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The Haymaker

4.3 (109 reviews)
Open 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
Updated 3 months ago

The Haymaker Reservations

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THE HAYMAKER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Trendy
Upscale
Classy

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Recommended Reviews - The Haymaker

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Reviews With Photos

Anna W.

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

Whoo-hoo-- 1st Miracle Pop-up of the szn!
Juliet H.

Whoo-hoo-- 1st Miracle Pop-up of the 2024-2025 szn! The Haymaker was spectacular! The bartenders are friendly and the service is excellent. The space is beautifully decorated, and immediately puts you in the holiday spirit! The miracle pop-up cocktails are great, per usual, with the Chrismapolitan being my favorite of all. 'Tis the season-- Cheers!

Joel J.

It's a quaint little spot which definitely feels warm! We came during the Christmas time, so it was decorated festively. The bartenders were nice and friendly, which was much appreciated. Plenty of holiday drinks to choose from. I definitely recommend you stop by!

Santa Pants
Kenyatta J.

Loved everything about this cute festive bar! Staff 10/10! Drinks 10/10. DJ 10/10. Had a great time. Be prepared to wait if it's crowded. Dress warm. We had a small wait but it was worth it. They have a cut holiday drink list or you can order a beer or your favorite cocktail. It's cute for a girls night out or a drop in before dinner which is what we did. There is a $5 cover which I was not anticipating but it was no problem. Just bring cash.

Falan E.

I arrived around 7:45, and there was a short line. There was staff outside managing the crowd and letting people in as others exited. Once in, we went straight to the bar and didn't have an issue quickly getting service and our drinks. I loved the view of the festive holiday decor. The holiday-themed drinks were also tasty. I tried the Elfing around, which is similar to the French75. Great drinks and service. I look forward to going back.

Rudolph's replacement drink
Amanda C.

Loved the Christmas at the Haymaker experience. It can take a long time to get in so I suggest going on a week night. I went on a Wednesday at 6 and waited about 30 mins to get in but when we left at 7:30 there was no line so it's hit and miss. The drinks were great (I got the Rudolph's replacement drink and it came in a dinosaur glass). The place was crowded but had enough tables where you could find somewhere to sit and have a good time with friends. I would go again!

The dreamville
Carlton M.

Def good drinks. I have the dreamville. If tastes amazing. Good ambiance. The bartender made a great drink. I'd come here again for sure.

I love when it's slow.
Tyrone L.

Staff are funny and engaging , all my dates compliment the decor , and the music is great.

Miracle pop up holiday bar at haymaker
Bobbie C.

Haymaker is always a good place to go for a night out. They have great cocktails and great djs on the weekends. it's pretty small in the venue and can get pretty congested which makes it hard at times to order from the bar. It can also be loud so not ideal if you're trying to talk to someone. The holidays are my favorite time to go though because they do the pop up holiday bar.

the yippie ki yay
Lucy D.

Disclaimer - I've been multiple times but only for their Christmas bar pop-up, so I'm only reviewing the bar as it appears in December. The entire bar is decked out with over the top decorations, including wrapping the bar in wrapping paper and a blow up santa arch inside. The Christmas drink menu is ~ 12 different drinks and 2 types of shots. My husband and I tried a few different ones when we went this week, our favorite was yippie ki yay. It tastes like a tiki drink, and came with a mint leaf sprinkled with powdered sugar. All the drinks are served in specific glasses for that drink, and you can tell the bartenders take pride in the presentation. The only negative, if you go on a weekend you'll probably have to wait awhile to get in. It's not a huge bar, and it's really popular this time of year.

Seating
James H.

Great spot in downtown Raleigh. Lots of drinks and great bartenders. Sometimes there's also a dj which makes it a lot of fun

The haymaker
Kathy G.

Welcome to in Downtown Raleigh! If you still need to get into the holiday spirit, stop by and have yourself a cup or glass of holiday cheer! As soon as you open the door, Santa greets you! The room is completely transformed, fun ambiance! There isn't a lot of room inside and you may have some wait time but worth the wait. Drink names are great, they sell their glassware and I purchased the Santa naughty & nice shot glasses. I ordered the Elfing around drink and Yippie Ki Yay.

Punch bowl
Janet R.

The Haymaker is one of my favorite bars in downtown Raleigh. I really enjoy the layout of the bar, the cocktails, and the overall chill vibes. I've met some cool bartenders here, too, although they're not always the most friendly. I don't know if it's because they turn their nose up at someone who is young (which I've experienced from other places often!) or if they're just too busy. Either way, I'm not coming to hang out with them so it doesn't bother me too much. My favorite thing to do here is to get one of their punch bowls and share it on a sofa with some friends. It can serve 4-6 people, I'd say, unless you're really trying to drink then I'd say get 2! The Haymaker is great but it's even better when the Miracle pop up happens in the winter! The place is decked out in holiday decor and they have a special menu with themed drinks. If you've never been to Haymaker, come during this time! It's usually pretty busy and there's a cover if you're not a member (I think) but it's so worth it! Definitely some great Instagram content, if you're into that thing.

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3 years ago

The music is always popping when they have a dj. Drinks forever on point love the mixologists.

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Ask the Community - The Haymaker

Review Highlights - The Haymaker

My favorite thing to do here is to get one of their punch bowls and share it on a sofa with some friends.

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Havana Deluxe - Inside

Havana Deluxe

(86 reviews)

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Great service and great spot to unwind!!!Always stop here for a stick when in Raleigh!!!!!read more

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!

The Haymaker - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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