Top Rated Nightlife in Raleigh/Durham

Fullsteam brewery serves classic and innovative beers crafted with locally farmed ingredients, including sweet potatoes, basil and grapes used in experimental recipes. The industrial, spacious brewery has plenty of room for groups, the occasional live band, arcade games, darts, and ping pong tables. Although Fullsteam does not serve food of its own, visitors are welcome to bring their own, or take advantage of the rotating cast of food trucks that park just outside the bar on most days.

Located beneath King’s Royal Barcade, Neptune's Parlour is a hip underground bar that offers DJs, pinball, ping pong and arcade games. It also boasts a menu of local craft beers from mostly small North Carolina Brewers, seasonal cocktails and the very popular shot of the week. On weekends the bar is packed with dancers, and on some nights live acts play in front of the brick-walled stage. Neptune’s adds subterranean character to downtown Raleigh’s bar scene, off–or under–the beaten path.

Noir is an upscale lounge bar and dance club near downtown Raleigh boasting sultry lighting, crystal chandeliers, exposed brick and plush velvet seating. The club has a vintage, ornate feel, and bills itself as an old-school European venue. The bar itself is a large room with a dance floor between lounge-seating and a beautiful black counter. In between cocktails and dancing at Noir, you can enjoy the club's front patio, which is a great vantage point for people watching.

Alley Twenty Six is sophisticated cocktail and wine bar serving charcuterie and small plates in stylish surroundings. Locals come to the bar for the relaxing, dimly-lit atmosphere, classic cocktails, and nicely curated wine list. Attention to detail and flavor sets Ally Twenty Six apart from other contemporary cocktail bars. The team here creates one of a kind homemade syrups and tonics: think zesty cinchona bark and lemongrass syrup. The bar, which faces East Chapel Street, has a little outdoor seating on 26 Alley, from which it takes its name.

The Raleigh Times is housed in a restored century-old building, and celebrates local history with news clippings and images clipped to its walls. Stepping into the bar is like stepping into Raleigh’s past, when papers were hawked on street corners and watering holes were only for whiskey. The Times’ menu features creative takes on classic pub fare, and an extensive beer selection with a focus on Belgian ales. The second-floor deck seating has the best views of downtown Raleigh.

Flex is a warm-hearted, no-nonsense nightclub and gay bar housed inside a brick warehouse near downtown Raleigh. The club hosts weekly themed events, concerts, karaoke nights, drag races and dance parties. Flex has the feel of a well-kept neighborhood dive bar, clean with endearing roughness around the edges. Locals visit Flex for inexpensive drinks, friendly bartenders, lively weekly events and the overall welcoming style and ambiance. The patio here is a great place to catch an evening breeze, and respite from the party indoors.