka, Maritime Gin, Cape Fear Rum, and Frying Pan Shoals Bourbon.

But it’s more than a liquor store. The Tipsy Toad Gallery is also a curated art space, featuring work from legends like Henry Diltz, Dr. Seuss, Steve Goione, local favorite Ken White, and even an original painting by Muhammad Ali.

One standout favorite among BHI visitors? The Beach Blast Coconut Rum Cream. “It’s by far our best-seller on the island,” says Alex. “It’s smooth, tropical, and just screams summer. People taste it once and they’re hooked.”

With great spirits, eclectic art, and island energy, Tipsy Toad Gallery is quickly becoming a must-visit for BHI property owners and guests alike.

Make sure to stop by Tipsy Toad Gallery in the Esplanade on Maritime Way.

Published by Teri Kelly
Monday, June 30, 2025