NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

The Best Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill

  • NC Triangle Dining Food Blog
  • Home
    • Blog
  • Best Restaurants and Bars
    • The Best Restaurants in Raleigh, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Durham, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Cary – Apex, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Chapel Hill – Carrboro, NC
    • Best Food Specials and Deals in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill
    • The Best Bars and Lounges in Raleigh, NC
  • News
    • Coming Soon to the Triangle – New Restaurants and Bars
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh
    • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2021
  • Index of Reviews
    • Cary – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Chapel Hill and Carrboro – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Durham Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Raleigh Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • NC Video Reviews
    • Travel Reviews
  • Food Photos
    • Food Event Photos
  • About
    • NCTD Blogger- Ron Wen
    • NC Triangle Dining Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog Policy
    • Working with NC Triangle Dining
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog and Social Media Statistics
Cocktails

Reviews of the best bars, lounges and speak-easys in the area

Find the best bars, lounges and speak-easys in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill! Reviews on the best places to grab a drink or cocktail.

June 12, 2022 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library Offering Up Fruity Cocktails and Fanciful Food Presentation

A'verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary - nctriangledining.com
A’verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary – nctriangledining.com

If you’re a foodie in the Raleigh area, you’d have likely heard about High Horse, a restaurant from Top Chef winner Katsuji Tanabe that opened up in late 2019 at City Market. A stylish and trendy restaurant that focused on wood-fired dishes and brought a new LA sensibility to our food scene. However, timing is everything in life and the ensuing COVID pandemic took out many of our local restaurants, including High Horse. Fast forward three years later and Chef Tanabe was going to be making a comeback with the new A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library in Cary. I had a pretty good feeling of what to expect after a pop-up dinner months earlier but was curious to see what he would do with a new space further out from downtown Raleigh.

Dining room at A'verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary – nctriangledining.com

A’Verde is located in a busy plaza right next to the popular Seol Grille (Korean BBQ) restaurant. Renovated from an old Wild Wing Cafe space, A’Verde has a somewhat utilitarian feel from the outside along with a nice, covered side patio. Inside, you’ll be greeted by some hostesses up front. Music leaking out from the speakers overhead, bar area with lounge to the left, and a large, open dining room in front of you. There’s a loud and lively feel to the space with a lot of activity and energy! Colors are predominantly spring greens and organic browns giving the space a garden-type feel.

Bar at A'verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Bar at A’verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary – nctriangledining.com
Lounge seating at A'verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Lounge seating at A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary – nctriangledining.com

As a more upscale Mexican restaurant, A’Verde has a creative and fun cocktail list, similar to High Horse. Choose from quirky, tongue-in-cheek names like Sponsor Me, #TakeMeBack alluding to Chef Tanabe’s Mexican roots. But what I can tell you for sure is that his cocktails tend to lean towards fruity and aromatic along with some visual flair. The Sponsor Me (Tanqueray, St. Elder, tequila, lime, lavender) comes with some dry ice and bubbles like a witch’s cauldron right in front of you. The #TakeMeBack mixes up passionfruit, tequila, sour mix, a wine float along with a mango-chile paleta dunked inside, a fun and filling cocktail. As you can guess, Chef Katsuji likes to show off a bit as you’ll find as you dine across the menu.

Sponsor me cocktail at A'verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Sponsor me cocktail at A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary – nctriangledining.com
#Take me back cocktail at A'verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary - nctriangledining.com
#Take me back cocktail at A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary – nctriangledining.com

The menu at A’Verde is not wildly different for a Mexican restaurant offering tacos and enchiladas along with a handful of signature items. Given his part Asian heritage, Chef Katsuji also rolls in some Asian flavors and dishes such as the adobo fried rice, but the menu is primarily upscale Mexican.  Over the course of my visits, I had the chance to try out a fun ceviche tostada. Marinated chunks of ahi tuna, serrano chiles, and lime juice layered between two crispy tostada shells. It’s a fun and substantial starter that gets your palate ready for the rest of the meal. For mains, A’Verde’s tacos are quite good, served on thick, soft blue corn tortillas with a good selection of sauces and fillings on the side. Enjoyed their pork belly tacos which were quite filling! On the list of showy dishes is the Ribeye, Shrimp and Bacon fajeetas (sic) which are finished table-side. A large cast-iron platter filled with the meats is seared with a flourish of flames and fire before serving. It’s a substantial entree but not substantially different than what’s served elsewhere.

Tuna ceviche tostada at A'verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Tuna ceviche tostada at A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary – nctriangledining.com
Pork belly tacos at A'verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Pork belly tacos at A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary – nctriangledining.com
Steak, shrimp and bacon fajitas at A'verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Steak, shrimp and bacon fajitas at A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary – nctriangledining.com

Now if you’ve gotten this far in the meal and still have some appetite left, you won’t want to miss A’Verde’s desserts! Inexpensively priced at under $10, choose from an ube flan, tres leches cake, and the outrageous churros with nutella. The churros will easily serve two people and features a bowl of crisp, freshly fried churro pieces on top of a scoop of vanilla ice cream and served with a shower of nutella strings on top. A fun finish to your meal at A’Verde, that’s for sure, check out the video below!

https://www.nctriangledining.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/AverdeCocina-Cary-NutellaShower.mp4

 

While I will certainly miss High Horse, A’Verde offers some similar experiences but in a very different vibe. Given its location, A’Verde Cocina has a more suburban feel but also more authentic given Chef Katsuji’s background. The staff wears Mexican blouses and the decor highlights the experience as upscale Mexican, similar to what you might get at Centro in downtown Raleigh or maybe the old Jose and Sons. That being said, I still had a bit of a challenge wrapping my head around the prices for entrees at A’Verde which are on the high side. But if you enjoy higher-end Mexican eats and want some food and performance flair, you’ll enjoy your meal at A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library. A’Verde now also serves a brunch on the weekends if you want to try it out outside of dinner hours, enjoy!

Private table at A'verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Private table at A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary – nctriangledining.com
Covered patio at A'verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary - nctriangledining.com
Covered patio at A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library, Cary – nctriangledining.com

 

A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library

2300 Walnut Street

Cary, NC 27518

984.200.3469

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Cary, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Cocktails, Mexican Restaurants

June 10, 2021 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Ark Royal in Raleigh Delivers Tiki Coolness in Abundance to Glenwood South

Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

As a long-time transplant to the Triangle area, I’ve had a chance to witness its amazing transformation and evolution over the years. And sometimes when I walk into a new place, like Ark Royal Tiki Bar , it brings back memories. As the only tiki bar in Glenwood South, the bright colors and island decor take you to a different place. BUT given I lived in this hood a long time, I saw the old Taqueria Xoco, the old Sauced NY Pizza AND Enoteca Vin where Chef Ashley Christensen got her start. But that’s all ancient history and Ark Royal is bringing a whole new tiki vibe to the area. And it is VERY good.

Cool vibe at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Cool vibe at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Located a bit off the beaten path, the Ark Royal sits behind the new Pine State Public House at 410 Glenwood and is brought to you by the folks from Watts & Ward. I popped in for a quick visit and was really impressed. Hop up the metal stairs and you’ll find a small, secluded patio up front. Inside is where things take on a whole new dimension. Think lush colors, bamboo, rattan and maritime themes. They’ve done a fantastic job designing the place and their are hints of tiki coolness all around. Each section of this bar and lounge has little details to enjoy: a shark on the wall, a display of old-school clock radios, a plush love seat and wicker baskets overhead as decor are all thoughtful little touches that bring the space to life.

Kitschy island decor at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Kitschy island decor at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Kitschy island decor at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Kitschy island decor at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Seating at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Seating at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

But more importantly the drinks, Ark Royal has a nice selection of tropical drink specialties in the $11 to $13 range along with some beer, wine and sakes. I tried out the Belafonte in homage to 50s Calypso singer, Harry Belafonte and it was wonderful. While I’m not a fan of frozen drinks, this magical potion of Tito’s vodka, coconut rum, pineapple, blue curacao and and coconut cream was just perfect. The well-blended ice made it a perfectly balanced adult slurpee which is refreshing on a warm, summer evening in North Carolina. The staff here is friendly and welcoming although I haven’t seen this place when it gets really busy. They are nicely attired in island-themed shirts without being over the top and seem to have fun here. So a big thumbs-up for the new Ark Royal! I really wasn’t expecting much but I suspect this place will be a lot of fun with friends on the weekends. And don’t miss the neon sign above the bar, it’s the latitude and longitude settings for the center of Ark Royal, that’ll be our little secret…

Tiki bar at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Tiki bar at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Belafonte frozen cocktail at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Belafonte frozen cocktail at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Painkiller cocktail at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Painkiller cocktail at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Patio area at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Patio area at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Clock radio display at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Clock radio display at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

 

Ark Royal Tiki Bar

410 Glenwood Avenue, #350

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.322.5148

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Featured, Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Bars and Lounges, Cocktails, Glenwood South Restaurants

December 19, 2014 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Fox Liquor Bar, Raleigh: Expert Mixology and Cocktails!

Neon sign at Fox Liquor Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Neon sign at Fox Liquor Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

When you talk about cocktails in Raleigh, a handful of places come to the forefront of your mind.  For most people they typically name Foundation, C. Grace or Fox Liquor Bar.  And out of the Raleigh cocktail trifecta, Fox was the one bar that I frequented the least.  Why?  Because even though Fox is part of the AC Restaurants (Ashley Christensen) group and had a good reputation, I always felt they were over-priced and expected lines.  And while I like my cocktails, I don’t enjoy waiting in a huge line or over-paying.  But I always believe in giving places a chance regardless of rep so I made an effort to stop in for a visit to Fox Liquor Bar recently…

Mellow bar at Fox Liquor Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Mellow bar at Fox Liquor Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Fox is located on a side-street next to Beasley’s and Chucks.  Just look for the tall, lit neon sign out front and the quiet doorway leading downstairs.  Inside it’s dim and dark, small standing bar area.  The main bar is against the side wall and is pretty basic with a tiled front face.  Fox’s Cocktail menu is very extensive and creative with lots of whimsical elements.  I go for a Mexcal Mule which is fun play on a popular Mexican liquer.  Touted as mezcal, passion fruit, ginger, cucumber and soda water, it comes garnished heavily and with a sprinkle of cayenne on top.  Yep this drink is a bit frou-frou but for $11 a drink, that’s probably the way you’ll have to roll at Fox!

Mexcal Mule at Fox Liquor Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Mexcal Mule at Fox Liquor Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

We head on to the lounge area which is a bit more open and basic than I remember.  Artfully exposed brick wall on one side, stuffed leather couches all around and some medium-bright lighting all around.  It feels comfortable but not overly dark and dim here.  One thing you’ll notice is the huge ice cube in the drinks here, probably done for both style and maximizing coolness while minimizing melt if that makes sense!  Some people call them “hipster ice cubes” but yeah, Fox Liquor Bar falls into that category.  On this Wednesday night the place is pretty mellow but on most weekend evenings, you’ll find a line out front.

Lounge area at Fox Liquor Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Lounge area at Fox Liquor Bar, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

So it was great to come back for a return visit to Fox since it had been a long time and yes, I’d be willing to come back.  But only on an off-evening and only if I was ready to pay a premium for my cocktails.  Because in the end, both Foundation and C. Grace do their drinks a bit cheaper (under $11) and I prefer more classic cocktails as opposed to frou-frou.  But if you’re into fancy ice cubes and cocktails, Fox Liquor Bar is definitely your kind of place.  And even for me, every now and then it’ll be my kind of place.  Cheers!

 

Fox Liquor Bar

237 S Wilmington Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.322.0128

Fox Liquor Bar menu

Location on Google maps

Save

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Bars and Lounges, Cocktails

February 15, 2012 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

Cocktails of a Higher Calling at C. Grace Bar in Raleigh

Cocktail being mixed by Matt Bettinger of C Grace in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Cocktail being mixed by Matt Bettinger of C Grace in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

When I lived out in San Francisco, cocktail hour was just that. Mixed drinks with a bit of panache and meant for some serious sipping. Chrome shakers, lots of ice and specialized barware. Out here in North Carolina, beer is the drink of choice but that may be changing soon! Over the last couple of years, cocktails are slowly becoming a great option in the Triangle when you’re looking for some high quality libations. First came the fantastic Foundation bar in downtown Raleigh on Fayetteville Street. Then the clubby Whiskey and Roxy out in Durham on Main Street. And with the recent opening of C. Grace on South Glenwood we may now have the BEST cocktail option right here in the Oak City!

Front of C Grace Bar in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Front of C Grace Bar in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
C Grace Bar in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
C Grace Bar in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Look for their discrete awning and white lights next to Cafe Helios. Pop down the short set of stairs, open the door and whoa… What used to be Trim has been transformed into a cozy but spacious speak-easy. An iron grill and antique couch guard the entrance right behind the double door. Once your eyes adjust to the dim environment, you’ve got a lovely curved bar to your right, cafe seating, a stage and a piano to your left. Each small table is lit up by a small glowing lamp, adding to the clubby ambiance here. But I like to grab a seat at the bar where you can watch one of C. Grace’s talented bartenders dazzle you with their mixology skills!

Pimms cup at Grace Bar in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Pimms cup at Grace Bar in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

The cocktail menu here is small, focused on the classics with high quality ingredients and a twist. Even their dense ice cubes are shaped for maximum surface with a minimum of melting and dilution. C. Grace has a standard menu of classics like a sidecar, whiskey sour, negroni or martini but my favorites fall into their specialty cocktail category. Cocktail guru and bar manager, Matthew Bettinger has done a fantastic job of inventing new drinks while maintaining a classic feel. The Jack of Hearts is a nice mix of brandy, rye and chocchi which ends up as a potent drink in a small glass. The Earl’s Tea is another favorite: Earl Grey, bourbon and lemon. And the Mendacity (lemon, sugar, gin) is a light and smooth cocktail for easy drinking. The guys behind the bar at C. Grace are professionals and will sometimes dip a straw in for a taste just to make sure they’ve got everything right. Just like a chef making sure the food meets their stringent expectations. And the cocktails are served in small, champagne like glasses. A bit dainty but yeah, treat that cocktail with some respect!

Interior at Grace Bar in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Interior at Grace Bar in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

While C. Grace has its drinks down cold, they’re still working on the entertainment options here. Jazz trio’s, fortune tellers, mind readers and more have been on the schedule but expect more goodness moving forward. If you’re not into the bar or front stage area, out back they’ve also got some quiet space with velvet pull curtains for some privacy. Overall they’ve done a fantastic job decorating the interior to give it a luxurious 1920’s feel and style. The space works for an intimate date night or group hangout with all the room here! It’s obvious a lot of love, care and effort was put into C. Grace’s decor.

Stage at Grace Bar in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Stage at Grace Bar in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

But of course, bars are all about the people from staff to customers. The crowd and mood at C. Grace can vary tremendously. Stop in on a weeknight and you’ll have the place nearly to yourself, things will be quiet and mellow. Come in on the weekends and the craziness of S. Glenwood spills into the place with a buzzing crowd. So time your visits according to your mood. But in the end, C. Grace is a fantastic new entry to the South Glenwood and Raleigh cocktail scene. And with all the restaurant options in the area you’ll have plenty to eat before or after your visit. Whether you’re a hipster, preppie, married or single, you’re going to love this place! Anyone with an appreciation for good drinks will understand exactly what they’re trying to do here and the beauty of it all is that C. Grace is priced a bit lower than Foundation or Fox’s. So whether you’re starting or ending your night at C. Grace, stop on by. I promise you she’ll treat you right, cheers!

 

C. Grace Bar

407 Glenwood Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.899.3675

Location on Google maps

Save

Save

Save

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Bars and Lounges, Cocktails

May 10, 2013 by Ron Wen 1 Comment

Best Bars and Cocktails Near the Durham Performing Arts Center – DPAC in Durham

Bar Virgile in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Bar Virgile in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

The Durham Performing Arts Center is a downtown gem and magnet that draws people from all over the Triangle for its line-up of great theatre, drama and music.  I’ve written up several posts about great dining and restaurants around DPAC but man (and woman) does not live by food alone!  What if you’re up for a quick glass of wine, cocktail or beer, pre or post-show?  Well thanks to this booming little area, bars, cocktails and ciders are slowly making a comeback in this neighborhood.

Bar Virgile in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Bar Virgile in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
First word cocktail at Bar Virgile in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
First word cocktail at Bar Virgile in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Bar Virgile is the closest and newest entry in the DPAC bar scene.  Dimly and perfectly lit, Bar Virgile feels like you’ve stepped into some small cafe in Paris.  There’s definitely an old-school European feel to the place. Medium sized bar with a nice array of bottles on display and small list of beers on tap, they cover all the classics.  A small kitchen handles food for the bar and dining room dishing out charcuterie, sandwiches and more for a solid pre-show dinner. Bar Virgile walks the fine line between restaurant and bar really well!

Interior of the Oak House in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Interior of the Oak House in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Interior of the Oak House in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Next up on Main Street is the new Oak House offering up a selection of coffee, beer and wine in a casual setting! While it’s a more casual setting a solid selection of beers and wine will keep you humming along! And with a very affordable menu, the Oak House is one of the more wallet-friendly drinking options out there near DPAC.

Kingfisher Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Kingfisher Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Kingfisher Bar in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Kingfisher Bar in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Next up on the list is Kingfisher on E. Chapel Hill Street! This subterranean bar next the Durham Hotel does a LOT of things right. Cool and sexy ambiance, check. Beautiful ceramic barware, check. Creative and flavorful cocktails, check! With a lot of space, private booths and even a short food menu, you’ll love your visit to Kingfisher before or after a DPAC show.

Alley 26 in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Alley 26 in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Alley 26 in Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Alley 26 in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

A newer cocktail choice on Chapel Hill street is the very popular, Alley Twenty Six!  Discrete front face, inside the space goes in deeply and you’ll find old-school bartenders behind the long bar.  Similar to Foundation or C. Grace, Alley Twenty Six has a short list of seasonal specialty cocktails along with tried and true favorites.  They make most of their mixers in-house so there’s some serious love in their drinks.  Which is also why they’re at the higher end of the cocktail price range: $10 – $12.  The interior is better-lit and more modern than other bars in this categories so don’t expect a dark, speak-easy vibe.  But there’s plenty of space to move around in, though I’ve heard it can get super busy and packed.

Bar at Counting House in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Bar at Counting House in Durham – nctriangledining.com

A fun spot to grab a pre-show drink is the super modern and artsy, Counting House! Located in the 21C Museum Hotel, grab a cocktail at the long bar and sure you could hang out there. But the 21C Museum Hotel is exactly that, a hotel AND modern art museum. So stroll around with your cocktail up to the second floor and check out their latest exhibits. Both the cocktail list and art rotates pretty frequently so you’ll always have something new to check out at the Counting House!

The new Pour Taproom in Durham - NC Triangle Dining
The new Pour Taproom in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

New to the DPAC scene is the Pour Taproom in the Unscripted Hotel. This modern beer bar offers a large selection of self-serve brews along with a handful of ciders and wine. Pass your credit card up front for a sensor wrist band, grab a glass and then head on over to the automated taps! With about 50 different choices across a variety of styles, I’m sure you’ll find something to quench your thirst. Wave you band over the sensor pad and you pour as much or as little as you want. You’re charged by the ounce so enjoy! The space at Pour Taphouse is very modern with high ceilings and a lot of wood. It does get a bit loud in here and the crowd is pretty casual but I can see it being a quick pit-stop before or after your DPAC show.

The new Pour Taproom in Durham - NC Triangle Dining
The new Pour Taproom in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Another option within reasonable walking distance is the West End Wine Bar!  Located a bit further west on Main Street, West End is an interesting spot for a beer or glass of vino.  Small patio outside, loft on the inside, there’s a lot of space to stretch out here.  While West End obviously focuses on wine, but they’ll typically have a couple of beers on tap along with some cocktails on the list.  They’ve also got some small plates and pizza’s but West End is really mostly a bar with some lightweight food offerings.  While it’s not nearly as interesting as its sister location in Chapel Hill, West End Wine Bar- Durham is perfectly fine for a quick stop and drink before a DPAC show.

Front of the new Bull City Ciderworks in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Front of the new Bull City Ciderworks in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Two final DPAC bars you might want to consider is the new Bull City Ciderworks the Wine Feed on Roxboro Street. It’s perfect if you’re gluten-free and/or not a beer person. Bright, open casual space with a lot of Durham 20 or 30-somethings hanging about! I’ve done most of the ciders that Bull City Ciderworks puts out and they are solid, usually a bit on the sweeter side but a good beverage to cap off the evening.

Cider bar at the new Bull City Ciderworks in Durham - nctriangledining.com
Cider bar at the new Bull City Ciderworks in Durham – nctriangledining.com
The Wine Feed in Durham - nctriangledining.com
The Wine Feed in Durham – nctriangledining.com

On the flip side of the Bull City Ciderworks is the popular Wine Feed! A modern wine bar and wine shop, you can grab an interesting glass of vino here just steps away from DPAC. With a great crew of wine advisors and a small lounge, the Wine Feed is a very comfortable spot to meet up at, before or after your DPAC show.

Given the alcohol laws in NC, true bars are much less common in the Triangle than most other areas I’ve lived in. But thankfully, more and more are popping up and brewery options continue to pop up, frequently.  While this list of bars and breweries around DPAC is a bit short, I’m expecting it to grow over time and I’ll be adding entries in when I can!  Because a night out at DPAC is a special event so who really wants it to end?! So just enjoy Bar Virgile, The Oak House, Criterion, Alley Twenty Six,  Pour Taproom, the Wine Feed and Bull City Ciderworks for their adult beverages.  Cause before or after a show at DPAC, a drink may be the perfect way to cap off an evening…

 

Bar Virgile

105 S. Mangum Street

919.973.3000

Location on Google maps

Kingfisher

321 E Chapel Hill St

Location on Google maps

Alley Twenty Six

320 E Chapel Hill Street

919.213.1267

Location on Google maps

Counting House at the 21C Museum Hotel

111 Corcoran Street

919.956.6760

Pour Taproom

202 N. Corcoran St., #200

919.972.8771

The Oak House

126 W Main Street

919.339.1383

Location on Google maps

Wine Feed Durham

307 S. Roxboro Street

919.748.4115

Bull City Ciderworks

305 S. Roxboro Street

919.237.2357

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Durham, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Bars and Lounges, Cocktails, DPAC Restaurants and Bars

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next Page »

Subscribe to NC Triangle Dining

Popular Reviews

Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill for a Mind-Bending Taste of Asia

Di Fara Pizza Tavern, Cary – An Exceptional Example of Classic NYC Pizza for NC

Kingfisher Bar in Durham: Fanciful Ambiance and Ground to Glass Cocktails Near DPAC

Don’t Miss

  • Coming Soon to the Triangle – New Restaurants and Bars
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2021 Edition

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

New Reviews!

  • The Willard Rooftop Lounge in Raleigh for Cocktails and the Golden Hour
  • A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library Offering Up Fruity Cocktails and Fanciful Food Presentation
  • PrimoHoagies in Raleigh for Stuffed Sandwiches with a South Philly Flair!
  • CowBar Burgers & Fries in Raleigh for Beefy Perfection at North Hills

Connect with NCTD

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

NCTD Email Subscription


Handcrafted with on the Genesis Framework