Bars in Raleigh: A Local Pick of Rooftop Bars, Live Music, & Nightlife Clubs

If you are new to the area or tired of the same places, our quick local guide to the best bars in Raleigh is made just for you. It’s got a few short picks of a few different styles of bar in the area.

As a Raleigh local I write this from experience (I’ve been to these) and I write this for the readers who keep things going here in North Carolina.

So, let’s get started with some of these pretty cool bars in Raleigh, shall we?

What Kind of New Bars Are You Looking For?

There isn’t one perfect night out in Raleigh folks. I personally enjoy the cocktail and jazz lounge vibe. Here’s how I would break some of it down overall though:

• Want a rooftop and a fun drink? Hop on down to this section — linked here.

• Looking for music and a crowd? Live music venues are alive and well if you know where to look — see some here.

• Maybe some late-night dancing? Raleigh has a few — believe it or not!

• Looking for a new vibe? We’ve got the latest spots too — more here.

• Where we’re going next — we get together monthly for food & drink.

Rooftop Bars With a View

Raleigh doesn’t have a huge skyline, but the rooftops are still going pretty strong.

• Raleigh Times Bar: Old Newspaper spot turned bar, with a rooftop that's been around longer than most. Fantastic rotating drink selection, solid views of downtown.

• 10th & Terrace Rooftop: Ideal for golden hour drinks, take the elevator up in the hotel to get there. Great for a date night too.

• La Terrazza: Maybe the most scenic on the list for a rooftop bar. Raleigh folks, the view gets you BOTH Dix Park and downtown as well as a cool glass elevator ride up to the top. Great choice if the view is what you’re after.

Bars with Live Music: Raleigh + Good Vibes.

Live bands, open mics, jazz lounges, and more. If the music’s live (and local), we know where to find it here in Raleigh.

• The Pour House Music Hall: A Raleigh staple. It’s a local record store and bar upstairs + a view to the concert area and dance floor down below.

• Kings Raleigh: Indie, punk, hip-hop, and more. Kings is a long standing upstairs venue above two (yes, you heard me) other local venues.

• Moon Room: This is a newer addition to the scene, over in Smoky Hollow downtown. Catch jazz jams (bring you sax), live quartets, and great craft cocktails.

Where to Go Dancing in Raleigh (Clubs + Late-Night Spots)

Some of us still want to dance, even after 30. Luckily, Raleigh’s got options for both the late club nights and the mellow lounges that turn into dance floors.

• Aura Raleigh: Likely one of the best clubs in Raleigh, comes with a patio, fire pits, late music, and the best lighting (in my opinion) Raleigh has in a club.

• Zenith: I’m partial to Zenith when on the Fayetteville Street side of town, karaoke, afrobeat, and social mingles with a 90’s throwback aesthetic.

• Neptunes Parlour: Comfy space, underground dance floor, string lights everywhere. Home to a lot of great dancing and live music til 2AM.

New & Noteworthy Bars Worth Checking Out

New bars open in Raleigh all the time, here are a few to check out if you’ve missed the latest updates.

• Vino Wine Bar: Opened on October 10th, this new wine spot off Glenwood aims to feature small European Wines and specialty coffee.

• Mr. Henry: A cocktail lounge focused on a green and equestrian-inspired design, it opened up back in September and is quickly becoming a Village District staple.

• Boatman Spirits: They are described best as “otherworldly cocktails” and Mediterranean food, but they are also a local distillery to boot. Opened in June.

Looking for More? Where We Go (and How to Join Us)

We run a local Dinner Club that checks out new Raleigh spots every month.

If you’ve ever wanted to meet new people, try great food, and maybe stick around for a night out after… well, you’ve come to the right place. We had 50+ people last month.

Subscribe to be the first to know down below, or just sign up directly right here.

I write a pretty cool newsletter called The Raleighwood Inbox (you’re on my website right now). It features the best events and updates around the Raleigh area with a weekly email every Wednesday.

If this sounds up your alley, consider subscribing today! Glad to have you on board.