There are many great bars in downtown Raleigh that can fit whatever vibe you’re looking for.
If you visit Raleigh, you are likely staying or at least visiting downtown. This is where places like the convention center, Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, and the North Carolina Symphony are all located.
From hidden speakeasies to cocktail bars and historic taverns, Raleigh offers a plethora of top-notch establishments for every kind of beverage.
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Speakeasies
Watts & Ward
Watts & Ward is a unique 1920’s style speakeasy tucked underneath Caffe Luna on Fayetteville Street. It is named after the Watts Act of 1903 and the Ward Act of 1905, legislation that laid the groundwork for Prohibition.
The interior is authentically decorated to reflect this time, featuring leather seating, dim lighting, music, and an array of exquisite cocktails. The lower-level space includes three distinct bars plus an exceptional outdoor courtyard.
The sprawling 6,000 square foot area allows for hosting various events, making it one of the few venues in downtown Raleigh with such versatile space. But each area has a charm that creates an intimate setting.
The Green Light
The Green Light is a distinguished cocktail bar and speakeasy in Raleigh that is situated inside The Architect Bar & Social House. This space hosts various events throughout the week concerts and open mic nights and is a popular spot for private events.
But the most intriguing feature is the secret lounge accessible through a bookcase. This is where you can find The Green Light, a dimly lit speakeasy with expertly crafted cocktails and the sounds of vinyl spinning in the corner.
You can order any of the classic cocktails, like a Negroni, Manhattan, and Old Fashioned. They also offer a list of more floral cocktails plus their own unique creations. This is hands down’ one of the best cocktail bars in Raleigh. It is very small with no standing room, so reservations are recommended for peak times. The Green Light does not offer food.
The Merchant
Beside the entrance to Virgil’s Cocktails and Cocina, you will see a red vending machine. This is in fact a secret door with a staircase leading upstairs to The Merchant, one of Raleigh’s best speakeasies.
The Merchant is run by the same team behind The Green Light, so you can expect the same quality and care in making the cocktails, though the menu is different. But they have food here, which consists of all small plates like duck fat fries, sliders, and a grilled watermelon salad.
But the most popular item is the Smoke & Daggers, a cocktail made with Woodinville Bourbon, maple, lemon, egg white, and red wine float. It is served in a smoke-filled box, which releases when the door is opened, making it quite photographic.
Cocktail Bars
Fox Liquor Bar
While it has been a favorite since it opened in 2012, Fox Liquor Bar reinvented itself and reopened in 2023 with a refurbished space. This underground hideaway is another concept from the James Beard Award-winning chef Ashley Christensen, who is one of the city’s most renowned chefs. She is the soman behind one of my favorite restaurants in town, Death & Taxes as well as the beloved Poole’s and Beasley’s Chicken + Honey.
Fox’s Liquor Bar is names after Ashley’s father, Fox, who passed in 2021. It has an open and relaxed ambiance with leather booths, plenty of bar seating, and a couch in the center of the room that is good for a small group. They offer some great classic and contemporary cocktails, but also a range of beer and wine.
Food is mostly small plates. Try the Carolina Reaper fries if you like some spice (they aren’t as hot as you might think), the chicken pot “handpie”, or even the fried bologna sandwich. This is a great place for a date night or for a group of friends to meet up.
Foundation
While the appearance doesn’t give off fancy cocktail vibes, Foundation more than holds its own against the other bars. It’s what I have dubbed a bartender’s bar. This can be seen later at night when bartenders and staff from other nearby restaurants make their way in here for their own nightcap.
The cocktail menu is divided into a few sections. The Seasonal List allows the bartenders to try out new recipes and ideas. The Classics section rotates favorites from prior seasonal lists. Then there’s the Timeless Cocktails, featuring drinks that have stood the test of time like the Daquiri, Tom Collins, and the Whisky Sour. And finally, my favorite section is the Foundation Old Fashioneds, with several takes on this classic cocktail. I love the Maple Old Fashioned or you can splurge for the $25 Old Fashioned made with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon.
But not everyone gets cocktails here. The whiskey list is solid and you’ll see many people enjoying a craft beer.
Aunty Betty's Gin & Absinthe Bar
Aunty Betty’s is a cocktail bar located inside the Morgan Street Food Hall that specializes in gin and absinthe. It’s not quite a speakeasy per se, but it is tucked away behind a small door in the back of the food hall so is easy to miss.
This concept is from the same owners as Watts & Ward, and they also own several spots along the popular Greenwood Ave such as Raleigh Beer Garden, where you can find the largest selection around of local beers on tap.
You can order food from any of the stands and bring it in, as they don’t have their own food menu.
Gallo Pelón Mezcaleria
Gallo Pelón Mezcaleria is situated above the popular Centro restaurant. As is clear from the name, this cocktail bar focuses on mezcal, the smoked agave liquor that I much prefer to tequila.
You can order individual glasses of mezcal to sip, get flights, or try one of the many mezcal-based cocktails. Though they also serve cocktails made with other spirits, and a full bar.
The space offers a slightly mysterious ambiance with its dim lighting, subdued crimson shades, and cool interior design that includes a small bar and a nice patio bar at the back. It retains a nice overall feel with several art pieces from a former local Raleigh artist adorning its walls.
The Haymaker
The Haymaker is a cocktail bar discreetly hidden from street view, as it’s on the ground floor of the Charter Square building. While known for its creative cocktails, it also hosts the Miracle Christmas themed pop-up bar during the holiday season, offering festive drinks in a holiday décor setting.
The space features a large open room adorned with a floral mural, comfortable seating including four-tops and couches, and a classic bar area with black metal stools and a white marble top. The walls are adorned with some pretty cool artwork.
This easily has the most corporate feel of all the bars on this list, and the clientele can vary, especially on nights when there are events at the nearby Raleigh Convention Center and Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. But if you are in town for an event, this is a good spot to stop after. DJs can typically be heard on weekend nights, with a crowd in their 20s and 30s.
Whiskey, Wine, and Beer
Whiskey Kitchen
If you’re looking for a whiskey bar, then Whiskey Kitchen is a must go. It might not have the high-end Scotch selection of Keen’s Steakhouse in NYC or the number of bottles as Jack Rose Saloon in Washington DC. But Whiskey Kitchen has an extensive American Whiskey collection, with an especially impressive Kentucky Bourbon menu, making it one of the best spots in the Triangle.
The regions of Scotland are also fairly well represented on the menu, and there are shorter sections listing Canadian and Japanese whiskeys.
Order a flight if you want to try a few different options. While not specifically a cocktail bar, they have whiskey-based cocktails. This former garage space is now the best whiskey bar in Raleigh. Plus, they have a food menu that has plenty of vegan/vegetarian options along with a menu of southern dishes like boiled peanuts, shrimp & grits, BBQ pork sandwich.
Vita Vite
Vita Vite has a unique blend of art, wine, and culture as both a wine bar and art gallery. Owner Lindsay Rice has a degree in art history and has worked in prestigious art galleries. She created this as a cultural hub for art enthusiasts and wine lovers to converge.
The location in the Warehouse District has a sophisticated, yet cozy and inviting atmosphere, where patrons can enjoy a wide selection of wines along with small plates of olives, hummus, cheese, or charcuterie.
State of Beer
State of Beer is owned by Trophy Brewing Co which you can read about on my list of the Best Breweries in Raleigh but it’s much more than just an outpost. It’s a bottle shop, sandwich shop, and bar.
You can buy bottles of wine, cider, or microbrews to take home. Or they also offer a selection of beers on tap to enjoy at the bar or at one of the many indoor or outdoor tables. While you will certainly find several beers from Trophy, they also do a great job to spotlight other local breweries.
On top of the beer, you will also find some great hot or cold sandwiches and even some small plates to snack on.
Restaurants with Great Cocktails
Death & Taxes
Death & Taxes could be my favorite restaurant in Raleigh. The concept from acclaimed chef Ashely Christensen (of Fox Liquor Bar listed above) is dedicated to cooking with wood fire.
But in addition to great food, they have a small but top tier cocktail menu. While the entire menu of food and drinks change frequently, the cocktail pictured above is the Time Away, made with gin, blackberry, balsamic, whey, thyme, and parmesan sprinkled on top.
ORO
It shouldn’t be a surprise that my other favorite higher-end restaurant in downtown Raleigh also has great cocktails. ORO is a modern and stylish restaurant that serves dishes designed for sharing.
While the bar only has a handful of seats, it’s a great place to sit if you’re on your own. Order 1-2 food items and something off the specialty cocktail menu, and a dessert for the perfect solo date night. If you are with a group of friends, you can also order the tasting menu for the table and leave it all in the chef’s hands.
Other Popular Bars
Circa 1888
Circa 1888 is a unique bar tucked away near the train tracks on a dead-end street in the Warehouse District. But while tourists might not find it right away, it offers a distinctive experience that combines a vintage charm, with a beer and whiskey bar, and pool hall.
Whether you’re savoring a glass of wine on its enclosed patio while admiring the sunset or stepping inside to marvel at the antique bar built in 1888, Circa 1888 merges modern touches with the rich history of the space, creating an unmatched experience for all who visit.
It’s not fancy. But it’s not a dive bar. Nor is it a traditional pool hall. I don’t know what it really is, other than one of the best late-night bars in downtown Raleigh.
Landmark Tavern
Landmark Tavern is a downtown pub that has a local charm. It’s the kind of place you’ll fit in ordering a beer and a shot, a glass of wine, or a crafted cocktail. Plus there’s a nice outside patio.
The tavern provides a welcoming atmosphere with the sentiment, “May the roof above us never fall in and the friends gathered below never fall out”.
Dive Bar
Slim's
There’s one thing I’m pretty sure of… Slim’s the is best dive bar in downtown Raleigh. It might also be the only dive bar in the area. But it’s more than that. Slim’s is downtown Raleigh’s oldest live music venue.
It’s a small place, so anytime a band plays there, you’re guaranteed to have front row seats. Plus, there is an outside smoking patio, a 2nd floor lounge with a pool table and the beer is cheap. What more do you want?
