This is absolutely a hidden gem amongst bars. It's in an inconspicuous abandoned looking shopping…read morecenter off the beaten path, but they make some of the best cocktails in the city. They have a very extensive inventory of bourbons including all the high-end ones you would want. The bartenders making amazing recipes including my partners favorite, Tom Yum, taste just like the soup. I can often enjoy a whiskey sour with no issue and use the menu to try something different. They don't serve food, so it's a good place to come after dinner. The ambiance is simple, a wooden bar and now that they have expanded, they have some tables as well. This past trip was the most crowded I've ever seen it in there, but the service was still quick and attentive. This bar is a staple for me.

Style, perfection, grace, uniqueness - and well, I'll just say it - what fine establishment this is…read moreand what a treat to visit. For those that follow me on Yelp for brewery reviews, cocktail bar reviews are few and far between. So if I make a point of making a visit, it really is special. Great selection of product (I guess) but what I appreciate is the care and attention each glass is prepared by the bar keep. They are very friendly and knowledgeable - which is good for me, b/c I ask a lot of questions! Service is careful, but does crawl if the house is full, it really is tiny inside - did you know there was a back door, patio area? I particularly like the absence of having to yell at my table mates - it makes this barbour more sophisticated in this respect.Everything, right down to the outside marquee is subtle - and we like leaving the madding crowd far away...

Came here before dinner and had a great time. Even though it's a speakeasy, it was pretty easy to…read morefind. The menu leans heavily toward whiskey and bourbon, with lots of solid options. I had their basil smash, which was refreshing, and the Manhattan--bold with a warm, spicy profile. Pleasant surprise to see Michter's as the special of the night, and it was excellent with smooth caramel and vanilla notes. Service started off a little hands-off since we ordered at the bar, but picked up toward the end when staff came by to check in. Drinks were high quality without being overpriced, and the vibe is relaxed--not at all pretentious. You can definitely come casual. If we had more time, we would've stayed longer or come back for another round.

Great drinks the selection of great beverages and staff was a delight. The vibes and atmosphere…read morehere is wonderful. I had the Krupnikas flip and the coquito both were smooth and have a great flavorful punchy

The drinks were yummy and inexpensive. The vive was very laid back and the customer service was…read moreawesome. I will definitely be back.

The vibes walking in are pretty classy. We felt underdressed. They had some jazz music going on. It…read morewas very loud inside. We went out back and they had a waitress come to us to take drink orders. It wasn't bad out there. We tried to light the fire pit we sat around but it didn't work. The people next to us were smoking cigars. It was quite strong. We ended up leaving because of the smell.

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.

Hey Guys we went to Dram and Draught for a drink making Class. We were the pilot class. To say it…read morewas a success would be an understatement. We had so much fun. We were early so we stopped by the bar for a quick shot, Tequila of Course. Rhett got us straight. This Respasado was nice and smooth. Next off to class. We picked our seats and played out for us was a jigger, Shaker, t- mixing spoon, strainer and a mixing glass, a nice one. We also had a recipe card. We got to make 3 drinks( and drink them). We also learned about the brand that was sponsoring the event. This was amazing for the first time being held, the ladies for nice and friendly, the bar has inside and outside seating. The bathrooms are nice and clean. I think we all hung around a bit to finish our drinks. They were very strong! Not light on alcohols at All! I came home and made my own Oleo! Thanks Dram and Draught!

Stopped by Dram & Draught for a cocktail while visiting Raleigh on a quiet Saturday afternoon, and…read moreI'm glad we did. Right when I walked in, the vibe hit. Classy but chill, the kind of place that feels welcoming whether you're on a solo drink mission or meeting up with friends. The space isn't loud or chaotic, which made it perfect for a relaxed drink and conversation. It felt like a local hidden gem rather than a tourist trap, and that's always a plus when you're exploring a new city. The service was great from start to finish. The bartenders were friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy what they do! They gave recommendations, and took the time to chat and help them pick something perfect. Of course, I had to go with the espresso martini, because if a spot has it on the menu, I'm trying it. And wow, this one was good. Smooth, balanced, and truly the kind of cocktail that makes you forget you're basically drinking dessert. Not too sweet, with that rich coffee flavor front and center. Easily one of the better espresso martinis I've had in a while. Even though it was a quiet afternoon, the energy didn't feel slow or empty, just comfortable. It was obvious this place would be equally great on a livelier night, too. This is definitely a great cocktail bar that's worth a stop if you're in Raleigh. Friendly bartenders, excellent drinks, and a vibe that makes you want to stay a little longer. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town!

Stopped by for an early lunch with my son, just after opening…read more The interior is nice, clean, and has a cool, darker vibe, but I will say it feels more suited for a later meal or evening setting. If it's a beautiful day, I'd definitely recommend sitting outside instead. Still, the inside has a cozy, laid-back feel that works well. Shoutout to Qua, who was both the hostess and our server. She was welcoming, attentive, and handled everything smoothly, even as a few more parties came in while she was the only one serving at the time. One thing I really appreciated was that she let us know upfront what items were out of stock before we even looked at the menu. That level of transparency is huge and makes the experience so much better. My son ordered a slider with fries from the kids' menu. It comes with just one slider, so I ordered a second, definitely the right call. He enjoyed it, and the fries were cooked well, just a little on the salty side for our taste (ketchup helped balance that out). I had the shrimp tacos. It's packed and perfect portion for lunch. The shrimp, pineapple slaw, and chipotle mayo was a nice mix. The restaurant was clean (including the bathrooms). The location is also a plus, super close to the Art Museum, which makes it a great stop before or after visiting. Overall enjoyable, and I'd come back, especially to try more of the menu and the drinks.

Met my girlfriend here for brunch yesterday. It's in the cutest residential shopping area. Lots of…read moreparking and easy to access. The staff were super friendly and welcoming. The vibe was warm and woody like you expect from a place called the oak. We did make a reservation just in case they were busy. We were seated in the bar area so the bar tender was also our server. He was kind, super attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu and drink offerings. We ordered pomegranate mimosas. They were a delicious and refreshing addition to our girl time!! I ordered their new Salmon BLT and my friend ordered the Meat Lovers Omlette that was served with gouda grits. The salmon blt lived up to my expectations. It was light but filling and super flavorful. The star is the red onion and dill aioli. My only complaint is the bread. It's tasty bread, it's just not sturdy enough fpr all of the sandwich ingredients. I would have appreciated if it were something thicker or served as an open faced sandwich. The sweet potato fries were fresh and crispy. The fresh pepper sprinkle on them gave them a new dynamic for me. My friend enjoyed the meat lovers omelet and she let me taste the gouda grits. OMG talk about flavor. I'm going back just for those damn grits!! I like very textured grits and these were that on top of perfectly seasoned and cheesed! Geeze!!!!!!!!!! Besides their massive wall of spirits, another component that i appreciated was their inclusive restroom offerings. The door signs are genius! This place looks like it's also great in the evening and late night. They certainly earned a customer in me! Can't wait to go back for more grits!!!!

If you're looking for a place that will make you a good, strong classic cocktail this is it. They…read morehave a rotation seasonal menu but don't expect the theatrics. It will be delicious and balanced.

This is my favorite bar period they the ambiance is a 10/10 I love the display of the bottles and…read moretheir selection is amazing! It definitely helped me expand my palette with liquors because of it! Their drinks are amazing my favorite drink thank recommend if you like tropical drinks is definitely hands down the rolo royal! But there was a seasonal drink called the "Apple Barn" that was my favorite drink of all time! An absolute work of art I definitely recommend anyone to visit!

Great service and great spot to unwind!!!Always stop here for a stick when in Raleigh!!!!!read more

Stepping into the cigar bar feels like slipping into a well-dressed time machine that decided to…read moreloosen its tie. The air hums with the scent of tobacco, oak, and good decisions made slowly. Plush couches and deep leather chairs form little islands of comfort, perfect for sinking into a conversation that doesn't need to end soon. Along the walls, humidors stand like treasure chests, keeping their cigars in stately silence. Vintage wood glows everywhere--from the bar's polished surface to the beams above--each grain steeped in quiet history. Overhead, TVs flicker with old games and new ones alike, while dart boards wait nearby for a little friendly competition between sips of bourbon and curls of smoke. The bartender slides the Old Fashioned across the bar with the precision of a man who's been doing it long enough to know that showmanship is for amateurs. No fancy garnish, no chatter--just the soft clink of glass meeting wood and a nod that says this'll do. Happiness here isn't loud or glittery--it's slow-burning and pleasantly lopsided, like a jazz tune played just slightly off the beat. It seeps in between sips and smoke rings, wrapping itself around you like the worn leather of the chair you've claimed for the night. It's the kind that finds you sitting still, glass half full, smoke curling upward like a satisfied sigh. Cheers!

Did I spend more than I wanted to on a mocktail? Absolutely. But was it worth it? Also yes…read more Equal effort typically used to make cocktails was put into creating a beautiful mocktail. I enjoyed sipping on the refreshing, tropical drink and only wish it didn't have so much ice in it. I opted to sit inside at the bar to escape the heat. They do have outdoor and rooftop seating as well.

Drinks, service, and ambience could all improve if small changes were made. First, most cocktails…read moreare very sweet and fruity forward. I went with your espresso martini which tasted like a chocolate drink--couldn't finish it. Second, not once in the 20 minutes after receiving my drink did 4 bartenders check in with me or my husband. Third, the stupid door to the kitchen was squeaky as hell. We could hear it from the street! All of these issues combined tell me that management is poor. Needless to say, we closed out before finishing our drinks and went elsewhere. My husband's review: it's an elevated Applebees based on cost-value.