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    The Green Light

    4.1 (152 reviews)
    ModerateCocktail Bars
    Closed Closed

    The Green Light Photos

    THE GREEN LIGHT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - The Green Light

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    Porn on Mute
    Chris M.

    My first stop at The Green Light. Very cool small speak easy. Great vibe. Ordered the Porn on Mute, tequila based drink. Excellent!

    Mark M.

    Incredible Speakeasy. Bartender knew his craft like science. Top tier craft mixed drinks/cocktails like you've probably never had before. Ask the bartender to make you something off menu, you won't be disappointed. Great atmosphere. Highly recommend.

    Femme Fatal
    Hannah L.

    This was SUCH a fun place to take my out of town guests! It was such a cozy, upscale, and romantic spot. We had the best bartender that was open to questions and customized drinks - he made amazing suggestions, which led to us being there far longer than anticipated. I can't wait to return!

    Standout Drink: 5th Avenue
    Lauryn D.

    This will be your favorite speakeasy in Raleigh...if you can find it ;) The staff is nice and attending and the overall ambiance is perfect for a date night or a little meet up with friends. Heads Up! You should definitely make a reservation prior to going and it is a pretty small space so it may not be the best bar for big groups.

    Entrance
    tara m.

    Such a great vibe! Drinks were good - they were out of some liquor and the tender did a great job working around that. Service was phenomenal.

    Chandra J.

    Was not expecting this "hidden" gem in a bar that was clearly closed to the public. I was greeted by a waiter who led me back to a bar behind a bookshelf. I was greeted more by the dim lights than by the bartender. But, once I was, I enjoyed my bent umbrella, which was way more citrusy than I thought it would be in a good way, and it was super smooth to sip and enjoy. I finished this while speaking to the bartender and a patron who was very kind. The bartender was very open and kind. He made me feel very comfortable and was so kind! My second drink was the "Apples and Allies," which reminded me of a spicier apple cider with rum. It was super smooth, warm, and easy to sip and sip! I would come back here for the drinks and atmosphere. Very chill and great drinks!

    a man preparing food in a kitchen
    Sasha P.

    We were in town visiting family and had dinner nearby - this was a big surprise treat after! I had no idea this existed and my Uncle was so excited to surprise me with this speakeasy. When they opened the door behind the hostess I think I almost yelled out loud - not even joking LOL. Super cool and unique spot - small but not too small. Bartender was really nice and the cocktails were OUT OF THIS WORLD. My husband said it was one of the best Moscow Mules he's ever had. I naturally went for a Bourbon cocktail and was VERY happy with my drink too. Highly recommend! Make sure you have a reservation because it can be pretty limited seating and you don't want to miss out. Cheers!

    a library with bookshelves and a piano
    Anne P.

    You guys! How awesome is this place! Green Light is the best kept secret in Raleigh and it's out of the bag if you have never heard of it before! It's a hidden bar behind a bookshelf that's a secret door! We had the Final Word and the Daisy and both we so good we had a few! Note: Do not attempt to go without reservations. The place is small, intimate and they will not have an open table. We had dinner at Sitti across the street since they do not serve food. Second time for me at Green Light House Speakeasy Raleigh NC and they do not disappoint! This time i got the Honey Rose. Their bartender Reed is great!

    Ted G.

    Now this is a speakeasy, not so easy to find the door but thanks to a little help it didn't take long to get in. One thing I like about these hidden gems, you they are not typically overcrowded and very personable. They also seem to hit the target on quality in every drink they serve. The Green Light is as comfortable as it gets, and the staff make sure of it. This is definitely a bar that will see us again. Cheers!

    Eastern Medicine
    Annie K.

    Very cool, low key speakeasy with delicious cocktails. Went right when they opened and it was nice and quiet and easy to get a seat

    Rum Flipped. Amazing
    Marissa M.

    I really enjoyed my experience at The Green Light Speakeasy. Hargett St is easily my favorite place downtown. It's a street immersed in very eclectic spaces.The staff here are excellent. We visited The Architect failing to realize that The Green Light was within the bar itself. We followed a few folks into the turning bookcase and were greeted by Jason. We did not have a reservation for the evening and luckily he was able to find us a comfortable corner seat near the deer head. We reviewed the menu and decided on the Rum Flipped cocktail. The best way to describe this cocktail is Eggnog. It was literally the perfect night cap. The bartenders are talented, the wait staff and management here are excellent. Green Light definitely gave me east village New York vibes and that is dear to my heart as a home sick Native New Yorker. I can't wait to return again.

    Porn On Mute, Get Lit, 5th Ave
    Kimberly V.

    Drinks were nice. We were told of some cool bar that has a hidden bar you have to find, so we went to see. After climbing the stairs to the bar, it was empty and to the right of the stairs is the only bookcase on the floor, which means that's the door lol. Not sure if reservations are needed but was asked if we had one. We didn't and we're sat down immediately. It's cute and dark in the little bar. Did take a while to get our order taken but there was one server who went table to table to take orders. Nice experience but not a place I'd frequent

    Honey bourbon
    Daphne R.

    This place gives a chill, small speakeasy vibe. It is recommended to reserve a table but they do take walk ins. The bartenders and waitress are easy to talk to and are good to talk with. The drinks are a bit pricey but is understandable with the amount of time it takes to make them and set them up. They are tasty and are more complex to be able to sip and enjoy rather than binging for the quick buzz. Great place to take pics, enjoy a drink, and talk story.

    Door behind bookcase

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    2 years ago

    Best kept secret in Raleigh!! Drinks are amazing and the service is truly divine...can't wait to return!

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    Aunty Bettys Gin and Absinthe Bar

    Aunty Bettys Gin and Absinthe Bar

    4.8(62 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Tucked behind the bustle of of the Morgan Street Food Hall lies a not-so-secret secret: a whimsical…read moreden of gin, absinthe, and mischief. Step through the unassuming door near the buildings corner and find yourself in a moody little lair where botanicals bloom in every glass and green fairies are always welcome. Part apothecary, part speakeasy, all vibes -- this tucked-away tipple temple is your reward for being curious. Blink and you'll miss it -- sneeze and you'll lose your seat. This cozy little cocktail cave fills up faster than you can say "Negroni, please." With just enough room for a handful of lucky souls, it's part bar, part social experiment. Come early, come curious, and be prepared to elbow your way into the best seat you'll never want to give up. If you're in a rush, maybe try...literally anywhere else. Their cocktails take time -- because They're busy muddling together timeless classics, like a good Old Fashioned. But hey, perfection can't be microwaved. Sip slowly, wait longer, and remember: you can't rush greatness...or them. Cheers!

    Aunty Bettys is in the same building as the Morgan Street Food Hall, and has its own entrance and…read moreseating area. They have an interesting cocktail and mocktail menu with a variety of things, they also have a dealer's choice where you tell the bartender what flavors you like and they'll try to accommodate. They had a lot of gin cocktails on their menu, gin doesn't agree with me, so I asked for a New York Sour, which is a variation of a whiskey sour with red wine instead of sweet and sour mix. They made the NY Sour with a nice egg white foam on top. They charged me $14 for that cocktail. It was a good time, and my friends and I went next door to the Food Hall for dinner.

    Photos
    Aunty Bettys Gin and Absinthe Bar - Bar.

    Bar.

    Aunty Bettys Gin and Absinthe Bar
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    Cuya - Très lèche

    Cuya

    4.5(26 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    This place was absolutely amazing. All I can say is, we made a lot of happy noises while eating,…read moreand there were plenty of "oh my God" moments at the table. From the staff to the manager to the food, everything was on point. The food truly speaks for itself. They serve small plates, which we love because it gives you the chance to try different things and experience a variety of flavors. We started with the fried pork belly on tostones. It was perfectly seasoned, topped with avocado, and every bite just melted in your mouth. Next, we had the tamarind sticky ribs with a tamarind mango barbecue sauce. This was a perfect example of how simplicity can create complex flavors. The ribs were cooked just right -- not completely falling off the bone, but tender enough that when you bit into them, the meat pulled apart so easily. They were juicy, full of flavor, and had just the right touch of spice from the chili flakes. Then we moved on to the mini arepas, and oh my God. They had slow-cooked pork, guava barbecue sauce, and fried papas on top. The arepa itself was crispy on the outside, warm and fluffy on the inside. The savory pork paired with the sweetness of the guava barbecue sauce was incredible, and the crunch from the fried papas took it to another level. Now, I have a bit of a sweet tooth, but my wife does not. I wanted dessert, and we were leaning toward the tres leches, but our waitress highly recommended the bread pudding. I am not usually a fan of bread pudding at all, but her recommendations had been on point all night, so I decided to trust her. I am so glad we did. They take a Mexican bolillo, soak it overnight in tres leches, then pan-sear it to create this crispy caramelized outside while keeping the inside warm, soft, and sweet. It is topped with crema and toasted coconut, then they pour warm guava syrup over it and serve it with a scoop of coconut sorbet. The layers of flavor in that dessert were unreal. Honestly, it may have been the best dessert we have ever had. And remember, my wife is not big on sweets -- she usually only takes one bite of dessert, but this time she tried to eat over half of it. Lol. I highly recommend this place. The food, the service, the drinks, and the atmosphere were all amazing. And after dinner, you can even head upstairs to work off the food with salsa lessons and a dance club. This is definitely a spot worth checking out! Este lugar fue absolutamente increíble. Lo único que puedo decir es que hicimos muchos sonidos de felicidad mientras comíamos, y hubo muchos momentos de "¡Dios mío!" en la mesa. Desde el personal, hasta el gerente, hasta la comida, todo estuvo excelente. La comida realmente habla por sí sola. Sirven platos pequeños, algo que nos encanta porque te da la oportunidad de probar diferentes cosas y experimentar una variedad de sabores. Comenzamos con el pork belly frito sobre tostones. Estaba perfectamente sazonado, cubierto con aguacate, y cada bocado simplemente se derretía en la boca. Después probamos las costillitas pegajosas de tamarindo con una salsa barbecue de tamarindo y mango. Este plato fue un ejemplo perfecto de cómo la simplicidad puede crear sabores complejos. Las costillas estaban cocinadas en su punto: no se caían completamente del hueso, pero estaban tan tiernas que al morderlas, la carne se desprendía fácilmente. Estaban jugosas, llenas de sabor y con el toque perfecto de picante gracias a las hojuelas de chile. Luego pasamos a las mini arepas, y ¡Dios mío! Tenían cerdo cocinado lentamente, salsa barbecue de guayaba y papitas fritas encima. La arepa estaba crujiente por fuera, calientita y esponjosa por dentro. El sabor salado del cerdo combinado con la dulzura de la salsa barbecue de guayaba fue increíble, y el crujiente de las papitas fritas lo llevó a otro nivel. Ahora, a mí me gustan mucho los dulces, pero a mi esposa no tanto. Yo quería pedir postre, y estábamos pensando en el tres leches, pero nuestra mesera nos recomendó mucho el budín de pan. Normalmente no soy fanático del budín de pan, pero sus recomendaciones habían sido excelentes toda la noche, así que decidí confiar en ella. Me alegra muchísimo haberlo hecho. Toman un bolillo mexicano, lo remojan durante la noche en tres leches y luego lo sellan en sartén para crear una capa exterior crujiente y caramelizada, mientras que el interior se mantiene calientito, suave y dulce. Lo sirven con crema y coco tostado, luego le vierten encima un jarabe tibio de guayaba y lo acompañan con una bola de sorbete de coco. Las capas de sabor en ese postre fueron irreales. Honestamente, puede que haya sido el mejor postre que hemos probado en nuestra vida. Y recuerden, mi esposa no es muy amante de los dulces; normalmente solo prueba un bocado del postre, pero esta vez intentó comerse más de la mitad. Jajaja.

    This was my first time coming here since they rebranded and reopened. I already enjoyed the…read moreprevious concept and was anxious to see what was different. The essence of it still feels similar with a few differences in ambiance and menu. They still over an oyster option, but we didn't try it. The octopus was good - cooked nicely. I enjoyed the ceviche. It's not the best I ever had, but a solid choice and the portion was excellent. The cocktail was well balanced and tasted good. The skirt steak was nice, but I was full so didn't eat all of it. There are black beans under the skirt steak that were AMAZING. It was just a small option of the dish - not the size of a side portion but almost like a "sauce" under the steak. It was perfect. This place remains a solid choice. I would come here again on a date or with a girl friend.

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    Cuya
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    Whiskey Kitchen - Cracklin' Biscuits

    Whiskey Kitchen

    4.0(787 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    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.

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    Whiskey Kitchen - Smoked mozzarella salad with fried chicken

    Smoked mozzarella salad with fried chicken

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    The Crunkleton - Parmesan fries, dry rubbed wings, pimento and country ham biscuits

    The Crunkleton

    4.2(66 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    Beignets, beignets, beignets!…read more This place is perfect for a girls night, date night, friends night, solo night... honestly any night! I came here for drinks and dessert with friends, and the star of the show was definitely the beignets. As someone who has visited New Orleans and tried the real deal, I thought I knew what good beignets tasted like. Turns out, I did not have to travel that far after all! The beignets here are like a cross between a classic beignet and a croissant. Light, fluffy, and just the right amount of indulgent. I will definitely be back to check out more of the menu, but no matter what, I am saving room for the... say it with me... beignets!!

    Wanted to try something new, and, since I liked the reviews for this place, I figured I'll give it…read morea shot. The ambiance is classy but laid back. The Service was outstanding thanks to Hayley. Her recommendations for pairing the drinks with the food were flawless, and each drink was prepared like a work of art. I started with the raw oysters, paired with a glass of Rose, which I loved. They switched from the Halibut with Fennel to Mahi with Forbidden Rice. The rice is black and inky and potent and extraordinary, but it overwhelmed the fish completely. Still greatful I got to experience it, but I would pair it with something more gamy like lamb or goat. The Pecan pie with warm salted caramel ice cream was nothing short of a spiritual experience, and Hayley's recommendation to pair it with Rum Flip was perfect. Yes, I Ubered. Overall, this one is going to be a frequent hangout.

    Photos
    The Crunkleton
    The Crunkleton - Dry Rub Chicken Wings

    Dry Rub Chicken Wings

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    The Green Light - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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