By Jessica Stringer and Amanda MacLaren | Photo by John Michael Simpson

Wake County

Ava Rooftop Bar

Escape to this elevated (get it?) outdoor oasis atop Sports & Social at Fenton in Cary. With its chic, contemporary seating areas, it’s easy to settle in and relax with a refreshing craft cocktail – like the Ava margarita or a strawberry limoncello drop – plus wine and Mediterranean-inspired small plates to share while grooving to local DJs. If you’re looking for an exclusive experience, reservations are accepted for VIP booths beginning at 9 p.m. each night.

Dram & Draught

Offering more than 300 whiskeys from around the globe, hand-crafted cocktails, draft beer and wines from the old world and new, Dram & Draught is the perfect place to grab a drink in a laid-back setting. The bar and lounge has locations across the state, bringing its neighborhood feel to Cary, Durham, Raleigh, Greensboro, Wilmington and Winston-Salem.

Relish in a favorite classic drink like an old fashioned or an espresso martini, or try something seasonal – the friendly bartenders are happy to help steer you toward something you’ll love!

Flour & Barrel

Planning a full day in downtown Raleigh? Flour & Barrel is a “chef-driven culinary destination” that offers guests a seamless blend of fresh homemade pasta, creative cocktails and house-brewed craft beer. Order a spread of small plates to split with friends, from the baked provolone to the Big Ass Meatball, and pair each with a decadent floral cocktail, like the Living Lavish – a concoction of gin, lemon juice, lavender, pomegranate, mint and soda.

High Rail

Take in the Raleigh skyline at High Rail, a rooftop bar atop Hyatt House Raleigh Downtown at Seaboard Station. The spot offers stunning views, creative cocktails and a global-meets-local menu. Dive into shareable bites like grilled shrimp tacos and coastal-inspired crab dip made with Red Oak Brewery’s Amber Lager. Sip on craft cocktails like the Sage Wisdom, which includes a tasty mix of both Hennessy and Kill Devil Pecan Rum.

Postino

Kick back with friends in Raleigh’s Village District at Postino, where the staff’s goal is to leave you feeling “crazy good.” Treat yourself to both classic and unique appetizers, including shrimp scampi and roasted mushroom fondue. Cool off with a refreshing signature cocktail, a $6-glass of wine (before 5 p.m.) or your choice of on-tap, canned or bottled beer. 

Songbird

Looking for something calm, casual and inviting for lunch or dinner? Perch yourself at Midtown Raleigh’s Songbird for cocktails, coffee made with beans roasted by nearby Willow House Coffee and small bites prepared with house-made ingredients sourced from local producers.

Durham County

Alley Twenty Six

Shannon Healy can certainly pour a perfect Manhattan or whip up a heavenly strawberry daiquiri, but says his true talent lies in being a good listener. The owner of Alley Twenty Six has more than two decades of bartending under his belt and is a master of his craft, so find a barstool, pick your poison and he and his team of mixologists will deliver.

Alley’s upscale atmosphere is built on a foundation of genuine hospitality, pairing elevated yet familiar American favorites that celebrate local ingredients with the established bar program. The most popular dish on the menu remains the Alley Burger, inspired by hearty bacon cheeseburgers but dressed to the nines with black truffle cheddar, house-made bacon jam and an eight-ounce chuck-and-brisket patty that’s ground right in the kitchen. Alley Twenty Six also produces, packages and sells its own extensive line of cocktail syrups. Grab a bottle before you leave!

Apéritif

Located in Durham’s University Hill, Apéritif features an extensive menu of both signature and seasonal cocktails, along with beer and wine, complemented by small plate offerings like charcuterie, canapés and baguette sandwiches. But for the true experience, you’ll want to pair your cocktail with one of its fantastic desserts.

Try the signature Apéritif cocktail – made with Aperol and Citadelle gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, grapefruit bitters, egg white and garnished with an orange peel – alongside a Raspberry Beret, a dark chocolate and Grand Marnier mousse dome filled with raspberry jam and served atop a brownie.

Delafia

Stepping into Delafia can feel a bit like stumbling upon someone’s private club, which makes sense once you realize this no-frills natural wine bar is the brainchild of Jesse Gerstl, the force behind the late-lamented Bar Lusconi and Carrboro Peccadillo. The wine menu rotates almost nightly, while knowledgeable bartenders guide guests through a world of both familiar and less-known grape varietals and styles. A concise snack menu compliments the pours, featuring olives, Saucy Beans and an incredible whipped cheese dip (the food is conceived and prepared by Amanda Orser of LRB Provisions and formerly Magnolia Grill).

Little Bull

Two-time James Beard Award-finalist chef Oscar Diaz transforms memory, migration and technique into dishes that feel both inventive and deeply familiar at his tapas restaurant, Little Bull, located in Durham’s Five Points district. Menu highlights include the birria dumplings, a playful and decadent reinterpretation of a dish Oscar grew up eating in Jalisco, Mexico.

Seraphine

Step into Seraphine on a balmy evening, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve been transported to a moody, upscale Baton Rouge eatery. Owners and brothers Graham Weddington and Brad Weddington aimed to channel those vibes when they opened in Durham’s American Tobacco Campus, and given the recent nod from the prestigious Michelin Guide – plus readers naming Seraphine among the best overall restaurants, best seafood spots and one of Durham’s top date-night destinations – it’s clear they succeeded. Executive chef Christopher Garrett’s polished dishes like the Drago’s-style oysters, Cajun boiled peanuts, Louisiana-style barbecue shrimp and more bring a bit of the bayou to the Bull City.

The Waiting Room

This Durham spot offers its patrons a chance to feel at home, no matter how long they choose to stay. The Waiting Room offers a menu of small bites designed to tide you over,  whether you’re stopping in for a quick drink before dinner elsewhere or cozying up on a date. The sticky toffee pudding pairs beautifully with Wake Up Call – a signature cocktail made with orange vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and Bailey’s whip.

The Wine Feed

The Wine Feed has become a destination – equal parts retail shop, wine bar and restaurant – for both seasoned wine lovers and curious newcomers alike. It’s a great spot to stop in for a pre-show glass before heading to a show at DPAC, or linger over pasta and rose on the patio. The downtown destination offers a wide range of small plates in addition to its classy-yet-approachable entrees, ranging from wagyu beef sliders to burrata crostini to hushpuppies with butter.

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