This is absolutely a hidden gem amongst bars. It's in an inconspicuous abandoned looking shopping…read morecenter off the beaten path, but they make some of the best cocktails in the city. They have a very extensive inventory of bourbons including all the high-end ones you would want. The bartenders making amazing recipes including my partners favorite, Tom Yum, taste just like the soup. I can often enjoy a whiskey sour with no issue and use the menu to try something different. They don't serve food, so it's a good place to come after dinner. The ambiance is simple, a wooden bar and now that they have expanded, they have some tables as well. This past trip was the most crowded I've ever seen it in there, but the service was still quick and attentive. This bar is a staple for me.

A nice selection of Bourbon and other spirits, I enjoy a Whisky Sour. On Monday Blind Barbour has a…read morebottle special and it can be lively. Parking is easy. Lighting for Blind Barbour, speak easy bark. There's no patio.

This is a whiskey lover's dream and one of Raleigh's most unique drinking destinations. It's quite…read moreliterally underground as it's in a basement. With little signage the space feels like a natural speakeasy. It's unpolished enough to feel a little sleazy, yet polished enough to never feel dirty. In other words, it has character, and plenty of it. The bartenders were fantastic: knowledgeable, talented, and happy to chat about the spirits behind the bar. Whether you're a serious whiskey enthusiast or just looking for a well-made cocktail, you're in good hands. Being open later than most Raleigh bars makes Foundation one of the city's go-to late-night options, but that shouldn't overshadow what it really is........a great bar at any hour. The atmosphere, the drinks, and the people behind the bar make this a place worth seeking out whether it's your first stop of the evening or your last.

Came here before dinner and had a great time. Even though it's a speakeasy, it was pretty easy to…read morefind. The menu leans heavily toward whiskey and bourbon, with lots of solid options. I had their basil smash, which was refreshing, and the Manhattan--bold with a warm, spicy profile. Pleasant surprise to see Michter's as the special of the night, and it was excellent with smooth caramel and vanilla notes. Service started off a little hands-off since we ordered at the bar, but picked up toward the end when staff came by to check in. Drinks were high quality without being overpriced, and the vibe is relaxed--not at all pretentious. You can definitely come casual. If we had more time, we would've stayed longer or come back for another round.

This was our first time visiting, and let me just say the experience was a 10/10. We were unaware…read morethat we needed to reserve prior to arrival, but they were gracious enough to still serve us brunch past usual hours. The atmosphere was amazing, definitely gives you that vibe to just slow down, relax and truly enjoy your time dining. Plus they had the jams going! I chose the Really Good Burger and it held up to its name, especially with truffle fries. Overall, I would definitely enjoy coming back here again!

I was excited to finally be able to visit The Crunkleton after hearing good reviews about the…read morerestaurant. We came when the restaurant opened during the week so we were seated right away and it wasn't crowded. There are several tables and spaces to sit inside of the restaurant. Our server, Ariel, was friendly & very attentive during our visit. The manager, Ravi, was also great. We both got a steak and I got the Mac & cheese for my side. The Mac & cheese was very cheesy as it contained multiple cheeses. We enjoyed it. My steak was also prepared well and was tender. The fries were served hot. It did take a little while for our food to be brought out to us but it was worth the wait.

Was visiting for a concert and am so happy I checked out William & Company. I was with 6 other…read morepeople and we were able to snag the soft seating at the front (space to the left when you walk in). I enjoyed my slushie but then moved on to tequila soda - my classic. All staff was super nice and drinks, bar service was quick and empty glasses were picked up quickly while we were just yapping. Added touch is the Krispy Kreme that's across the street (make sure you share with the staff!)

Ok i loved this place! Honestly it was exactly what i needed! Great vibes. Fantastic drinks! And…read morejust a vibe you don't want to miss. Easy seating. You don't want to miss out on this spot for sure!

First time here. Been wanting to come for a while and so glad I did. I arrived and it was already…read morepacked at 530 on Saturday. Outdoor seating looked really nice. Wish it wasn't 100 out. Good reason to come back. Started with prickly pear margarita with mescal. Yum! Had a white wine after. It was ok. My friend and I shared 4 bruschetta's- smoked salmon and pesto, artichoke, caprese, and apple, Brie and fig. Favs were smoked salmon and apple and Brie. The fries were amazing. Salmon board was good too. The bread on the board was much better than the bruschetta. Ambiance is great. Service as well. Will be back!

Absolutely love Postino! This is my go to lunch spot with coworkers. We've been numerous times…read moreand are never disappointed. My go to meal is the half panini and tomato soup. Their roast beef panini is on par with Portillo's a long standing Chicago beef restaurant (IYKYK). I've NEVER had a beef sandwich that was better than Portillo's but Postino you managed to take a hometown classic and elevate it to a point beyond my expectations - if you get this sandwich I recommend getting it on the ciabatta bread versus focaccia. Let's not overlook the tomato soup - it's so rich and flavorful. For a lighter lunch my go to is the tuna panini with broccoli salad. They are known for their boards, I've not had the bruschetta yet but it looks delicious. My favorite board is the hummus. One thing I hate is when a restaurant gives you a big bowl of hummus and not enough pita. That is not the case here, you'll get pita, toasted bread, and a variety of vegetables to scoop up the velvety humus covered in cherry tomatoes, red onion and feta. For date night enjoy a Violet Femme a gin cocktail that tastes as lovely as it looks. The service here is top notch! Everyone is fantastic. I'll have to come back to this review to note the serves names we've had because they have all been exceptional. Now let's talk about the vibe! Postino's nailed the indoor/outdoor feel. Plenty of windows that are open on nice days, plants galore and the decor gives you a cool like rockstar but classy feel. 5 stars doesn't feel like enough.

The Green Light is not a yellow or red light, it is a must GO!! This bar is uniquely beautiful and…read moreprovided my friend and I with surprises all around. From the entrance of the speakeasy to the handcrafted cocktails. If I could leave six stars I would!!

Left this place in high spirits!! :) Mysterious and amusing impression as the "entrance" was…read moreunsealed. I won't spoil it for you, but as you walk up the stairs just ask for Green Light instead of Merchant (which is also a great bar!) This bar is more intimate; a bit of a propriety aura with a street view. Different cocktail options than The Merchant, and so our waitress who normally works over there wasn't familiar with any of them but she asked for us. Loved the Porn on Mute (similar to Sex on Beach).

I always enjoy coming here. It's easy to just order at the bar and sit wherever you want. You can…read morefind college students with laptops or people enjoying cocktails. It's not very large, but also not small and they have outdoor seating. The prices are fair. I ordered a cocktail, appetizer, smash burger and dessert well for under $50. The food drink and food came out fast and was delicious! It was hot and fresh. The drink was perfect. Well balanced and well portioned. The Brussels sprouts were so good! Flavorful and nice texture and the burger was delicious. Great size and served with a side of pork cracklings. You would need to upgrade for a bit extra to get a more traditional side. I will definitely be back here over and over.

If you can get a table, Gussie's is a great place to grab a meal and a beverage. You order…read moreeverything at the bar, and then they'll deliver food to your table. They have a rotating menu of specialty cocktails, some of which are very creative, some are classics, and some are choose your own adventure. They also have house made sodas if you're so inclined. The smash burger, the animals fries, and the crispy Brussels are in heavy rotation with the friends that we usually meet here. They had some pretty cool offerings for Saint Patrick's day too this year. It's overall a cutesy, friendly, and local focused business and I would argue it's a must try (at least once) when you're in Raleigh. Bonus: they have a a cute coffee shop called the Fox Hole attached.

I came here to experience a night out on the town all the way from Brooklyn, NY. I didn't realize…read moreuntil after when I looked on the business page that it had Brooklyn decor. Since I visited the day after Christmas there was still holiday decor up. The did play a small selection of NY based music which I did appreciate which music from other regions which I also enjoyed. What I didn't enjoy too much was my drink. I was trying to order a drink fro the festive list but one of the ingredients weren't available so I decided to just get a vodka and cranberry which tasted a little watered down. I'll probably try a second visit when come back in town.

Came here for the Christmas decorations and loved it! The service was great, the spiked hot…read morechocolates were delightful , the decorations are so creative (night before Christmas themed!) and we enjoyed the karaoke.

Whiskey Kitchen is a solid spot for great food and cocktails…read more If you are a whiskey drinker then you definitely want to check this place out. They have a huge selection of whiskey! Not a whiskey drinker, they have other cocktails and beer as well. For food, my to-go is the Lamb Burger or the Fried Chicken Sandwich. Both are a hit! Not a lot of places serve Lamb Burger in the area and this is one of my favorites! Whiskey Kitchen doesn't disappoint! Highly recommend!

Wow. Visiting Raleigh for work and (sorry) ChatGPT came through with a solid recommendation…read more Great decor, and of course amazing cocktails. My client loved his burger and I had the lamb burger which was delicious and spicy (and a bit over-sauced so definitely a 5-napkin burger!) And then dessert. Too good to take a picture: Lemon coconut Chess pie. GET THIS PIE! It was SO GOOD. Our server was so sweet (and sassy!) and heard us rave, so she gave us another slice for the road (proud to admit I had it for breakfast!) Will definitely be back next time i'm in town

Changed. I always…read morerave about this place. Especially with Smoke and dagger. Unfortunately there was a significant change when I came back to a new location. Not a good change. Venue: larger venue compared to their original former venue. Similar speakeasy vibe. Love the ambience, NY speakeasy feel. Drinks : ordered the famous smoke and dagger. Also espresso martini. Smoke and dagger does not taste the same. Looks similar but some elements missing. Drinks feel like it was not shaken enough. Drink was very sour without balance. Just was not the same. Came in a smoke box like before. Brought family members after bragging about this place and had not much to say. Espresso martini was very bitter. Service: the lady that served us not personable. Maybe she was not having a good. The place I was looking so much forward to end up in disappointment.

This is your typical cocktail bar located in an old building. There are multiple places like this…read morein downtown Raleigh, nothing really stands out about this one. They no longer serve food like they did in their old location. Essentially this is like the Architect 2.0. I don't think they changed anything from the previous ownership. Even the Green Light bar is still there. If you want some expensive cocktails in a nice atmosphere, this is as good as any other cocktail bar in downtown Raleigh.