The Raleigh Guide

Bars & Nightlife

The Triangle knows how to have a good time after the sun goes down. From laid-back neighborhood bars to craft cocktail lounges and live music stages, these are the independently owned bars and nightlife spots worth finding.

34 places

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Glenwood South

Highgarden Rooftop

Open-air rooftop bar with skyline views

Craft Cocktails Late Night Rooftop
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Glenwood South

Clockwork

Retro '60s-style cocktail lounge

Craft Cocktails Late Night
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Glenwood South

Milk Bar

Casual Glenwood bar in a historic creamery

Craft Cocktails Dog-Friendly Late Night
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Glenwood South

Pearl & Peril

Pirate-themed cocktail bar with karaoke

Craft Cocktails Karaoke Late Night
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Raleigh

Trolley Pub Raleigh

Pedal-powered party bike bar crawl

Craft Cocktails Late Night
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Glenwood South

The Cardinal

Beloved dive bar with hot dogs

Craft Cocktails Late Night
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Glenwood South

The Underground

High-energy nightclub in the heart of Glenwood

Craft Cocktails Dancing Late Night
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Downtown Raleigh

Social Club 112

Upscale downtown nightclub with bottle service

Craft Cocktails Dancing Late Night
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Raleigh

Legends Nightclub Complex

Raleigh's longtime LGBTQ+ nightlife landmark

Craft Cocktails Dancing Late Night
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Raleigh

Level Night Club

East Raleigh dance club and event space

Craft Cocktails Dancing Late Night
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Raleigh

440 Nightclub

Latin dance club on Hillsborough Street

Craft Cocktails Dancing Late Night
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Raleigh

Ambis 1 Nightclub

Latin music and dancing on Atlantic Ave

Craft Cocktails Dancing Late Night
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Raleigh

Patio Nightclub

Latin nightclub on New Bern Avenue

Craft Cocktails Dancing Late Night
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Downtown Raleigh

Alive Bar and Lounge

Downtown lounge with DJ-driven nights

Craft Cocktails Dancing Late Night
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Raleigh

Aura Lounge & Nightclub

Upscale lounge and nightclub, Warehouse District

Craft Cocktails Dancing Late Night
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Glenwood South

HALCYON Bar + Lounge

Upscale Glenwood South cocktail lounge

Craft Cocktails Late Night LGBTQ+ Friendly
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Glenwood South

Wonderland Kitchen & Cocktails

Miami-inspired kitchen and cocktail nightspot

Craft Cocktails Late Night
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Raleigh

Aunty Betty's Gin & Absinthe Bar

Intimate gin and absinthe hideaway

Craft Cocktails Late Night Speakeasy
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Raleigh

The Ugly Monkey Party Bar

High-energy downtown party bar

Craft Cocktails Late Night
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Raleigh

Moon Room

Smoky Hollow jazz and vinyl bar

Craft Cocktails Late Night Live Music
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Raleigh

Boxcar Bar + Arcade

Barcade with games and drinks

Craft Cocktails Late Night
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Glenwood South

The Hibernian Pub

Raleigh's longtime Irish pub

Craft Cocktails Late Night Live Music
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Glenwood South

Dram & Draught

300+ whiskeys and craft cocktails

Craft Cocktails Late Night
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Fayetteville Street District

The Green Light

Hidden 1920s-style downtown speakeasy

Craft Cocktails Late Night Speakeasy
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Glenwood South

The Willard Rooftop Lounge

Skyline views and a rotating rooftop brunch

Brunch Craft Cocktails Late Night
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Raleigh

Gussie’s Bar, Bottles & Bites

A neighborhood bar with a casual weekend brunch

Brunch Craft Cocktails Late Night
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Glenwood South

Botanical Lounge

Glenwood South's plant-filled Sunday Brunch Club

Brunch Craft Cocktails Late Night
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Moore Square

Watts & Ward

A Prohibition-style speakeasy hidden beneath downtown Raleigh
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Fayetteville Street District

Foundation

Raleigh's original craft cocktail cellar
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Fayetteville Street District

The Raleigh Times Bar

Historic downtown bar with elevated pub fare, a legendary Belgian beer list, and a rooftop patio.
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Glenwood South

The Raleigh Beer Garden

The world's largest draft beer selection, poured under two beloved oaks.
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Moore Square

Bittersweet

Eat dessert first.
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Raleigh

Natural Science

Classic cocktails, curiosities and pool
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Mordecai

Person Street Bar

Good bartenders, good jukebox, good vibes

Bars & Nightlife by area