Sip, savor, and enjoy a cocktail hour like never before during your stay at the StateView Hotel, the perfect home base to explore the best cocktail bars in Raleigh. Our comfortable accommodations, indulgent amenities, and on-site cocktail lounge make your stay one to remember.
Head downtown to taste the best cocktails in Raleigh at the city’s most inventive bars, including The Blind Barbour, Wolfe & Porter, and Foundation Bar. Plus, check out Stir and Bittersweet, two local cocktail lounges serving the best espresso martinis in Raleigh, or swing by Aunt Betty’s, a gin joint that’s hard to beat. The rest of the city’s drinkeries and barrooms aren’t lacking in fun concoctions, either. You’ll find classic, done-right cocktails, exciting craft brews, and wine tastings throughout the Raleigh area. Whether you’re into upscale pours or simply want new places for fun date nights or evenings out, this city won’t disappoint.
Check out this list of Raleigh bars that aren’t just serving drinks—these 10 destinations are some of the most talked-about cocktail experiences in town.
1 | Flask & Beaker
As one of the best hotel bars in Raleigh, Flask & Beaker is a main hangout for locals and travelers who appreciate a properly mixed drink. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better place to meet for a cocktail before a show or for a nightcap before heading up to your comfortable room. The mixologists are known for decadent, innovative drinks that pair perfectly with the seasonal menu.
Here’s the scoop on Flask & Beaker:
- Atmosphere: Sleek, modern, and always buzzing
- What To Order: This bar leans into seasonal ingredients so the drinks are fresh, inventive, and satisfying. Ask for the special or try the Manada de Lobos — one of the best margaritas in Raleigh, featuring tequila, muddled cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro, lime, and simple syrup.
- Where To Sit: Belly up to watch the mixologists at work, or take a table with breathtaking views of Lake Raleigh.
2 | Wolfe & Porter
If you’re looking for eclectic cocktail bars near downtown Raleigh, this spot hits the mark. Named after literary giants Thomas Wolfe and William Sydney Porter (O. Henry), Wolfe & Porter features a light and breezy back patio, a rooftop deck, and a cozy, library-chic downstairs bar.
Here’s the scoop on Wolfe & Porter:
- Atmosphere: Something for everyone — imagine a library with tiki drinks showing the big game.
- What To Order: Try something classic, like a Vesper Martini, or tip your glass to the inspiration behind the place and order the Wolfe of Morgan Street, the bar’s namesake bourbon drink featuring apricot, rhubarb, and lemon.
- Where To Sit: Slip downstairs to The Cellar, where the mid-century design and antique spirits will pull you back in time (in the best way).
3 | Blind Barbour
You’ll be pleasantly surprised by this bourbon bar on Medlin Drive, just five miles from the StateView Hotel. (Use your GPS or you’ll drive right by its nondescript exterior.) If you ask the locals, Blind Barbour is one of the best hidden gems serving craft cocktails in Raleigh, NC.
Here’s the scoop on Blind Barbour:
- Atmosphere: This speakeasy-meets-local-haunt serves up specialty drinks and entertainment.
- What To Order: The long list of antique spirits perfectly fits the Blind Barbour’s mood, but if you want something lighter, try the Spring Fling, a vodka drink with citrus, elderflower, and soda.
- Where To Sit: Scoot into a booth — perfect for telling stories and conspiring with friends.
4 | FOUNDATION
Of all the cocktail bars in downtown Raleigh, FOUNDATION may be the most exclusive and mysterious. Tucked behind an unmarked door, this is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. The entire establishment offers exactly what you want from a speakeasy — moody lighting, exposed brick walls, and top-tier spirits. After a long day of work meetings or sightseeing, head to FOUNDATION to disappear and relax.
Here’s the scoop on FOUNDATION:
- Atmosphere: The underground, industrial-chic environment is exactly what you’d expect from a speakeasy.
- What To Order: Let the mixologists fix you a barrel-aged Manhattan or a bespoke cocktail that jives with the mood.
- Where To Sit: Grab a stool at the bar to chat with the locals or a perch at a high-top, where you can watch the late-nighters trickle in.
5 | The Haymaker
The Haymaker sits in the center of everything, near dining, shopping, and Raleigh theaters, and it’s less than three miles from The StateView Hotel. Serving some of the best classic cocktails in Raleigh, this spot gets its name and drink-spiration from fighters and ‘90s rappers in a satisfyingly nostalgic way. Punch bowls sized to share and whimsical pop-ups put The Haymaker on the map.
Here’s the scoop on The Haymaker:
- Atmosphere: The chill, artsy spot serving signature drinks is great for date nights and celebratory evenings out.
- What To Order: Select one of their made-to-order drinks with a twist, like the Strawberry 75 or the Cardinal Sin Espresso Martini, to try a new take on a classic. (The Haymaker’s house syrups are next-level.)
- Where To Sit: Find a spot near the stage during shows or surround yourself in velvet on an antique couch.
6 | Bittersweet
Offering one of the most indulgent menus in Raleigh, Bittersweet gives you full permission to splurge on something sweet or spiked. This excellent coffee shop transforms into a dessert-first cocktail lounge by night. The gin list at Bittersweet is nearly second to none, and they aren’t afraid of playful or daring pairings. Bittersweet is conveniently located within four miles of The StateView Hotel, making morning coffee or late-night drinks easy.
Here’s the scoop on Bittersweet:
- Atmosphere: This fun, refined spot is perfect for dates, meet-ups with friends, and casual drinks before or after a night on the town.
- What To Order: Bittersweet offers six coffee drinks made from local beans, including one of the best espresso martinis around. Once you’re caffeinated, hang around for one of their signature cocktails, like a G&T with jam.
- Where To Sit: A table by the tall windows is excellent for people-watching, but it’s also fun to sit at the bar and ogle the uncountable elixirs.
7 | Watts & Ward
Step into the 1920s at Watts & Ward and surround yourself with vintage décor, aged whiskeys, and a fun crowd. This bar often features smooth, soulful entertainers, creating an atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding. Watts & Ward opens in the early evening and stays hopping until late, so it’s a great spot for a nightcap before heading back to the StateView Hotel, just four miles away.
Here’s the scoop on Watts & Ward:
- Atmosphere: You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a glamorous study during the Prohibition era.
- What To Order: Skip the classics and try one of the bartenders’ seasonal, on-point creations, like the Matcha Martini.
- Where To Sit: Lounge in a comfy leather couch or head outside to the elegant outdoor patio and sip under the stars.
8 | Clockwork
Popular with young professionals, night owls, and music lovers, Clockwork caters to the after-dark crowd. This establishment offers fun, expertly garnished cocktails and live entertainment. Round out any evening in Raleigh with a fresh libation at this cocktail lounge that’s within four miles of the StateView Hotel.
Here’s the scoop on Clockwork:
- Atmosphere: Modern décor and live music give this spot an upbeat vibe, perfect for all-evening outings or pre-party cocktails.
- What To Order: Ask the bartender for their recommended martini or signature seasonal drink.
- Where To Sit: You might be more inclined to dance to the DJ than sit at this bar, but it offers plenty of spots indoors and out.
9 | Aunt Betty’s
We all wish we had an aunt like this. Aunt Betty’s is quirky, colorful, and all about fun. This gin joint makes some of the best craft cocktails in Raleigh. Its location in the Morgan Street Food Hall (less than four miles from the StateView Hotel) makes this the perfect pit stop anytime.
Here’s the scoop on Aunt Betty’s:
- Atmosphere: Murals, velvet chairs, and absinthe — need we say more? The chic, industrial vibe here is welcoming and wonderful.
- What To Order: A Collins at a gin joint is a classic move (and Aunt Betty’s house cocktail won’t disappoint), but the “dealer’s choice” selections give the bartender a chance to dazzle you with their mixology skills.
- Where To Sit: Grab a spot at the bar and bring your food haul from your favorite stalls to nibble while you sip.
10 | William and Company
This cozy agave cocktail lounge serves one of the best margaritas in Raleigh, and if we’re honest, it might serve a few of the town’s top tequila drinks. The bartenders at Willco, as the locals call it, are happy to put their own spin on expected drinks using aromatics and seasonal flavors. This establishment is less than five miles from the StateView Hotel in a hip neighborhood that’s worth checking out.
Here’s the scoop on William and Company:
- Atmosphere: This cozy, comfortable spot pushes the bounds of creativity with its drinks.
- What To Order: Willco’s agave selection is unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere, so do yourself a favor and get any specialty margarita or check out the chalkboard for the day’s libations.
- Where To Sit: The plush couches invite intimate conversations, and for a fun, funky experience, try the back bar La Veldora, which is decorated to the max with authentic relics and items from local Mexican artisans.
Final Cheers
Staying at the StateView Hotel keeps Raleigh’s best cocktail bars and outstanding amenities at your fingertips. Savor all the StateView offers, from the serene lake views and upscale comfort to its standout cocktail destination. The refined rooms are designed for relaxing after a night of sipping and socializing. Select your accommodations package and start planning your Raleigh getaway to experience these downtown lounges, local hotspots, and hidden gems for yourself.