Muddy River Distillery is a family-owned bar and restaurant located inside the historic Mount Holly Cotton Mill in Gaston County, NC. Come enjoy delicious food, craft cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere with something for everyone. Our menu features tasty bites and hearty favorites, while our bar serves up classic and seasonal cocktails made with our award-winning Carolina Rum and premium spirits. Whether you’re stopping in for lunch, grabbing dinner with friends, enjoying a cocktail, or looking for a fun night out, Muddy River is the perfect place to eat, drink, and make memories.

MUDDY RIVER DISTILLERY

At Muddy River Distillery, we believe the best experiences are made with quality ingredients, great people, and a welcoming atmosphere. Located in the historic Mount Holly Cotton Mill, our distillery is the perfect place to gather, celebrate, and make memories. From live music and weekly activities to seasonal celebrations, special events, private gatherings, and our signature distillery tours, there’s always something happening at Muddy River. Come enjoy craft cocktails, delicious food, and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere while experiencing the people and community that make Muddy River special. Whether you’re planning a night out with friends, celebrating a milestone, or looking for your next favorite local event, we’ll raise a glass with you. Cheers!



Distillery HOURS


  • REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS:
  • Monday - Tuesday: CLOSED
  • Wednesday - Thursday:  4p - 9p
  • Friday: 2p - 10p
  • Saturday: 11a - 10p
  • Sunday: 12p - 6p


Visit Us

Tour our facility

Muddy River Distillery is located in Mount Holly, NC along the banks of Dutchman's Creek. We are the oldest legal rum distillery in the Carolinas and ferment, distill, age and bottle our products in house. We would love to show you around our facility.

Tour Our Facility

Cocktail Recipes

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the history of the
mount holly cotton mill

The mill was built in 1875 by brothers AP and DE Rhyne and Ambrose Costner as one of the first mills in Gaston County, North Carolina after the Civil War, in what was then known as the town of Woodlawn. Once open, AP would work to get the town to change its name to Mount Holly after the mill. The mill would survive the great floods of 1916 that took out the three older mills in the area, leaving the building as the oldest standing mill in the county.

Give the Gift of Rum! (or drinks, food, merch...)

Order Your Gift Card Now!



Muddy River Distillery gift cards are now available! Whether you're shopping for the holidays or just want to treat someone special, you can order one online or swing by the distillery to pick one up in person. It's the perfect way to share the unique flavors of our rum and the experience of our historic mill.

Don't miss out on this great gift idea!

“By making contacts and watching, writing and talking rum, I have seen some of the distillers really explode. Muddy River is one of those.”

— Rick, The Rum Runner