Lilly was great and very attentive... the rooftop bar, music and hookah was everything. Will…read moredefinitely come back

Thanks to Ron W., I was able to attend a sneak peak preview of Raleigh's newest VIP space, The…read moreVoodoo Room. The extra secret, private room is located upstairs in The Big Easy, down a back hallway through an ominous door labeled "staff only". This isn't a space that you can just walk into (now that you know where it's located), rather it's a private venue space, charging $300/6 hours on Fridays and Saturdays with a $500 minimum bar tab and $100/6 hours Sunday-Thursday with a $300 minimum bar tab. The small space includes a New Orleans voodoo theme complete with voodoo dolls and bare breasted fortune tellers (in photos). Your party is invited to enjoy the velvet couches and hairs artfully placed around the room and has access to a private bar (and bartender). I love the back wall, with photo windows viewing Salisbury Street and a huge wooden bench seat. Rebecca and her husband Steve, the owners of The Big Easy, created this space to throw a rocking New Years Eve party, and they're inviting locals to use it during the year. Rebecca hired a fortune teller for our VIP night, but options are practically unlimited for what you want to bring in (bachelorette party strippers?!) The room is pricy to rent, but the intention is to get in a "classier" group of people that will keep the space up (however, there's definitely room for a dance party in the room, think old Bee Hive tightness). The best part: that VIP feeling as you are personally led up to the room by a manager, it was VERY speakeasy and secretive!

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.

Husbands brought me here and I am in love…read more Venue: It has a little speak easy feel. 3 indoor bar in different section with its unique feel and one outside (outdoor patio). Drinks: we had the Manhattan and penicillin. Fresh and high quality ingredients. Love the craft cocktails made by skillful mixologist. Service; friendly bar tenders and staffs. Will be coming back!

Such a gorgeous space! Perfect spot if you're feeling a moody cocktail or mocktail. This…read morebar/speakeasy is located in downtown Raleigh close to street parking and parking decks. They're typically having some sort of fun event or pop up that you can enjoy. When I went recently I decided to try a mocktail, they do a good job on their mocktails - equally as skilled as their cocktails. Definitely worth a stop in for a drink.

Changed. I always…read morerave about this place. Especially with Smoke and dagger. Unfortunately there was a significant change when I came back to a new location. Not a good change. Venue: larger venue compared to their original former venue. Similar speakeasy vibe. Love the ambience, NY speakeasy feel. Drinks : ordered the famous smoke and dagger. Also espresso martini. Smoke and dagger does not taste the same. Looks similar but some elements missing. Drinks feel like it was not shaken enough. Drink was very sour without balance. Just was not the same. Came in a smoke box like before. Brought family members after bragging about this place and had not much to say. Espresso martini was very bitter. Service: the lady that served us not personable. Maybe she was not having a good. The place I was looking so much forward to end up in disappointment.

This is your typical cocktail bar located in an old building. There are multiple places like this…read morein downtown Raleigh, nothing really stands out about this one. They no longer serve food like they did in their old location. Essentially this is like the Architect 2.0. I don't think they changed anything from the previous ownership. Even the Green Light bar is still there. If you want some expensive cocktails in a nice atmosphere, this is as good as any other cocktail bar in downtown Raleigh.

This is a whiskey lover's dream and one of Raleigh's most unique drinking destinations. It's quite…read moreliterally underground as it's in a basement. With little signage the space feels like a natural speakeasy. It's unpolished enough to feel a little sleazy, yet polished enough to never feel dirty. In other words, it has character, and plenty of it. The bartenders were fantastic: knowledgeable, talented, and happy to chat about the spirits behind the bar. Whether you're a serious whiskey enthusiast or just looking for a well-made cocktail, you're in good hands. Being open later than most Raleigh bars makes Foundation one of the city's go-to late-night options, but that shouldn't overshadow what it really is........a great bar at any hour. The atmosphere, the drinks, and the people behind the bar make this a place worth seeking out whether it's your first stop of the evening or your last.

Foundation Bar offers a uniquely cool vibe, tucked away in a basement location that makes it easy…read moreto miss if you aren't looking for it. The interior features rotating art hung on the walls--which adds a great aesthetic and is even available for purchase if you fall in love with a piece. The drink menu is impressively extensive, and the bartenders certainly don't skimp on the pours; if you aren't a frequent drinker, one strong cocktail will definitely be plenty. The staff is consistently polite and welcoming, and the overall atmosphere makes for a solid night out. The only notable drawbacks are the lack of a food menu, not even offering small bites, and a noticeable smoke odor inside that might bother non-smokers. Still, it's a great spot for drinks and atmosphere.

It's conveniently located, it's close to both downtown and Glenwood. The vibe is so cute and the…read morecocktails are good! I'm not the biggest gin person, but they have other options too.

Order the Dealers Choice and don't hold back telling them what you like/don't like. Fantastically…read morecrafted cocktail every single time. Very cozy date night spot, or a great start or end to the evening.

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.

A nice selection of Bourbon and other spirits, I enjoy a Whisky Sour. On Monday Blind Barbour has a…read morebottle special and it can be lively. Parking is easy. Lighting for Blind Barbour, speak easy bark. There's no patio.

Was visiting for a concert and am so happy I checked out William & Company. I was with 6 other…read morepeople and we were able to snag the soft seating at the front (space to the left when you walk in). I enjoyed my slushie but then moved on to tequila soda - my classic. All staff was super nice and drinks, bar service was quick and empty glasses were picked up quickly while we were just yapping. Added touch is the Krispy Kreme that's across the street (make sure you share with the staff!)

Ok i loved this place! Honestly it was exactly what i needed! Great vibes. Fantastic drinks! And…read morejust a vibe you don't want to miss. Easy seating. You don't want to miss out on this spot for sure!

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!

Looking for a good cigar - run here!! Mine was sweet and tasty!…read more Drinks were mixed perfectly!! I had 3- Long Island iced teas. Comfortable chairs however, get could use a facelift. Excellent service !! There was only one bartender and he handled the entire business. At one time there were about 19-20 people there. Bathrooms were clean!! 2 stalls per gender. Huge collection of cigars to choose from. Tip: This is a hockey bar so if hockey is playing then it's on tv. Period?? So no NFL draft but it was all good. Bar Rules!

I came here to experience a night out on the town all the way from Brooklyn, NY. I didn't realize…read moreuntil after when I looked on the business page that it had Brooklyn decor. Since I visited the day after Christmas there was still holiday decor up. The did play a small selection of NY based music which I did appreciate which music from other regions which I also enjoyed. What I didn't enjoy too much was my drink. I was trying to order a drink fro the festive list but one of the ingredients weren't available so I decided to just get a vodka and cranberry which tasted a little watered down. I'll probably try a second visit when come back in town.

Came here for the Christmas decorations and loved it! The service was great, the spiked hot…read morechocolates were delightful , the decorations are so creative (night before Christmas themed!) and we enjoyed the karaoke.