Brunch at Raleigh Botanical Cafe with my girlfriends was exactly the kind of Sunday reset we…read moreneeded. From the seamless online ticketing to the elevated atmosphere, everything felt intentional. The DJ brought the energy, the food delivered, and the complimentary mimosa (with a virgin option available) was a nice touch. We sat both inside and outside, and even with the cold, gloomy weather, the outdoor heaters kept things warm and comfortable, which made the experience that much better. The weather may not have cooperated, but inside and out? Nothing but good vibes and great company. Effortless, fun, and definitely worth it.

2 stars I went to…read moreBotanical Lounge for their brunch buffet, and unfortunately, the experience was much more disorganized than I expected. The food itself wasn't bad, but the service and setup really took away from the experience. From the beginning, there seemed to be a lack of organization. You pay for the buffet at the host stand, but there weren't wristbands or another system to clearly identify who had paid. We were also seated and then asked to move because of a larger party. Our server told us we could start getting food while she helped another table and that she would come back for our drink order. About 20 minutes passed and we eventually had to flag her down. Since the restaurant seemed short-staffed, we decided to order two bottles of champagne rather than individual drinks so we wouldn't have to wait even longer. When we went to the buffet, there were no plates available. We brought it to someone's attention and waited several more minutes for plates before we could actually get our food. The food itself was decent, and there were dishes I enjoyed, so I don't think the issue was the menu. The brunch operation simply needs more structure and staffing. I think brunch should be reservation-based so the restaurant can better manage the number of guests and tables. There should also be a clear check-in/payment system with wristbands, more servers dedicated to drinks, someone bussing tables, and someone monitoring the buffet to keep everything stocked. It felt like the same handful of employees were trying to handle everything at once, which created unnecessary delays. It's unfortunate because the food wasn't bad, but the overall experience wasn't enjoyable enough for me to return. With better organization and staffing, I think this could be a much better brunch experience.

Left this place in high spirits!! :) Mysterious and amusing impression as the "entrance" was…read moreunsealed. I won't spoil it for you, but as you walk up the stairs just ask for Green Light instead of Merchant (which is also a great bar!) This bar is more intimate; a bit of a propriety aura with a street view. Different cocktail options than The Merchant, and so our waitress who normally works over there wasn't familiar with any of them but she asked for us. Loved the Porn on Mute (similar to Sex on Beach).

If you're looking for a truly unforgettable cocktail experience in Raleigh, The Green Light is…read morewhere you need to be. Tucked away behind a secret door inside The Architect, this speakeasy hits all the right notes--classy, intimate, and effortlessly cool. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance wraps around you like velvet--dim lighting, rich textures, and just the right touch of mystery. The vibe is perfect for a date night, catching up with friends, or treating yourself to something special.

Great experience. My bartender was Donovan and he was focused on serving us top notch spirits. I…read morewanted an espresso martini and he made it clear that he did not have all of the ingredients to make the drink but he could get a nice mix and get really close. I really appreciated the transparency and let him create a coffee shot instead for me. Fantastic taste and better than what I was served downstairs at S&S. Highly recommend.

Oh em geee Donavan was the best bartender ever ! He was respectful and kind and conversationalread more

My boyfriend and I went here for our one year anniversary and had a phenomenal time!! Our server…read morewas witty and had us laughing the whole time, and it was so sweet that they offered us a signed card and a free dessert for the occasion. It was a little hot on the day we went, but there was plenty of indoor seating with great views for those who didn't want to brave the heat. The views were wonderful!! The sun set over a (granted, kind of unsightly) building on the horizon and we got to watch the colors reflect on all of the buildings on the skyline. The drinks were fantastic and quite unique, and the food was excellent as well. The only issue I'd raise is the inconsistent kitchen timing, which sometimes can't be helped. We had a great time, got some nice pictures, and made wonderful memories!!

Elevated Snacking at The Willard ​Let's be honest: half the…read moreappeal of a rooftop bar is enjoying the skyline views, and the other half is hoping the food actually lives up to the altitude. At The Willard, it absolutely does. ​The Vibe The atmosphere strikes that elusive balance between a chic lounge and a genuinely comfortable hangout. The DJ deserves a serious nod for spinning a backdrop of tunes that perfectly match the sunset--energetic enough to keep the night moving, but chill enough that you don't have to shout over the bass to recount the highlights of your latest mixed doubles victory. ​The Spread ​The Cheese Plate: An absolute thrill ride of dairy. The offerings are genuinely exciting, featuring sharp, creamy, and funky selections that make you feel infinitely more sophisticated than you actually are. ​Cheeseburger Sliders: Perfectly executed, juicy little bites of classic comfort. They deliver exactly what you want from a burger, minus the heavy commitment of a full-sized bun. ​Chicken Caprese Sliders: The elegant cousin to the beef sliders. Fresh, flavorful, and a masterclass in packing maximum taste into minimum real estate. They are the perfect, highly snackable refuel after organizing a massive midday park takeover with the posse. ​The Finale ​Petite Fours: Do not skip these. These delicious little squares are bite-sized perfection. Plus, why commit to one giant slice of cake when you can eat a handful of tiny masterpieces and convince yourself it's a "light" dessert? ​If you're looking for stellar views, killer tunes, and a menu that doesn't miss, The Willard is exactly where you want to drop your paddle and raise a glass.

There's no drink specials from what I've experienced . Bartenders friendly but bathrooms are…read moredisgusting which I get it's a bar however .. cmon . Music is a random mix honestly but a pretty chill bar overall. I'd go here for pool and a chill night but the two green tea shots for $16.00 is insane when Boxcar had them for $5 Nextdoor..

Cool dark and chill place to enjoy a drink ! Bartender make some good drinks ! See you on my next…read moretrip back to North Carolina.

Fantastic beer and the Brie was even better ;) Definitely recommend some fries and the Lime…read morePilsner!

came here to grab a drink and ended up having a lovely experience with Brielle on the second floor…read more- she was attentive and very friendly, can't recommend this place enough and make sure you ask for Brielle!!

What a great addition to North Raleigh! The two of us enjoyed a Sunday night experience at a…read morecomfortable table for two near the bar. I got a rose that I liked enough to have two of, and He started with a Smoked Old Fashioned then had a pour of Buffalo Trace. (should have asked the price on the BT cause it was a ridiculous $16). We shared the Bourbon BBQ sliders and the Spinach dip which were both terrific! There wasn't enough pita for the dip though so we ordered more and it was worth the extra $1.50 but would have been nice to have had the right amount to begin with. The atmosphere is so pleasant! Felt like we were downtown instead of in a corner of the Hibernian Pub. My strong suggestion to them (and I did mention it while we were there) is to put paper towels in the restrooms, because you've got this quiet lovely speakeasy and loud hand dryers. Other than the few little nit-picks we really enjoyed this speakeasy and will definitely be back.

Great concept! We really wanted this speakeasy concept to be a hit, and it can be but not there…read moreyet. After reading about The Dry Cleaners Raleigh Magazine we were excited to try! Prices are great. Drink was fine. Just fine. Furnishings and ambience is nice BUT missed opportunities. Entrance is not what you expect for a Speakeasy. Entrance from inside Hibernian, yes (won't spoil that for you) but exterior entrance is boring and confusing. Could have easily been made much cooler if the employee entrance was another "Dry cleaner entrance" instead of walking all the way around to the front and walking in a glass door. Boring and confusing, could easily have been made a little more like a speak easy. Again the interior is very nicely furnished and bar is very well stocked. The article mentions the professional bartenders. Well the guy in a cut off sweat shirt with his black underwear pulled up above his belted jeans did not ooze professional like the other bartenders that arrived later did. He made our old fashions without an orange peel or cherry and the smoked old fashion was not covered when delivered so presentation was a fail. We did see that around 6:30 someone arrived with a bag of oranges. It was Friday night so should have been better prepared. They have a boring list of special drink, we expected more creativity. Everyone has a painkiller. The bartender did not give me confidence he could create a drink to match my tastes nor was that offered. Perhaps the later shift offers that skill. The small bites were a smaller list than the magazine indicated. The kitchen is clearly shared with the Hibernian as the food comes through that entrance. Having an item or two different would help. The rooms are great, fix the entrances, keep the bartending staff professional, and get some creative cocktails up front. North Raleigh needs a bar and this could very well be a fun place.

A cool pub in an unexpected place…read more This long and narrow bar certainly comes with a lot of charm, and an impressive amount of indoor seating. I would say it definitely fits into the neighborhood and appears to be a popular local hangout. Even on a chilly day, the outdoor seating is very comfortable, feel free to take advantage of the propane heaters. The drinks are excellent, and the customer service is good, it's definitely a great place to stop for drinks. Cheers!

Best bar downtown! Great prices, the best bartenders, best patio! This place has it all!read more