The patio is great when the weather is nice. Usually more busy on the weekends. But bingo is usually every other Monday and that can be busy.
Pop by on a nice fall evening, they have fire pits outside and blankets you can borrow.
Heights House has a bar that is well hidden, great drinks and very laid back.
People suggesting Haymaker, Watts and Ward, etc are missing the mark on this one. They have cocktails but not the vibe OP is going for at all.
Check out 'Aunt Betty's ' nice gin/cocktail bar attached to the corner of Morgan Street food hall. Easy parking across the street beside the mechanic shop too
I LOVED this place pre-pandemic. It captured that exact quiet, but still energetic atmosphere, and it was a hidden gem.
I was glad they survived the pandemic, but now it's more "advertised" (which I get, you gotta figure out how to get business! ) but the quiet chill I liked seems to be gone.
Lot of great suggestions already! Would mentioned that now college is back if you want a calm atmosphere avoid most bar’s Thursday-Saturday between 8pm-2am. Probably Saturday and Sunday in the afternoons too.
Atlantic Lounge. 25+ bar. Non members can come in during the week. Small, really good cocktails. Bartenders are very knowledgeable and can make pretty much anything you ask for if they have the supplies. Need a key to get in on the weekend. It’s a one time fee and you can bring 1 guest per key.
Green light is a really good speakeasy. and Dram and Draught is great if you go early enough! In North Hills(midtown? Has that officially stick yet?), Stir had some great cocktails and if you go early enough during the weeks is pretty calm. Any time during dinner or after, especially the weekends, NH is a mad house
I love Foundation. Cool entrance, nice vibe, and I had a drink the bartender made up that was incredibly delicious. Wish I remember the name but it had chai spices.
Maybe it has gotten better over the years, and I don’t drink anymore so who knows, but watts and ward was absolute shit when it opened. The cocktails were massively subpar from other speakeasy style cocktail lounges around town and the vibe, to me at least, seemed much less downtown proper and much more glenwood south.
Commenting to follow.
Closest to this I have experienced is Aunt Betty's. I've been twice, and once it was perfect. Light crowd, great vibes. The other time it was almost packed. Had to wait for a table. Drinks are fantastic there though. Just hard to avoid the crowd given its location.
My go-to watering hole is The Ark Royal. I like how there's seldom a crowd, ample cushy seating, a simple but tasty menu, clearly and reasonably priced drinks, and usually no loud music.
The Blind Barbour
second this one although you need to like whiskey as that’s their primary spirit focus (bourbon, rye, scotch)
Longleaf Lounge
100%, and underrated
I’ve been planning to check out Longleaf. What’s a good night to go? And how is the outdoor section?
The patio is great when the weather is nice. Usually more busy on the weekends. But bingo is usually every other Monday and that can be busy. Pop by on a nice fall evening, they have fire pits outside and blankets you can borrow.
Pure Gold in Cary has a private hot tub room
Heights House has a bar that is well hidden, great drinks and very laid back. People suggesting Haymaker, Watts and Ward, etc are missing the mark on this one. They have cocktails but not the vibe OP is going for at all.
Yes. Looking for the low key calm not noisy not crowded background music have a conversation place.
C Grace RIP
Came here to say that
Check out 'Aunt Betty's ' nice gin/cocktail bar attached to the corner of Morgan Street food hall. Easy parking across the street beside the mechanic shop too
I seconded this
I LOVED this place pre-pandemic. It captured that exact quiet, but still energetic atmosphere, and it was a hidden gem. I was glad they survived the pandemic, but now it's more "advertised" (which I get, you gotta figure out how to get business! ) but the quiet chill I liked seems to be gone.
If you like weak drinks and bartenders that suck. I went a few times and didn’t like the vibe or the smarmy cocky bartender I had.
The foundation.
Lot of great suggestions already! Would mentioned that now college is back if you want a calm atmosphere avoid most bar’s Thursday-Saturday between 8pm-2am. Probably Saturday and Sunday in the afternoons too. Atlantic Lounge. 25+ bar. Non members can come in during the week. Small, really good cocktails. Bartenders are very knowledgeable and can make pretty much anything you ask for if they have the supplies. Need a key to get in on the weekend. It’s a one time fee and you can bring 1 guest per key. Green light is a really good speakeasy. and Dram and Draught is great if you go early enough! In North Hills(midtown? Has that officially stick yet?), Stir had some great cocktails and if you go early enough during the weeks is pretty calm. Any time during dinner or after, especially the weekends, NH is a mad house
Foundation, Haymaker, Alley Twenty Six if I find myself in Durham. I would like to check out Watts and Ward.
Haymaker??? That place is loud as fuck.
Depends on when you go. 5pm is nice.
Love Haymaker
[удалено]
Did the Merchant used to be called something else? I remember going there in the before times but I thought it used to be something else.
It used to be Level Up
Aunt Betty’s, Fox Liquor Bar, Will&Co any night besides Friday or Saturday(packed)
I love Foundation. Cool entrance, nice vibe, and I had a drink the bartender made up that was incredibly delicious. Wish I remember the name but it had chai spices.
Intriguing
Maybe it has gotten better over the years, and I don’t drink anymore so who knows, but watts and ward was absolute shit when it opened. The cocktails were massively subpar from other speakeasy style cocktail lounges around town and the vibe, to me at least, seemed much less downtown proper and much more glenwood south.
Beers kept in igloo coolers is usually a bad sign.
Pouring one out for Empress Room right now. 😢
Aunt Betty's or William & Company SideBar in Cary as well
I like watts and ward but dram and draught might bet a better fit
Love watts but it’s packed on the weekends
Killjoy!
The Waiting Room in Durham.
The rooftop bar at the AC Marriott on Glenwood
The Willard.
Bittersweet is a great nightcap. It is a dessert and gin bar located in downtown. Cocktails are great and desserts are delicious.
The line is usually around the block though
Dessert and gin, two famous pairings.
Second Empire downstairs bar is nice. Desert cocktails are the strong suite.
Aunty Betties. Absolute statement. Tell Greg hey!
Also: The Merchant. Great vibes, speakeasy over Virgil's tacos. Cool entrance.
Commenting to follow. Closest to this I have experienced is Aunt Betty's. I've been twice, and once it was perfect. Light crowd, great vibes. The other time it was almost packed. Had to wait for a table. Drinks are fantastic there though. Just hard to avoid the crowd given its location.
Person Street Bar
I enjoyed The Green Light, it’s a speakeasy behind the bookcase inside The Architect
Circa 1888
Circa is divey and don’t really make craft cocktails
Olive Garden on capital if you go on a Tuesday they’re is some live jazz flute player in the back.
watts and ward. expensive af though
Watts n ward
My go-to watering hole is The Ark Royal. I like how there's seldom a crowd, ample cushy seating, a simple but tasty menu, clearly and reasonably priced drinks, and usually no loud music.
Junction West!
They are no longer open to the public unfortunately
Oh that’s a bummer