50 Best Cocktail Bars in Raleigh

“Excellent liquor selection and great bartenders!“

“Tamasha is nothing short of incredible. A beautifully appointed restaurant that provides first class service and amazing food. This is truly one of Raleigh's finest.“

“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!!“

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

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

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

“I always have a fun time at Killjoy - whether it's packed with little room to walk around or it's a small crowd with space at the bar and on the dance floor! The music is great, and the people are there to chill, sing and dance a little - just a nice vibe. Attractive people, nicely dressed, friendly energy!“

“Great new hangout place, Must see And try“

“Awesome!“

“Since moving here a year ago from NYC, this was one of the first places we've been coming to once a weekend when we're in Raleigh. It gives us the NYC lounge feel we initially missed. It's good for my night cap before we go home. Good music, drinks and I enjoy their popcorn 😁!“

“Christmas Eve dinner 2025. Everything delicious. Counter seating, so entertaining watching the pace and positive attitudes of those working the line. Roasted oysters, agnolotti divine, NC fish perfect. Staff friendly and, well, just a special evening all together. We have only been twice, but were greeted like regulars.“

“I honestly don’t know but i live on the same block and it sounds like its happening over there, the parking lot is always packed out and overflowing on pros nights, aka: Thursday and Sunday. A parking lot with huge overflow means a good crowd, and that speaks for its self.
A good crowd on the regular can’t be wrong!“

“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!“

“Lovely atmosphere. The bartender was amazing and created very lovely little drinks for us. Thank you for the experience. we ❤️ steph“

“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 .“

“Food and service was excellent 👌“

“🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 By far the Best Tacos I have ever had in my life, They where all fresh and the corn is out of this world and the Service is Fantastic ask for Bre this place sir passes 10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Absolutely incredible experience at Vidrio! From the moment we walked in, we were blown away by the stunning decor and beautiful atmosphere — every detail feels elegant, warm, and inviting. The food was hands-down some of the most delicious I’ve ever experienced in North Carolina. Every dish was flavorful, fresh, and perfectly prepared.

What truly made the night unforgettable was the staff. Everyone was so warm, welcoming, attentive, and genuinely kind, making us feel completely taken care of from start to finish. Vidrio exceeded every expectation, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Easily a 5-star experience and a restaurant we’ll be coming back to again and again!“

“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!“

“Wow. Tyler was hands down the BEST server I’ve ever had. Hilarious, and despite a huge rush from the Canes game, we felt as attended to as if we were the only ones in the restaurant. Place is lovely, Oak Smash was great. I cannot stress how much I enjoyed Tyler’s service at Oak. I hope a manager sees this and commends him“

“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!“

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

“Anthony literally saved the night the other night from a horrible restaurant experience at another restaurant down the street to his prime location in Downtown Raleigh it was a night and day experience, 1000% recommend to anyone who wants a great dining and great food experience.“

“Great food! Amazing staff at the location on Spring Forest. We sat at the bar and Hope was very attentive, always making sure we had all we needed.“

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

“What a great addition to N Raleigh. Possibly the best Indian food in Raleigh. Beautiful presentation, aromatic food, tasty and delicious. Great cocktails and wonderful service. A beautiful restaurant“

“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.“

“We got there at 9:50. Ordered drinks and asked for menus. We then ordered our food. They came back a few minutes after we ordered and told us the kitchen was closed and then charged us for a lemonade.

That said, I came back again and it was some of the best bar food I’ve had. Also, the staff was really nice.“

“Excellent wine bar and restaurant in the Village District. The bruschetta board is a must. you get to pick multiple flavors and they're all incredible. Great wine selection by the glass at very reasonable prices. The patio is beautiful and perfect for afternoon drinks. The space is bright and inviting. Perfect for a casual lunch or happy hour with friends. The $5 pitchers of wine during happy hour are an insane deal.“

“Very good food. I had the elk burger and it was amazing 😋“

“Food and mocktail- Thyme drink were delish!“

“The service was great. The food was also great. Amazing fries and the burger was among the best I’ve had since moving to NC. The burger with sauce and toppings is basically a very high end Big Mac. The beef was quality and very tender. Check the website to make sure they aren’t closed for an event before going.“

“Some of, if not, the BEST cocktails you will have in North Carolina let alone Raleigh. Amazing atmosphere, mixologists, and location. Recipe for success and I always look forward to coming when I'm in the Raleigh/Durham area. Several of their cocktails are staples I make (mediocre attempts) at home. 10/10“

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

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

“Surprised to see this place was pretty empty on a beautiful Saturday around lunch. I could see it being more of a vibe at nighttime. Food and drinks were great, but would’ve loved to have our tacos paced better as they arrived literally one minute after our appetizer. FYI they don’t have high chairs so it’s not really a family friendly place.“

“For NCSU graduate lunch- Bill and staff treated us as 🐺family from our first reservation request. Communication was clear and totally invested in making our day perfect. From the delicious food to the custom Wolf Tracks ice cream order and of course the epitome of NCSU landscaping- it was beyond expectations.“

“Great food, cocktails & service!“

“Highly recommend for your next event! We used the banquet room for a baby shower today and everything was amazing! Had a delicious crepe bar, charcuterie cups, fruit and an excellent coffee bar! The food was fantastic and everyone raved about it!“

“I am so glad this place opened in the subdivision! great food! great staff!“

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

“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 ❤️“

“Great hand crafted cocktails with small bite food options“

“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 🎤.“

“I've been here twice. Once for an event, and the second just for fun. Both times I've danced my butt off and met the most amazing, good energy, fun people. Dj had all the vibes (all 3 I saw) and I danced so hard my legs were sore!! This is my spot in dt Raleigh.“

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

“Great Green Bay packer bar!“

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