If there’s one thing Raleigh loves, it’s a good drink. Proof positive? The thousands of votes that poured in for this year’s Best Bars. And after a record-breaking round of voting, we’re ready to spill the results. From immaculate martinis to sticky-floor legends, this year’s picks reflect every side of Raleigh’s pouring prowess: new classics, reinvented legends and the places you keep coming back to—no matter the moment. In essence, it’s Raleigh’s top-shelf bev scene, expertly shaken, unapologetically stirred… and proven where it matters most—at the bar. See who shook and stirred their way to the top—and which top ’tender is taking home the Golden Shaker. Your mission now? Go toast the winners. Bottoms up!
Best Overall
Gussie’s There’s bars—and there’s Gussie’s. Maintaining Best Overall with the kind of inevitability that happens only when a place nails both timeless and timely, the midday-to-midnight, no-frills, “new version of an old idea” hit Raleigh squarely in the feels from day one—less a debut and more the return of something we didn’t know was missing. Serving comfort, community and killer cocktails in equal measure, the vibey Warehouse District haunt is a toast to the neighborhood bar of generations past—rooted in namesake co-owner Clayton O’Kane’s great-grandfather. With warm wood, colorful wallpaper and cozy nooks delivering that lived-in feel, it’s comfort without kitsch, cocktails without pretense and a come-as-you-are energy Raleigh can’t get enough of—whether tucking in for a beer and a shot, a seasonal stunner by 2024 Bartender of the Year Kaylah Thomas, or a housemade soda with bangin’ bar bites worth the belly-up alone. Part third place, part clubhouse, part “I’ll have what she’s having,” Gussie’s is the kind of bar that meets you exactly where you are. Raleigh didn’t just find a new fave hang—it found its next institution. Warehouse District, @gussiesraleigh
William & Company Tucked in a quiet corner of Oakwood, a revolution has been unfolding. Cornering the, well, bar on craft cocktails and vibes, Willco (to those in the know) has been amassing a cult following since its first pour in 2015. The brainchild of mezcal maven Liliana “Lily” Ballance, the cozy 40-seat Latin-leaning cave is at once a love letter to Mexico and Raleigh—and to Ballance’s son, Liam (aka William). Part late-night groove den, part neighborhood living room, the moody, eclectic space hums with candlelight, Latin rhythms, DJ deep cuts, Day of the Dead masks, traditional relics and an unmistakable sense of belonging. Regulars wander in to scan the chalkboard for the night’s creations—or slip into back bar La Veladora, housing a deep bench of rare mezcals, small-batch tequilas and elusive agave spirits curated with near reverence. The electric vibes extend outdoors in the newly bloomed vibrant Mexican-inspired oasis spilling colors, herbs, edible flowers and vibrant pots—like abuela’s garden, but with mezcal. Crafting cocktails with intention—and heart—Willco begs you to “stay up all night and get lit,” and Raleigh is here for it. In spirit(s), it’s a cultural anchor with a point of view—and a community. Seaboard & Person Street District, @willcobar
Willco | Photo by Forrest Mason Media
Best New Bar
Mr. Henry Matthew Bettinger (SideBar, Hank’s, former C. Grace) knows how to set a mood—and at Mr. Henry, Village District’s first true cocktail bar, the atmosphere is the point. A mod-classic lounge Raleighites instantly swooned over, the space leans into dark wood details, posh green stools, wraparound leather seating and equestrian art—channeling Ralph Lauren’s NYCPolo Bar. Like a classic London pub, it works just as well for a post-work draft Guinness as it does for lingering over refined classics and house cocktails. Polished without being precious, it’s a sanctuary with swagger—and proof Raleigh’s cocktail scene is officially off to the races. Village District, @mrhenrybar
The Bend A cocktail lounge with the soul of a neighborhood anchor, The Bend gives life to a restored 100-plus-year-old Morgan Street cottage—lending the “bend” a confident new chapter that bridges the Warehouse District and Hillsborough Street Corridor without trying too hard. The brainchild of the Trophy Brewing team, the buzzy newcomer dials things way up from the brand’s brewery roots, centering the room around an uber-sleek circular bar with halo-style overhead shelving that pulls people in for a pour. Warm wood, soft neutrals and glow-up lighting round out the timeless loungey mood… and when patio weather peaks, the fire pit-dotted, light-strewn backyard calls—easy, social and unmistakably Raleigh.Warehouse District, @thebendraleigh
Best Whiskey Bar
Dram & Draught It’s not about liquor—it’s about lore. At this point, Dram isn’t just winning Best Whiskey Bar—it owns the category. From its earliest days as a repurposed filling station to its rise as the southern anchor of Glenwood South, Dram has been doing some serious whiskey business—and confidently becoming one of Raleigh’s most reliable constants. The room still dazzles—towering shelves of bottles accessed by rolling ladder and a list deep enough to feel encyclopedic—but the real flex is how effortlessly it works for everyone. From sunlit midafternoon to after-dark sips under the bar’s signature green glow—rare pours, seasonal cocktails and go-to drams intoxicate the senses in equal measure. Never intimidating, Dram scores because it never stopped doing what it does best: setting the standard. Glenwood South, @dramanddraught
Dram & Draught | Photo by Albright Studio
Foundation If Raleigh had a film noir-coded underworld, this would be its safe house. Down a set of concrete stairs past that unmistakable red neon gleam, Foundation feels less like a bar and more like a rite of passage—subterranean, brick-walled and steeped in a kind of sexy crimson-lit menace that’s been drawing devotees underground for more than a decade. The lighting stays low, the alt-rock leans reverie, and the whiskey lineup does not play around. It’s where the city’s most serious brown-liquor enthusiasts convene, whether chasing the Whiskey of the Week Fire Sale or settling in for something rare, smoky and reverent. Sinister? A smidge. Seductive? Always. It isn’t just a best whiskey bar—it’s the one that taught the city how to drink it properly. Fayetteville Street District, @foundation_bar
Best Dive Bar
Stella’s If a dive bar were a girl, she’d be Stella’s—the whimsical, welcoming, unapologetically one-of-a-kind West Street watering hole that feels like an extension of your living room (if it had vintage posters, vinyls and risqué mag cutouts in the bathroom). A year’s worth of parties and pop-ups have dressed the place in its own lovable chaos—topped off with bracelet-making, games, live music and a literal mailbox for your secrets. Add in cheery bartenders with bestie energy, cold affordable cans, a THC bev or pretty-in-pink cocktail, and it’s clear why Stella’s is that girl. Cow-ch or patio perch, the certified good-times bar invites anyone and everyone to take a seat and stay awhile. Smoky Hollow, @stellasonwest
Johnson Street Yacht Club Giving serious dive bar-meets-dock club energy, JSYC brings a laid-back beachy feel to the heart of the city—no frills, all play, slightly sarcastic and “salty as hell.” Below deck, find standard grungy dive vibes (pool table, quippy bathroom decor, and industry-standby chalkboard specials like Rumple and well drinks). Upstairs shifts full boardwalk mode via umbrella-dotted tables, deck chairs, twinkly lights and fan-fave slushies. The true headliner, though, remains the blue slide connecting top to bottom—hella fast and promising to raise spirits in more ways than one. Glenwood South, @jsyachtclub
Best Cocktail Bar
Gussie’s The good-ole-time neighborhood bar snagged Best Overall for its come-one, come-all satisfy-any-hankering vibe—but it has clearly cornered the market on cocktails (see: “Old Friends” and “New Friends,” house shooters, and vine juice). It’s precision meets play, classics meet creativity—and why for any reason, season or occasion, you’ll find yourself saying “Let’s go to Gussie’s.” Warehouse District, @gussiesraleigh
William & Company Willco is best overall for its soul and scene—but the cocktails are the spine. Built on mezcalita Lily Ballance’s deep reverence for her roots, the program leans obsessive in the best way across a litany of Latin liquors (and any spirit you crave)—all poured with intention. From chalkboard originals to back-bar deep cuts, this is where Raleigh drinks with purpose—and stays awhile. Seaboard & Person Street District, @willcobar
Best Rooftop Bar
High Rail A shift in perspective, Hyatt House Seaboard Station’s rooftop escape pairs panoramic skyline views—rarely seen from this side of the city—with elevated ’tails and globally inspired bites that ignite the senses. A summit of flavor and style, the sophisticated space nods to Raleigh’s industrial heritage while inviting guests to sip, snack and settle in—whether perched at the mod interior horseshoe bar or out on the built-for-all-seasons fireplace-dotted terrace. Seaboard Station, @highrailraleigh
High Rail | Photo by Neil Boyd PhotographyUrban Oak | Photo by Drew Gorrie
Urban Oak Raleigh’s tallest rooftop bar earns its bragging rights—and then some. Worth scaling to the top of the Tempo hotel, Urban Oak delivers skyline drama without trying too hard. Original ’tails with cheeky names like Thyme Warp and Not Your Basic B**** are a force to be reckoned with, while the expansive, sophisticated space invites you to linger on your own terms—no matter the mood or moment. See: the open-air light-strung terrace dotted with cozy couches and lush greenery; a covered and heated south patio for cooler nights; and the sleek black-and-gold interior anchored by a faux oak tree that grounds the space. It all comes together high above the city with a vibe that holds steady from golden hour to after-dark, all with unmistakable main-character energy. Warehouse District, @urbanoakraleigh
Best Speakeasy
Watts & Ward
John Wick meets jazz noir burrowed beneath the DTR streets in a booze-soaked moody hideaway with a criminal past and cult following. Founded on the rebel past of the Watts (1903) and Ward (1905) acts that tried—and failed—to crush our state’s free “spirits,” the so-named Watts & Ward layers vintage library leanings with dark, sexy leather-clad seduction, conjuring the ghosts of Raleigh’s past as much as it defines the now. It’s not just a mood—it’s a movement. Prohibition never stood a chance. Moore Square District, @wattsandward
Sous Terre Time slows—then slips entirely—at Sous Terre (nee Atlantic Lounge), Scott Crawford’s key-entry-only basement bar tucked beneath Jolie and Crawford and Son. Candlelight flickers, the room hums low, and sultry seating frame a divine cocktail menu crafted by Beverage Director Jordan Joseph and executed by a razor-sharp bar team, including 2025 People’s Choice winner Sean McKinney. This jewel box basement doesn’t bother with the basics like G&T. Instead, elevated, inventive pours playing with unique flavors and textures manifest as drinks that arrive composed, linger on the palate and quietly demand just one more round. It’s intimate, indulgent and just elusive enough to feel like a secret you earned. Seaboard & Person Street District, @barsousterre
Sous Terre | Photo by Jessica Crawford
Best Patio Bar
The Longleaf Lounge It’s no coincidence The Longleaf has a Michelin Key—but the real magic happens outdoors. Tucked beside the retro-cool motor lodge facade, the patio is Raleigh’s ultimate hidden-in-plain-sight escape: light-strung, fire pit-dotted and layered with lived-in lounge pockets that feel more backyard bougee than hotel bar. Blankets appear when the temperature dips, heaters keep the glow going year-round, and the skyline peeks through just enough to remind you where you are. It’s equal parts cozy and cinematic—the kind of place that turns one “wait, this is a hotel?” cocktail into a long linger and makes time feel optional. For locals, it’s a go-to; for visitors, it’s the reason they wish they were. Capital District, @thelongleaflounge
The Avenue A hang on The Avenue patio feels less like going out and more like showing up. Equal parts house party, tailgate and neighborhood hang, the Glenwood South staple delivers open-air chaos (the good kind) straight out of Animal House—rowdy in spirit, dialed in where it counts. TVs line the massive turf-dotted patio, while a drink menu runs the gamut from Surfsides and cold beers to coffee shots and a solid roster of spirits. Add fire pits, yard games, billiards, plenty of people-watching and legit specials, and it all plants the patio flag for year-round open-air energy. Day drinking or night drifting, pregaming or game-daying, The Avenue isn’t just an option—it’s the play. Glenwood South, @theavenueraleigh
Best Craft Beer Bar
State of Beer State of Beer is a state of mind—period. The brainchild of Trophy Brewing, the long-beloved Hillsborough Street anchor has expanded its territory to “the bend” of Morgan—staking its claim on an up-and-coming stretch with a bevy of brews and standalone sippers. Blurring the lines between bottle shop, sando shop and bar, it’s the kind of curated casual hang that proves year after year it’s still the best state to be in. Capital District & Warehouse District, @stateofbeernc
Pelagic Beer & Wine Small but mighty, Pelagic proves a great craft beer bar can lead with both taste and intention, with a dedication for good that goes far beyond the glass. The cozy, down-to-earth hang keeps its focus tight across a thoughtfully curated selection of craft beer, wine and cider sourced solely from independent producers—many chosen as much for their values as their flavors, with a portion of every pour supporting ocean conservation and environmental nonprofits, without ever tipping preachy. Instead, Pelagic has become a true neighborhood North Star, equally suited for sidewalk sipping, unique bottle/can procuring or community-minded hangs (run club, book club). Feel-good in every sense, it’s craft beer with a purpose—and a place Raleigh is clearly happy to rally around. Seaboard & Person Street District, @pelagicbeer
Pelagic
Best LGBTQ+ Bar
Legends Legendary doesn’t even begin to cover it. Since opening its doors in 1991, Raleigh’s high-energy sparkle-filled nightclub has become a bona fide institution, rallying DTR’s “Gayborhood”—and setting the standard for both revelry and inclusivity. “Where the party never stops,” the iconic multiroom club stays packed and pulsing with dancing, live shows, and drag performances hyping local talent and top-tier names, from RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Dawn and Xunami Muse to Irene the Alien and Sam Star. Not just here for the party (though they throw one hell of one), Legends provides a place of belonging, self-expression and celebration—where you can be your most authentic self, no matter how you identify. Warehouse District, @legendsraleigh
Flex Nightclub Blink and you’d miss it—but step inside and Flex hits at full volume: hard to ignore and impossible to resist. A longtime fixture now in its second home, the unassuming nightclub has built its rep on variety—cycling through drag shows, karaoke, dance parties, go-go dancers and rotating theme nights that keep the energy unpredictable and the crowd eclectic. One night you’re throwing dollar bills; the next, you’re getting down with your bad self or flexing your vocal cords—but as long as you’re doing it with pride, you’re exactly where you belong. Because Flex isn’t about posturing—it’s about showing up, letting loose and finding your people, whoever they are. Warehouse District, @flexnightclub
Best Brewery
Trophy Brewing Co. Born on West Morgan with a humble 14 seats, Trophy Brewing has since spilled into a full-on bottle revolution. On any given Saturday—or Monday or Wednesday, etc.—the brew master’s constellation of hangs from Morgan and Maywood to The Bend and brand-new Trophy Five Points calls locals to shed the hustle, unwind and settle in for a little affair with a Trophy Wife (or whatever you fancy). The quintessential essence of Cheers of Raleigh’s craft scene, every day spent drinking a Trophy feels like a 70s-and-sunny Fleetwood Mac B-side—chill, nostalgic, undeniably vibey… and always golden. Multiple locations, @trophybrewing
Trophy Brewing | Photo by Albright Studio
Crank Arm Brewing Crank Arm doesn’t chase trends—it grinds them down. Housed in an industrial warehouse space, the longtime brewer has built its calling on beer, bikes and unpolished authenticity. The concrete floors have stories, the patio feels forever in session, and the crowd rolls refreshingly real—from Lycra-clad post-ride regulars to locals who just know where the good stuff lives. The beer lineup stays rock-solid, backed by weird-in-the-best-way can art that is less “Road Hazard” and more “Gettin’ Rad” for an energy that never feels manufactured. It’s not shiny. It’s not trendy. It’s just a hardworking brewery outlasting an ever-churning scene—still standing, still pouring, still winning. Warehouse District, @crankarmbrew
Best Live Entertainment Bar
Moon Room It’s the kind of late-night lair Nicole Kidman would’ve headlined had Moulin Rouge materialized in Smoky Hollow. Behind the velvet curtain, you’ll find Raleigh’s newest nocturnal obsession: a cabaret-cosmic escape where the vibes go dark and moody, the jazz is live, the vinyl spins deep and the mood is pure reverie. Quietly resurrecting the sultry spirit of C. Grace with near-nightly jam sessions, weekend sets and DJs spinning deep cuts, Moon Room is a cocktail-drenched haunt for long-stretching nights and a little moonlit-mischief that’s downright transportive. In essence, Raleigh’s most celestial soundtrack made tangible. Smoky Hollow, @m_o_o_n_r_o_o_m
Moon Room | Photo by @jzy.lens
Tap Yard What once felt like a playground dream has settled into something far better: a bona fide community hub that actually works. Tap Yard’s sprawling 1-acre beer garden doubles as a neighborhood bar and music venue—where live tunes anchor the energy and set the stage for everything else to orbit effortlessly around it. The lineup loads a steady stream of local acts, while the massive outdoor space keeps the vibe loose—basically everything a backyard hang should be with TVs, games galore and room to roam for the kiddos (human and canine), except with food trucks… and none of the cleanup. Tap Yard proves that when the vibe’s right, the concept is humble and the space is generous, the crowd follows. East Mordecai/Oakwood, @tapyardraleigh
Best Wine Bar
The Hippo Wine Bar & Shop Wine without pretense is uncorked at North South Hospitality’s friendly neighborhood vino haven. Revamped early last year, The Hippo leans into intimate seating, greenery and natural textures—think handmade tile and West Africa-inspired patterns—creating a space that feels instantly inviting. From the team behind Gussie’s and led by manager Undra Lovelace, the Moore Square mainstay doubles as a place to discover your next favorite bottle (seriously, just tell Lovelace what you like and trust the process) or settle in for your go-to glass. Add snacks, wine classes and pop-up vinyl sessions, and one pour is all it takes to feel right at home. Moore Square District, @hippowinebar
Vita Vite Where wine bar meets art gallery, Vita Vite has long known how to fill Raleigh’s glass—creating sweet moments that intoxicate long after the bottle runs dry. While its Downtown den recently shuttered, the polished North Hills outpost carries the torch, serving as a natural gathering place for intimate date nights, casual happy hours, solo wind-downs and lingering afternoons alike—whether sprawled on homey couches or perched on the terrace overlooking Midtown Park. Wherever you land, the ritual remains: wine first, followed closely with a build-your-own charcuterie board that turns grazing itself into an art form. In the end, it’s exactly what a great wine bar should be—unfussy, social and quietly satisfying. Call it a perfectly paired indulgence—so good, you almost forgot this was the whole point. Midtown, @vitaviteraleigh
Best Restaurant Bar
Madre Mother may I, indeed. Whether it’s the dripping candlewax, the sultry low-lit mood or the quietly seductive energy, Madre is the rare restaurant you’d happily post up to solely for a sip at the bar—and often do. Yes, the small plates land—but it’s those perfectly dialed pours that set the tempo. The bar pulses with a mature buzzy ease: packed but never cluttered, convivial without chaos, electric without being exhausting. Call it a hip happy hour at your mom’s house—if your mom had a statement double-tier canopy light, a killer spirits lineup and a knack for hosting the city’s most stylish regulars. Smoky Hollow, @madreraleigh
MadreWhiskey Kitchen
Whiskey Kitchen It’s not all whiskey business at Whiskey Kitchen—but let’s start there. With a stunning bar and deep bench of hundreds of whiskeys, the Nash Square-fronting staple sets the tone fast. And the always-buzzy bar puts the massive bottle collection front and center—never mind the classic and house specialties spotlighting not just top-shelf pours, but seasonal flavors and house concoctions. Add in Southern-leaning dishes like the cult-fave buttermilk and sweet tea-marinated chicken sando and you’ve got yourself a cure-all for hunger, thirst and any occasion that ails you. Warehouse District, @whiskey.kitchen
Best Bar Food
My Way Tavern When you want things your way, your best bet is My Way—and the tavern does exactly what it promises. A Glenwood South staple since 2010, the easygoing spot has mastered the art of feeding whatever kind of night you’re having—or recovering from. The menu runs deep on comfort classics done right—think all-American faves like wings, nachos, burgers, sammies, loaded spuds, and unapologetically decadent mac and cheese… even grilled salmon and chicken Parm if you’re in the mood for something a little more elevated. Add 22 brews on tap, daily specials, late-night bites and TV-lined indoor-outdoor setup, and you’ve got a bar where the food isn’t an afterthought—it’s the reason you stay for another round. Glenwood South, @mywayraleigh
Standard Beer + Food There’s nothing standard about this hip locale that nails the elusive balance between casual and considered—across food, drink, atmosphere and service—without ever tipping into try-hard territory. Inside, the mod light-filled interior buzzes; outside, the backyard beer garden keeps things social. And redefining your standard bar fare, the kitchen delivers, from craveable skirt steak tacos and shareable starters (spicy tuna tartare, crab and artichoke dip) to a smash burger ranking best in town. The sips follow suit: well-executed, approachable and just playful enough with frozen concoctions that feel smart instead of gimmicky. Consistent, buzzy and reliably good, Standard has mastered what so many bars chase—and few land. Seaboard & Person Street District, @standard_beerfood
Standard Beer + Food | Photo by Natalie Rich
Best Burbs Bar
SideBar SideBar doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not—and that’s exactly why it works. Striking the sweet spot between neighborhood watering hole and polished cocktail bar, Matthew Bettinger’s (Hank’s, Mr. Henry) perennial pourhouse consistently delivers. The drinks are the headline, where an inventive menu blends classics and house specialties, backed by beer, wine, thoughtful NA selects, and a reliable beer-and-shot pairing. Add cozy corners, a striking bar and eye-catching attention to detail, and the Cary heavyweight becomes the rare come-as-you-are spot that’s everything you need it to be for any occasion—or no occasion at all. Cary, @sidebarnc
Dram & Draught At this point, it’s instinct. Dram doesn’t just travel well—it translates. The Fenton foray has claimed Best Suburbs Bar every year since opening, proving what made the bar iconic works just as seamlessly beyond city limits. The formula remains undefeated: towering shelves, a whiskey list deep enough to feel scholarly, immaculately dialed seasonal sips and a space that knows how to flex. Inside, the signature bibliotheque sets the tone; outside, patio and rooftop perches turn a short commute into an all-night affair. It’s polished without being pretentious, serious about spirits without feeling stiff—and, if you’re not in Cary, worth the drive every single time. Cary, @dramanddraughtcary
Carolina Ale House Catching a game at Ale House just hits different. A go-to long before the first whistle and long after the final buzzer, the sports-bar staple has outlasted trends, bandwagons and whatever rebuild your team is in. With sports memorabilia plastered on the walls, bar fare built for game day, and a crowd that rides every high and low, it’s as reliable as the seventh-inning stretch and as current as tonight’s score. A place that stays undefeated in all its scrappy, no-frills glory, Ale House is where wins get loud, losses get litigated and game-day spills way beyond the grid iron—like the real MVP it is. Multiple locations, @carolinaalehouse
The Side Door She’s not just a side chick—she’s the main character. Low-lit and quietly confident, The Side Door delivers a polished cocktail experience without Downtown fuss. The menu holds itself to a high standard, built on fresh ingredients and from-scratch juices and syrups that keep the focus squarely on the drinks. Tucked beside V Pizza, the refined refuge pairs modest digs and live music with an effortless neighborhood ease—plus the undeniable perk of grabbing a pie next door—checking all the boxes for exactly the kind of spot you want on repeat. Cary, @thesidedoornc
After sitting empty for two-plus years, the much-buzzed-about Sawmill Tap Room is finally getting new life.
It’s time for swine. Longleaf Swine, that is. The ’cue crew is set to take over the long-buzzed-about—and long-defunct—former Sawmill Tap Room space, piggybacking on its DTR cred and the Tap Room’s uberpopular North Raleigh location with a second helping next fall.
In talks since February, the team has officially inked the deal, thanks to the efforts of Elm Partners continued efforts to save Raleigh’s soul one building at a time: “We’re really just trying to put good people in good places,” says Elm Managing Partner Nick Wilson. “That’s the most important thing to us.”
And so they have—finally putting an end to the ~two-and-a-half year vacancy, and perhaps easing the collective frustration over why the nearly 25-year North Raleigh staple was pushed out, only to sit empty. (The CliffsNotes catchup: Owners were left “shocked and heartbroken” after the landlord reportedly declined to renew their lease amid ~$1 million interior reno demands they couldn’t take on—forcing them to shutter in May 2023.) Ironically, it’s Tap Room’s distinct character that’s sparked the loudest lament.
Courtesy of Longleaf Swine
Now, turning over a new leaf, Longleaf is primed to rewrite the story—bringing its big, bold barbecue and bevs to a grander stage, as the larger footprint gives the cult-fave pitmasters room to expand their reach. “It’s a chance for us to serve more of Raleigh in a larger way,” says Longleaf owner/operator Adam Cunningham. The new hub will also house their catering ops—making it a one-stop for smoke, spice and everything in between.
Leading up to the debut, expect a full gut and glow-up courtesy of style architect Dustin Slemp (of Dose Yoga and Olivero design fame), complete with a total reno to resurrect the landmark with Longleaf’s signature trays, sandos, shareables, sides and “wings & things”—not to mention its range of local to less-local beers, seltzers, wine and spirits. And calling the whole crew to the “pigpen,” there’s plenty to feed the “little piggies,” plus weekly specials (Noodle Night! Fish Fryday!) to keep the fam coming back for more.
All told, it’s not just a new locale—it’s a bold second act. Longleaf Swine is set to do the Tap Room legacy proud by turning up the heat, raising the stakes and (figuratively) setting North Raleigh aflame.
Beer drinking is down—so what’s brewing for local breweries?
In sobering news for local breweries, for the second year in a row, the North Carolina Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association reports beer drinking is down.
To wit, several Raleigh breweries tapped out: New Anthem Beer Project and Clouds Brewing Downtown abruptly shuttered—the former after less than a year of business—while Little City Brewing morphed into Flour & Barrel, with brewing operations continuing under a different name.
In spite of those closures, a recent wave of breweries has saturated the market—and Little City’s transition signifies a shifting demand. As such, local brewers are optimistic about craft beer’s future in Raleigh—even though the key to growth, they say, includes getting comfortable with not everyone wanting to drink their beer.
Sound counterintuitive? Maybe, but these brewers say appealing to as many people as they can will keep the good times—and beer—flowing.
Now, adds Adam Eckhardt, owner of community-embedded Crank Arm Brewing, “you need to have a wide variety of offerings to appeal to the non-beer drinkers in a group.” Accordingly, upon the passage of late 2023 legislation allowing breweries to sell mixed beverages, Eckhardt quickly added a cocktail program to its supplemental wine, seltzer and cider offerings to broaden its appeal.
While Clouds Brewing was initially reluctant to add hard liquor to taproom menus—because brewerygoers naturally drink beer, right?—the go-to now pours cocktails in its Durham and Chapel Hill locales, with plans to add spirits to its Raleigh taproom. “If you have a group of five people,” says co-owner Matt MacNeil, “one or two will drink beer the whole time, but the rest will want to move on to other options.”
Beyond spirits, MacNeil says he’s also seen more people gravitating toward THC beverages and exploring nonalcoholic options, both of which he’s added to the lineup, similar to Bond Brothers. And these strategies seem to be working.
Local breweries like Crank Arm are on the rebound, with a recently bowed Durham location joining Clouds’ Brightleaf Square locale. Clouds also has its eyes set on opening additional spots, while Bond Brothers continues to make progress on its latest addition, NoCo Beverage, slated to bow in the Salvage Yard development across from Raleigh Iron Works.
Not to be left out, Voodoo Brewing is breaking onto the DTR scene; Raleigh heavy hitter Trophy Brewing expects to crack open its seventh location with Trophy Five Points in 2026, and newcomer Crooked Hammock is slated to soon tap in the Crabtree Corridor as well.
In essence, “beer is starting to bounce back,” says Standard Beer + Food brewmaster and co-owner Whit Baker, also of the popular Bond Brothers Beer Company in Cary. He adds the 3 to 4% dip made a huge impact for breweries that weren’t focused on giving customers what they want.
Ultimately, what it all comes down to is customer service, says Flour & Barrel’s Anthony Rapillo, and to ensure you can deliver a drink for the mood of the moment. “If people focus on that, new breweries can be successful,” he says. Looks like there’s a hoppy ending in store for local breweries after all.
A veritable spirited playground, Raleigh has no shortage of bars for boozy occasions—and quite the range, from high (rooftop recesses and luxurious lounges) to low (underground hooch havens and divey dens of debauchery) to the most modern of cocktail “meeting houses.” And, rightfully so, Raleigh remains the life of the party, attracting thirsty revelers statewide for all passions, purposes and poisons—think the craftiest of cocktails, sommelier selects, a Glenwood South romp or cheap shot at a dive. And answering the burning question of where to grab a drink for the mood of the moment is our annual Best Bars across a range of categories. This year, y’all called the shots in record numbers, with many too-close-to-calls coming down to the wire, including our superheated race for Best Bartender. Here, your 2023 class of Best Bars, from OG heavyweights to newcomers shaking up the scene. Consider this your new bar bible or bucket list. Cheers!
Dram & Draught | Photo by Kyle Ketchel
Best Overall
Dram & Draught ☀️ From the moment the OG garage door rolled up on this whiskey-dense watering hole, Raleigh was all in. Already etching itself in our city’s lifeblood, the six-time Best Overall winner (now with seven locations under its belt) has earned a spot on our Best Bars list every year since inception thanks to its edgy-meets-welcoming vibe, in-the-know friendly bartenders, vast whiskey selection and seasonal cocktails that never miss (NTM beer, wine and mocktails to boot). But the best thing about this true neighborhood bar is it stays humble, remaining a mainstay for all imbibers and occasions—whether for a solo beer and a shot after work, a round of pre-dinner cocktails with friends, a work outing or a date night. We think it’s safe to say Dram is a true Raleigh treasure—and we’ve certainly struck gold that it calls the City of Oaks home. Glenwood South, @dramanddraught
Aunty Betty’s ☀️ At first blush, this art- and greenery-soaked “low-key AF” establishment is a bar with a food hall in its closet—but it’s so much more than that. Through an unassuming door, the tucked-away drinking den dubbed for owner Niall Hanley’s Irish aunt is a welcoming mecca for gin, absinthe and cocktail lovers with a hankering for a well-done bev in a colorful-yet-moody atmosphere. It’s funky. It’s eccentric. It’s homey. It’s the kind of place you’d find the cooling agent in your G&T sawed from a flawless 30-pound block of ice via a sawzall and large serrated knife… or a $8 Negroni on Negroni Night that’s equally as good—if not better—than the $15 one you’d find at a stuffy cocktail bar. Precisely what makes Betty our fave aunt. Warehouse District, @auntybettysbar
William & Company ☀️ Willco is a vibe. Period. At once cozy yet cool and moody yet energized, the space gets its hip factor from comfy couches, pink neon signs, Mexican relics, local art for sale on the walls, Latin music in the background, colorful metal tables out front (the place to be when the weather’s nice)—and just a general feeling of camaraderie. You’ll rub shoulders with industry folks, couples on date night, groups of friends unwinding, and regulars who post up at the bar and know everyone’s name. You might dance to a lively local DJ or opt to tuck into a corner and observe. You will absolutely peruse the chalkboard menu for whatever specials the bartenders have dreamt up for the night, or ask for a shot of their favorite tequila (or mezcal at back bar La Veladora). And after a drink or two, you’ll find there’s no place you’d rather be. Seaboard & Person Street District, @willcobar
One part whiskey bar, one part Southern kitchen. Whiskey Kitchen is a hip destination for inventive, regionally-inspired dishes, craft cocktails and an extensive selection of over 300 whiskies from around the world. (Brian Strickland, courtesy of Visit Raleigh)
Best Whiskey Bar
Dram & Draught ☀️ Maybe it’s the binder full of 300+ whiskeys, or the Lex Luthor-esque ladder bartenders climb for that high-end “registered lubrication”—or, TBH, any of the seasonal craft cocktails—but this transcendent tippling haven is already so ingrained in Raleigh’s identity it’s become a go-to, whether you’re 25 or 80, looking for a lowkey outing with friends or to get down on one knee. Talk about legendary. Glenwood South, @dramanddraught You’ll find us drinking:If you’re not drinking an Old-Fashioned, you’re doing it wrong
Whiskey Kitchen ☀️🍽 If you need some whiskey glasses to shield the truth a la Morgan Wallen, this ~600+ massive whiskey collection at the hands of talented ’tenders mixing up a master class on the daily is a good place to start—and the craft spirits and savory Southern fare a fine finish. In essence, the alfresco-esque open-air sleek wooden barroom with roll-up garage door and year-round umbrella-dotted light-strung patio always stack up Shaq height. Warehouse District, @whiskey.kitchen You’ll find us drinking: Whiskey sour
Foundation ☀️ Lowering the bar (in the best way possible) is this dank too-cool-for-school unassuming underground drinking den where a semihidden stairway aglow in a distinct vibey red light gives way to exposed brick—only to uncover the “goodliest drinks under the cope of heaven.” Letting go of your inhibitions never felt—or tasted—so good. Fayetteville Street District, @foundation_bar You’ll find us drinking: Anything with bourbon, honestly
Best Cocktail Bar
Aunty Betty’s ☀️ If you had an Aunty Betty, she’d be an eclectic booze hound—and this would be her living room, complete with colorful murals and crafty spins on gin, cocktails (that Negroni though), anime-themed drinks, ’tinis and the like… worthy of, well, a perennial Best Bars flex. Warehouse District, @auntybettysbar You’ll find us drinking: A good ’ol G&T
Flask Cocktail Bar ☀️🍽 Not all cool cocktail concepts are Downtown—and Flask can forward the receipts. Proximal regulars and the North Raleigh curious swap the DTR buzz for the night to wash away reality in this trendy V Pizza-adjacent sister spot that could just as easily be mistaken for a craft bar in Manhattan. Northwest Raleigh, @flaskcocktailbar You’ll find us drinking: There’s always a ”Time and Place” for tequila and mezcal
Killjoy ☀️ Killjoys, ahem, meet their match via NA mocktails, low-ABV sippers + plenty of seasonal cocktails and crafted shots. So, whether drinking a lot, a little, none at all or going damp on occasion, it’s always just right. NTM ’Gram-worthy surrounds, leather couches, swanky intimate spaces and a verdant covered patio promise a fit for Goldilocks in any mood. Smoky Hollow, @killjoycocktail You’ll find us drinking: Espresso martinis. Always.
Best Craft Beer Bar
Raleigh Beer Garden ☀️🍽 🎶 We see your German beer garden and raise you this three-time Guinness World Records holder. With quite the garden variety—read: 380+ beers on tap (ciders, sours, saisons, meads and the like)—the sprawling three floors of themed bars (NC, international, etc.), expansive back patio and game-dotted “event field,” NTM bar food galore, continues to dominate the ranks of finest U.S. beer gardens. Czech mate! Glenwood South, @raleighbeergarden You’ll find us drinking: One of the local draft taps on the first-floor NC bar
Flying Saucer ☀️🍽 If these plate-adorned walls could talk, they’d spill decades of tea—er, beer, which the crafty sip spot’s been slinging by the pint since before craft beer was a catchphrase. And those plates? They belong to “Beerknurds” with a lot of sip equity (aka imbibers who drank 200 different brews). So, for beer enthusiasts, like kissing the ring. Warehouse District, @flyingsaucerraleigh You’ll find us drinking: Anything from the tap wall
House of Hops ☀️ Raleigh is a beer destination—and sitting squarely at the intersection of craft and draft, House of Hops is a must-stop. A never-ending tailgate (cornhole! pong!) fit for tots and waggly tales to boot, the hundreds-deep bottles and cans + smart rotating sips so sated hops heads’ thirst that the family affair expanded its footprint across town—because life is, indeed, a highway. Midtown East & Northwest Raleigh, @houseofhops_raleigh You’ll find us drinking: Seasonal selects + NA for that zero-proof life
Raleigh, N.C. is no stranger to mouth-watering brews and offers up numerous local hotspots dedicated to the craft. (Brian Strickland, courtesy of Visit Raleigh)
Best Brewery
Trophy Brewing Co. ☀️🍽 In a golden age of craft brewing, Trophy tapped the local brewery scene with just 14 seats on Morgan. Today, that mammoth pizza-pub paradise is just one of its ever-growing brain trust of buzzy locales (see p. 20) that serve as welcoming hoppy havens for come-as-you-are locals looking to kick back. So, the ~trophyworthy~ brews were predestined really. … Hold my crown! Warehouse District, @trophybrewing You’ll find us drinking: Trophy Wife—natch
Crank Arm Brewing ☀️ Backpedaling every thought you ever had about a “biker” bar, Raleigh’s most active brewery gives cycologists a community, and those who haven’t ridden since they got keys a stomping—er, drinking—grounds. From the fitting crank arm logo to the relaxed warehousey environs to the funky can art (s/o local design firm Saturday’s Gravy), it turns your basic brewery into an equal-opp haze craze. Warehouse District, @crankarmbrew You’ll find us drinking: White Wall Wheat—and a cocktail for our “I don’t drink beer” tagalong
Clouds Brewing ☀️🍽 Whether uptown in the taproom or Downtown hunkered down sipping your way through 30 taps, you’re no doubt getting lost in the purple haze—aka the lavender glow emitting from the adjacent “powerhouse” or that craft beer afterglow (same, same)… especially out on the sun-soaked patio. Either way, the “German beer capital of the Triangle” with its always-fire stocks of sudsy sips’ll always keep your head in the clouds. Midtown East & Smoky Hollow, @cloudsbrewingtaproom; @cloudsbrewingraleigh You’ll find us drinking: Clouds Accumülation amber lager or a bloody from the bloody mary bar
Best Restaurant Bar
Madre ☀️🍽 Madre is the moment—and its bar, the Hollow hang. Sure the small plates are orbital, but so is the bar with its menagerie of minglers who go adulting here—think buzzing standing room, but not in the annoying cheap liquor + so loud you can’t hear kinda way. More like, just stepped into a hip happy-hour hang at your mom’s house—especially if your ma has an alluring double-tiered canopy light (a flex!). Smoky Hollow, @madreraleigh You’ll find us drinking: A Madre margarita
Vidrio 🍽 If this elevated ’Grammable resto were an art museum, its bar would be the underrated exhibit only the real connoisseurs know about. A work of art itself (peep hanging wood rods and metal caged lamps), the dedicated colorful cocktail corner is a truly inviting space to sip and stay awhile, where thirsty imbibers go to see and be seen nightly—whether waiting for a table or as the main event. Glenwood South, @vidrioraleigh You’ll find us drinking: A glass (or two or three) of wine on tap
Coquette Brasserie ☀️🍽 Less the stuffy pinkies-out stereotype and more ooh la la, Urban Food Group’s French-inspired restaurant/bar knows the cultural significance of wine (and spirits)—which is why a seat here feels like a romantic boozy stopover in Versailles… and why its bar is always abuzz and easily as wooworthy as any Parisian cafe. Midtown, @coquetteraleigh You’ll find us drinking:Champs, natch
Best Bar Food
My Way Tavern ☀️🍽 This neighborhood tavern always hits no matter the hankering. From the loaded mac and cheeses to the bangin’ wings and burgers—served your way or their way—the consistently killer bar food is the perf pairing for a drinking sesh, esp. on game days thanks to the football specials. Consider it a touchdown—and then some. Glenwood South, @mywayraleigh You’ll find us drinking: An NC sour
The Raleigh Times ☀️🍽🎶 Those Times nachos have what could only be considered a cult following—and if you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet, it’s about time you do. You could eat them on the roof, you can eat them in a booth, you could eat them at the upstairs bar, or you could eat them on the streetery facing your car. All make for a palatable perch to dig in—and toast up. Fayetteville Street District, @raleightimesbar You’ll find us drinking: A rare Belgian craft beer—or a bloody come brunch
Hibernian ☀️🍽🎶 The Glenwood South multilevel mainstay is more than a perennial packed pub. It’s also where the real ones know to hunker down for a true taste of Ireland—and where we’d send the other Niall (Horan) if he blew through town for a gamut of “did I just wake up in Dublin” dishes. Seriously—shepherd’s pie, fish ’n chips, and bangers and mash so authentically divine even Horan would break into “Heaven.” Glenwood South, @hibernianpub You’ll find us drinking: Guinness, duh
Best Bottle Shop
State of Beer ☀️🍽 Our fave state? State of Beer, obv. Yet another grand-slam concept from the Trophy team, DTR’s bottle shop not only boasts “99 bottles of beer on the wall,” but also a curated neighborhood vibe—see its brick-lined walls, outdoor seating (dogs welcome!) and its cozy yet warehousey feel—that invites kicking back with a cold one and staying awhile. Capital District, @stateofbeernc You’ll find us drinking:Trophy Husband
Roshambo ☀️ Friendly welcoming surrounds and a couple brewskis will woo you into feeling like you’re cracking cold ones in the neighbor’s garage. Sure you can’t just stumble next door home, but regulars know the crafty hole-in-the-wall is too cool to just get a couple of bevs to-go, tempting a drink or two at the bar and a game of foosball. Moore Square District, @roshambobevco You’ll find us drinking: Whatever cool new label the bartender recs
Pelagic Beer & Wine ☀️ Beach bum would-be’s and eco-activists alike can find camaraderie—or drown their sorrows—in a sea of best-in-class brews. Its name a nod to the “open sea” because pro-Earth, Person Street’s cozy neighborhood nook finds you just as likely to stumble on your next effervescent obsession as to make mems on the aqua-chair dotted sidewalk or inside the apropos brick-walled bottle shop on the other side of that ever-so-apt aqua door. Seaboard & Person Street District, @pelagicbeer You’ll find us drinking: Don’t Be Mean to People: A Golden Rule Saison
Best LGBTQ+ Bar
Legends ☀️ Life’s always a ~drag~ at this legendary LGBTQ+ party palace where #LegendsHasIt “the hottest women in Raleigh might just be men.” Complete with neon lights, pulsing music, drag shows, primo outdoor space, game room, Raleigh’s first gay-twist speakeasy The Tuck and more, the sprawling nightclub complex remains the go-to for dancing queens and thirst traps aplenty. Slay, queen! Warehouse District, @legendsraleigh You’ll find us drinking: Trouble Mondays specials
Ruby Deluxe ☀️🎶 Glitz and glam await at this “cute ‘n’ queer” glimmering and electric underground sparkle space feat. theme nights on fleek (karaoke, drag events and costume contests) and a cozy stage for all the drama to drag on. After all, every evening is an extravaganza when embracing who you are—and having a grand time doing it. Fayetteville Street District, @rubydeluxeraleigh You’ll find us drinking: Ruby red cosmo
Flex Nightclub Sparkle and seedy collide in this divey music-pumping basement Gayborhood bar fit for queens and bears alike flexing cheap drinks and all kinds of spicy theme-night fetishes—from go-go boys and bear/leather events to drag and karaoke so popular it tunes up three times a week. Warehouse District, @flexnightclub You’ll find us drinking: Bud Light rainbow can
Best Dive Bar
Circa 1888 ☀️ The love child of a speakeasy, cocktail lounge and dive bar, Circa is a mood. With the longest bar in Raleigh (humble brag), its OG billiards and ’80s high-low vibes are equally fit for The Big Lebowski or a Tarantino cameo (read: plush red banquettes and hidden side patio)—and always a go-to for thirsty in-the-know regulars. Warehouse District, @circa1888raleigh You’ll find us drinking: A classic mixed bev, like a rum and coke
The Cardinal ☀️🍽 It’s the little things at this Jason Howard OG hole-in-the-wall that make it so special: the sarcastic plastic signs throughout the lived-in walls (see: “The customer isn’t always right.”), the cheap well drinks and canned beers/seltzers, the laid-back bartenders, and—of course—the famous signature hot dogs. So while The Cardinal is nothing fancy, you’ll ~relish~ every experience there. Smoky Hollow, @thecardinalbar You’ll find us drinking:Pepperoncini shots
Johnson Street Yacht Club ☀️ “We’ve got booze. We’ve got a slide. We take credit cards, but we don’t take no shit.” … It’s the kind of MO you’d want from any dive bar—but Yacht Club takes it next-level. For the best of both worlds, there’s the hip rooftop experience with a hella fast slide (mandatory) into the divey bottom bar at the ready—and pool for the players. Glenwood South, @jsyachtclub You’ll find us drinking: A frozen drink to numb that sore bottom
Best Wine Bar
Vita Vite ☀️🍽 No one does girl dinner like Vita Vite. Read: a bottle of vino and a build-your-own cheese and charcuterie board split among your crew—or boo—and enjoyed either on a cozy couch in the art-filled interior or out on the sun-filled patio at either location (pro tip: The mezzanine at the Midtown outpost is ideal for people-watching). Wined, dined and feeling fine, indeed. Midtown & Warehouse District, @vitaviteraleigh You’ll find us drinking: Whatever sparkling rosé is gracing the menu
Barcelona Wine Bar ☀️🍽 Moody yet welcoming. Idyllic yet elevated. Fancy yet unfussy. … This rustic warehouse-chic bustling bodega beneath The Dillon channels the culture of Spain while touting a vibey setting for vino from one of the largest Spanish wine programs in the U.S.—whether tucked away inside or out on the lush picture-perfect patio dropped straight from a Disney movie. Warehouse District, @barcelonawinebar You’ll find us drinking: A pitcher of red sangria
The Raleigh Wine Shop ☀️ Vast selects of “real wines made by real people from around the world” remain a constant draw for local oenophiles looking for refreshing sips without a trip to wine country. And because wine tasting is a marathon, not a sprint, locals know to swap the miles and settle in for a glass or two of rotating varietals at the bar, in the lounge or perched outside—and take home a bottle to boot. Moore Square District, @raleighwineshop You’ll find us drinking: Whatever’s at that WineStation vending machine
Best Speakeasy
Watts & Ward ☀️🎶 Turns out secrets do make friends. A tunnel back in time to the Roaring ’20s, this Mad Men-meets-Gatsby cavernous hooch haven invites tipplers to tuck underground, literally, for brilliant booze-forward bevs on sultry leather banquettes against live jazz in its dimly lit coveted cocktail coves—or retreat to the above-ground light-strung side yard for a quick Euro stopover. Moore Square District, @wattsandward You’ll find us drinking: Whatever riffs Best Bartender Kelly Lynch recommends
Fox Liquor Bar 🍽 Named after her dad, Ashley Christensen’s legendary basement bar is, well, like the basement bar you never knew you needed but always wished you had. Reopened in May, the dim yet playful subterranean den was welcomed back like an old friend who got a slight face-lift. Same attitude, new look via art upgrades, shuffleboard table, and treasured staples from AC’s Beasley’s and Chuck’s. “Well-loved and lived-in,” indeed. Moore Square District, @foxliquorbar You’ll find us drinking: A Foxy 75
The Merchant 🍽 Some secrets are just not worth keeping. Hidden in plain sight above sister spot Virgil’s, Local Icon’s dark, exclusive, sinister spot serves sex appeal, skulls and “Fear & Loathing” in equal measure. Dramatic before it was de rigueur, wafts of smoke scream “mad scientist” against striking chandeliers and bold decor that more than keep the spirit(s) alive. Fayetteville Street District, @themerchantnc You’ll find us drinking: Smoke & Daggers
#RIP The Atlantic Lounge Divey 🤝 dissenters in this former Jason Howard 25+ underground literal key club (read: only open to key holders) that has served as the subterranean soul of Raleigh for “villains” and “heroes” alike. Locking the door on the concept Dec. 31, 2023, the barrage of votes that poured in in front of that announcement pay fitting tribute to the classic speakeasy. The Atlantic Lounge was the moment. Pour one out for Mr. Rogers (insiders know). You’ll find us drinking: Our tears
Best Game Day Bar
Players Retreat☀️🍽 Get up, it’s game day! Raleigh’s oldest bar and about the closest thing to a tailgate shy of packin’ coolers and kickin’ dirt down the road at Carter-Finley, PR packs the house on the regular for its nostalgic decor, kegs of kindness, winning menu and fan-fave TV-dotted patio. Aw, baby, we’re howling for you. Hillsborough Street Corridor, @theplayersretreat You’ll find us drinking: NCSU x R&D Brewing’s Riviera Mexican-style lager, natch
The Davie☀️ When you think of sports bars, The Davie doesn’t come screaming to mind—but if you’ve ever been to a game suite, well, the mood is pretty damn close. A bar with plenty of TVs & drinks—the obvious baseline—and (sometimes) snacks fueling the fire, it’s where fans go to either cheers their team or drink their sorrows after an L (or both). Fayetteville Street District, @thedavieraleigh You’ll find us drinking: From the serious collection of good hard-to-find whiskeys
Woody’s Sports Tavern☀️🍽🎶 OG fangirl fixation found. Whether posting up for the game or as a wingman (ahem, “best damn wings in the Triangle”), this City Market mainstay has had its game face on since it blew the first whistle in 1993, cornering the market on entertainment from the classic game day romp to weekly live music, trivia, music bingo and damn fine grub for a, well, winning combo. Moore Square District, @woodyscitymarket You’ll find us drinking: Fireball—if you know, you know
Best Live Music Bar
Neptunes 🎶 Down the dark and dusty steps below Kings is a subterranean drinking den doubling as an entertainment venue that feels at once grungy and like the coolest house party you’ve ever been invited to. The red string lights littering the ceiling set the scene for concerts, comedy shows, DJ sets, karaoke nights or just a cold bev, while the close quarters encourage convos with strangers. Always a memorable experience. Fayetteville Street District, @neptunes.parlour You’ll find us drinking: Espresso martinis on draft
The Pour House🎶 More music venue than traditional bar—and a legend in its own right—it’s the kind of beer-soaked emo-meets-genre-bending divey underground Kat Stratford would have retreated to in 10 Things I Hate About You (or any alt ’90s movie) for a bottle of High Life to get drunk on music—or scout obscure vinyls in the daytime record shop. Moore Square District, @thepourhouse You’ll find us drinking: Well drinks
Clockwork☀️🍽🎶 Dropped straight out of a Stanley Kubrick hallucination (iykyk), the trippy grogshop extends the revelatory release from reality with regular timeless tunes that transcend via ample liquid courage—not to mention the viral mind-bending bathroom hall (s/o Clockwork Orange). It’s a party—but like one you actually want to go to. Glenwood South, @clockwork919 You’ll find us drinking: Fire & Dandy—a Clockwork Classic
JME Photography
Best Patio Bar
The Avenue☀️🍽🎶 Let’s hang out in the backyard—but make it a bar! … At the corner of Hillsborough and Glenwood is an outdoor oasis where the faux grass is always greener. An adult playground perf for sipping and playing (Jenga, pinball, pool!) or catching the game, this DTR drinkery keeps patio vibes going all yearlong (hello, heaters and tent!) and is now sating appetites with its recently debuted food menu. Glenwood South, @theavenueraleigh You’ll find us drinking: High Noons
Wye Hill☀️🍽 From the vantage point atop the hill at the Boylan Wye railroad junction sits a brewery + patio paradise. Heaters and winter warmers (alcohol blanket, anyone?) warm you against the cold-weather chill, while fans and misters beat the summer heat, making this the prime alfresco year-round perch for the best damn views of DTR bar none. Bonus: Wye’s “damn delightful” eats and drinks. Warehouse District, @wyehill You’ll find us drinking: Magnificent S.O.B. seltzer—or whatever’s in season
The Longleaf Lounge ☀️🍽🎶 There’s hotel bars and then there’s this mot0r lodge-turned-midcentury mod looker of a lounge with light-strung fire pit-dotted patio that lives in our heads rent-free year-round, where homey patio-furnished pockets ooze backyard feels that make for a solid place to surrender for sweet escape for locals and vacationers alike. Capital District, @thelongleaflounge You’ll find us drinking: A Hugo Spritz under a blanket
Best Rooftop Bar
Highgarden☀️🍽
Perched high above the bustling strip and serving supreme skyline views, the cozy couch-dotted rooftop lounge with lush greenery surrounds feels at once Secret Garden and like an East Village rooftop escape. Glenwood South, @highgardenraleigh You’ll find us drinking:A G&T cocktail tree
Level7 ☀️🍽🎶 Behind the elevator doors at level 7—literally, floor 7—atop the swank AC Hotel North Hills is a golden hour worth toasting to. A solid cast of sophisticated sips give way to stunning views that promise to put reality in the rearview. Midtown, @level7rooftopbar You’ll find us drinking: Midtown margaritas
The Willard☀️🍽🎶 Cozy meets upscale at this sky-high dreamy drinking destination with two outdoor terraces serving equal parts crystalline skyscraper views and the ideal oasis to flex for business deals, date night or, say, a proposal by the dual-sided fireplace. Glenwood South, @thewillardraleigh You’ll find us drinking: Willard barrel-aged Negroni
Best New Bar
Tap Yard☀️🍽🎶 What feels like it could only be the brilliant notion of a fever dream is in fact too real thanks to the city’s first massive fam- and Fido-friendly all-are-welcome 1-acre beer garden meets neighborhood bar and music venue, checking the box on every whim and fancy from live music and TVs to yard games and food trucks—even speed dating—and Raleigh is clearly here for it. East Mordecai/Oakwood, @tapyardraleigh You’ll find us drinking: Cherry Bounce
Peggy’s The typical girl next door got a sultry makeover via Peggy’s, Aunty Betty’s sister bar tucked into the corner of Hibernian Pub that will drive you wild—in a good way. Her gorgeous light-filled interior, with just the right amount of spunk from bright orange couches and moody lighting, will have you returning time and time again. Glenwood South, @peggysatthepub You’ll find us drinking: An expertly crafted ’tail or the sake in a juice box (!)
Best Burbs Bar
SideBar ☀️🎶 OK, yes, Cary is playing its cool card—and the “drinks + company” here have Raleighites crossing the border on the regular. But the perf balance of friendly bartenders and casual neighborhood-feel + divine cocktails clearly makes it less of a side piece and more of a main squeeze—never failing to disappoint for any occasion. Cary, @sidebarnc You’ll find us drinking: Long Story Short bourbon cocktail
Dram & Draught Fenton☀️🍽 Forget shopping. Dram is easily the most spirited spot in Fenton. The sixth sibling of Dram’s seven boozy offspring (with reach from Raleigh to Charlotte), the chic two-story Cary powerhouse entices with small bites and a rooftop ideal for people-watching. Cary, @dramanddraughtcary You’ll find us drinking: D&D G&T with Conniption Kinship
The Side Door Craft Cocktails🍽🎶 Answering the call for “I need a side door,” this new-this-year refined refuge tucked adjacent to V Pizza—and from the team at Flask—is anything but a side character. With its dark and moody interior and specialty craft cocktails, the literal side-door sultry sanctuary makes for the sweetest escape from everything from the Sunday scaries to that full inbox or errands list. Cary, @thesidedoornc You’ll find us drinking: The Bee’s Tits
We asked you to call the shots and y’all rocked the vote for real. With more votes cast this year than ever before—NTM some super-heated races that came down to the wire—this year’s Best Bars Awards are Raleigh’s answer to where and what to drink for every thirst, occasion, or no reason at all. Basically, it’s your bar bible—or bucket list… or both. New this year, we introduced our Best Bartender category, where we asked you to crown the winner from a cast of 16 nominees via a highly curated list of top ’tenders in town—and people had plenty of “mixed drinks about feelings” for this one. So, pop some bottles and dive in to see if your faves made the cut. Cheers to the winners—and to all who voted. See you at the bar!
With its fifth consecutive win for Best Overall Bar, Dram & Draught has drammed up a dynasty—see also the bar’s soon to be seven statewide spots. The Raleigh flagship that started it all casts a wide net with its casual-meets-chic cocktail “registered lubrication” haven nestled on the ground floor of One Glenwood, stealing the hearts—and palates—of all who have bellied up there from day one. The quintessential come-as-you-are neighborhood bar, Dram wows with its sliding ladder and library-esque shelves stocking 300+ whiskeys and top-notch spirits, seasonal craft cocktails, and well-curated beer list—NTM those friendly and talented ’tenders. Glenwood South, @dramanddraught
“Not a speakeasy, just low-key AF—there’s a food hall in our closet.” So goes the apropos ’Gram bio for this intimate low-lit lounge serving up vintage vibes with a side of fresh G&Ts (you won’t find a better one in Raleigh—promise) situated on the corner of Morgan Street Food Hall. With its fourth consecutive Best Bars Award, people are picking up what mixologist Greg Ewan and company are putting down—from housemade tonics to a plethora of gins (80+!), vermouths (ahem, 44) and absinthes dotting the shelves to myriad spirits (even wine, bubbles and sake in juice boxes. Yes, for real). Go for the creative concoctions, stay for the vibes—and be sure to snap in front of that ’Gram-worthy mural by artist Bryan Stacy. … Pardon us while we renew our gin membership. Warehouse District, @auntybettysbar
“You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath.” Clearly the secret is out about this hidden speakeasy—and we all remember it “all too well.” Down a steep staircase (so on brand) tucked under Caffe Luna is this dimly lit multiroom drinking den that nods to the underground spirit of Prohibition so well you actually feel like you should hide the juice. Booze-forward bevs and leather banquettes give the feel of a sexy unparalleled Gatsby meets Mad Men experience, while the light-strung ground-level back patio takes it next-level with romantic Euro vibes. In essence, it’s the bee’s knees. Moore Square District, @wattsandward
Salud! Boasting one of the largest Spanish wine programs in the U.S., Barcelona Wine Bar (hence the name) serves up myriad award-winning globe-spanning sips from Spain to South America and beyond. While the varietals are no doubt a draw, the sexy-chic warm, welcoming and always buzzing “bodega” itself may well just be what has landed this bar on our list for the fourth time. Spoiler alert: Happy hour is v happy—and patio brunch is a vibe. Warehouse District, @barcelonawinebar
Where there’s a wine, there’s a way… and at five-time Best Bars winner Vita Vite’s two locations (North Hills, DTR) there’s plenty of ways to cheers to wine o’clock—whether you opt to chill solo with a glass of vino and a good book, gather the crew for charcuterie and a round or two, or split a bottle with your boo for date night. Pro tip: Join in on VV’s monthly book club to meet and drink with fellow bookworms and vino lovers. As they say, great minds drink alike. Midtown; Warehouse District, @vitaviteraleigh
“You’re the wine that I want.” … Find a wide selection of global artisanal wines and a team of grape-gifted wine enthusiasts at the ready to help you pinpoint the perf potable. Established in 2011, this sip spot relocated this spring from its home on Glenwood South to some new digs on Bloodworth, now touting space for an expanded wine selection, on-site classes, private events and an elevated by-the-glass program with a full wine bar open for tastings—with a huge patio to boot—perf to sip back and relax. How bottle-ful! Moore Square District, @raleighwineshop
Leveling up the local beer scene to the tune of national (and global!) acclaim is this Glenwood South District hops playground serving up 350+ beers on tap—with brews from right here in NC to varieties from all over the globe… and we’d tap ’em all. With multiple bars on-site, three (!) Guinness World Records in two categories, a mention in USA Today’s 2022 Best Beer Gardens list and now five Best Bars Awards, RBG has clearly more than proved its hoppy chops. Glenwood South, @ralbeergarden
Have a case of the spins? Then take us to your leader… or this tavern-style taproom will do. With hundreds of brews from right here in NC and across the globe, plus pub fare—we rec the Nacho Libre—Flying Saucer not only spins up fab food and drink but also touts Tuesday night trivia (IYKYK); a UFO club membership (Ring of Honor award, anyone?); and $4 Mondays, when every beer on the draft wall is, you guessed it, $4. … How out of this world. Warehouse District, @flyingsaucerraleigh
Those who love to mix up their sip seshes turn to this longtime bottle shop and tasting bar, which boasts a massive beer and wine collection (with bottles and cans added daily)—plus tastings for the indecisive and 10+ beers on tap to sip as you peruse. Now, BottleMixx is raising the bar—literally—with a rebrand (hey, The Mixx!) and an upgraded location in Duraleigh Corners in Northwest Raleigh. Rest assured, the laid-back vibes of the OG spot will remain—and Sylver, BottleMixx’s unofficial furry mascot, will surely still be around to help you sniff out great to-go options. Northwest Raleigh, @bottlemixx
“Shot through the heart”… and this lively live music venue/dive bar is probs to blame. A record shop by day and a bangin’ bar by night, this two-level (literal) pour house has been hosting local and nationally known bands since 1997—and continues to feature live music every night of the week. … And they will rock you. Moore Square District, @thepourhouse
It’s time to raise the roof… the Tin Roof, that is. With live music bumpin’ almost nightly on the stage setup downstairs, fab food and a rooftop patio, this Nashville-esque spot serves up good ol’ Southern flair and fun. Visit the lively Glenwood South joint to sing, dance and sway the night away—and on Wednesday nights, give your showmanship a try with a karaoke song or two. BRB, we’re phoning in American Idol. Glenwood South, @tinroofraleighnc
Tunes, mojitos, wine, tacos, fried cauliflower, espresso martinis, nachos—you can have whatever you like. For beats, booze and eats, Clockwork is the move. Travel back in time where the mood is always right, the food is simple, the ’tails are fresh and the sounds are timeless. Grab your dancing shoes—or grab a table. Tap Tuesdays in cal for Open Decks to showcase your talent (deets on the ’Gram)—and post up for live music and DJ spins on the regular. It’s all a damn fine vibe. While you’re at it, fuel the hustle with cocktails and nachos camachos—if you can handle the heat. And, yes, the trippy striped hallway (nod to the cult classic film for which the bar is named) is worth the trip alone. Glenwood South, @clockwork919
Two words: Times Nachos. The perfect drinking snack, Raleigh just can’t seem to get enough of ’em—and when the prominent sip and sup spot posted on Instagram they were doing away with the nachos on April Fools’ Day last year, the internet panicked (rude, honestly). … And we’d be remiss not to mention one other word: beer. The draft list spans IPAs, Belgians, sours, ciders and more that are perf for washing down those satiable snacks (see also the loaded sammies and burgers, street tacos, salads and other entrees). Extra, extra… eat—and drink—all about it! Fayetteville Street District, @raleightimesbar
When it comes to bar grub, this pub certainly, well, raises the bar—and satisfies alllll your tipsy cravings. Killer menu items include wings, Buffalo dip, spuds, mac ’n’ cheese (chili mac, seafood mac and breakfast mac—oh, my!), burgers, hot dogs, and more that make for the perf base for your next drinking sesh. Pro tip: Getting it your way includes scores of game day specials—and, on Mondays, you can get your flick on with the Raleigh Binho League. Game. On. Glenwood South, @mywayraleigh
Life of the paddy: found. Hibernian’s next-level pub grub has been feeding the Glenwood South scene since 2000 (and we can’t forget its well-loved locale in North Raleigh!). This popular pub wins for its range of authentic fare—from bar food basics like burgers, wings and fries to Irish staples such as shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, fish ’n’ chips, and Irish breakfast. Plus vast selects of beers and whiskeys that promise to give you the luck of the Irish—or at least a buzz—all best enjoyed anywhere at the multilevel hot spot. But you’ll find us on the second-floor patio bar noshing on nachos and people-watching. Glenwood South, @hibernianpub
Oh my orbs! Situated in stylish surrounds, this modern Mediterranean kitchen dishes striking decor and divine eats—props to executive chef Saif Rahman. “Kast Away” over some Mediterranean mezze with the plantation pineapple rum-meets-housemade rhubarb Tiki sitch that will transport you—or any of the tasty ’tails or NC-driven beer list… never mind the globe-spanning varietals. We’ll have one of everything, please. Yamas! Glenwood South, @vidrioraleigh
“Welcome to our LabOROtory”... This aptly named elixir from Oro’s winter lineup all but sums up the restaurant and lounge’s sensory cocktail experience. Floor-to-ceiling window surrounds (a literal fishbowl) make the perf vantage point for sipping and peering from inside the PNC Building at Martin and Wilmington in this très chic bar area where fine flavors and majestic presentations collide to provide the perfect balance for a good “thyme.” The pours—NTM that 17-foot corner conveyor wine rack—provide a prime palate complement for the resto’s modern and innovative tapas and small plates. Hey, sharing is caring. “We found wonderland” indeed. Fayetteville Street District, @oro_restaurant
Big stans of Stanbury (also one of our 25 Best Restaurants in Raleigh) know the bar is the hottest seat in the house. Not only will you get face time with the crafty bartenders, but you’ll have a prime view of whatever the kitchen staff is cooking up that day—the menu changes constantly depending on what’s in season and available, as do the tasty libations. Pro tip: The best booze + food pairing, though, has to be using the bone from the delectable bone marrow dish as a luge to shoot back some bourbon or sherry. Seaboard & Person Street District, @stanburyraleigh
You can’t beat a beer and a sammie—especially when you’re on your lunch break from the office (kidding… *wink, wink*). A go-to casual DTR sip and sup spot, this Trophy Brewing concept has been putting Raleighites in a state ofeuphoria since 2014, thanks largely to those aforementioned sandwiches (hey, Smoke on the Water, Jive Turkey Club or Dusk Till Dawn!) and stellar wine and beer list. Post chow-down, peruse the shop’s many bottles and cans for sipping satisfaction for later. Capital District, @stateofbeernc
Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall… A Raleigh institution (and the city’s first bottle shop!) housing the most magnificent beverage on Earth—brews, obv—this tasty beer and wine store boasts bottles (and cans) for days, with new selects added on the regular. Belly up to the bar to cure what ales you with a pour of the rotating drafts on tap, then work on that six pack. Warehouse District, @tastybev_dtr
Hey there, hops stuff. Hopivores delight in this veritable hops garden on Glenwood serving up 300+ bottled & canned beers and 24 rotating drafts in a chill atmosphere that easily puts “house” in the name. Beyond the liquid therapy, there’s the always-hopping patio, on-site food trucks (Tue.–Sat.—but keep an eye on Sundays!), run clubs, trivia nights and more. In short, the 2014-born craft beer shop on Glenwood in Northwest Raleigh was so popular that the family-owned beer haven has already brewed up additional hops spots in McNeil Pointe and Pittsboro. Northwest Raleigh, @houseofhops_raleigh
Named after owner Niall Hanley’s Irish aunt, Aunty Betty’s Gin & Absinthe Bar is a go-to for those looking for a well-made drink in a secluded yet vibrant environment. Belly up to the bar (or cop a squat on one of the cozy couches—dealer’s choice!) for over 84 gins from all over the world, six styles of tonic, 44 different vermouths, an array of absinthes (don’t knock it till one of the bartenders has properly taught you how to try it!), and other spirits. Let the cheers begin. Warehouse District, @auntybettysbar
At Willco (as the regulars call it), agave is the game, the vibes stay immaculate and those cocktails chalked up on the daily are unmatched. Whether you swing by for a casual ’tail early week (Marg Monday, anyone?), post up for tunes and ’tails on a Friday or Saturday night, or kick back on the patio for people-watching, this cozy neighborhood bar is always a good idea. And Thu.–Sun, make sure to check out Willco’s new back bar (read: mezcal haven), La Veladora: an authentic Mexican/Latin cavelike den dedicated to an authentic experience (think art, culture, relics and more)—with DJs spinning vinyls on Thursdays to kick off the weekend spirit(s).Seaboard & Person Street District, @willcobar
*Drowning in cocktail dreams.* If mixology is an artform, meet the artists. Beyond the boozy concoctions, adult vibes and stylish scene (she’s stunning, y’all) that landed this hooch house its fifth Best Bars Award, dope DJs and open mic nights also bring the heat. From more tranquil Tuesdays to R&B Fridays, it’s always a happy hour at The Haymaker. Fayetteville Street District, @haymakerraleigh
If whiskey is the question, a dram at Dram is the answer. When you picture 300+ selects spanning the globe (there’s even a binder) and a schooled staff, perhaps you picture stuffy. But that’s the magic of this whiskey den. It may anchor a tower and invite the sophisticated Don Draper types with its talented tipples and tipplers—but its unpretentious all-are-welcome neighborhood vibe is just as inviting to the newbie and novice… no doubt why it’s topped our Best Bars list since the day it bowed in 2016. Glenwood South,@dramanddraught
If you’re ISO of a neat night out, look no further. This five-time Best Bars Awards-winning whiskey bar not only touts terrific hooch (choose from about 600 or so whiskeys) and superb craft cocktails, but its creative Southern fare and hip atmosphere make it all the more attractive for a day or evening out. Adding to the appeal, WK‘s rollup garage door setup allows the spacious dining room to open onto the uberpopular patio decked out with umbrellas and string lights (and heaters in winter). Pro tip: An alfresco brunch is always the answer. Warehouse District, @whiskey.kitchen
Laying the foundation for Raleigh’s bar scene as the first craft cocktail bar to open in Downtown, this time-honored moody subterranean watering hole tucked beneath Fayetteville Street has now been shaking up the scene for 13 years—and has landed on our Best Bars Awards six times (!). In addition to its stellar craft cocktails that continue to up the game, real ones know that Foundation’s vast whiskey selection is where it’s really at, with a #WhiskeyOfTheWeek highlighting some of their fave bottles. Whiskey business, indeed. Fayetteville Street District, @foundation_bar
Started as a small 14-seat bar on West Morgan Street, this award-winning brewery has since grown to three additional locations (Trophy on Maywood, State of Beer and Young Hearts Distilling) and touts a laundry list of house brews under its belt—plus five Best Bars Awards. But while Trophy may be spreading its wings throughout Raleigh, the team still holds true to their OG mission: to create fantastic brews while pushing the NC beer scene forward. And we can all agree they’re doing just that. Gold stars all around! Multiple locations, @trophybrewing
Enter the best cycologist in town… perf for your next hops sesh. Beer love and bike love collide at this divey Warehouse District open-air taproom and patio serving best-in-class brews. And Raleigh is never “two-tired” for it—hence Crank Arm’s fourth Best Bars win… a chain reaction, if you will. Regulars roll up (usually literally) for a cold brew—hazy IPA Road Hazard is a fan fave—but beyond pints are events aplenty, a CAB race team (natch) and ubercool “weird can art” by local design firm Saturday’s Gravy worth sidling up for. Warehouse District, @crankarmbrew
“Nothing compares to brew” at this six-time Best Bar Award winner serving up “locally brewed, lovingly crafted” sips that satisfy in its two hopping Lynnwood locales. Over in Dock 1053, “LBC” (aka Lynnwood Brewing Concern) is a go-to for its open-air taproom with rollup garage doors and large fam- and fido-friendly beer garden. Uptown, Lynnwood Grill delights with #brewedoutback beers, fab fare and good times. Five Points, @lynnwoodbrewing; Northwest Raleigh, @lynnwoodgrill
Coming for the title of Raleigh’s best rooftop patio is this elevated (literally) bar and lounge atop the AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown, which topped out the Glenwood South scene late 2021. And before you knock it for being a hotel bar—this terrace in the sky isn’t just a ’Grammable spot to take pics of the DTR skyline (but, hey, go off!), it’s also an already-proven (and popular) destination for primo cocktails and delish small and large plates—with rotating events in collab with local businesses to boot. We rec chilling by the fire—if you’re lucky enough to get a seat—for the best views of DTR… and local artist Taylor White’s eye-catching “From the Ashes” mural… which is pretty ’Gram-worthy itself tbh. Glenwood South, @thewillardraleigh
“Started from the bottom now we here”—here being the succulent rooftop lounge that is Highgarden. In addition to offering expansive views of Glenwood South (aka peak people-watching on point), this open-air oasis feats. cozy cabanas surrounded by greenery that makes for the perf spot to perch with a bev above DTR. If you’re going with a group, you’re gonna wanna order the G&T tree (aka five G&Ts mixed to perfection) that’s as ’Grammable as it is sippable. … On cloud nine and feelin’ fine! Glenwood South, @highgardenraleigh
Alexa, play “Level Up.” Located at the top of the AC Hotel in North Hills, this elevated space serves up European-inspired small-bites and sophisticated sips from small-batch distillers and single-vineyard labels, and a bevvy of rock star brewers. Just pop in the elevator and press No. 7 for brews and views of North Raleigh. … It’s time to take the night out to new heights. Midtown, @level7rooftopbar
Subterranean is sexy—and just off the corner of Blount and Hargett is the best place to go all Gatsby incognito and duck down an inconspicuous flight of stairs into this sprawling dimly lit 1920s Americana speakeasy dotted with leather and candles for a spirit that still feels criminal—in the best way. Fun fact: Watts Act (1903) and Ward Law (1905) “set out to crush the free spirits” of our state—thus the Watts & Ward name (and spirit) nods to the lively underground bootleg era—and Raleigh is here for it. Pro tip: The Moonrider will set you over the moon. Moore Square District, @wattsandward
Turns out secrets do make friends. Inside always-buzzing Architect is a bar behind a bookcase so spot on it landed on Thrillist’s best speakeasy in the world list (!). Behind the second-floor hidden door and heavy curtain—which was once, wait for it, an architect’s office—one of Raleigh’s (and the world’s) best-kept secrets unfolds via Local Icon Hospitality’s cozy respite. Its name no doubt a nod to the “green light” that kept Gatsby going, the subtle-meets-sexy Prohibition-esque parlor serves up second-to-none booze-forward concoctions overlooking bustling DTR that promise to intrigue and delight every sipster, from the casual to the curious to the cocktail connoisseur. Moore Square District, @greenlightbar
Snagging a key to this 25+ exclusive basement bar—and third-year Best Speakeasy winner—is like getting keys to the kingdom… of creative craft cocktails that is (NTM the cool factor that comes with a membership). To gain access, scurry through an inconspicuous door behind Pelagic and make your way down the stairs past the “No Vacancy” sign—if it’s on, you’ll have to come back another time. Unlike Jason Howard’s other bars (The Cardinal, Pink Boot), Atlantic Lounge boasts a more upscale vibe, complete with moody lighting, intimate booths and a record player (BYO vinyl!), that elicits a casual-cool Alice in Wonderland feel. Down the rabbit hole you go! Seaboard & Person Street District, @theatlanticlounge
Felt cute—won’t delete ever. Setting—and sating—the epic thirst trap is Raleigh’s longtime go-to LGBTQ party palace. … Us: Best bars? Legends: Hold my wig! … One of the best bars in town—bar none—the sprawling nightclub complex shines with neon lights and pulsing music, drag shows, the patio, a spotlight theater and game room, and more. It’s the see and be scene. … Then there’s The Tuck, Raleigh’s first “gay twist on a speakeasy” tucked ever so aptly under the pink lips above a patio door and serving up Spotlight Diva Cocktails on Fridays and Saturdays. Legendary, really. Warehouse District, @legendsraleigh
It’s always glitter hour at the sparkle dungeon, where hes, shes, theys and everyone in between gather for Raleigh’s wildest and brightest variety of live music, drag shows and dance parties—think bikini bingo, amateur burlesque night and “karaoke for queers.” Don’t miss Drag Brunch every Sunday, when a rotating cast of performers slay the stage while DJ Yamillionaire spins tunes. … And you best believe when they walk in the room they can still make the whole place shimmer. It’s giving bad b*tch energy. *Flips hair.* Fayetteville Street District, @rubydeluxeraleigh
Ready to taste the rainbow? Dubbed Raleigh’s neighborhood “gay/straight/whatever bar and club,” this inclusive basement bar is nestled right in Raleigh’s “gayborhood,” and its DTR digs isn’t all that it’s flexin’. From karaoke and drag shows to country dancing, this watering hole is sure to leave you intoxi-gay-ted—trust us. Warehouse District, @flexnightclub
You won’t find any froufrou cocktails or bow-tied bartenders at DTR’s oldest music venue. What you will find are some of the cheapest drinks in town, a designated smoking patio that’s the hot spot nightly, an upstairs lounge with a pool table, and live music (natch) almost every weekend. And the best part? You could practically almost touch the band from a seat at the bar—which also happens to be decked out with pics of music legends, plus other random memorabilia (call it character). Rock on! Moore Square District, @slims_tagrams
Let’s party like it’s 1888! As the name would suggest, this speakeasy-esque casual-meets-classy bar harkens back to the 19th century—with moody lighting and old-school details a la exposed brick walls, a dark mahogany bar and bright red leather booths playing up the cool factor (NTM the hidden patio in the back). But its billiards area is perhaps its biggest draw—where regulars and first-timers alike can socialize over a game or two. Rack ’em up! Warehouse District, @circa1888raleigh
Lower your expectations for The Cardinal—seriously (but in a good way, of course). The “dive bar with a sneaky-good hot dog” is just that, but it def delivers. A go-to cool, casual and unpretentious watering hole by design, Jason Howard’s OG bar is decked out in kitschy decor that sets the scene for “spirits and everybody” (plus beer, but you’ll only find a few classic bottles and cans behind the bar)—see the funny little signs on the walls throughout like “Please don’t ask a lot of questions.” Those hot dogs, though—steamed in beer and served on a New England-style bun—will most certainly exceed your expectations. … And don’t sleep on the “front to back shot,” aka pepperoncini-soaked vodka chased with bloody mary mix. Spicy! Smoky Hollow, @thecardinalbar
This place stays pack-ed for a reason. A fan-fave (literally) for game day and every day, this six-time Best Bar Award winner situated about a block from the NC State Belltower “where the keg of kindness never runs dry” has been feeding fans and locals best-in-class bar food since 1951. (Find a better burger, we’ll wait. And we’ll be waiting till the cows come home.) Pro tip: The PR patio is a local treasure—complete with TVs (!). Hillsborough Street Corridor, @theplayersretreat
You don’t even need a wingman for the “best damn wings in the Triangle” (we vouch for that—so popular Woody’s Wing Wagon made the NC State Fair this year). Nestled on a corner in City Market for three decades (nee 1993), this juxtaposition of a classic, lively and uberauthentic sports bar situated off quaint cobblestone streets only adds to its charm. With additional locations in Cary and Morrisville, the go-to DTR sports bar is known for its loyal fans, come-as-you-are attitude, weekly live music (Fri./Sat.), trivia nights and music bingo (!)… and damn fine winning grub (obv)—never mind that extensive booze selection. Moore Square District, woodysportstavern.com
“So, uh, you play the beautiful game… bros… brothers… brethren?” … Whether you’re into watching or playing games, this “not a sports bar,” founded by the Amra brothers claims a new category of game day restaurant serving its patrons with good grub and a sweet spot to catch the game. Think a slew of TVs to catch whatever team you’re rooting for, a game room and fresh fare to satiate those cravings—case in punt: its Southern classics with a spin, mouthwatering entrees and apps (be sure to snag some Wolfpack wings) and healthy choices, to boot. Belly up here to have—and maybe play—a ball. Glenwood South, @tobaccoroadnc
Shaking up the scene at Brier Creek when it bowed this past winter, this artisan handcrafted cocktail concept from V Pizza’s Anthony Rapillo quickly won over the crowd—obv. Giving liquid pleasure to the veritable drink desert—NTM nearby locals (and big-box shoppers) a true non-chain cocktail bar-meets-community vibe that you’d usually associate with DTR—Flask wins with its intimate vibe, sensational sips and alfresco feels (two glass walls, one of which is a garage door that opens to the massive patio). Checkmate. Northwest Raleigh, @flaskcocktailbar
Can we cheers another sup spot in North Raleigh?! Clearly the locals dig it (ahem, this award). From a team of locals—hence the name—with a love of craft beverages, this shop strives to be a space for social gatherings, events, hangouts, game days and more. And keeping with the theme, Local 919 focuses its offerings close to home with NC craft drinks (s/o 919, y’all), but also reppings ops from as far as across the pond. Hoppy trails to you! North Raleigh, @local919_raleigh
As Rihanna once said, “you know I got the sauce.” … And so too does this hustling and bustling Glenwood South bar, aka the hottest newish spot for sipping, lounging, dancing and playing (Jenga, pinball, pool). Venture out to the faux grass-covered and heated patio for a game or two of jumbo chess or cornhole—the one time when saying “hold my beer” is highly encouraged—then cozy up in front of a fire pit to sway to the likes of Lizzo, Taylor Swift and Queen Ri Ri, natch (the playlists really are top-notch). Glenwood South, @theavenueraleigh
Wye fight it—Wye Hill’s got the best patio in town (and the best view of the city skyline), and clearly y’all agree, as this is the brewery and restaurant’s fourth Best Bars win since it opened in 2019. The complete package, this always-hopping hops spot rounds out an impeccable experience with “righteously good people, plates and pours.” We’re talking rotating house brews, colorful craft cocktails, a bangin’ brunch and addictive chef-driven bar food (see: the Everything Brussels that’ll turn even the most picky eater). By now, stopping in at the popular spot feels just like going over to your best friend’s place. Righteous, indeed. Warehouse District, @wyehill
Vibe: perfect. Attitude: Worth it. An oasis hidden in plain sight, this “bar in a hotel in a city in a forest” serves up boosters that don’t req. appointments—best served on that light-strung year-round fire pit-and-heater-dotted patio with unparalleled skyline vistas and feels-like-home patio furnishings. … And for the perpetually chilly—blankets! Peep Insta for periodic events and music. Bonus: If you drink one too many, your sip sesh can segue into a staycation. Capital District, @thelongleaflounge
Colby Kress, Raleigh’s 2022 Best Bartender (Forrest Mason)
Best Bartender: Colby Kress Dram & Draught
Our inaugural Best Bartender award proved to stir things up (pun intended), with a heated comp between 16 talented noms that came down to the wire. But it was fan-fave Colby Kress of Dram & Draught who landed the W (!). A Rochester, NY, native, Kress was working at Bittersweet as a dishwasher when he learned the ropes of bartending—and before joining Dram in February 2020, he tended bar at Johnson Street Yacht Club and Wye Hill. Make sure to request a negroni from him the next time you stop in to our Best Overall Bar winner!
