Top 5 Cocktail Bars in North Carolina

1 Glenwood Ave Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27603, United States

“This place won best cocktail bar from Raleigh Magazine for good reason. Knowledgeable bartenders working cocktail magic putting together a delicious collection of house cocktails and anything else you can think of. The menu is very descriptive and makes easy to pick new drinks and flavors you might not have thought to try otherwise. We’ve been in here a few times and the drinks are always great. We’ve had three different bartenders, two super friendly, one kinda grumpy and aloof but still a solid cocktail maker. Dram is not my favorite Raleigh cocktail bar but it’s one of them, they are certainly making some of Raleigh’s best cocktails, and the Old Fashioned from their barrel bourbon might be Raleigh’s best standard Old Fashioned.”

151 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

“Very fun, went for the New Year's celebration. The drinks were fantastic and they had a great atmosphere”

202 W Market St, Greensboro, NC 27401, United States

“Great casual downtown bar / diner. Food was well cooked and tasty. Service was great. There are 2 separate rooms; the bar in one and a dining area in the other. Both were clean, as were the unisex restrooms.”

1006 SW Maynard Rd Suite A, Cary, NC 27511, United States

“Great time. Tasty drinks and a little disc golf. Food truck on site. Update... Wednesday nights are amazing at Fortnight! Let's talk disc golf, opinionation with Gary, and an amazing bartender Angie!!! So much fun!!! It's break time for disc golf, but we will definitely find time to keep on going up there.”

56 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

“An absolutely amazing experience. Our bartender Eddie (I just remember it starts with an “e” ;) was fantastic! He made the best espresso martini I’ve ever had and was just genuinely an awesome bartender. I cannot wait to visit again, I will definitely be back. The vibe of the place was grate also. It’s a small joint, but it’s got a great atmosphere, electric but also chill.”

5 W Walnut St, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

”Cozy spot. The live band was ok. Can't comment on prices.”

4237 Park Rd Unit B, Charlotte, NC 28209, United States

”We have been going to Dot almost weekly for over two years and there's a reason we keep returning. It's is the place you go for expertly crafted cocktails prepared by knowledgeable bartenders. I would never say it was a bar that was suitable for everyone - for us, we appreciate the focus on the drinks and the atmosphere created by a lack of TVs, warmth from the staff and the sense that you're at a place that cares about presentation (both of the menu items and of its customers). We occasionally get food and it is consistently good, but the cocktails and people are what keep us coming back. For us, the cocktail menu is full of well-balanced drinks, and if you want to play around with different liquors/flavors, the bartenders are well equipped to make whatever you're looking for. Just keep in mind a lot of ingredients are seasonal. We do suggest, especially for parties of one or two who are serious about their cocktails, sitting at the bar if at all possible. But remember the bar is reserved too, so you can't just walk up and sit. For the people who complain about ID requirements - regardless of you age, don't go out to bars without your actual ID. I've been legally able to drink for 20+ years and I know I still need my ID when I go out drinking. Why would a bar want to possibly lose its liquor license because you didn't bother to plan ahead? Another point to clear up, membership is $10 per year, not $25 as someone erroneously said in another review. And we consider it money well spent.”

1724 Battleground Ave #105, Greensboro, NC 27408, United States

”An outstanding restaurant!! They have a splendid wine selection...the food choices are customer focused. And the service is excellent!”

106 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States

”Really cool spot for mezcal based cocktails as well as some really creative drinks in general. We had a great time trying some truly inspired libations and chatting with our bartender who was happy to share details about the inspiration and creation process behind their menu. We were too late to get any food but I look forward to visiting again soon!”

321 N Caldwell St #100, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States

”Delicious food, wonderful atmosphere and outstanding and friendly customer service! I will return to this great place to eat! I would highly recommend this restaurant and you will have and enjoy this restaurant and your experience there. Thank you for creating such a wonderful place to eat!”

1320 16th St NE, Hickory, NC 28601, United States

”Stopped by one Friday night recently to get some food to go. We were beyond impressed. The place was packed and there seemed to be only 3 servers working. Regardless, we got our order and headed home to eat. Everything we had was so good. We ordered the loaded french fries appetizer to start. The beer cheese and ranch came on the side which was nice so the fries weren’t soggy. They tasted great. We ordered 8 boneless bbq wings and they were amazing. We also got chicken street tacos and a burger. There was no food left when we got finished and we loved it. It was so good we went back a week later for more and it was just as good. Would highly recommend giving them a try for some good food at an affordable price!”

452 1/2 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, United States

”Popped in early yesterday while the place was still empty, so took a bunch of pictures to post while had the opportunity. Enjoy! Oldest bar in town, and it still retains so much from its 1968 founding. If you've been here before over the years, you'll notice a few changes, such as updated air venting and, of course, furniture, but in essence, little has changed. Biggest change? No thick clouds of cigarette smoke obscuring the view as it was in yesteryears; no smoking and better ventilation make for a very pleasant upgrade! Can still have a game of pool, pop out the back door, enjoy a good variety at the bar, and catch an ever changing eclectic mix of local talent and living legends live on a stage that really makes for an intimate experience. With so many restaurants and shops nearby, there's every reason to make an afternoon and evening of it! Oh, and as for those restrooms,... they are unusual, rustic, small... but not actually bad... they just aren't up to 'modern expectations' of slick uniform construction and display. With so many changes in the world today, it is great to know some places don't!”

210 E Trade St D-164, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States

”Great experience at a special catered event!! Tasha was a great host. The food and the service were outstanding. So accommodating to our requests. Alexis was a great bartender. Great service and great drinks. If you are thinking of scheduling a special event or just an afternoon of bowling, I highly recommend.”

1319 Pecan Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, United States

”Date night with husband, splurged a nice bottle of wine. Great service and nice atmosphere with covered patio seating. We didn't eat this visit but the food looked very tasty. Parking could be an issue during peak hours, on street parking or ride share is best. They also serve nice beers here, but go for the wine 🍷”

415 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States

”I don't know about their normal business model as we were just there for their Hopscotch day parties. The music lineups were great. The bar staff was helpful. The slushies were tasty. The beers were reasonably priced. The music shows were hosted outside, which worked out really well since the weather was good. The only real issue was the fact that there's a huge dumpster right next to the outdoor space that stunk to high heaven. Pretty off-putting.”

108 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States

”I’m not normally one to write bad reviews because I know every bar/restaurant can have “bad days”—-however, my experience at The Green Light was one that I would use to teach anyone in the food and bev industry what NOT to do. My New Year's Eve experience at The Green Light, which came with a hefty $108 per ticket price tag, left much to be desired. From the moment we arrived, there was a noticeable lack of engagement from the staff. No greetings, no explanations about the cocktails being served—just a cold and indifferent. The ticket per person was advertised to include 4 course cocktail pairing with charcuterie and desserts. However, the menu was never provided ahead of time, even when we contacted the bar ahead of time. The cocktails were decent, but unfortunately that did make up for the overall disappointing experience. The disappointment extended to the charcuterie board, or what was falsely advertised as such. Instead of an assortment of artisanal cured meats and complementary delicacies, we were presented with a meager board featuring lunch meat rolls, a solitary olive, and a quarter piece of celery. It was a school lunch rather than an upscale dining experience. You could pick up a better charcuterie board from a grocery store than what was served. Attempts to communicate with the staff ahead of time regarding gluten-free options went unanswered, leaving us in the dark about potential accommodations. Understandably, catering to dietary restrictions on a busy night like New Year's Eve can be challenging, but the lack of responsiveness only added to the overall frustration. The champagne, supposedly a highlight of the evening, tasted disappointingly similar to Welch's rather than a refined bubbly. As we ventured into the restroom facilities, the illusion of an upscale venue completely shattered. The state of disrepair—falling ceiling tiles, out-of-order signs—gave the impression of a run-down dive bar rather than the sophisticated speakeasy we had anticipated. The experience was so far from upscale that it bordered on comical. The cumulative disappointments reached a tipping point, and we decided not to endure the mediocrity any longer, leaving before finishing our drinks. Paying $216 for what can only be described as a joke of an experience was not just disheartening but also frustrating. It's regrettable to see such a promising concept fall short on execution. My advice: steer clear of this place, especially if you expect a memorable and enjoyable upscale speakeasy experience.”

1220, 410 Glenwood Ave #101, Raleigh, NC 27603, United States

”I had an amazing night yesterday. They had the hockey watch party going on in the street and my two favorite bartenders Cam and Chelsea were there holding it down at milk bar making sure everybody was getting served and having a great time. These two are great under pressure they make a good duo for sure. Shout out to Rowe and Xavier for not only making sure people are staying out of trouble but also stepping in and assisting the bartenders when needed. I can honestly say that my night couldn’t have gone any better. I will definitely keep coming back here and telling my friends and family all about it. Because in my opinion it is the best social bar on Glenwood. Great drinks, great music, great staff, friendly environment what more can you ask for? -Braulio (240)”

315 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701, United States

”June 3, 2023 - Review date The scenery is beautiful; if you’re having a stressful day, this is where you should come. I had two signature drinks: the Durham and the Whiskey Sesame. If you don’t like sesame oil, you can omit it from the drink: friendly, warm, atmosphere; great seating, and the music selection is chill. For any special occasion or birthday celebration, reserving is a great choice.”

110 Corcoran St, Durham, NC 27701, United States

”Came here through an Offline subscription offer. Fruit and ceviche were refreshing, and the rest hit the savory spot. Delicious!! Would come back here again. Shared this with a friend and had leftovers. 🤤”

3557 Cedar Island Rd, Cedar Island, NC 28520, United States

”Absolutely the best seared ahi tuna steak I've ever had. Their homemade wasabi dipping sauce was to die for. I would absolutely recommend coming here for a nice weekend getaway. No cell signal, nobody bothers you. It's quiet, nice crowd, and the best part is the fresh seafood!”