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    Circa 1888

    3.8 (39 reviews)
    ModerateBars
    Open 3:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Circa 1888 Photos

    CIRCA 1888 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Circa 1888

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    Ron W.

    In the space that used to house the old FUBAR, you now have the decidedly upscale and posh, Circa 1888! Owned by the same folks as Landmark Tavern, this innocuous front entrance opens up to a huge space inside. Arched stone entry-way, antique brick interior and a long, serious bar on the right hand side. We grabbed a pint here and wandering around you've got a nice billiards area, huge red banquette/booths, a private room along with a side patio. Service from Renee at the bar was personable and friendly, I'm curious to see what kind of crowd they draw here. Never made it here when it was a dance club but I'll come back now that it's Circa 1888. The bar and cocktail scene takes another leap forward in the Triangle...

    Bourbon Bellini..soo good
    Shavonne H.

    This is a hidden little gem. If not for a friend taking me here I would've never known it was there, but I'm so glad I found it. It's a very chill low key spot with some great drinks. There's a few pool tables that are free to use during the week. The atmosphere is nice as well. Low lighting and an intimate feel, but not so intimate that you couldn't come with a few friends. They have a great drink menu with nice craft cocktails as well. Great place to go to escape the craziness of Boxcar when it gets busy if you need an escape since it's just a 1 minute walk away...

    Austin Powers room with my main partner in crime. Notice the beaded entrance!
    Rose L.

    I'm not sure what I was expecting when I walked into Circa 1888, but whatever it was, it was blown out the window! From the outside the building looks small and I think I was just anticipating a small bar. What Circa delivers is a huge space and as soon as you walk through that ordinary door, you're transported into somewhere that is far from The Depot. After walking through a stone archway, you're greeted by a bar along the entire wall of one side of the building. Fancy, red loungish seating, pool tables, a porch that will comfortably seat 50+ and two more "private" spaces, one full of high top tables and chairs, the other located behind a beaded divider that once you pass through will transport you into a dimly lit "Austin Powers" set (complete with my Granny's crochetted blanket on the back of one couch. Circa 1888 and The Landmark (further downtown) are owned by the same gentleman, however the only thing similar between the two is the Allagash White on tap. They have a normal collection of beers on tab and a wide bottle selection as well as wine by the glass and bottle! Unfortunately, as of last night, they are still putting together a cocktail list but have all the liquor in stock so if you can come up with it, they can probably make it. Circa is just plain cool, it's an awesome addition to The Depot and this place is going to blow up. I can see grabbing a circle booth with a group of friends and ordering bottles of wine. Playing some pool ($10/hour) with a handful of friends OR renting out the Austin Powers room for a party, complete with private bar! Currently the Austin Powers room is first come first serve, but I'm telling you, as soon as people realize what a new treasure Circa is, this will change. As long as Circa keeps up the charm, excellent bartending and the chill vibe, I could definitely see this place becoming a five-star spot and one that I would recommend to all; I just want to see that cocktail list and come out on a weekend and confirm the awesomeness!

    Pinot Grigio....love the extensive drink list. Such a fun venue!

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    1 year ago

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    6 months ago

    Nice low key spot had a decent time out and staff was very helpful and friendly. I recommend

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    8 years ago

    Great place to chill out. Really nice place for those who really bored of college people!

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    11 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    10 years ago

    What a cool place! Lots of pool tables, nice lounge area and delicious cocktails. I could see myself being a regular here!

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    8 years ago

    Bartender lady was Very rude to us tonight. Not sure if she's had a bad night or what; but we left right away.

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    Ask the Community - Circa 1888

    Review Highlights - Circa 1888

    I love the atmosphere here, it's dimly lit with plenty of seating inside and out.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Whiskey Kitchen - Cracklin' Biscuits

    Whiskey Kitchen

    4.0(787 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Wow! I said I'd come back but I didn't realize it had been 8 years!…read more My husband Dan H and I had a great lunch with some friends today. We all shared an order of fries for the table, which were amazing. Then I got the grain bowl with shrimp, and everything was perfectly prepared and delicious. My husband enjoyed his biscuits and gravy with fried chicken- so tender and decedent. Our friends enjoyed their meal, too, and enjoyed the apple custard for dessert. The mocktails were also delicious- I loved one with hibiscus and ginger. So nice to have a bunch of mocktail options! The ambiance was just as great as it was 8 years ago- spacious and light. The server was great, and let us linger for a few hours without hovering. Hope to be back sooner than another 8 years from now!

    If bourbon and whiskey choices were a personality trait, The Whiskey Kitchen would definitely have…read morecommitment issues...because the selection is massive. Seriously, if you can't find a pour you like here, you may just need water instead. Started with the biscuits topped with crackling and house-made preserves, and honestly, that combo alone made me question why I don't eat more biscuits in life. Sweet, salty, buttery chaos in the best way. For the main, I went with the pork chop and greens. The chop leaned a little overcooked for me personally, but the sauce helped bring things back together and added good flavor. The greens had a nice little kick of heat, but I kept waiting for that deep smoky ham hock flavor to show up like an old Southern grandma entering the kitchen... and it never quite arrived. Overall though? Still a solid meal, strong whiskey program, cool atmosphere, and definitely worth checking out if you're in Raleigh looking for a bourbon-forward dinner spot. Travelin_Broke approved with a slight side-eye from the greens.

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    Brewery Bhavana - Chicken Curry Bao

    Brewery Bhavana

    4.4(1.6k reviews)
    0.5 mi
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    Our company held a team dinner at Brewery Bhavana, and it was truly an experience. Right in the…read moreheart of downtown Raleigh, this upscale brewery blends historic brick charm with a stunning custom library and unique touches of elegance at every turn. We enjoyed several small plates, and not a single dish disappointed. Every bite was memorable. The atmosphere makes it the perfect spot for date night, a girls' night out, or even a quick lunch while enjoying a good read. A beautiful space, incredible food, and an unforgettable evening.

    This is a one stop shop, brewery, flower shop, library/book store and dim sum restaurant!…read more The food. Really really good dim sum. I stopped in just a they were opening on a Friday and thank goodness I showed up when I did, this place gets packed quick and you should book a reservation to be on the safe side. I was most excited about the duck egg rolls but ended up being my least favorite not because they were slightly on the dry side. Flavor was good, and the hoisin honey sauce really helped! The seafood dumplings were second best, stuffed full. The soup based was amazing and it also came with some bread for dipping in the leftover sauce. The pork and chive shumai were my favorite! A little bit bigger than bit sized but worth the mouth full! Absolutely would recommend. I'll 100% be back for more food. The bar side looked to be more casual, the dinning room was full of high tea attire so I did feel a little under dressed, thought it would be slightly more casual. They have the cutest library with free books to read but only while you dine in. The flower and book shop are in the middle of the space. Super cute, limited options but great for a last minute bouquet!

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    Brewery Bhavana - Read a book and feast

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    The Crunkleton - Parmesan fries, dry rubbed wings, pimento and country ham biscuits

    The Crunkleton

    4.2(65 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$

    Beignets, beignets, beignets!…read more This place is perfect for a girls night, date night, friends night, solo night... honestly any night! I came here for drinks and dessert with friends, and the star of the show was definitely the beignets. As someone who has visited New Orleans and tried the real deal, I thought I knew what good beignets tasted like. Turns out, I did not have to travel that far after all! The beignets here are like a cross between a classic beignet and a croissant. Light, fluffy, and just the right amount of indulgent. I will definitely be back to check out more of the menu, but no matter what, I am saving room for the... say it with me... beignets!!

    Wanted to try something new, and, since I liked the reviews for this place, I figured I'll give it…read morea shot. The ambiance is classy but laid back. The Service was outstanding thanks to Hayley. Her recommendations for pairing the drinks with the food were flawless, and each drink was prepared like a work of art. I started with the raw oysters, paired with a glass of Rose, which I loved. They switched from the Halibut with Fennel to Mahi with Forbidden Rice. The rice is black and inky and potent and extraordinary, but it overwhelmed the fish completely. Still greatful I got to experience it, but I would pair it with something more gamy like lamb or goat. The Pecan pie with warm salted caramel ice cream was nothing short of a spiritual experience, and Hayley's recommendation to pair it with Rum Flip was perfect. Yes, I Ubered. Overall, this one is going to be a frequent hangout.

    Photos
    The Crunkleton
    The Crunkleton - Dry Rub Chicken Wings

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    Circa 1888 - bars - Updated May 2026

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