15 Best Cocktail Bars in Chapel Hill

“Expertly crafted classics and creative mixology by a bartender who clearly took pride in their work. Perfectly made manhattan, no fuss, just exactly as it should be crafted. The gin fizz was a marvel to watch being made, if you’ve never seen one made. The bartender shook the cocktail for 10 minutes, all while taking other orders and making different drinks. The mixology trick for getting the soda to the bottom so the fizz rises above the top of the glass is clever and takes a steady hand. The entire experience was exactly what I often look for in a cocktail bar. It was a quieter Sunday night, so I imagine the ambiance changes on busier nights or when Carolina is playing a game, but I imagine the drinks would still not disappoint.“

“Little Gem is the perfect name for this spot, the best cocktail bar in Chapel Hill. The vibe is great—low-key, comfortable but with plenty of class. Always good music playing with the vinyl collection. But most of all, the cocktail menu is always seasonal and fun and on point. Should also note there are some great non-alcoholic drink options too and some delicious snacks. Ideal for an after work drink or a before or after dinner cocktail.“

“I tried their espresso martini and it was absolutely delicious with perfect balance of bittersweet with just the right kick of alcohol, finished beautifully with coffee beans on top. They also offer several different martini varieties, which is great if you’re a martini lover. The place itself is cozy with a really good vibe, perfect for spending quality time and relaxing.“

“great service and best Italian I've had since leaving Chicago. among my top 3 meals ever!“

“The food was amazing and the proprietor was great! I also ordered a hot chocolate with my meal and it was so good, I had to order another one. The menu items were inexpensive as well.
If you are in the area for breakfast or dinner, you won't be disappointed. It was worth every penny and more.“

“The people who work here are super nice, and the food was really good! We got there right before they were closing, but they still let us come in and never made us feel rushed. They gave us the same great service as if we had come much earlier. One of the staff members, Sagur, was especially kind and friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. The food was fresh and tasted amazing. We had a great experience and would definitely come back. Five stars!“

“Best oysters with chimichurri sauce delicious! pair with cocktails beautifully prepared entrées.“

“Ate there for the 1st time. Delicious food, great service. Will definitely go back!“

“Absolutely love Kipos. One of our top 5 restaurants to go too in NC“

“Visited for the first time tonight and we will definitely be back. Right off the bat, the employees were friendly, professional, and accommodating. Our water glasses stayed full and our cocktails were delicious. The food was phenomenal—appetizer, entrées, and dessert. The presentation was lovely and the taste was divine. The Whipped Feta & Fig Crostinis were a surprise hit! My husband thoroughly enjoyed the Red Cream Paneer Curry and I couldn’t get enough of the Tagliatelle Pasta Alfredo with Wild Mushrooms and Shiitake Bacon. The ice cream sundae was great, too! It was my first time tasting non-dairy ice cream that actually tastes good! Given the quality and care taken to provide vegan food that is THIS tasty, I think the pricing is fair, especially when compared to other local cafés/bistros/restaurants in the area. Casual, kid-friendly atmosphere, but still nice enough for a date night. Can’t wait to come back!“

“real good food taheels atmosphere!“

“The food was fine overall — the fig salad was very good and the affogato was delicious (with caramel sauce-delicioso). The grilled bruschetta didn't seem grilled — it was lightly toasted rather than the charred rustic bread I expected. And I thought there was too much piled on it. I didn't taste the pastas but my table mates enjoyed theirs. The service was superb— sweet and friendly and accommodating. Bravo for Massimo! He made the night enjoyable for us. Eating outside added to the ambience and felt a little more authentically Italian despite “Volare” playing in the background.“

“We had a great time at the brewery during the holiday. We enjoyed the chips, guacamole, their pilsner and Sky Peach Kolsch. It was definitely worth the visit and they had all the games playing on their tvs for the World Cup. It was a great experience!“

“Great atmosphere, service, and the food was delicious! Can’t wait to return!“

“Awful experience with the online ordering. Paper menus and allowing people to just order a drink at the bar would be a great improvement. I would not go again.“