Little Gem is the best cocktail bar in Chapel Hill. The cocktail list is always interesting and…read morealways seasonal and updated. The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly. The vibe is chill. It's a great place to grab a drink after work or gather with friends and neighbors to toast the end of another week. A real treasure and an absolute must visit!

Little Gem is such a little gem! Tucked away behind The Pig and beside Chapel Chill ice cream,…read moreLittle Gem is an unassuming cocktail bar (with beer on tap!) that hits you with a fine vibe the moment you walk in. There is purple furniture throughout with candles lit at each table, and soft seats near the courtyard entrance. We had an obscure and tasteful Black Sabbath song playing, which we learned was playing on vinyl from the record player on the back wall. The mixologist, Doug, who's just all sorts of awesome, later physically swapped out the record for a Beach Boys LP that had literally zero Beach Boys songs that I'd ever heard. It was rad. The cocktails were phenomenal, aromatic, and balanced. The menu has them split out into "Originals" (cocktails they invented), "Covers" (cocktails, that other famous bartenders invented), and "Remixes" (Little Gem's spin on existing cocktails). The music theme was on point. We also ordered some marinated feta and white bean dip that came from Beau's Catering (in the same courtyard), where Paul Finn (the owner of Little Gem) is the Beverage Director. I highly recommend the dip, it blew our minds. Do yourself a favor and go check out Little Gem. Maybe a mini date night or pop in while you're waiting for your order from The Pig or your kids are getting ice cream next door. And while you're there, take a moment to appreciate the music playing straight from the record player. It's such a vibe.

My first stop anytime I visit Chapel Hill is The Crunkleton. The bartenders always go above and…read morebeyond with both conversation and service. I was here recently for a concert, and Abigail noticed my band t-shirt, complemented it and then slyly played them on the speakers. Talk about going the extra mile! I always feel at home here even when I'm traveling. They have both creative cocktails and classics. This is a must-go for anyone staying nearby.

This terrific upscale bar serves up delicious cocktails in a warm, cozy setting that will make it…read moreyour go-to spot for drinks in Chapel Hill. Offering a refined escape from the college bar scene that dominates Franklin Street, The Crunkleton blends a superb selection of top-shelf liquors with expert mixologists, friendly service and a dapper decor you won't want to leave. Wait times at the bar can be long at peak hours, and there's a sizeable crowd almost every night of the week. But find a spot at the bar or in one of the comfortable leather booths along the wall, order a classic Old Fashioned or Bourbon Bramble, and settle in to enjoy one of the best cocktails around. A Chapel Hill institution, the Crunkleton is worth a drive from anywhere in the Triangle, and a must for anyone visiting this fantastic college town.

After a show at Cat's Cradle, my partner and I stopped by Atlas Bar for a nightcap while waiting…read morefor the traffic to die down, and it was the perfect choice, walking distance from the venue. I loved the music-themed menu concept, it fits the atmosphere so well. It is a little dark and moody. I ordered the Punk Rock Riot (a vodka drink), and my partner got a whiskey drink. Both were excellent. The Friday night vibes were great, and we had a fantastic time sitting at the bar and soaking it all in. The staff were friendly, the atmosphere was welcoming, and it felt like a place where you could easily spend a few hours enjoying good drinks, music, and company. As a bonus, I found out they sell cake too! I didn't try it this time, but it's definitely on my list for the next visit. A patron recommended the strawberry cake. As I say in many of my reviews: I'll be back.

My husband and I absolutely love Atlas Bar. It's close to our jobs so it's a great place to grab a…read morecocktail and wait for traffic to mellow. If you're looking for classic or unique craft cocktails, look no further. Atlas Bar rotates their menu seasonally (and then some). I've had summer cocktails, tea inspired cocktails, and recently fall (or Thanksgiving) themed cocktails. There are sweet and not so sweet and even savory choices. Don't be scared away from the more unique cocktails such as the "hot chicken"or the "cornbread." The cornbread cocktail was honey-butter fat-washed mellowcorn, nixta corn liqueur, honey-nixta foam and a quick favorite. The decor is funky and classy at the same time. The bartenders are chill and nice. You can park behind the building or in the lot next to Armadillo Grill (not Carr Mill Mall!). You can order small bites from ACME and all options are delicious.

I simply cannot recommend this place. I went after seeing live music next door, so it was after…read moremidnight. The only way that I can see being justified eating here is if you're not sober enough to distinguish quality food. When I came in, I wasn't greeted. The person at the bar seemed a bit apathetic quite frankly. It was also uncomfortably cold inside. I ordered fries, carnitas tacos, and a Shirley temple. My Shirley temple didn't have any cherries in it, the fries were overly garlicky, and the tacos were extremely bland. I have to believe the meat on the tacos hadn't been seasoned at all. I've never had worse tacos.

I love this place! Super nice staff, delicious food and the bartender accommodated my request for a…read moreFrench Martini by creating a similar drink using their house made blackberry syrup. Yum! The fried tofu skewers were delicious, as was the beet salad. I already cleaned my plate so I can't take a picture Definitely coming back!

Super cute joint to go for a drink and to chill. Inside is awesome with cool decor and sitting…read morespots. Huge outdoors area to hang out or play corn hole. Inside and out have stages for live entertainment. When I researched, I thought they served food... primarily burgers and had a limited menu. They do not. If a food truck comes in, that is where you will get your food. Great drink selections and very good prices with fantastic service.. I'm not on that side of town much, but if I was I could see it being a frequent loal hang out.

A total hoot, and a fun spot to meet up with friends for drinks. The former Allen & Son barbecue…read morehouse has been transformed with ultra-kitschy decor that looks like the result of a year's worth of weekend yard sale scrounging from the '70s and '80s. (See anything familiar?) There's a small indoor stage in the bar area and a larger outdoor space for bands. I tend to go earlier in the evening for an after-work wind-down when the spaces are arranged to be conducive to conversation in small groups. There's a very friendly, open vibe with a cocktail list that breaks no new ground, but has enough variety to fill the bill. The beer list isn't huge, but covers sufficient ground to give most people an option.

Tony, Maddie & Lane = The Ultimate Bar Dream Team!…read more Where do I even begin?! Tony (Bar Manager), Maddie (Bartender), and Lane (Bar Concierge) were PHENOMENAL--hands down the best team I've experienced! The atmosphere was on point, and their hospitality made the whole night feel effortlessly elevated. Tony crafted me the most incredible extra dirty martini--perfection in a glass. Maddie followed it up with a Manhattan that was smooth, rich, and beautifully balanced. These two know their craft, and Lane kept the vibe seamless with impeccable service and charm all night long. You could feel the genuine energy and care they brought to every interaction. Now imagine if this spot took things up a notch for the residents! A dedicated DJ one week, a live band the next Karaoke or Trivia Nights with themed cocktails Latin Night with rotating special drinks from 6-8 PM, followed by regular pricing Bar snacks like Chex Mix, nuts, or even a popcorn machine Food trucks parked just for bar hours With this kind of energy and top-tier staff, the bar could become the heartbeat of the community--a place to unwind, connect, and celebrate. Huge shoutout again to Tony, Maddie, and Lane for making the night so memorable. They are absolute stars, and I can't wait to come back for more!

If you haven't been to the rooftop bar at Carraway yet, you're missing out on one of the…read morecommunity's best-kept secrets! This place has an amazing vibe that instantly lifts your mood. Tony and Maddie are absolute stars behind the bar--fun, creative, and the perfect mixology team. They'll whip up something unique just for you, whether you're looking for something bold or smooth, and they even share a few behind-the-scenes secrets about their homemade mixers that truly elevate every drink. The rooftop itself is stunning, with cozy couches, lounge seating, and plenty of TVs to catch your favorite games. There's even a game room with pool tables, making it a great hangout spot after a long week. It feels like a high-end bar you'd find in Raleigh, Durham, or Charlotte--but right here at Carraway. Drinks are priced fairly, comparable to other local bars, and the setting is far more stylish. While there's no food service, you can snack on popcorn, bring your own, or order in. The setup makes it perfect for relaxed evenings with neighbors and friends. Carraway residents--this rooftop is your own private retreat. Grab a drink, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy the best view around. Hopefully, we'll see the bar open more nights soon--Thursday through Sunday would be amazing!

Part of Venables, same menu, but unlike Venables it has the important benefit of being sufficiently…read morequiet that you can hold a conversation. People working there are very pleasant, the menu isn't large but has several interesting options. It's an enjoyable environment with good (though overpriced) food.

We were looking for a new bar to try in Carrboro and saw B-Tribe on Yelp, and we're glad we did…read more The entrance is very unassuming, almost hidden behind an Italian restaurant on the south end of Car Mill Mall. The place is quite small, with about five tables, and maybe 12 seats at the bar. We sat at the bar as we only wanted drinks and snack. Christian, the bartender, greeted us right away and brought food and drink menus. He explained the specials and took our drink orders. My companion found an interesting Greek white wine, and I asked for a boulevardier, my go-to cocktail for a new place. The wine was to her liking, and the cocktail was about the best example I've had in recent memory. Christian used Woodford Reserve bourbon and Campari rather than Aperol so it had a slightly less bitter taste and was a lovely auburn color. The food menu was very interesting, with lots of items we've never tried. We ordered caesar salad with anchovies, green beans in garlic-soup sauce, panella (a chick-pea and cream cheese dish), and seasoned French fries. It was all yummy and delivered together. The service we got really couldn't have been much better: attentive without hovering. The food and drink quality was outstanding, and we thought the prices were very reasonable for what we got. In short, thanks Christian, and we'll be back.

Looking in from the sidewalk, this bar reminded me of several bars in NYC and that's when we…read morerealized we needed to stop in for drinks after our show. Unfortunately, when we returned the bar was quite full and very much focused on the UNC basketball game, so we pulled up to the stools along the window and ordered our drinks. Although room is tight, it was a comfortable and friendly environment, they even had an extensive selection of games, to include many board games. The bartender was an absolute sweetheart and didn't skip a beat. We finally saw a vacancy at the bar continued drinks from there. This great little neighborhood bar makes it easy to sit and meet new people, play a few games and enjoy a few drinks, what more could you ask for? Cheers!

Came here with a friend and we loved this bar! It's small, but very cute. The bartender was very…read morenice, and the prices were very cheap. Our favorite part of the bar was that they had a lot of games you can play. We stayed here for a few hours playing games, and we had so much fun! I'll definitely go back next time I'm in the area.