50 Best Bars in Raleigh

“Reese is our favorite bartender. Always a great experience.“

“Great vibe! Mixologist Jefferson skillfully guided our craft cocktail selections. Impressive knowledge, real ingredients. At his recommendation we grabbed a couple of slices (authentic NY pizza) from Oakwood Pizza Box next door, that did not disappoint!“

“Was recommended to photograph a boudoir session here by two girlfriends who had stayed. And I loved it so much I booked my husband & myself the honeymoon suite for a romantic night away! This place is just magical and exquisite. The atmosphere was amazing, the staff was so accommodating and kind, and the cocktails at the cocktail bar were just divine. 10/10 recommend and I cannot wait to come back!“

“Fabulous food, cocktails and atmosphere!“

“Great food (quality and quantity), great ambience for day or night! And great service! We went for a late night dinner, so it was just us in the restaurant kind of close to their end of shift, but that did not affect the quality of food and service. Highly recommended.“

“COMEDY & collabs w/ rad artists make this place so awesome!⚡️“

“I can see why this restaurant was on the Michelin Guide for Raleigh. The ambiance when you walk in, is so cozy. However, the food was AMAZING. All the flavors were there. The yellowtail crudo had to be my favorite dish. The rice cake they put on top is to die for, and dipping it in the yellowtail was chefs kiss. The catfish was their special and it was perfectly lightly battered and fried! Cocktails were unique and held lots of flavor. Definitely ask the waitress or waiter about the speakeasy, you’ll need a key to go! The service was 10/10, a great date night“

“Beautiful restaurant great service huge variety of options. I had the best lobster mango sushi. My friend got the shrimp tacos, which were huge. We ended up sharing and another person in my party got a pepperoni pizza. There’s something for everyone here and it all taste delicious and the service is, absolutely the best“

“I had one of my favorite meals recently at Figulina with a few friends. To start, they have a great list of mocktails in addition to their wine and beer list, which is always a plus given that half of my friends don't drink. We ordered the market greens and the honeycrisp apple salads to start and both were excellent. We followed that with a pasta course and the Paccheri is absolutely the way to go if you want a super savory, absolutely delicious pasta dish. For a sweeter dish that is equally amazing, try the Cappeletti. The one dish is don't recommend is the Malfadine/carbonara. It was extremely bland. (Our server said they had just changed out the ham used in the recipe and maybe that had something to do with it. I hope they work out the kinks.) Dinner was followed by tiramisu and the toasted almond ice cream dessert that came with peach compote and both of those were delicious as well. I will absolutely be back here.“

“We went before a Hurricane’s game. Great to see all the ‘Canes fans. I also appreciated the discount parking for the game.“

“Your food truck is parked in a handicap parking space!“

“Gussies is my favorite bar! I’ve been in attendance since they opened and it was just great vibes with funky sodas. I’m relocating to CO soon and I am sos ad because I know I won’t a place like this there. So pls come and enjoy the best bar in my honor !“

“Great vibe, friendly staff, nice game selection! Had an awesome time!!“

“Super cute spot inside & patio area. Food & drinks were so good! The sandwiches were so flavorful, unique, & delicious! Great customer service too! Definitely will be back soon!“

“My favorite place in Raleigh! For a night out or any celebration! Live music for everyone!“

“One of the best live music venues in the Triangle. Consistently good bookings. And a record store above it!“

“We've been coming here the last few months, at least once every other weekend. We usually like to sit upstairs by the bar. Good music, good drinks - if I don't drink my usual titos soda splash of sprite, I like the Red Eye, and friendly staff! Plus, if you're hungry they have bags of chips to snack on.“

“Incredible food: can't decide if the pierogis and sides are the best or the desserts. Such a relaxing and fun atmosphere: you are able to mingle with friends while enjoying your meal at your own pace. Highly recommend for the menu selections (which are creative and delicious - try the smoked trout, mushroom and cheese pierogis, cheese spaetzle, peanut butter and banana pudding...!!) and atmosphere.“

“Have been wanting to try this little spot! Cool spot inside & out back patio area. Drinks were good! Great customer service too! Definitely will be back soon!“

“Love HH and they always have a good vibe and great selection of craft beers!
Love how it feels like a great spot for the residents in the area too, but on trivia and event nights parking is very limited but that’s not a negative just a heads up!!“

“Great neighborhood gathering place. Harding working staff that makes all feel welcome. A lot of beer to try and good recommendations from the staff and patrons.“

“The drinks were good as was the atmosphere. This place is a bit small but they accommodated 4 of us without any issues. The service was 50/50, we first were outside upstairs and the service was great, when we went downstairs the service dropped off quite a bit. Nothing terrible but we noticed it. It’s a nice place to have a few drinks and chat.“

“I stopped by to grab lunch. The food was delicious. The people were friendly and helpful. I want more corn!!!“

“Top notch brewery with a death theme.“

“Great bourbon selection including vintage whiskey. The craft cocktails are amazing! Beautiful and masculine decor!“

“Raleigh Brewing staff were wonderful to work with in planning an event for ~25 people. From organizing rental of the space and recommending catering, to helping facilitate the event with attentive bartending staff, I couldn't recommend Raleigh Brewing as an event location more! During the whole process, they were very prompt with responding to emails and providing information. Regarding the brewery, they have a great variety of beers and other drinks (cocktails, seltzers, etc.), and I love that they offer kombucha as a non-alcoholic option. Will definitely be planning more events here in the future!“

“delicious😋 I recommend 10 out of 10!“

“Stepping into the cigar bar feels like slipping into a well-dressed time machine that decided to loosen its tie. The air hums with the scent of tobacco, oak, and good decisions made slowly. Plush couches and deep leather chairs form little islands of comfort, perfect for sinking into a conversation that doesn’t need to end soon. Along the walls, humidors stand like treasure chests, keeping their cigars in stately silence. Vintage wood glows everywhere—from the bar’s polished surface to the beams above—each grain steeped in quiet history. Overhead, TVs flicker with old games and new ones alike, while dart boards wait nearby for a little friendly competition between sips of bourbon and curls of smoke.

The bartender slides the Old Fashioned across the bar with the precision of a man who’s been doing it long enough to know that showmanship is for amateurs. No fancy garnish, no chatter—just the soft clink of glass meeting wood and a nod that says this’ll do.

Happiness here isn’t loud or glittery—it’s slow-burning and pleasantly lopsided, like a jazz tune played just slightly off the beat. It seeps in between sips and smoke rings, wrapping itself around you like the worn leather of the chair you’ve claimed for the night. It’s the kind that finds you sitting still, glass half full, smoke curling upward like a satisfied sigh. Cheers!“

“the best place in Raleigh and the bartender knows how to make drink“

“Great place for a daytime drink regardless of season but especially nice for a snow day. The hot cider drink is quite lovely on a cold snowy evening.“

“Jason was wonderful. The beer was great, and the company was even better😝“

“This place is amazing. It’s like a speakeasy with a cool, loung-y area inside, winding hallways, and a torch-and-fire pit outside garden area with dim lit bars and chill cocktails. Great for friends, couples or a date. Highly recommend.“

“Fun atmosphere with a wide range of patrons. Great spot for people watching and a wide variety of drinks. Recommend this spot for anyone looking for a quick drink. Will come here again!“

“Football at its best- and that is coming from an English man. Although the owner kev is a gooner fan but hey ho lol. Check it out.“

“This is one of the coziest scenes I have experienced here in North Carolina. I've lived here for aomost 5 years! The people and the vibe are extremely relaxed. Such a chill place with great beer( I am not a beer drinker bit I really like theirs!!!) They bring in great vendors for a variety of food on Thursdays and the service from the bartender, Gabz is super fun behind the bar. PS... bring your dog and kids! Totally family friendly! Great crowd!!“

“If you enjoy great beer and fun this is the place. Bartenders are always cracking wise and serving up great beer with 16 taps and a couple of coolers to choose from. Also have wine and even sodas.
Great place to stop for beers before after and during dinner with plenty of food options in the same parking lot.“

“Live music 🎶, Great 🍺 🍹and the best Wings in Raleigh, hands down!!! You won’t be disappointed at this place! Come in during the week for some music 🎵 bingo or karaoke 🎤.“

“Awesome place! Great staff! Great food! Amazing beer!“

“great place for a cocktail and an awesome craft beer“

“Best Bar I’m downtown. Highly recommend!!!!!!“

“My husband and I had a great time visiting the Boxcar Bar + Arcade. The atmosphere/vibe is great and a fun place to be. The games and drinks are reasonably priced. We definitely got our money's worth. My husband got the Guinness and he kept complimenting how smooth the drink was.

Our favorite game was the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure game. The gaming cabinet art was beautiful. And we made a special trip from out of town just for this game. It was a great time and the arcade was even more fun than I expected! This place has so much to look forward to: ski ball, classic arcade games, pinball machines, air hockey, newer games, claw machines (I won 4 rubber ducks in a row), etc. And many other options!

This place would make a great date night for anyone looking to have a fun time!“

“Excellent service and food! Missed the picture of the she crab soup because it was gone before taking pics. Delicious!!! Owner came to tables and introduced himself personally! If you come to Rodanthe don’t miss a trip here!!!“

“This place is really great!
Went there on a weekday and it was mostly empty but then people started to come in and it was great, it has a rustic look to it which adds to the appeal.

Food was great, service was awesome(serving staff is super friendly) , people around were great.

Definitely a great restaurant to visit and have a good time with your family and friends!!!

Kid-friendliness: I took my 17 month old and he had a great time, they had good high chair , clean and servers were friendly and were trying to make him feel comfortable.“

“Great food, great vibe. We sat inside on the 2nd floor. Bartender was awesome! Foods and drinks we delish. Definitely going to be a new spot for us!“

“Great selection of wine and beer. Nice atmosphere for those seeking to sit, drink and have conversation. Weekends, live music, usually a duo or trio. VERY nice to be able to sit outside and music will be outside as well in good weather. Russ is really swell and you will enjoy yourself. Children and dogs are more than welcome.“

“Great Green Bay packer bar!“

“Dope atmosphere with fast bartenders and waitresses“

“Great bar great atmosphere and staff! Defiantly a staple of any night out in dtr“

“Top reasons I love the Cardinal Bar Berkeley Springs WV Consistent hours above and beyond I can recommend and show up everytime ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I can show up at 12:05pm or 1:55am or anytime in between and also get the same great service! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It’s my “Cheers” and I always feel safe and at home there and if it’s late the majority of the staff has me send a text when I get home and if I don’t answer I get a text. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The vibe is always fun and a great mix of our entire community!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I binge watched “Bar Rescue” And it’s the first place I’ve ever seen follow all the rules!! ❤️❤️❤️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ They make the best hot dogs ever!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Zack and Nick are pretty flipping cool and great new friends here!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Overall I recommend by all of these stars and they have music games and a pool table!!“

“If Rob sees this, or if someone else sees this who knows Rob, please tell Rob I found my debit card and he’s a rock star for helping my husband look so hard! I know you didn’t find it, and I’m sorry for wasting your time, but you helped me retrace my idiot steps until I found it!!

Also the patio is sweet and the beers are delicious and cold and I just really dig this place. 5 stars all around- but especially Rob.“