Step into a dimly lit labyrinth where the walls seem to swallow your secrets and every corner whispers mood and mystery. This bar is a glorious mess, the music pulses with an offbeat energy while a bartender is running a bar where the mixers seem to have gone on vacation. Better hope you're in the mood for whiskey neat or tequila straight up--because anything else is clearly an improvisation! It's a place where no one cares if the floors are sticky or the décor is a little less. It's chaos, it's charm, it's definitely unapologetic--a refuge for anyone who wants to drink, dance, and just be in the glorious mess of it all. The regulars are more like a family here, they have claimed their seats and built a strong camaraderie. Cheers! read more

Be careful about giving your credit card here for bar tabs....we were charged more than expected and card was hacked.

I love this place! We can quickly grab great food just up the street at the corner and then come down to enjoy a few games of pool in the back room, or enjoy a drink on the very large outdoor patio. The music is always great, a DJ spins on Friday night and if you like a little go go dance action, there is that too on Friday nights! Karaoke is always a hit and the karaoke Djs are both exceptional. If you are looking for some leather, there is a shop directly on site, and run by one awesome human, GO BRUCE! Saturdays are typically themed nights, but also great times! The drinks and service are amazing. Bartenders are always attentive and some of those drinks have more kick than a Missouri mule! Owner is such a good guy! And Victor, the bar back...he has more personality than a prom queen. Love him! Good stuff! Great times! Lots of laughs, and friendly faces! read more

My friends and I went here for my birthday for karaoke night and it was so much fun! I wish I lived in this area to go here more often! Definitely recommend!! read more

I lost my wristband... mind you I'm 20, 6 months from being 21, still have the XXS on my hand, and they refuse to give me back my real ID, my white friends washed off their Xs and wristband and they gave them back their ID but I only had my XS and they refused so I had to call the cops...... this has to be something against race or something..... refusing to give my ID back when I just lost the wristband and I still had XS on my hand and the guy tried to fight me...... are you kidding me? I still had AGE IDENTIFYING marks on my hand, the only thing I didn't have is the wristband, and my friends didn't have Xs OR wristbands but still got their ID....... the short bouncer also called me a fraud multiple times, WHY WOULD I GIVE YOU A FAKE UNDERAGE ID??? Just a bumbling idiotic racist POS I'm never coming back to this place and I'm also telling everyone I know not to patronize this place. UPDATE: the "bouncer" told the police that I was trying to buy a drink....... When I was in the bathroom nowhere near the bar, just trying to cover his ass when he was being racist. They also sell alcohol to minors..... read more

Casual, friendly gay bar. Has an edgy feel to it, except the guys are friendly. I was visiting family & came to find a gay space, and that's what this is. Plus, plenty of the guys are cute if u want to hook up. read more

I was there on Saturday night, right in downtown area. Downstairs and a $5 cover to get in but totally worth it. Nice and friendly crowd, good music and overall friendly atmosphere. I'll definitely be back on my next trip to Raleigh! read more

When I first came out, I hit a couple of the other bars in the area. Online friends had told me Flex might scare me, being that early in the process, but after being terrified at a now-closed bar and realizing the men I found attractive and scenes that appealed to me were no where to be found in these other bars. I called Flex late one night. I explained my concerns to the guy who answered the phone. He said he tended bar on Mondays for the after work crowd, for me to drop in and tell him who I was, and he'd take care of me. I showed up that Monday, and he introduced me to people I count as close friends to this day. He took care of me that first year out, and I'll always appreciate him and the other staff at Flex. I call Flex my home bar. The staff has always been friendly and supportive. Currently, Jason is probably the best bartender in the Triangle. He's always taking care of me. And Matt, the new guy, is "sexy as all get out." UPDATE: Flex is still my "home bar" even though Jason and Matt are no longer there. I dropped by about a week ago, and the two handsome guys tending the bar were quite friendly. There's no place like home, Toto... read more

Flex is one of the last remaining true dive bars in town. Sure it's a gay bar, but in this day and age what really isn't a gay bar? Gay people go to (unlabeled hetero majority) bars y'all. And straight people go to gay bars. Share the love and respect each other honey, that's what I say. Flex has done a lot of sprucing up lately. They fixed up the little back patio area with some seating all around and a canopy in case of dreary weather. There has been some structural changes in the bar area to accommodate better seating options, allow for more room to mosey around and have a better flow with the layout. It all works well for the small space. Trailer Park Trash night on Thursdays is a fun event that everyone should hit up at least once in their life as a Raleigh resident. It's a quick one hour drag show that's crass, silly and totally hilarious. And you can win prizes like gorilla costumes (yeah, that happened once.) Sunday nights at Flex are becoming more and more popular within the service industry crowd as that is typically the beginning of our weekend and Flex offers all of their beers (which they have a really good bottle selection including a lot of local beers) for only $3 each. There is also karaoke going on with a good crowd of regulars and a pool table that's only $.75 a game. This is a fun night to come down and get away from the normal downtown scene and do something different. Tuesdays is $1.25 well drinks. Yeah, you read that right. Danger danger! Wednesdays they are doing a fairly new local music night with cheap tallboys of PBR and Jameson. There is plenty of free parking all around on the street or the parking lot in the back. The bathrooms are pretty tiny but they are always clean, don't expect to be turning cartwheels in there or anything. Actually, don't expect to do that most places, that would be weird. Flex is cool, live outside the box, it's good for you every once in a while. read more

I was at Flex with friends for their Leather night, it was great. the atmosphere really laid back and everyone was super friendly. drinks are always good. Flex is for everyone, gay, straight, whatever, come as you are and you're always welcomed. read more

Bring on the Karaoke! If your looking for a laid back time with some good people and cheap drinks then Flex might just be your place. I knew I'd immediately fall in love I mean it is a real dive bar after all. It was a Tues. night and there wasn't much going on downtown, it was my BFF's cousin's 21st birthday and I had to show her a good time. As we were looking for a place to sing Karaoke we came across Flex and best of all it was 80s and 90s Karaoke night. Yes Flex might be known as a gay bar but there are plenty of straight people who hang out here too. Another reason we picked Flex was because we had an 18 year old in our group so we needed an 18 and up bar. Great tunes were sang by all, the DJ was so sweet and fun! The most important part is that our birthday girl had a smashing good time. The bartender made sure to treat us well and was awesome. As a former bartender 21st b-day parties weren't always a good time for the server but she made sure we were taken care of. Such a fun night out and we even met some new friends. Flex you have stolen my heart I will be back with all my new one-hit wonders soon! read more

Wandered in here one Sunday evening for karaoke - was definitely good times. An eclectic group of singers, friendly bartenders and cheap beers ($3 for all beer!) made for a fun evening. A dive bar (but nicely kept). The category listed here is "gay bar" but it has a style and ambiance which cater to and welcome all types of people. TIP: bar is cash only! read more

I am a patient at The Greens at Pinehurst, a rehab center, and I would like for you to pass the word to everybody you meet that this place needs some "gay type happiness" every day. We need a couple of volunteers to come help with the activities, so there will be laughter, old time kidding, joking, you know the routine. I am quite sure a volunteer experience would lead to a job, assuming you want one. Surely there are some of you out there who can spare a little free time for people that you will some day be in your future. A patient read more

I really liked that the Dj played Cardi B for me. Really made my night and I will be coming back.

If you are looking for a gay BAR and not a gay club Flex is the perfect place for you. When I came out I went to another gay bar in the area and it wasn't a very good experience, it was like I stepped into an episode of mean girls. I left and the next weekend we went to Flex and I had a totally Different experience. Everyone was friendly, chatty and it had a great all-around vibe. Its not the best place to go dancing, but the regulars are awesome and its a more laid back atmosphere which leads to easier socializing. read more

The music cab be better. The DJ was playing a lot o crunchy sounding techno which was pretty bad. However the drinks were great and the crowd was pretty laid back. The staff was attentive and made us feel right at home. read more

It's a dive but a fun dive. The more you drink the less you care about the estetics. Have had some fun times there. I like to bar hop back and forth. The bartenders there have always been nice. They do/did some fun nights like the "underwear" night. read more

1st things 1st, if you're not "accepting" of other people's choices, don't bother coming here. you see all types of wonderful people here. bar staff is super friendly and fellow drinkers are too. it's one of those hole in the wall type of places that make you feel welcome. drinks are super cheap and will knock you off your ass after having a few great place, great people, great drinks. highly recommend. read more

I can't say it's bad but it's cash only which is a little annoying. I know it's classified as a gay bar and that everyone is welcome but this last Friday, there were literally two women there and 100 men. Disappointing experience. Maybe i will try again on karaoke night. read more

Made it here on a Friday night, pretty early - about 8pm or so. Bartenders were extremely nice, as was the small crowd. I met all kinds of folks who name this as their favorite *real* bar in Raleigh (you know - kind of divey, but with plenty of atmosphere and stuff going on), gay or straight, so that definitely appealed to me. I had to leave about 10:30, and the place was really starting to pick up. I'll definitely be back! read more

One of the few neighborhood gay dive bars here in North Carolina that is not trying to be some dance oriented mess or anything else besides a damn good gay bar. Worth the effort to find parking and then a seat and have a beer and enjoy the cute butch guys of downtown Raleigh. One of the two gay bars in North Carolina worth visiting in my opinion. read more

Cold beer, flirty bartenders, fun dance music. Bear and "real men" friendly. This is a very fun place, in the blackout - leather tradition. Drinks are strong. Best value is Beer on tap. Oddly, occasionally straight couples wander in there. No sign out front. The Triangle area is slowly being discovered by the Loft dwellers. They will find a treat of Southern Hospitality and good service in an ultra casual gay bar called FLEX. People still smoke in bars in Raleigh. Stay in the Clarion hotel two blocks away so parking is not a hassle. read more

Flex, This bar is one of the most relaxed bars out there, You can go have a great time , dance, sing, laugh, and enjoy life with friends, they have line dancing on wed. nights trailer park trash on Thursday nights ( one of the biggest nights there) and the bar tenders are very friendly, and the manager knows his stuff anyways has things going on at the bar! I must say if i'm going to go out, my bar of CHOICE is going to be FLEX night club read more

Don't bother going to karaoke if you don't know the DJ, he'll just cut off you off mid-song. Any other night, yes, go!

Flex can be an ok place however after it starts to fill up it becomes clusters of little clicks and chubby frat boys in very tight tee's and slap happy drink spillers... after they removed one ot the two pool tables for there weekly porkchop review of trash in drag... it gets a bit loud and impersonable and whats with the every changing cover charge ... one day its 2.00 bucks one day its 3.00 bucks sometimes its 4.00 and sometimes it's free.... but the smoke free part really helps a lot... read more

Flex is literally my favorite bar in Raleigh. No matter what night it is, I can go to flex and have fun.

The bar of choice for those not into hair product or drama. Cheap beer and warm hearts are what make this the place to be. All are accepted, even the straight couples who wander in off the street. Trailer Trash night is a big hoot! read more

a dive bar and a gay bar in one! the best! and they host great events including RPDR queens on the regular!

You're better off going down the street to Legends, or The Burrough if you just want a drink in a lively atmosphere. At this place you're lucky to get served when there are only 3 of you at the bar. And the fact that it was completely dead in there for a Friday night doesn't help their cause. read more

xmas party was fun i dance my ass off, staff always friendly very clean bar..... kudos boysss