Top 5 Cocktail Bars in Wake County

1 Glenwood Ave Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27603, United States

“This place won best cocktail bar from Raleigh Magazine for good reason. Knowledgeable bartenders working cocktail magic putting together a delicious collection of house cocktails and anything else you can think of. The menu is very descriptive and makes easy to pick new drinks and flavors you might not have thought to try otherwise. We’ve been in here a few times and the drinks are always great. We’ve had three different bartenders, two super friendly, one kinda grumpy and aloof but still a solid cocktail maker. Dram is not my favorite Raleigh cocktail bar but it’s one of them, they are certainly making some of Raleigh’s best cocktails, and the Old Fashioned from their barrel bourbon might be Raleigh’s best standard Old Fashioned.”

1006 SW Maynard Rd Suite A, Cary, NC 27511, United States

“Great time. Tasty drinks and a little disc golf. Food truck on site. Update... Wednesday nights are amazing at Fortnight! Let's talk disc golf, opinionation with Gary, and an amazing bartender Angie!!! So much fun!!! It's break time for disc golf, but we will definitely find time to keep on going up there.”

106 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States

“Really cool spot for mezcal based cocktails as well as some really creative drinks in general. We had a great time trying some truly inspired libations and chatting with our bartender who was happy to share details about the inspiration and creation process behind their menu. We were too late to get any food but I look forward to visiting again soon!”

415 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States

“I don't know about their normal business model as we were just there for their Hopscotch day parties. The music lineups were great. The bar staff was helpful. The slushies were tasty. The beers were reasonably priced. The music shows were hosted outside, which worked out really well since the weather was good. The only real issue was the fact that there's a huge dumpster right next to the outdoor space that stunk to high heaven. Pretty off-putting.”

108 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States

“I’m not normally one to write bad reviews because I know every bar/restaurant can have “bad days”—-however, my experience at The Green Light was one that I would use to teach anyone in the food and bev industry what NOT to do. My New Year's Eve experience at The Green Light, which came with a hefty $108 per ticket price tag, left much to be desired. From the moment we arrived, there was a noticeable lack of engagement from the staff. No greetings, no explanations about the cocktails being served—just a cold and indifferent. The ticket per person was advertised to include 4 course cocktail pairing with charcuterie and desserts. However, the menu was never provided ahead of time, even when we contacted the bar ahead of time. The cocktails were decent, but unfortunately that did make up for the overall disappointing experience. The disappointment extended to the charcuterie board, or what was falsely advertised as such. Instead of an assortment of artisanal cured meats and complementary delicacies, we were presented with a meager board featuring lunch meat rolls, a solitary olive, and a quarter piece of celery. It was a school lunch rather than an upscale dining experience. You could pick up a better charcuterie board from a grocery store than what was served. Attempts to communicate with the staff ahead of time regarding gluten-free options went unanswered, leaving us in the dark about potential accommodations. Understandably, catering to dietary restrictions on a busy night like New Year's Eve can be challenging, but the lack of responsiveness only added to the overall frustration. The champagne, supposedly a highlight of the evening, tasted disappointingly similar to Welch's rather than a refined bubbly. As we ventured into the restroom facilities, the illusion of an upscale venue completely shattered. The state of disrepair—falling ceiling tiles, out-of-order signs—gave the impression of a run-down dive bar rather than the sophisticated speakeasy we had anticipated. The experience was so far from upscale that it bordered on comical. The cumulative disappointments reached a tipping point, and we decided not to endure the mediocrity any longer, leaving before finishing our drinks. Paying $216 for what can only be described as a joke of an experience was not just disheartening but also frustrating. It's regrettable to see such a promising concept fall short on execution. My advice: steer clear of this place, especially if you expect a memorable and enjoyable upscale speakeasy experience.”

1220, 410 Glenwood Ave #101, Raleigh, NC 27603, United States

“I had an amazing night yesterday. They had the hockey watch party going on in the street and my two favorite bartenders Cam and Chelsea were there holding it down at milk bar making sure everybody was getting served and having a great time. These two are great under pressure they make a good duo for sure. Shout out to Rowe and Xavier for not only making sure people are staying out of trouble but also stepping in and assisting the bartenders when needed. I can honestly say that my night couldn’t have gone any better. I will definitely keep coming back here and telling my friends and family all about it. Because in my opinion it is the best social bar on Glenwood. Great drinks, great music, great staff, friendly environment what more can you ask for? -Braulio (240)”

126 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States

“This was a nice find! We didn't have reservations but they were able to get us in. the costs were comparable to other bars. service was great! we got the peppers which were yummy. the drinks were delicious as well. vibe was the favorite of all the bars we went to tonight. Thank you!”