50 Best Cocktail Bars in Raleigh

“This was our first time at Madras. Great food…loved the roasted cauliflower with green goddess dipping sauce. My husband loved the octopus. The outside Wednesday night band was an excellent bonus!!“

“This hidden gem exceeded all my expectations. From the moment we walked in, the vibrant atmosphere was intoxicating, filled with colorful décor, and the warmest smiles from the staff. The mezcal selection was top-notch, with options that you don’t typically find, and the cocktails were masterfully crafted. The food was amazing and perfectly cooked. We had empanadas and tacos. It was so good we ordered seconds of both.“

“Absolutely unforgettable! We celebrated my daughter’s college graduation at Tamasha Modern Indian Restaurant, and it was flawless. The private dining room was breathtaking, as was the entire restaurant. The service warm and attentive, and the food—simply outstanding. Every dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The chef came out to greet us; we applauded! The staff went above and beyond, down to chilling and slicing the cake and providing a vase for our flowers. If you're looking for an elegant and delicious experience in Raleigh, Tamasha is a must!“

“Awesome!“

“Fabulous service at the bartop. Roy's recommendations were impeccable and considerate of dietary restrictions. The food was outstanding and wine pairings complemented well. Highly recommend sourcing from the starters and sides to get the most variety, unless you wish to commit to the steak or full entree. Oysters and acorn squash were a great combo. I appreciated the ability to do a GF dessert (elevated ice cream sundae!) to top off the night. Thank you!!“

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

“First time eating here had delivered for lunch baby bang taco was so good . Salsa and chips- the chips were so fresh salsa soooo good I will order again .“

“Despite coming in on a whim on a Saturday at 430, I was able to get seated quickly and the waiter appeared soon after.

The food was served quickly and while I had the chefs board, so nothing was cooked, the crostini was crisp and the baguette nicely warmed. I was getting a bourbon flight so I appreciated that there were 2 types of cheese, breads and meats along with spicy pickled vegetables, a kicking Dijon mustard and a sweet preserve. So all in all nice variety.

My waiter was attentive without being annoying, and despite sitting indoors it wasn't as loud as I thought it would be. The patio looked nice too I just wanted a chair not a bench.

The whiskey/bourbon menu was extensive featuring American, Scottish, Irish and Japanese options. They also have a section, flight and Wednesday discount for NC distillers.

I definitely go back to try something else, both alcohol and food.“

“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!“

“Food and mocktail- Thyme drink were delish!“

“First time here. Great food and great service. Definitely will be back.“

“Excellent liquor selection and great bartenders!“

“The changing seasonal menu is something to look forward to! Creative Desserts, delicious drinks, you can't go wrong at Bittersweet!“

“Great bartenders and truly unique atmosphere. Very creative cocktail menu.“

“Great new hangout place, Must see And try“

“its like a hidden gem...great use of space, very personable staff great drink selection & Martini's wished I lived closer“

“Amazing lounge, throwback music and the signature cocktails are not only good but they are reasonably priced. Top shelf liquors, the furniture and atmosphere are stunning. And a plus was they were not overrun. Plenty of outdoor or lounge seating…“

“Food and service was excellent 👌“

“I'm not 30 plus, but I have had 30 plus experiences in this club. I will say, the floor is a lil sticky and I got a toe fungus, but that was my fault for wearing sandals in a middle school. Would recommend to a friend, found a very nice horse here too“

“I would like to say I really enjoyed my Birthday at Nuvo. The music was lit and the vibe was great. If you looking for a nice place to have a great time on the weekends you should go check them out. Thanks to Randy Jone for the invite and the love he showed while me and my family and friends were there.“

“Food the service the drinks amazing!“

“Great service! The filet mignon tacos were amazing!“

“Nothing beats a passionate chef. Tonight was my first experience, and it's only the beginning! The staff was amazing and did not make me feel rushed. 5-star plus. I've never been to a restaurant where all the mussels were open and full of flavor until Northside Bistro. It was impressive and absolutely delicious, and they also serve some of the best cocktails I've ever had!“

“She was an exceptional waitress. The whole experience is a vibe!“

“Excellent atmosphere and food. The chef knows how to hit the sweet spot of curated quality in a casual setting. The menu evolves with the season and keeps you intrigued even if you’re a regular. Happy Hour, Dinner, or late evening - you can’t miss.“

“Just yummyyyy I do not eat out often but so glad to do so today! Hard to find clean, healthy option places to eat. This place is now my favorite. Worth the drive and downtown drama!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

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

“Great location with lots of outdoor space. The inside smelt very strongly of hops, it’s a brewery, duuuuu, but the smell could be off putting to some people. The beer selection is nice, though I would recommend them upgrading the beer menu on the wall. It can be hard to read.“

“The atmosphere was romantic and the food was absolutely amazing! My husband had one of the best filets that he has ever had and the homemade pasta was as close as I’ve found to true Italian pasta. Highly recommend for a romantic date night ❤️“

“This is time 3rd time visiting. Each visit was just as good as the first. The food was impeccable, the wait staff was friendly and attentive, and the drinks were great!! I just had the best grilled chicken sliders. The chicken breast was juicy, and the bread was very soft. I love the atmosphere too.“

“If I could give Press CCC an award I would. One of the best breakfasts I have ever had. Highly recommend the Hash Brown traditional waffles, and Monte Cristo crepe were out of this world. Great atmosphere, prices were average, and the service was incredible. Francesca has to be the sunniest, most positive young lady I have ever met. Even had the opportunity to talk to the manager who was also amazing. Thank you Press for ending our vacation on a high note.“

“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.“

“Great experience Food was GREAT. Leona and Hampton are the best.“

“We have eaten at The Mill in Old Raleigh a couple of times and have never been disappointed. The daily fish specials are amazing - well balanced flavors and unique ingredients w a lovely presentation. My wife had the steak frites most recently and loved it!! The wait staff is very attentive, Madison was terrific! The entire evening was a pleasure from the starters through dessert. Do not hesitate to give The Mill a try. You will not be disappointed.“

“We really enjoyed our food and will definitely return for more!“

“Great place to relax and enjoy a cigar. You can bring your own, which I recommend, or you can purchase one there. They do have a number of options to pick from.
The bartender is pretty generous with the pours so that is always a plus.
There is no music playing so you get to enjoy conversations without having to yell.
They have tables to sit at or you can enjoy the big lounge chairs.
The bathrooms were not the cleanest. They could use someone to go in with a mop and clean the floors from time to time.
But it really is a very chill and relaxing place to get drinks and a nice cigar. And you don't go home smelling like a tobacco pit. The ventilation is pretty nice.“

“I found a recommendation for Farina on a Reddit post about Italian restaurants in Raleigh and I am so glad I decided to try it! The food was beyond wonderful with amazing portions and our server, Rachel I. was just as splendid. I can’t say enough about how much we enjoyed our experience and I will definitely recommend Farina to everyone!“

“I very much enjoy dining at Lakeside Kitchen as often as possible. The location is superb. Every menu item is tasty and well prepared. The service is outstanding. The atmosphere is quiet. I think that this is one of Raleigh's best luncheon destinations.“

“I was surprised to find this bar located literally below street level, but once I walked through the doors it made sense. The moody lighting paired with neons, and the jazz-y painting paired with 80s synth pop music never should have all worked together, but it totally did. The staff was helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly, and went out of their way to accommodate us and our questions. And the drinks were delightful after a long day waking around. We loved this spot!“

“Great food, cocktails & service!“

“I had brunch here with friends and everything was wonderful! The food was well seasoned and the portions are quite generous. Friendly service as well.“

“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 🎤.“

“Amazing food, friendly customer service... Yuummmmm“

“I have been to 100 Pho restaurants. This was clearly the best pho restaurant I have ever been to. I highly recommend stopping by and ordering pho.“

“Service was excellent and very good food!“

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

“Awesome vibe for real, patrons were all friendly and amazing 👏“

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

“Absolutely amazing ! Friendly bartenders, amazing drinks and foods“