This is absolutely a hidden gem amongst bars. It's in an inconspicuous abandoned looking shopping center 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. read more

The Blind Barbour - Tom Yum - I'm told it's amazing and tastes just like the soup. This is the original. If you see any others around town, it's a dupe. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Style, perfection, grace, uniqueness - and well, I'll just say it - what fine establishment this is and 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... read more

Excellent spot for a great cocktail at a hole in the wall type spot. The Tom Yum was an especial favorite- it's a cocktail the bartender Smalls created- ask for it! Jacob was the trainee and also very attentive! We'll be back. :) read more

What a cool and eclectic cocktail bar parked away in an non disclosed neighborhood shopping center. When we went by, I thought it was closed because it was so dark. The bar is really cool and they have an extensive menu of Bourbons and Whiskies. They do have specialty cocktails as well as wine and beer on tap. If I remember right the bartender said they have "at cost" bourbon bottle openings on the first Monday of the month, which is pretty neat (no pun intended). It's a nice spot to hangout and grab an after dinner drink. Definitely check them out on Instagram! read more

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Stopped in later on a Monday for a post dinner cocktail. This place is located in a mostly abandoned shopping center in what felt like a neighborhood, so that threw me off a bit. Walking in, it's like being transported to classy speakeasy in a big city. It wasn't crowded at all, so we were greeted by the bartender and he was really attentive. We looked over the extensive menu and selected cocktails. I had You're Killing Me Smalls, and it was really good. There's a little sweetness but not overwhelming. I wish I lived closer! Would love to work my way through the extensive bourbon menu. read more

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My boyfriend and I had a great time here on Saturday night. We popped in after dinner and sat outside at one of the fire pit tables. The bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable and he helped my boyfriend choose (2) outstanding bourbons that weren't super pricy. My first cocktail was the BOB - bourbon over bourbon. It was an elevated Manhattan and I loved it. My second drink was a whiskey sour, and that drink was also incredible. Water was provided to cleanse our palates and we appreciated that. It was so nice and relaxing to just chill by the fire and sip our amazing drinks! We are looking forward to our next visit. read more

I ordered a dirty martini with extra olives, my usual. It was great! The ambiance in this bar was incredible. It was so chill and unique. I would definitely come here again! read more

Bartenders are amazing, Inventive cocktails and classics done to perfection. Bar has the speakeasy feel that just makes you want to enjoy a cocktail. One of the best cocktail bars in Raleigh but off the beaten path so you don't have to deal with finding parking. read more

Really great and broad selections of bourbon. Knowledgeable bartenders. And amazing cocktails.

Stopped by while visiting family in NC. This place was surprisingly awesome! The proprietor was behind the bar and made us two rounds of tasty whiskey based cocktails and engaged in fun conversation. Great vibe, selection, music. I hope to come back the next time in town! Delicious speakeasy cocktails in an unpretentious, welcoming setting. read more

This place is a stellar little bar hidden in an old strip mall. I came here this week for birthday drinks with a friend and was pleasantly surprised to find a bar so close to our home that I had never heard of. When you walk in you are instantly greeted. It's more spacious than it inside. I really enjoyed how creative each cocktail was, but my personal favorite was the tom yum which had a fun spice to it. If you haven't been here yet, I would strongly suggest you do soon! There is an extensive drink menu here as well as great music and even better hospitality . read more

Smalls is the only reason I came tonight. Never get rid of him. Wonderful experience as always

The Blind Barbour is one of the only places still standing in that area, but that just gives everyone who visits more room to park;) The atmosphere is great. You could come here to catch up with friends or have date night drinks. Our bartender was awesome. Very knowledgeable. Answered any and all questions we had. The cocktails we ordered were delicious! We are already looking forward to coming back to check out some of their other signature drinks. Cheers! read more

The Blind Barbour - The Citizen Kane- beautiful and delicious! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Do not be fooled by the exterior... this bar is amazing. Like amazzzzzzzing drinks. Great convo at the bar, great selection of high end bourbon/ whiskey. Bartender is on point, drinks are super quality. Everything you want in a bar and more. read more

The Blind Barbour - a menu for a drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Incredible drinks!! The bar tender is knowledgeable and funny and it a classic, dark wood speak easy feel.

The Blind Barbour ranks in the top 3 of my favorite cocktail bars around the area. The cocktails here are fantastic, my personal favorite's are the Porch Swing (this was the first visit) and the City of SmOAK (my most recent visit). The bartenders are always knowledgeable and friendly. This spot is a must visit. read more

The Blind Barbour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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So glad my friend discovered this place and brought us. All I have to say is... Great music + beautiful bar area + lovely atmosphere + tall wooden booths that allow for some privacy + well made drinks + cool bartenders = 5 stars for me. My El Coyote (El Jimador Tequila, Green Chartreuse, cinnamon, strawberry preserves, lime) was great. I took my time sipping it over two and a half hours. Will be back very soon! Taste | 5 Atmosphere | 5 Presentation | 4 Service | 5 OVERALL | 5 read more

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YES. And thank you. After my friend and I weren't quite ready for our girls' night to end, I sat in my car thinking to myself, "I really want to go have a whiskey but I don't want to go to a loud downtown bar." Thanks to Yelp, I found The Blind Barbour and it was exactly what I would have created in my mind if I could have imagined a perfect place to enjoy an hour of whiskey and easy conversation (rather than shouting over music and Millennials). Our bartender was knowledgeable, not pushy, not snobby, and had the best accent. He chatted with us a bit, and also left us alone. He's got the fine art of tending bar mastered. Friendly, but not all up in your business. While we were there, there was a pretty steady (but small) stream of people stopping in to enjoy drinks and company. Everyone seemed nice and laid-back, and not into "the scene", whatever that is. Basically, if you want a loud, bustling bar full of pretty people trying to impress one another, don't go here. If you are a normal human being 'of a certain age' and you enjoy a good variety of Bourbon and Whiskey, whether a novice or whiskey expert, this is your place. read more

The Blind Barbour - Basil. Hayden. Yum. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

We love the BB! Within walking distance in the neighborhood, a true local watering hole. Excellent cocktails and bourbon selection,we are big fans of Smalls! Kind of a no frills atmosphere on the inside but super nice people - patrons and staff! read more

Just left. I'm a fan! I'd come back here and so should you. I'm looking right at you, John! Great conversation, personable and knowledgeable bartender, even better drink! I had the B.O.B. Bourbon over bourbon. Delish! Nice and boozy, a little sweet which I loved, and great orange aromatics on the nose. What really set it off was that the bartender was gracious enough to let me taste the nocciola (Austrian or Italian walnut liquor) and it was to die for. Plus 1 point for the man. I would get The Law next time, simply because I got to taste the nocciola. So good! The space is small and intimate. It got a little loud with a full house so you'll have to get closer to your date to get your point across. Also, it's dark and moody in here. Small it may be, but sexy it is. I thought the price was a little high. I've hit 4 cocktail bars in 4 different towns in the last week and they're usually $10-$11.....even in Charlotte. But, I still ain't knocking it down. I like this joint. It's got a cool vibe. Gotta get that nocciola!!!!! Tell 'em Sam sent you! read more

The Blind Barbour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The best little whisky bar I've ever been to. Amazing selection of whisky, bourbon and scotch I've ever seen at a bar. Additionally the owner of the bar personally came over to take our orders and continued to check on our service throughout. Don't let the location fool you. You absolutely need to go here. read more

Love this bar so much. If you are looking for a hidden gem stop by this spot. The drinks are great, the service is amazing and it is the ideal small cozy bar you've been dreaming of. read more

This place is pretty awesome. We came here from Atlanta after catching a show at the nearby Ritz Raleigh, and the drinks + service ads top notch. The bartender is very knowledgeable and friendly as well. Makes you feel like home. Everything he's recommenced has been good and the atmosphere is friendly and comfortable. Easy pick for a good time with solid drinks and service. read more

This place was amazing!! My fiancé and I were visiting Raleigh for the day and decided to stop by here to grab a drink. We were not disappointed. The atmosphere was relaxing and just great. The Barman was nice and helpful with the drink selection. He was also very personable and crafty. I got two mixed drinks that were equally delicious in their own way. The first one was the B.O.B and the second was a margarita with a twist. If I had to chose between the two which I enjoyed the most it would be the margarita. It is no exaggeration when I say this drink sneaks up on you and gives you a lil slap lol. read more

The Blind Barbour - B.O.B. ( Bourbon Over Bourbon) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Great vibe here. Low key, fantastic bourbon list. Overall super cool place to hang out.

If you're looking for a great bourbon list, good music, and laid back atmosphere, this is it. The music on the night we went was just a guy with a guitar singing every song bars love to sing along to. We closed the place out which we never do, and I can't wait to go back when I'm back in Raleigh! read more

I feel so at home here! My family and I go occasionally and every time we're there, we are appropriately greeted, have amazing cocktails, have a fabulous time, learn a ton about many drinks (and wine and food). The atmosphere is warm, quiet, quaint and cozy. The quality of the cocktails they make are top notch. This place is a true gem that we never get tired of! Thank you guys! read more

Unsure how this place is not as well-known, but it is A true neighborhood bar with top right cocktails and an amazing bourbon selection.

The Blind Barbour has everything you'd want in a whiskey bar - strong and refined drinks, classic and rustic decor, cool and attentive bartenders, and a little bit of that pre-Prohibition speakeasy vibe. I've tried a simple whiskey sour and the Crooked Agent cocktail (bourbon, aperol, lime, strawberry preserves, ginger beer), and both were delicious. The bar is in an unassuming suburban strip mall, but don't let the random location deter you. This spot is a local gem! read more

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An unexpected surprise. The Blind Barbour is an exceptionally amazing experience. The owner and staff are extremely friendly and the vibe is very chillax. Will definitely be back regularly. read more

A nice bar with a great whiskey selection and awesome bartenders. Their cocktails specials are amazing. My favorites are the Tropical Storm and Milan Melody. read more

The Blind Barbour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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WOW! Had a great time, super tasty drinks. This is coming from a non whiskey drinker. Attentive service. Creative drinks. Exceptional bartender. read more

Tried this neighborhood bar last night on a whim with some friends, and I think I've found a new favorite spot for cocktails and bourbon. The atmosphere was very relaxing and warm, which makes this place ideal for conversation over great drinks. Their selection of bourbons, whiskeys, ryes, scotch and everything else looked very extensive. My good friend was impressed they had multiple Hibiki whiskeys, and we both noted they had two Woodford Reserve master collections (one was the Cherry Wood, not sure about the other). And their list of specialty cocktails was impressive and equally delicious. The bartender, Nicole, was super friendly and welcoming. She was also very knowledgeable about the bar's extensive selection. Bottom line, I foresee us spending many nights at The Blind Barbour in the future. read more

The bartender is excellent at what he does. I felt out of place however after a while we chatted a bit and he suggested a spicy margarita which was delicious. Prior to the margarita I had the Bourbon over Bourbon and enjoyed that. This is a pricy joint so just be prepared however it's mostly worth it. read more

This bar may not be in the best location, but the drinks definitely make up for it. I tried two of their specialty cocktails and they were fantastic. Highly recommend this place to anyone who appreciates a creative and well made cocktail. Cocktail of choice: The B.O.B. (Bourbon Over Bourbon) The ambiance is great for date night or an evening out with friends. It has an old school, classy feel. If you're not a big liquor drinker, they also offer a selection of different beers and wine. If you can't seem to decide, just ask the bartender. She was very knowledgeable about their drinks and liquor. If you love whiskey and bourbon this place is the place for you! read more

I've been having this place bookmarked to check out for a while now so it was funny when the person I met here for drinks one night mentioned also wanting to try it. We met on a Friday about 3 weeks ago and ever since, I've been wanting to return. Upon arrival, I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't in a strip mall with 15 other stores yet has ample parking in a shared lot. The actual bar is quaint but, somehow, still feels roomy. Maybe because I was immediately greeted which added to the warm feeling. If you like whiskey or bourbon, you'll feel at home because there are PLENTY of options. If I'm not having something neat, I'm a craft cocktail kinda girl and the B.O.B. (which included a flamed orange peel) was perfectly right up my alley. So good! Joey, our bartender and owner, made great suggestions for other drinks based on our palette preferences. Really knowledgeable and cool guy. Can't wait to go back soon! read more

Really unique place with a cool vibe and great selection of bourbon. I will definitely return.

This is an amazing whiskey bar. I want to move here from Atlanta just to go here. Superb selection, service and staff. They know what they're selling and can help you find the best choices. And there's plenty of parking. read more

Yes! Yes! Yes! As I'm moving closer to the West Raleigh/Edge of ITB area, my fiance and I wanted to start checking out bars that will be closer to home - we both had heard few, but spectacular reviews of the Blind Barbour, and to celebrate our house closing, we decided to check out the place. The Blind Barbour is definitely a neighborhood bar in all ways - located in a unassuming strip mall, the bar itself is dark and cozy, and the patrons who come in are all regulars. You can definitely tell that this bar is Joey's (the bartender/owner/whiskey pro) baby, and he and the patrons treat it as such. We had a great time asking him about the different types of whiskey they had, how they acquire it, and what we should drink next. I'm not a bourbon fan, but I had an incredible gin, fig, and lime drink (sin nombre), and the Raleigh Flip was also incredible. The sips bourbons and ryes I had were different than things I've tried before, and I loved how much attention we got in the experience. Now that we're closer, I look forward to frequenting this place more often. read more

Such a fun little spot for an after work drink, date night, or casual meet up with friends. Everyone is very welcoming, staff and customers!! read more