Just found out there is one hour limit to your table on busy days. That’s not cool.
Chandra Jennings
Was not expecting this "hidden" gem in a bar that was clearly closed to the public. I was greeted by a waiter who led me back to a bar behind a bookshelf. I was greeted more by the dim lights than by the bartender. But, once I was, I enjoyed my bent umbrella, which was way more citrusy than I thought it would be in a good way, and it was super smooth to sip and enjoy. I finished this while speaking to the bartender and a patron who was very kind. The bartender was very open and kind. He made me feel very comfortable and was so kind!My second drink was the "Apples and Allies," which reminded me of a spicier apple cider with rum. It was super smooth, warm, and easy to sip and sip!I would come back here for the drinks and atmosphere. Very chill and great drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chandra J.
Was not expecting this "hidden" gem in a bar that was clearly closed to the public. I was greeted by a waiter who led me back to a bar behind a bookshelf. I was greeted more by the dim lights than by the bartender. But, once I was, I enjoyed my bent umbrella, which was way more citrusy than I thought it would be in a good way, and it was super smooth to sip and enjoy. I finished this while speaking to the bartender and a patron who was very kind. The bartender was very open and kind. He made me feel very comfortable and was so kind! My second drink was the "Apples and Allies," which reminded me of a spicier apple cider with rum. It was super smooth, warm, and easy to sip and sip! I would come back here for the drinks and atmosphere. Very chill and great drinks!
Antionette T.
Best kept secret in Raleigh!! Drinks are amazing and the service is truly divine...can't wait to return!
Justin W. Flory (jflory7)
Whenever I visit Raleigh, I always stop here. It is always fun to bring friends here and introduce them to the American concept of a speakeasy. In addition to the unique atmosphere and unique entry to the bar, the staff are always very informed about their menu and are also open to crafting the perfect cocktail for you. It is a small space and lighting is very low. Perfect for a small group outing or a date. Not suitable for large groups.Definitely not the cheapest place in town, but if you are looking for a memorable experience, this is it.Vegetarian options: No food served.Dietary restrictions: All drinks on the menu are clearly labeled with all ingredients.Parking: Limited street parking available. Better to find parking further away and walk if possible.Kid-friendliness: No. I mean, it is a bar, obviously!Wheelchair accessibility: No. Maybe? There is a long staircase to enter the venue. However, there is a stair elevator installed but I have never seen it operated during my visits. There is no host/hostess on the ground level so I am not sure how you would get someone's attention to operate the stair elevator.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Alexis M.
I’m not normally one to write bad reviews because I know every bar/restaurant can have “bad days”—-however, my experience at The Green Light was one that I would use to teach anyone in the food and bev industry what NOT to do.My New Year's Eve experience at The Green Light, which came with a hefty $108 per ticket price tag, left much to be desired. From the moment we arrived, there was a noticeable lack of engagement from the staff. No greetings, no explanations about the cocktails being served—just a cold and indifferent.The ticket per person was advertised to include 4 course cocktail pairing with charcuterie and desserts. However, the menu was never provided ahead of time, even when we contacted the bar ahead of time. The cocktails were decent, but unfortunately that did make up for the overall disappointing experience.The disappointment extended to the charcuterie board, or what was falsely advertised as such. Instead of an assortment of artisanal cured meats and complementary delicacies, we were presented with a meager board featuring lunch meat rolls, a solitary olive, and a quarter piece of celery. It was a school lunch rather than an upscale dining experience. You could pick up a better charcuterie board from a grocery store than what was served.Attempts to communicate with the staff ahead of time regarding gluten-free options went unanswered, leaving us in the dark about potential accommodations. Understandably, catering to dietary restrictions on a busy night like New Year's Eve can be challenging, but the lack of responsiveness only added to the overall frustration.The champagne, supposedly a highlight of the evening, tasted disappointingly similar to Welch's rather than a refined bubbly. As we ventured into the restroom facilities, the illusion of an upscale venue completely shattered. The state of disrepair—falling ceiling tiles, out-of-order signs—gave the impression of a run-down dive bar rather than the sophisticated speakeasy we had anticipated.The experience was so far from upscale that it bordered on comical. The cumulative disappointments reached a tipping point, and we decided not to endure the mediocrity any longer, leaving before finishing our drinks.Paying $216 for what can only be described as a joke of an experience was not just disheartening but also frustrating. It's regrettable to see such a promising concept fall short on execution. My advice: steer clear of this place, especially if you expect a memorable and enjoyable upscale speakeasy experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Robert
Can’t get a hold of them to save our life! Their number on their website is out of service. When we finally found their correct number, we called several times at different times at different times of the day, emailed, and reached out through social media and never received a response. This establishment might be a scam so watch out!
Service: 1
Nikki
Reed was a great bartender! He knew the cocktails inside out and could recommend a specific gin for my palate. The atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for- cozy, dark, romantic but good music and you could still hear your date talking to you.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
N V
A small lovely cocktail bar. The cocktail is great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Luke F.
The Green Light is normally fantastic, but my most recent experience was less then pleasant, it was just before Christmas so one could expect Christmas music playing, but they had "trap"/"club" remixes of Christmas songs playing, and too loud, it left both me and my friend a bit disappointed as we had much better experiences before hand. The drinks were great as well as the service. I just wish they would be more careful as to how they curate the music they play and for the type of venue it is
Very amazing intimate place. Such a bonus to find connected to the Architect Bar. Relaxing atmosphere and incredible cocktails. The bartender, Reid, made us feel right at home.
Coco J.
They weee great!! We had the best bartender!!! Asked for a tequila soda with some sprite and he made a homemade lemon like syrup for me. Great company, good vibes, good conversation, great drinks. Did I say good drinks?? Yea I did. They are awesome!! Swing by here on a night out for sure
Emily W
Great place to go for a date
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
G eorge
Chill vibes, it was a more unique and intimate experience. Make sure to get a reservation!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Maci Olmoz
Stunning drinks every time. We love everything about this place!
Just found out there is one hour limit to your table on busy days. That’s not cool.
Was not expecting this "hidden" gem in a bar that was clearly closed to the public. I was greeted by a waiter who led me back to a bar behind a bookshelf. I was greeted more by the dim lights than by the bartender. But, once I was, I enjoyed my bent umbrella, which was way more citrusy than I thought it would be in a good way, and it was super smooth to sip and enjoy. I finished this while speaking to the bartender and a patron who was very kind. The bartender was very open and kind. He made me feel very comfortable and was so kind!My second drink was the "Apples and Allies," which reminded me of a spicier apple cider with rum. It was super smooth, warm, and easy to sip and sip!I would come back here for the drinks and atmosphere. Very chill and great drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Was not expecting this "hidden" gem in a bar that was clearly closed to the public. I was greeted by a waiter who led me back to a bar behind a bookshelf. I was greeted more by the dim lights than by the bartender. But, once I was, I enjoyed my bent umbrella, which was way more citrusy than I thought it would be in a good way, and it was super smooth to sip and enjoy. I finished this while speaking to the bartender and a patron who was very kind. The bartender was very open and kind. He made me feel very comfortable and was so kind! My second drink was the "Apples and Allies," which reminded me of a spicier apple cider with rum. It was super smooth, warm, and easy to sip and sip! I would come back here for the drinks and atmosphere. Very chill and great drinks!
Best kept secret in Raleigh!! Drinks are amazing and the service is truly divine...can't wait to return!
Whenever I visit Raleigh, I always stop here. It is always fun to bring friends here and introduce them to the American concept of a speakeasy. In addition to the unique atmosphere and unique entry to the bar, the staff are always very informed about their menu and are also open to crafting the perfect cocktail for you. It is a small space and lighting is very low. Perfect for a small group outing or a date. Not suitable for large groups.Definitely not the cheapest place in town, but if you are looking for a memorable experience, this is it.Vegetarian options: No food served.Dietary restrictions: All drinks on the menu are clearly labeled with all ingredients.Parking: Limited street parking available. Better to find parking further away and walk if possible.Kid-friendliness: No. I mean, it is a bar, obviously!Wheelchair accessibility: No. Maybe? There is a long staircase to enter the venue. However, there is a stair elevator installed but I have never seen it operated during my visits. There is no host/hostess on the ground level so I am not sure how you would get someone's attention to operate the stair elevator.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
I’m not normally one to write bad reviews because I know every bar/restaurant can have “bad days”—-however, my experience at The Green Light was one that I would use to teach anyone in the food and bev industry what NOT to do.My New Year's Eve experience at The Green Light, which came with a hefty $108 per ticket price tag, left much to be desired. From the moment we arrived, there was a noticeable lack of engagement from the staff. No greetings, no explanations about the cocktails being served—just a cold and indifferent.The ticket per person was advertised to include 4 course cocktail pairing with charcuterie and desserts. However, the menu was never provided ahead of time, even when we contacted the bar ahead of time. The cocktails were decent, but unfortunately that did make up for the overall disappointing experience.The disappointment extended to the charcuterie board, or what was falsely advertised as such. Instead of an assortment of artisanal cured meats and complementary delicacies, we were presented with a meager board featuring lunch meat rolls, a solitary olive, and a quarter piece of celery. It was a school lunch rather than an upscale dining experience. You could pick up a better charcuterie board from a grocery store than what was served.Attempts to communicate with the staff ahead of time regarding gluten-free options went unanswered, leaving us in the dark about potential accommodations. Understandably, catering to dietary restrictions on a busy night like New Year's Eve can be challenging, but the lack of responsiveness only added to the overall frustration.The champagne, supposedly a highlight of the evening, tasted disappointingly similar to Welch's rather than a refined bubbly. As we ventured into the restroom facilities, the illusion of an upscale venue completely shattered. The state of disrepair—falling ceiling tiles, out-of-order signs—gave the impression of a run-down dive bar rather than the sophisticated speakeasy we had anticipated.The experience was so far from upscale that it bordered on comical. The cumulative disappointments reached a tipping point, and we decided not to endure the mediocrity any longer, leaving before finishing our drinks.Paying $216 for what can only be described as a joke of an experience was not just disheartening but also frustrating. It's regrettable to see such a promising concept fall short on execution. My advice: steer clear of this place, especially if you expect a memorable and enjoyable upscale speakeasy experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Can’t get a hold of them to save our life! Their number on their website is out of service. When we finally found their correct number, we called several times at different times at different times of the day, emailed, and reached out through social media and never received a response. This establishment might be a scam so watch out!
Service: 1
Reed was a great bartender! He knew the cocktails inside out and could recommend a specific gin for my palate. The atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for- cozy, dark, romantic but good music and you could still hear your date talking to you.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
A small lovely cocktail bar. The cocktail is great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Green Light is normally fantastic, but my most recent experience was less then pleasant, it was just before Christmas so one could expect Christmas music playing, but they had "trap"/"club" remixes of Christmas songs playing, and too loud, it left both me and my friend a bit disappointed as we had much better experiences before hand. The drinks were great as well as the service. I just wish they would be more careful as to how they curate the music they play and for the type of venue it is
Restaurantji Recommends
Very amazing intimate place. Such a bonus to find connected to the Architect Bar. Relaxing atmosphere and incredible cocktails. The bartender, Reid, made us feel right at home.
They weee great!! We had the best bartender!!! Asked for a tequila soda with some sprite and he made a homemade lemon like syrup for me. Great company, good vibes, good conversation, great drinks. Did I say good drinks?? Yea I did. They are awesome!! Swing by here on a night out for sure
Great place to go for a date
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chill vibes, it was a more unique and intimate experience. Make sure to get a reservation!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Stunning drinks every time. We love everything about this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5