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    Killjoy

    4.4 (111 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

    Services - Killjoy

    Bartending services

    On-site management services

    Post-event cleaning services

    1 More Service

    Venue rental

    Killjoy Photos

    KILLJOY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - Killjoy

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    Reviews With Photos

    Mojito, Brooklyn
    Kellie D.

    It has been years since we went to Killjoy but I am so glad we ventured back in! The cocktails are out of this world, bartenders are friendly and it is a Christmas wonderland right now! I ordered the Yippee Ki Yay which was absolutely amazing. Great flavor and a fun purple color from the ube. Husband ordered the Krampus which was super spicy! He likes spicy things but this one was definitely a supper. So while he sipped on that I ordered the Christmasopolitan which was also nicely done. Overall a fabulous evening out for cocktails.

    Holiday drinks
    Markiesa B.

    I came here for an offline event to check out the Christmas theme bar. The cocktail menu was kind of big and had lot of choices. Some of the drinks came in cute holiday mug style cups. I got a Christmas cosmo and it was really good. They had a few different colored theme rooms for Christmas and a selfie room. The bartender was very helpful and there was plenty of seating inside and out. Would come to this place again.

    Miracle Pop-Up #TisTheSZN
    Juliet H.

    What a gorgeous backdrop for a crafty cocktail bar (even better during the holidays)! Hubs and I stopped by for the Miracle at Killjoy and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and the stellar decor. This is actually one of the nicest Miracle Pop-Up venues I've visited, and I've visited a lot! The cocktails are tasty, the bartenders are friendly, the service is prompt, and the holiday cheer runneth over at Killjoy. #TisTheSZN

    One of my cocktails - look at the pink cowboy/derby hat
    Amanda P.

    My friends and I were going out for a girls night and I found Killjoy on my search for fun bars. It DID NOT DISAPPOINT. The bartenders were so attentive and fun, the cocktails were delicious, they have a great variety, and the presentation was beautiful (one of mine came with a pink cowboy hat). There are two different lounge-style rooms and the one next to us was playing Bob Ross on the tv. If you're looking for a bar that checks all the boxes - delicious, affordable, atmosphere, and Instagram-worthy photo ops - you cannot miss Killjoy!

    Joel J.

    This place was great! We came on a Sunday night and the bartender was friendly and nice. He was attentive, and made recommendations. As for the location, it's well kept with plenty of space. The drinks themselves were amazing, with a wide selection to choose from. Fairly priced as well though it can be tricky not to get carried away so be cautious. A nice touch I noticed was that the bathrooms contained mints and mouthwash for one to freshen up. All in all, it was a nice experience and I'll def be back again.

    Dirty Martini
    Diandra L.

    Discovering new cocktail bars while traveling is always a must for me. I was recently in Raleigh and found myself wanting to grab a night cap after a long day. Yelp brought me to Killjoy and I was so happy to have discovered it. First of all, the decor is great. There's a large main room with a pretty big bar, as well as a room on the side that has quirky yet welcoming decor. Since it was a weeknight it was pretty empty, but I didn't mind the chill vibes. My bartender was super nice and made a great dirty martini. Their liquor selection seems extensive, and their cocktail menu was impressive too. It's open late, and the drinks are well priced. Would definitely go back.

    Jessica M.

    If you're looking to get poppin on a Tuesday, definitely come to Killjoy! They're starting R&B night on Tuesdays and the deejay is fireeee. He lit up the dance floor not only with his charming smile, but his beats. Not a large area to dance at, but I'm sure they'll make improvements with this! They've got such great cocktails, the ambiance is Instagrammable, and the bartenders are friendly and attentive. If you're coming with a large group, you're able to reserve tables! They also have outdoor seating as well if you want a quieter place to chat. Highly recommend this spot for visitors!

    Cristina S.

    This place is amazing! I came here with my friend to celebrate her birthday in December. The Christmas decorations were perfect! The drinks also came in cool cups and were delicious! The service was fantastic. We spent most of the night there just and I have to say, I'm pretty pleased and will definitely be back.

    Cute  photo opportunity on the flower wall.
    Falan E.

    Visited on December 21, 2022 and 12/31/2022 I love the space here and how it speaks to a more professional crowd of adults. The cocktails are always great. No complaints there. I wouldn't say I like this new service vibe here, Kill Joy. No host at the door. No warm welcome, no greetings, or anything. These proactive things I've mentioned added value and set KillJoy apart from all the typical bars in this area. The service here has declined significantly, and I'm assuming this is the economic decline or a change in management. Or perhaps business is slow, and the extra pleasantries and warm and polite approach are no longer part of killJoy. I witnessed poor service on (Thursday) evening when there were only five customers in the bar, and I was surprised. KillJoy is a spot I have frequented over the last two years for many special occasions. I think the person behind the bar was not present to acknowledge customers unless you were sitting at the bar. He was just there scrolling through his phone and socializing with an employee. A guy in a group of three asked how they could get drinks, and I pointed to the bartender. Since there was never an acknowledgment, those 3 customers walked out. I did speak to the manager (off duty but in the back). She came out. I want to say her name is Kat. Not apologetic at all: but said the bartender serves who approach him, and that's KillJoy style now. Strange. I was invited back here on NYE and joined a table a friend purchased, and the same "approaching" service was required even after my friend paid for the table and bottle. Not sure about the details of her package, but it's odd to have customers who reserved tables approach the bar themselves. Are you all short-staffed? You were not even that crowded, NYE. I love this place for how it used to be, but I guess all good things end.

    Vanessa D.

    Came here on a Saturday evening around 730pm The place was maybe less than half full. Great looking spot, bright with plenty of comfy seating. The bartender was a bit cold and ZERO help. This is the convo I had with her Me: do you all have mezcal? Her: yes (she names them off, tbh idk types like that) Me: bottom shelf? Her (knowingly smiles) Me: any cocktail recommendations with mezcal ? Her: besides Margarita, I wouldn't know. Wait what?! This is a cocktail bar isn't it? I have never been to a cocktail bar where the bartender couldn't put together a customer's drink based on preference of liquor. I was thrown. The conversation itself was fine, it was just the interaction in general too with the rest of our party that was cold. She then runs all our cards and doesn't even ask if we wanna close out. It wasn't till we were leaving that I realized we never got the bill. I always close out so when she handed me my card initially, I thought it was closed (even though it should have registered that I never got the bill to sign). Anyway, she wasn't the greatest. The person we closed out with was better. The DJ was just setting up for afrobeats night but we had to leave unfortunately. The place was super empty by then. Hopefully it filled up later. It was all before 9pm. I forgot to mention I got the Texas Tini. It was okay. Maybe I'd be back. Not sure.

    What In Carnation & Orange Peel Theory
    Megan H.

    We had a great experience at Killjoy. We showed up right when they opened and had two rounds of drinks. It was packed because of a networking event but we had a great time anyway. Our service was speedy and delightful with well crafted beverages. Bring your phone for a photo op against the wallpaper in this place. The walls and decor are EVERYTHING. Even in the restroom. I loved the "What in Carnation" and can't wait to return to get it again.

    Outside
    Carmen H.

    Killjoy was such a hidden gem. Super eclectic! I loved everything about the interior decor. We came at the perfect time because there weren't many people there, so we could really enjoy ourselves and all of the seating areas. We tried a few drinks like the beach bonfire, old fashioned and the grass is greener. All of the drinks were so good and the bartenders were helpful. Around 9pm, there's a DJ that comes in. More people definitely started coming around that time, so if you're look for good drinks and vibes, check out Killjoy!

    James H.

    One of the bars with the nicest aesthetic in Raleigh. On the weekends, it is live music and they can get really fun during the week is very chill.

    French Kiss

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    This place is definitely a vibe! The bartenders will take good care of you! Please visit asap!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Killjoy

    Are dogs allowed here? Is there an outdoor patio area?

    Hi, Shannon! Yes, please feel free to visit us on our patio with your pup.

    What kind of parking is near here? Im coming from out of town and now much for maneuvering downtown...

    Hi, Holly! There is a nice variety of parking available. Our friends at the Downtown Raleigh Alliance have put together a great guide at https://downtownraleigh.org/getting-around/parking… Read more

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Killjoy

    I had the frozen cocktail "godcousin" and the kick of cinnamon was oddly satisfying.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Aunty Bettys Gin and Absinthe Bar

    Aunty Bettys Gin and Absinthe Bar

    (62 reviews)

    Tucked behind the bustle of of the Morgan Street Food Hall lies a not-so-secret secret: a whimsical…read moreden of gin, absinthe, and mischief. Step through the unassuming door near the buildings corner and find yourself in a moody little lair where botanicals bloom in every glass and green fairies are always welcome. Part apothecary, part speakeasy, all vibes -- this tucked-away tipple temple is your reward for being curious. Blink and you'll miss it -- sneeze and you'll lose your seat. This cozy little cocktail cave fills up faster than you can say "Negroni, please." With just enough room for a handful of lucky souls, it's part bar, part social experiment. Come early, come curious, and be prepared to elbow your way into the best seat you'll never want to give up. If you're in a rush, maybe try...literally anywhere else. Their cocktails take time -- because They're busy muddling together timeless classics, like a good Old Fashioned. But hey, perfection can't be microwaved. Sip slowly, wait longer, and remember: you can't rush greatness...or them. Cheers!

    Aunty Bettys is in the same building as the Morgan Street Food Hall, and has its own entrance and…read moreseating area. They have an interesting cocktail and mocktail menu with a variety of things, they also have a dealer's choice where you tell the bartender what flavors you like and they'll try to accommodate. They had a lot of gin cocktails on their menu, gin doesn't agree with me, so I asked for a New York Sour, which is a variation of a whiskey sour with red wine instead of sweet and sour mix. They made the NY Sour with a nice egg white foam on top. They charged me $14 for that cocktail. It was a good time, and my friends and I went next door to the Food Hall for dinner.

    Cuya - Très lèche

    Cuya

    (26 reviews)

    This place was absolutely amazing. All I can say is, we made a lot of happy noises while eating,…read moreand there were plenty of "oh my God" moments at the table. From the staff to the manager to the food, everything was on point. The food truly speaks for itself. They serve small plates, which we love because it gives you the chance to try different things and experience a variety of flavors. We started with the fried pork belly on tostones. It was perfectly seasoned, topped with avocado, and every bite just melted in your mouth. Next, we had the tamarind sticky ribs with a tamarind mango barbecue sauce. This was a perfect example of how simplicity can create complex flavors. The ribs were cooked just right -- not completely falling off the bone, but tender enough that when you bit into them, the meat pulled apart so easily. They were juicy, full of flavor, and had just the right touch of spice from the chili flakes. Then we moved on to the mini arepas, and oh my God. They had slow-cooked pork, guava barbecue sauce, and fried papas on top. The arepa itself was crispy on the outside, warm and fluffy on the inside. The savory pork paired with the sweetness of the guava barbecue sauce was incredible, and the crunch from the fried papas took it to another level. Now, I have a bit of a sweet tooth, but my wife does not. I wanted dessert, and we were leaning toward the tres leches, but our waitress highly recommended the bread pudding. I am not usually a fan of bread pudding at all, but her recommendations had been on point all night, so I decided to trust her. I am so glad we did. They take a Mexican bolillo, soak it overnight in tres leches, then pan-sear it to create this crispy caramelized outside while keeping the inside warm, soft, and sweet. It is topped with crema and toasted coconut, then they pour warm guava syrup over it and serve it with a scoop of coconut sorbet. The layers of flavor in that dessert were unreal. Honestly, it may have been the best dessert we have ever had. And remember, my wife is not big on sweets -- she usually only takes one bite of dessert, but this time she tried to eat over half of it. Lol. I highly recommend this place. The food, the service, the drinks, and the atmosphere were all amazing. And after dinner, you can even head upstairs to work off the food with salsa lessons and a dance club. This is definitely a spot worth checking out! Este lugar fue absolutamente increíble. Lo único que puedo decir es que hicimos muchos sonidos de felicidad mientras comíamos, y hubo muchos momentos de "¡Dios mío!" en la mesa. Desde el personal, hasta el gerente, hasta la comida, todo estuvo excelente. La comida realmente habla por sí sola. Sirven platos pequeños, algo que nos encanta porque te da la oportunidad de probar diferentes cosas y experimentar una variedad de sabores. Comenzamos con el pork belly frito sobre tostones. Estaba perfectamente sazonado, cubierto con aguacate, y cada bocado simplemente se derretía en la boca. Después probamos las costillitas pegajosas de tamarindo con una salsa barbecue de tamarindo y mango. Este plato fue un ejemplo perfecto de cómo la simplicidad puede crear sabores complejos. Las costillas estaban cocinadas en su punto: no se caían completamente del hueso, pero estaban tan tiernas que al morderlas, la carne se desprendía fácilmente. Estaban jugosas, llenas de sabor y con el toque perfecto de picante gracias a las hojuelas de chile. Luego pasamos a las mini arepas, y ¡Dios mío! Tenían cerdo cocinado lentamente, salsa barbecue de guayaba y papitas fritas encima. La arepa estaba crujiente por fuera, calientita y esponjosa por dentro. El sabor salado del cerdo combinado con la dulzura de la salsa barbecue de guayaba fue increíble, y el crujiente de las papitas fritas lo llevó a otro nivel. Ahora, a mí me gustan mucho los dulces, pero a mi esposa no tanto. Yo quería pedir postre, y estábamos pensando en el tres leches, pero nuestra mesera nos recomendó mucho el budín de pan. Normalmente no soy fanático del budín de pan, pero sus recomendaciones habían sido excelentes toda la noche, así que decidí confiar en ella. Me alegra muchísimo haberlo hecho. Toman un bolillo mexicano, lo remojan durante la noche en tres leches y luego lo sellan en sartén para crear una capa exterior crujiente y caramelizada, mientras que el interior se mantiene calientito, suave y dulce. Lo sirven con crema y coco tostado, luego le vierten encima un jarabe tibio de guayaba y lo acompañan con una bola de sorbete de coco. Las capas de sabor en ese postre fueron irreales. Honestamente, puede que haya sido el mejor postre que hemos probado en nuestra vida. Y recuerden, mi esposa no es muy amante de los dulces; normalmente solo prueba un bocado del postre, pero esta vez intentó comerse más de la mitad. Jajaja.

    This was my first time coming here since they rebranded and reopened. I already enjoyed the…read moreprevious concept and was anxious to see what was different. The essence of it still feels similar with a few differences in ambiance and menu. They still over an oyster option, but we didn't try it. The octopus was good - cooked nicely. I enjoyed the ceviche. It's not the best I ever had, but a solid choice and the portion was excellent. The cocktail was well balanced and tasted good. The skirt steak was nice, but I was full so didn't eat all of it. There are black beans under the skirt steak that were AMAZING. It was just a small option of the dish - not the size of a side portion but almost like a "sauce" under the steak. It was perfect. This place remains a solid choice. I would come here again on a date or with a girl friend.

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

    The Crunkleton

    (63 reviews)

    $$$

    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.

    Killjoy - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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