The highlight of my most recent trip to Raleigh and arguably the coziest I've ever felt in public. I had never been to a "speakeasy" style bar, but I'm glad my first was the Greenlight! I can't remember the name of the cocktail I ordered (shocker), but it was delicious. Awesome, yet low key way to wrap up a night out Downtown. read more

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Loved that it's a quaint Speak Easy and of course going through the bookcase to reach the bar. Drinks are expensive, but you're there for the experience not the prices. read more

I feel this is truly one of the most interesting craft cocktail joints in Raleigh. It's hidden, you have to contact ahead of time to get a seat, and their cocktails are phenomenal. Homemade mixers, talented staff, and a feeling of being in a secret place are all part of the thrill of The Green Light. Go by. You won't be disappointed. read more

This review is for a visit back in Feb 2020. If you get in the waItlist on a Saturday night, make sure you stand right in front bc they will just let others in at the discretion of the person at the stand. I personally over heard that other parties that had no reservations when asked and was still let in in front of others that have been waiting (me). There needs to be a standardized method to be fair, unless this is what management is aiming for. The drinks are good inside, just just be prepared to wait as they are hand crafted and amazing. read more

This is the spot to sit down with your hyna and talk about the good times. Excellent bartender too

I really wanted to love this place. The environment here was great and a wonderful place for a date night. We came with a group of 4 and all of our drinks were delivered 5 minutes apart which was a bit of a bummer. But the real disappointment was when my drink was finally delivered, they served my cocktail in a champagne glass (it was supposed to be a coup) and passively said "the bar ran out of the right glass so we just put it in a champagne glass." This would have been perfectly fine if we were at a restaurant or bar. But as somewhere that is supposed to pride themselves on the art of the cocktail and charges accordingly, this was a let down to say the least. Wish I could recommend this place because the atmosphere is truly lovely! read more

We initially found this place through a Taste Carolina tour. Jeffrey, the bartender, was informative and entertaining while he explained the basics of mixology and created a delicious mango-based cocktail (it wasn't too sweet, which can be hard to do with fruit bases). We loved it so much that we came back on our own the next night. Without the tour, there wasn't as much time for discussing drinks or explaining his process, but Jeffrey will still concoct something based on your liquor of choice. We all agreed that unique combinations were his strong suit but weren't "wowed" by his Old Fashioned (a staple for our group). If you're into tequila try Jeffrey's tequila shot - he'll tell you all about his unique take on a classic. It's really important to make a reservation - the place isn't super busy, but there is only one bartender and Jeffrey likes to make sure everyone gets the attentive, hand crafted experience he has worked hard to cultivate (with that in mind, be prepared to spend a leisurely evening. Because of the hand crafted and made-to-order nature of the place it can sometimes take time to get your drinks). It's worth it to plan ahead! I highly recommend the Green Light! And if you can, try it through the Taste Carolina tour so you can get some undivided attention with a guy who knows his cocktails! read more

Texted. Was told we could be seated at 9. Showed up and was told 15 mins. Waited. Came back. Told another 5 mins. Waited Another 15. A party of 10 people walked in off the street. Go in. Was told "certain tables are held for certain things." I've been in before and never saw a table hold for 10. Bouncer was rude when I got angry. Never again. Wasted 40 minutes. Could've been drinking at Fox Liquor or Trophy or Bittersweet. Don't waste your time. read more

Great place and great drinks. Love the atmosphere and the drinks are amazing. A must visit place after a nice dinner downtown

This place is really neat. It's a bar, inside a bar. It's behind the bookcase:) space is small and dark, with an excellent drink menu. I'd highly recommend. read more

The Green Light - Bookcase opening - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Barception. A bar within a bar. If you can find it that is. ;) (It's hidden inside of Architect) Cleverly hidden behind a bookcase, is an intimate cozy candlelight bar. Perfect for couples to hide out and have a drink. Perfect to rent out and throw a small private birthday party. (I don't know if you can even do this but I would love it!) They play nice relaxing music and serve you magical drinks for you to forget the outside world. Old style mixology is done here, which is something I always appreciate. It's like watching a magician do a magic trick. A must visit for everybody! read more

Had a surprising experience last night. I've been to this spot several times and enjoyed the ambiance and drinks, but last night didn't turn out too good. Came here last night w four other friends/colleagues after a work mixer at Oro. Not sure if the bartender (red hair and beard) is socially inept, didn't like my group, or was having a bad night... but he kept coming to our table chastising us like were middle schoolers. (telling us to quiet down) It was bizarre because the music was loud and we were literally the only group in there. Odd being told to be quiet in a bar where we could barely hear each other talk because the music is so loud. (it's normally not that loud) But we obliged. Ten minutes later, while attempting to softly engage each other over loud music, another flamboyant staff member comes over and tells us to be quiet again. ***insert stoic stare*** It became clear that we were unwanted in that establishment. We decided to leave. And won't return...especially with a group of professionals of color. Kinda sad, because I used to like this place. But it's clear, they don't want us in there, at least in groups. Disappointing. #BusinessWithUnconsciousBias? read more

I officially have a new spot. One of the coolest places i have ever been to. i absolutely love the secret bookcase entrance, the whole candlelight ambiance. It was absolutely amazing. the drinks were excellent, our bartender, Jeff, was highly knowledgeable and very courteous. Definitely will be coming back every tuesday to hang out with Jeff and create new memories. read more

Boy oh boy, do I love secrets and this is such a cool Raleigh secret. You have to know where to find this place and how to get your name on the list which I just love. Like below, the bar is behind a bookcase in the Architect and houses a small bar and a few tables. It is very intimate and pretty swanky for Raleigh. The bartenders are not your regular poor em' kind of guys, they are artistic and delicious. Definitely a cool spot to take out of town guests or just those who live locally who have never been. You pay a price for artisan cocktails but the ambiance makes it worth the price. read more

I've been here twice and I really like this bar. It is hidden behind a bookcase in the Architect. There isn't a ton of seating but I think that's great so you don't have to worry about long waits for drinks. I love the drink options and Layton the bartender was AMAZING! I love a friendly bartender that will put up with my million questions when I am super indecisive about what I want. I ended up with a gin on the rocks with lemon juice and it was super tasty. I even tasted the bourbon which wasn't too bad (I am not a brown liquor girl at all)! The music was tasteful and the energy was lively. There were only a few seats available at the bar but Layton was kind enough to let us know we could call ahead for seating in the future. Over all the service, decor, drinks, and energy was great. I think this place is perfect for a date and if you want to go dancing just step outside to hear the architect pumping the latest jams. The only caveat I have is those stairs! It's a nice glute workout on the way up but it scares me going down them after a few drinks and wearing stilettos. I'd suggest a cute escort to hold your arm, like the one I had that night :-) read more

Drinks were great, but when I asked my server/bartender what bourbons they had he started listing scotch.... Smh

I love this place! You almost don't want to tell about this little hidden gem. The drinks are awesome and well crafted. I feel like this is definitely a grown person spot where you can just chill and enjoy the company of the group your with. Be sure not to take a large group here as the space is quaint and intimate. Go to the Architect and look to see if the Green Light is on outside. Sorry world but I'm giving away any other details than that. It's a hidden gem, which means you may have to work a little harder to find it but oh is it worth it. If you find it, be sure to keep it a secret. LOL! Happy hunting and drink responsibly! read more

The Green Light - Pineapple Umbrella drink, something like that. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Great place to grab a nice cocktail. The Greenlight is a speakeasy style with very good cocktails. It is situated on the second floor of the Architect bar behind a set of book cases. Being on the second floor with windows to the outside makes it feel like a more modern and welcoming version of a speakeasy instead of the standard basement style dungeony type of place. Being a small, intimate place make sure you text their phone number to assure you can get a reservation. It's the same number as on their yelp page. Overall my fiancee and I really enjoyed this place. The only disappointment was my fiancee was in the mood for a glass of wine but they do not serve wine. They focus on the quality cocktail instead. read more

Never in my life have I been more excited about a bar. Service, decor, drinks, and atmosphere are all, without a doubt, 5 stars and a 10/10 in my book. First off, it's located within another bar called the Architect and behind a bookcase, so in terms of location, its secrecy already gives it a couple of brownie points. The ambiance very casual but still maintains that air of underground classiness. My first time going, the bartender gave me and my friends the menu, but after a while of perusing it without decisions, he came over to our table and asked us what kind of drink we were in the mood for and selected drinks that were catered to each of our tastes. I got this godly drink known as a Gold Rush, which consists of a simple whiskey, honey, lemon juice, and egg white. "I can make that at my house!" you might be exclaiming to yourself right now. NO YOU CAN'T. I'm not sure what that bartender did to this drink, but it was like drinking ambrosia from the heavens. Some bars you go to have that certain "when are you gonna leave" feeling about them- the line of people filing in, the bartender looking at you expectantly, etc. This bar was not like that. There was no pressure, and the whole place seemed to vibe with a comfort that helped perfectly wind down a great evening out with friends. On weekends, though, you do need to call ahead for a table, since this spot can get pretty high in demand. This might possibly be one of my favorite bars in Raleigh now. Thank you, Greenlight. read more

Such a cool place located inside the architect! We walked up the stairs and the host asked us if we were here for greenlight, we said yes and he pushed open a bookshelf and we are ushered inside. The inside is dark and small (maybe can seat 20-30 people). We went around 8:30 on a Saturday night and had no problem getting in. Service was FANTASTIC! They refilled our waters and brought our drinks quickly and checked on us often. I got the Jungle Juice which was tart and fresh (definitely made with quality and fresh ingredients). I will warn that their drinks are pretty strong (but also expensive...my cocktail set me back $13). This place is definitely a fun place to take out-of-towners or a place to get a drink and catch up with friends. This is not a place to dance or go for a full night of drinking (unless you can afford it). We will definitely be back! read more

Best date night ever. If you want a place to make memories and have meaningful conversation without distractions, this is the place. They really take you back in time with the ambiance (and the limit using your cell phone "guideline", as hard as it may sound, try it, you won't regret it). Can't wait to come back!! Make sure to make a reservation tho! read more

Cozy speakeasy with delicious cocktails and a wonderful bartender. Located behind a bookcase on the 2nd floor of the Architect, Greenlight transports you to the 1920s. Beautiful ambiance - marble-like tabletops, velvet and leather seating, all lit by bare edison bulbs. It's a small place (max 32 people) - and to keep the intimate vibe, they will not let any more people in once it's reached capacity. There's a green light located outside the building and it will turn off when the bar is maxed out. Jeff the bartender took excellent care of us - clearly loves his job! After we tried two of the delicious cocktails in the menu, Jeff then created custom cocktails for us based on our current mood and fave flavor profiles. read more

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It is hard to rate what you can't experience and after multiple attempts to enter this establishment I am putting this one on the back burner, tonight i contacted them to make a reservation prior to 7pm, never received a reply so I show up unannounced at 7:30 (and just a party of 2) only to be told by the host that the earliest i could enter was 11pm, I have read great things about the green light but every time i try to get in I leave disappointed, good luck and hope you have better luck then me read more

My friend Genya and I have been checking out all the places featured in the News & Observer story: http://www.visitraleigh.com/blog/post/2017/3/10/A-Guide-to-Raleigh-N-C-s-Rooftop-Hidden-and-Underground-Bars/9556/ I like the intimacy of it, but it was too bad the few tables were reserved, yet no one showed up to claim for at an hour. No matter, we found a seat at the bar. This bar can't be much bigger than front two rooms of my house. The best part was that had a secret entrance. OK, that was cool. I walked into the Architect, which I later learned was a dance club that won't get started until after 10. The Green Light was a quite bar off this dance bar. When I walked in through the Architect, no one was there, even my friend Genya, whom I was meeting. I told a staff person that I was meeting a friend, but obviously she wasn't here. No one was there! He said, maybe she is in The Green Light. He pointed to a bookshelf. I just look at it and back to him. He said just open the door. I say, but it's a bookshelf. Then he opened the door for me and I was in awe! I entered and was directed by a black velvet cloth to the funnest location ever. We will go back. So why only 4 stars? There was no food at all. Not nuts, nothing. So if you go, bring a little something if want to stave off hunger before dinner. read more

After hearing much about green light bar, I finally got to check it out. We had no idea where it is located other than that it's somewhere hidden in the architect. If you're like us, no fret, just ask the bouncer upstairs. We were pointed to the secret entrance and greeted by the host right away. My boyfriend and I came in around 10:30/11 without a reservation and were able to score a table. However next time I would definitely make one since the place is very small. Especially if you have a bigger party, definitely definitely make a reservation! Our friends couldn't join us because of the space limit so we ended up having to leave and go somewhere else. The cocktails are around $12-15 range. We were told that they are double shots. However maybe some of them are, the one I got felt rather weak. Since it is inside the architect, they have play the music quite loud to shut the dance music out. All in all, a cool place to check out. Just make sure you call for a reservation. read more

We recently experienced the Greenlight as the only patrons in the bar for a good long while. It was a great opportunity to appreciate the prohibition-era ambiance and the friendly service. I started with a classic old fashioned, moved on to a seelbach, and finished with a double Redemption Rye. Thank the universe for Uber. read more

Eclectic cool space with extremely excellent service from Jeffrey! Thx! Tho a creative, vast menu of cocktails, the Eastern Medicine drink was just so-so. While drinking the cocktail it had a more-than-I-care-for-sour after taste. I've had the Buck Mule before and will go back to that cocktail the next time I visit. read more

The Green Light - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

All about secret passageways so five stars simply for making the entrance door a book case. read more

The Green Light - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I love this place! I love the cocktails. I love that it's hidden behind a bookshelf. I love the atmosphere. My husband has to convince me that other places are awesome too or we'd just go there all the time. read more

Any date night out is a Must-Go-To the The Green Light night! I love this cozy little bar. The drinks are wonderfully made and strong too.

There's quite a wait time to get in at late night, but the wait was worth it once you got the cocktails. They were both pleasing to the eyes and taste good (and stronger than the bars outside). I'd go back again for a date night earlier in the evening. read more

Having the door guy ask for a tip to let us in was a bit of a turn off...

Tried to come here on a Monday night to celebrate several friends finishing medical residency. It was a group of about 10 of us, and sorry to say, but our experience here with the customer service was absolutely terrible. To give some background - my friends and I had travelled to Raleigh in the hopes of doing a bit of bar hopping and just having a good time. We started our night off pretty early and had a couple of drinks at a different bar. No issues there, everyone was having a great time and just enjoying each other's company. We decide at this point to head to the Green Light because we had heard some great things about it. This was about 10:00pm. We get there and are stopped at the door saying that our group could not be accommodated because we didn't have a reservation. Umm.. okay. Never heard of making a reservation at a bar... they also had a sign outside advertising they were open and to c'mon in! Guess that's just false advertising.... anyways, they then tell us that we would have to wait maybe 30 minutes before being seated. Accompanying this whole exchange was just an air of total pretentiousness. We shrug it off and decide to head elsewhere for the time being. About 30-45 minutes later, after going to another bar for a bit, we decide to give the Green Light another try. We head back and, after about a 10 minute wait, are told we can head upstairs. Hallelujah! The entrance to the bar is through this bookcase, a la Harry Potter style. The inside is dark, quite small, but has some good ambiance. Notably, there are only 3 other people there. Our group is directed to a spot to sit. Because the space is small and there are about 10 of us trying to get arranged around a tiny table, 2 guys in our group at the tail end end up sitting down on a different side just to be out of the way. Of note, these 2 people were towards the back of our group and even didn't hear the employee telling us where we could sit. Well after noticing our friends sitting in what apparently was a "forbidden area", the same employee went over and told them that the table was reserved. However, this was done in a pretty rude and demeaning manner. Our friends tried to make light of the situation and laughingly joked, "well we don't want to sit with them over there". The response of the employee to my friends was "well if it doesn't work for you, then it doesn't work for me. We don't need your business here, I'm busy enough anyways". After hearing that exchange (which wasn't difficult because the bar is small and there were only about 3 other people in the entire place), our entire group got up and left. Personally speaking, I have never been treated so rudely at any other establishment, period. And this is coming from someone who grew up in Los Angeles where pretentious attitudes tend to be a given. I'm sorry but this place is not the newest, hippest bar to hit NYC, LA, or Vegas.. but they sure thought that they were by the way they treated their potential customers. This was a bar in Raleigh that we tried to go to on a Monday night... c'mon. My group and I were all very well dressed, well mannered physicians that were nothing but polite despite the attitude that was thrown at us from the very beginning. Never, ever again. Thumbs way down. read more

Some of the best drinks in Raleigh. Even though it is hidden inside Architect, it couldn't be more different of a bar or atmosphere. Very dark and chill. Great for a date night or drinks with friends. You will need a reservation and it fills up fast, so call ahead. read more

Cute little spot! Met for cocktails with some friends, there were 7 of us, but we fit, tiny little room (duh). Fun cocktail ideas, when the room fills up, it's probably 30-40 people, and only one bartender. Service got a little slow, and a friend's drink did get forgotten, but the bartender was flying solo, and he was busting his hump, so that's more on the restaurant staffing for a Thursday night lightly I guess? There were more people hiddin in this bookcase than in the karaoke bar outside, so maybe lend the guy a hand. Cute little area, doesn't really accomodate a group our size, but that goes with the fun speakeasy vibe. Overall, fun hang, esp when not in a rush. read more

Such a cozy intimate atmosphere. Excellent mixes, nice bartenders, loved it. My fav: eastern medicine. the habanero level of spice just makes that drink perfect after a nice dinner. read more

This place would have gotten five stars but now they are charging a $10 cover charge on a Tuesday night just to come in and spend more money on drinks... I was told that we would need a reservation which is fine but I can't find the place to book a reservation anywhere on the website... Unfortunately my friends from out of town who were really looking forward to this place thought that a cover charge was ridiculous and we ended up at Fox's liquor lounge. Update: owner reached out and said that was just due to some bluegrass festival going on which would have been great to know...I upgraded to 4 stars and will try back again. read more

It's totally fun and intimate. Go there as a caper with your co-conspirator. When you get to the top of the stairs it's a hard right. The lighting puts you in film noir. Excellent libations. Bottoms up! read more

Located inside of Architect bar with no signage but a green lamp seen from the street, Green Light is easy to miss. If you are going on Friday or Saturday night make sure to call first. You'll be given a phone number to text to and make a reservation. Go into Architect and take an immediate right on top of the stairs. Green Light is behind the bookshelves. Small and intimate, with tiny tables adorned with fresh flowers, bare concrete walls, dim lighting and leather bar stools, it's a classy spot perfect for a first date, group outing or even a solo trip to get away from it all. The menu includes a number of classic and original cocktails, but don't be afraid to ask the bartender to make you something fitting your taste (on a slow night). These guys sure do know how to make a strong delicious drink well worth the $10-$13 price tag. Not many beer choices though, but they do have a few good brews daily. Forget Raleigh Times with its bros, dirty floors and noise. Green Light is the place to visit when you're in Raleigh. *small edit! Yes, it's a right turn up the stairs, not left. Thanks, Ron, for pointing that out. I get my lefts and rights confused A LOT. read more

RACIST! They hostess walked my family and I through the door, the bartenders turned their noses up at us and didn't want to take our drink order. Then I couldn't help but notice the amount of hospitality shown to two other groups (Caucasians) that came in shortly after us. They sprayed their tables down, gave them drink menus, and was more than happy to assist them. They are too selective to only have a corner inside of Architect Social and Bar. read more