A WEEKEND IN RALEIGH: WINE & COCKTAIL BARS
We are so excited to feature our favorite Downtown Raleigh wine and cocktail bars with you! Whether you've been here for years or are just visiting for the weekend, we've pulled together a variety of places that you won't want to miss out on. With favorites like Person Street Bar, The Merchant, William & Co and more, get ready to experience some of the best drinks & atmospheres around downtown.
Visit Vita Vite Downtown in the Warehouse District to enjoy a glass of wine or craft beer! This cozy wine bar is the perfect place for a date night or a meetup with friends to unwind after a long workday. Enjoy a relaxing art gallery atmosphere while tasting new wines, small plates and desserts! Pro tip: grab a seat on their swinging daybed if it's available!
One of Downtown Raleigh’s most loved underground bars, Foundation is another great spot to hang for a couple of hours with a group of friends. From NC focused liquors to the freshest herbs and fruits, these bartenders sure know what they are doing and we promise their cocktails will not disappoint!
Sit back, relax and learn all that there is to know about mezcal at this popular spot! Gallo Pelón Mezcaleria is a community-driven bar that honors the artistry of traditional mezcal and craft cocktails and is a loved one among us locals! When the weather is nice, grab your cocktail and head to their back patio!
Founded upon the underground spirit of 1920s America, this speakeasy cocktail bar is one you will not want to miss out on. Watts and Ward serves a vintage library vibe with artisanal cocktails and a unique experience for each and every one of their customers! Their sprawling outdoor lawn is the perfect spot to lounge around with friends in the middle of Downtown Raleigh.
Photo by: @exploringwithalexandria
With its cozy ambiance, The Haymaker is one of our favorite places to go during these colder months! This spot welcomes you right in with its vintage-style decor and will have you staying hours on end once you take a glance at their menu! Grab a table with a group of friends, get comfy on a sofa or enjoy all the decor while sitting at the bar ~ you really can't go wrong at this relaxing yet chic spot in downtown Raleigh!
Fox Liquor Bar is owned by one of Raleigh's most famous chefs, Ashley Christensen, and is a must visit if you're looking for a cozy little bar tucked away in Downtown Raleigh! From their cocktails to small bites, this place has the very best of everything and is in a great location with other restaurants and bars nearby! Great for intimate conversations and a relaxing experience, this is one of our absolute favorites and we hope you like it too!
A colorful, comfortable cocktail bar that will create a fun experience for you and all your friends! Killjoy is home to a unique drink selection that will have you wanting to step outside your comfort zone and try something you never have before! Perfect for a Girls Night Out or a quick drink with a friend after work, this place has great energy and will make you want to add it to you list of go-to spots in Raleigh!
This neighborhood wine shop’s vision was to bring a new kind of wine shop to Downtown Raleigh with exciting wines from all over the world and they have done just that! The Raleigh Wine Shop’s shelves are filled with a variety of hand-crafted wines that create a unique shopping experience and will leave you wanting to come back for more! They just recently relocated to the Old East district of Downtown Raleigh and we cannot wait for you to check out their new space! Don't forget to order one of their robust charcuterie boards for the full experience!
The Merchant pays homage to a forgotten piece of Raleigh history. A vintage, secret door provides an escape to a cocktail experience nestled in a classic atmosphere with modern flair! From their welcoming staff to their cocktail taste and presentation, they have crafted this place together perfectly and become one of the most popular spots among us locals!
Shop for your favorite beer & wine at
Wine Authorities! This specialty wine shop has all the options and walking distance to several local restaurants and bars! Whether you’re wanting to just grab a bottle and head out or stay and enjoy the outdoor patio, this wine shop has the most welcoming atmosphere and will leave you wanting to come back!
A cozy tequila bar tucked away in one of downtown Raleigh’s most loved neighborhoods, William & Company is the perfect place if you’re looking for a spot to grab a drink before dinner or a fun spot with a DJ into the late evenings! Their backbar features specialty mezcal cocktails on the weekends that you won't want to miss!
A stylish neighborhood joint with bar games & a covered patio, Person Street Bar is right at the corner of downtown and a popular spot among us locals! From playing pool with a group of friend while enjoying a hand-crafted cocktail to sitting out back and relaxing with a bottle of wine, we cannot recommend this spot enough and hope to see you there!
If you're a Whiskey lover, Whiskey Kitchen is a place you must visit due to its massive whiskey collection and killer craft cocktails!
Bittersweet is the perfect stop for coffee drinks, desserts & specialty cocktails with seasonal ingredients!
Junction West is one of Raleigh’s trendiest bars and is a must if you are looking for a hip atmosphere to enjoy a cocktail! Whether you are planning on spending the evening here or just making a quick stop before heading across the street to some of Raleigh’s most popular restaurants, this is one you will for sure not regret going to!
PLAN YOUR EVENT
