9 Best Cocktail Bars near Boone

“Lily’s is so important and delightful! Love their vibes and their commitment to community. Not to mention their tater wedges 🥰“

“During a one-week stay in the area with my family, we chose to dine at The Table at Crestwood based on its reputation and pricing, expecting a more elevated overall experience.
The ambiance is pleasant, with a nice setting and attractive views, but ultimately nothing memorable or distinctive enough to justify the positioning or cost. The food was acceptable, yet uninspiring. For the price point, we expected more refinement, creativity, and depth of flavor. The menu itself is very limited, offering few choices, which further amplifies expectations, unfortunately, those expectations were not met.
The service was friendly, and the staff was courteous; however, the experience lacked polish and professionalism. The service felt casual and inconsistent with what one would expect from a restaurant in this price range.
The wine list is minimal, with very few compelling selections, and the bar program is underwhelming. Cocktails and offerings feel basic, again falling short of what the pricing and setting suggest.
Overall, this is an okay dining experience, but not one that aligns with its cost or reputation. With stronger culinary execution, a more thoughtful menu and wine selection, and improved service standards, it could meet expectations, but in its current state, it does not.“

“The food was excellent, and the overall experience was wonderful!“

“yummy a little pricey soup bowl delicious need to clean up tables had to clean ours none was clean“

“The staff is so friendly, professional and helpful. We enjoyed our time there yesterday and look forward to returning in a few weeks.“

“I was looking for a great cheeseburger 🍔 and Cardinal Food & Spirits didn't disappoint. Fresh & Delicious. I asked if they could make my burger with pickles and special sauce and they were accommodating. I highly recommend them if you're ever in Boone, NC.“

“𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐫 – 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐂 ---- We are visiting Boone for the next few weeks and decided to check out some of the local restaurants, which landed us at this restaurant just down the street from downtown. --- As an experienced traveler, having explored 68 countries and 36 states, I approach restaurant reviews with clear criteria: Taste, Presentation, and Service. My goal is to provide an unbiased perspective, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. --- The ambiance was a cross between country and modern flare, with exposed beams, plumbing, and eclectic art combined with beautiful rock walls and pillars and a fireplace, creating a warm, cozy, and perfect environment to meet friends and family, go on dates, or have social get-togethers. --- Wait Staff – Braeden was our waiter. You could tell he was a little green, but I was truly impressed with his attention to the table, which made sure the entire journey this evening went flawlessly. --- Let's talk food. --- Fritto Misto Appetizer – I thoroughly enjoyed the combination of calamari, artichoke, zucchini, and pickled peppers. The batter was expertly executed—crispy but not overly so and wonderfully light. The lemon caper aioli was a perfect complement. My only suggestion would be to differentiate the textures a bit more. If the pickled peppers were sliced and left unfried, they would add a vibrant color contrast and a sweet, tangy balance to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor profile. --- Roasted Chicken Cacciatore – I want to start with the sauce as it was terrific. The combined tomatoes, onions, olives, artichokes, and sweet peppers create a rich and hearty sauce to complement the dish. This truly held the dish, complimenting both the chicken and roasted potatoes (perfectly seasoned and prepared). This chicken was cooked well and juicy inside; however, it was SALTY. I would have preferred no salt because the sauce was so good it was a great flavor for the chicken. The dishes presentation overall was well done and very inviting. --- New Zealand Lamb Chop – The lamb chops were cooked to perfection. I had asked the waiter to let the chef choose the ideal temperature, and they absolutely nailed it. The chops were impeccably seasoned and prepared, making them a standout dish. Accompanying the chops was grilled broccoli, which had a well-seasoned flavor profile with crispy ends, adding a slightly grilled taste. Though it was a bit undercooked, the overall flavors made up for it. Unfortunately, the Italian pepper risotto was less successful. It was overcooked to the point where it could be shaped and lacked the robust flavor one would expect. The subtle hint of peppers was barely noticeable. The presentation was also disappointing; the dish seemed haphazardly arranged. A more thoughtful plating approach, with the risotto as a base, broccoli neatly arranged on top, and the lamb chops elegantly stacked, would have significantly enhanced the overall presentation. --- Clams Linguine – This was my least favorite dish, primarily due to the sauce. When it arrived at the table, I was surprised to see clams linguine served with a red sauce, which is quite unusual. Despite the menu mentioning white wine as part of the preparation (which I generally enjoy), the heavy tomato presence overshadowed it. The sauce's flavor was unappealing and lacked the balance I was expecting. I couldn't quite identify what was off, but it detracted from the overall appeal of the dish. --- Overall, I would still go back. I think from a flavor profile standpoint, most of the dishes tasted excellent overall, but there was some poor execution on a couple of the sides and too much salt on the chicken. I think a few little tweaks could help maintain an elevated position in the local community.“

“Amazing food and absolutely amazing staff. All very welcoming and gentle spoken. Very relaxing and calm environment. My husband and I will be coming back again. We are Alfredo with chicken and shrimp and grits the best we both have ever had.“

“We love eating at The Embers in Blowing Rock. Food is always excellent. Great bar and wine selections. The Host, Hostess, and all waitstaff have been wonderful every time. Great bar on the deck as well with small plates! Awesome view over downtown Blowing Rock. Just a little pricey for me to give 5 stars“