Top Rated Nightlife in Raleigh/Durham

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.

Solas is a luxurious dance club and lounge bar on three levels. Visitors can enjoy classic cocktails and small plates on a first-floor open-air patio or the rooftop deck, which has a motorized awning and offers fine views of Glenwood South downtown district. The lounges and bar rooms are secondary to the second floor’s glass-bottom dance floor, however, which is usually crowded with revelers on weekends. Solas has private rooms and first-rate VIP service, and caters to corporate events, weddings and private parties.

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.

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.

Legends is a LGBT dance club and bar featuring multiple dance floors, pool tables, dart boards, arcade games and an outdoor patio. The club is organized into several rooms with different themes, including a college dorm room and sleek ultra-lounge. Drag shows and talent contests are held at the performance theater called “Spotlight”. The club’s calendar is full of themed nights, parties and dances. Although the bar caters to the local LGBT community, it opens its halls and doors to anyone regardless of their orientation.

A visit to Coglin's Raleigh is sure to get you reminiscing about the 1980s and 1990s. This themed bar is decorated with vintage posters of movies and albums, and has playlists to match. On the menu are delicious cocktails and spirits. Sip on their signature Coglin Cooler and enjoy weekly specials like karaoke, trivia night and bingo. What's more is that you can grab their fun and dainty Jell-O shots, without burning a hole in your pocket. This venue is a great place to host private events as well.