Raleigh’s best bars share more than great drinks. Meet the interconnected generation of bartenders fighting to keep the neighborhood bar—and the community it creates—alive.
Best Bars 2026 Voting Now Open!
It’s that time of year again to vote for your favorite bars and bartender in Raleigh! From Best Cocktail Bar to Best Brewery, Dive, etc., this is your chance to name your faves.
2026 Bartender of the Year Nominees
From neighborhood favorites to the craftspeople behind Raleigh’s top cocktail programs, meet this year’s Best Bartender nominees, cast your vote and see them in action at The Cocktail Classic.
Cocktail Classic Creations
Mix up our Best Bartender nominees’ riffs on classic cocktails from our annual Cocktail Classic.
6+ Reasons to Join Us at The Cocktail Classic
If you were looking for a sign to buy tickets to our second annual Cocktail Classic, presented by and taking place at The Exchange Raleigh, Saturday, Nov. 18, here it is!
Strong Foundation
As Foundation turns 15, a look back at how the Downtown Raleigh speakeasy has shaped Raleigh’s cocktail culture—and what’s next.
Raleigh’s 2023 Best Bartender
Meet your 2023 Best Bartender. Watts & Ward bar wizard Kelly Lynch steals the coveted crown from last year’s winning mixologist Colby Kress.
8 Reasons to Join Us at The Cocktail Classic
If you were looking for a sign to buy tickets to our first annual Cocktail Classic, presented by The Exchange Raleigh, Saturday, Nov. 18, at Killjoy, here it is!
Sip, Sip, Hooray!
Four Raleigh bartenders will be making specialty cocktails for Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club and JB Duke Hotel’s Be Our Guest Bartender Series in April.
Gone But Not Forgotten
We reflect on the passing of three local bartenders from Dram & Draught Greensboro, Little City Brewing and V Pizza.
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