Below is a list of the top and leading Bars in Raleigh. To help you find the best Bars located near you in Raleigh, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.
Raleigh’s Best Bars:
The top rated Bars in Raleigh, NC are:
- Watts & Ward – was established on America’s underground culture in the 1920s
- The Anchor Bar – is ideal for playing foot darts, watching live performances
- The Bridge DTR – is a pub in the center of the entertainment district of Raleigh
- The Raleigh Times – is much more than a venerable neighborhood bar
- The Architect Bar & Social House – was initially constructed in 1922
Watts & Ward
Watts & Ward was established on America’s underground culture in the 1920s. Over a decade before Prohibition, when laws like the Watts Act of 1903 and the Ward Law of 1905 aimed to stifle this state’s free spirits, the shrewd and untamed residents banded together underground. These places are bustling with activity, filled with bootleg spirits running like the streams that connect North Carolina’s mountains to the sea, and they are alive with music. Nearly a century later, Watts & Ward, as promoters of an idea of an era and a lifestyle, finds itself in the vanguard of the struggle to preserve that culture.
Products/Services:
Bar
LOCATION:
Address: 108 1/2 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: 919-699-5256
Website: www.wattsandward.com
REVIEWS:
“Gorgeous decor amazing service and fabulous drinks. Ask for the VIP service. Phenomenal!” – Greta D.
The Anchor Bar
The Anchor Bar has provided more than a hundred different specialty and classic cocktails, as well as local artisan beer, wine, and an extensive selection of spirits. They’re discreetly tucked away in a 200-year-old structure beneath the lights of Fayetteville Street and the shadows of downtown Raleigh’s tallest buildings, only a thousand feet from the North Carolina State Capitol structure.
The outdoor courtyard is ideal for playing foot darts, watching live performances, playing corn hole, and relaxing while watching the cityscape with friends. They are open seven days a week, so drop by whenever you want to enjoy your front-row seat to the sights, sounds, and happenings of downtown Raleigh’s most illustrious and historic metropolitan strip while mingling with the best bartenders in the city.
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Bar
LOCATION:
Address: 207 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Website: www.anchorraleigh.com
REVIEWS:
“Great neighborhood bar, bartenders are friendly and always happy to serve you. It’s a nice chill vibe, with a live DJ occasionally. It’s definitely a great pre-game starter place or finishing-the-night place also. Truly a great place, unique to any other place.” – Valerio M.
The Bridge DTR
The Bridge DTR is a pub in the center of the entertainment district in downtown Raleigh. They have a very nice outdoor seating space in addition to a diverse selection of beers and mixed drinks. They offer a really relaxing environment where you may unwind, socialize, or watch soccer in downtown Raleigh. According to the state of North Carolina, the London Bridge Pub is a private club that currently offers cuisine.
Products/Services:
Bar
LOCATION:
Address: 110 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: 919-838-6633
Website: www.thebridgedtr.com
REVIEWS:
“Fun atmosphere, great drinks and prices, awesome bartenders, and the best trivia in town on Thursdays! There’s also food if you are hungry, and always a variety of sports on the multiple TVs.” – Chris C.
The Raleigh Times
The Raleigh Times is much more than a venerable neighborhood bar. Raleigh’s past, present, and future are all on exhibit at this superb restaurant, which is housed in a 100-year-old building that has been exquisitely renovated. The walls are decorated with old newspaper articles and pictures from their eponymous publication, which represent the Capital City’s rich political and cultural heritage.
Their imaginative drink menu and a wide variety of Belgian beers are notable additions to Downtown Raleigh, as is their superb cuisine, which features hand-crafted, original spins on traditional bar food favorites. The Raleigh Times has doubled in size since repairing the original structure in 2006, adding second-floor seats and a rooftop patio with the greatest views of downtown Raleigh.
Products/Services:
Bar
LOCATION:
Address: 14 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: 919-833-0999
Website: www.raleightimesbar.com
REVIEWS:
“Classy spot in downtown Raleigh with open seating, amazing food, and drinks. Relaxing ambiance. Beautiful exposed brick and art features. Incredibly spacious, and the high ceilings lend to this. A great choice for a ladies night. I’ve dined here twice and will be back.” – Jocelyn C.
The Architect Bar & Social House
The Architect Bar & Social House was initially constructed in 1922, and when they discovered it, they immediately recognized its character. Upon removing the decades-old sheetrock and insulation, they discovered stunning brick walls and windows that had been concealed. Their goal was to design a room that complemented the nearby old business district while incorporating some cozy yet fashionable accents.
The layout, appeal, and appearance of the drink menus have all been based on their name. You can see a sizable skylight in the shape of an arrow if you ever glance up at the ceiling or scan a satellite image of our place. They built a craft beer menu, and a specialty cocktail list brought music, and then dimmed the lights because they wanted a bar and social space.
Products/Services:
Bar
LOCATION:
Address: 108 1/2 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: 919-699-5256
Website: www.architectbar.com
REVIEWS:
“Awesome bourbon. Great and very knowledgeable staff and bartenders! Was here for a business and bourbon event. It’s a very neat venue with an old-school prohibition feel.
There’s a speakeasy thy you have to make a reservation to get into. You should do this. You should also come here to drink absolutely wonderful cocktails. If you want to learn about booze and cocktails, these guys are more than happy to educate you. Highly recommend!” – Paul R.
Ermily has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications online. As a business expert, Ermily reviews local and national businesses.