Five Outside: Bar Edition

Where to imbibe outside Raleigh this month

1. The Slush

Durham

What is it about the dead of winter that makes us crave frozen drinks…?! Keepin’ us chill is The Slush, a frozen daiquiri lounge offering both nonalcoholic and alcoholic slushees made with a variety of spirits (plus optional floaters!) in the heart of downtown Durham. Transport yourself to the tropics with a colorful, fruity boozy frozen bev; then mark the occasion with The Slush’s ’Gram-worthy backdrop—great for snapping the perfect selfie. And on weekends, stick around for live DJs and rotating food trucks. @theslushdurham

2. Sauce’d

Wilmington

Get sauced—in more ways than one!—at downtown Wilmington’s new cocktail and fry bar (arguably the most genius concept we’ve ever heard of). Sip your way through the unique handcrafted (and ’Grammable!) cocktails while you dip four styles of french fries in 12 different sauces—think banana ketchup, cilantro lime aioli and sriracha mayo—either from the velvet stool-lined bar or out on the patio overlooking the Cape Fear River. Name a better duo than fries and cocktails—we’ll wait. saucedwilmington.com

3. Remedy Room/Rubies on Five Points

Durham

Downtown Durham’s new Remedy Room and Rubies on Five Points gives you a two-for-one choose-your-own-adventure night of entertainment. Located in the former two-story Criterion space in the Five Points District, Remedy Room offers drinks and shared plates on the first floor, while Rubies on Five Points features live music and DJs—with a focus on local artists—on the second floor. Owner Shawn Stokes (also the chef/owner of Luna Rotisserie) assures fans of Criterion that the old-school vibe of the downstairs will remain—with a new and improved refreshing aesthetic that makes for the perfect night out. remedyroomnc.com, rubiesnc.com

4. Pimiento Tea Room

Holly Springs

Pinkies up! Teatime gets a boozy upgrade at Pimiento Tea Room, an eclectic modern-day teahouse offering tea-infused cocktails and elevated tea sandwiches. Not your grandma’s classic cucumber and cream cheese-filled tea sandwiches, these bad boys rotate weekly and are piled high with anything from chickpea salad to hot dog frittatas (!) to roasted sweet potatoes. Essentially, you’ll need a fork and knife to eat them. Located in the refurbished 1840-built Brown-Holloway House, Pimiento Tea Room’s antique furnishings and vintage touches round out the teahouse experience and make you feel as if you’re sipping tea with the royals. pimientotearoom.com

5. THE ONE NINE

Cary

Say hello to your new favorite neighborhood bar and grill. The One Nine, which recently opened in Preston Corners, is a comfortable space for local sports enthusiasts, the afterwork crowd and anyone looking to wind down (or up!) from a round of golf at nearby Prestonwood Country Club—or just enjoy a beer after a long day. A concept by Raleigh-famous sports fans and foodies the Amra brothers (hey, Tobacco Road Sports Cafe!), The One Nine name pays homage to the Amras’ late father, a Marine who served in the 1st Battalion 9th Marines for three tours in Vietnam. oneninebar.com