There’s something magical about enjoying your favorite brew, cocktail, or spirit-free drink + some delicious apps in the sunshine with your best friends. Fortunately, the Triangle is home to a stellar selection of patios and rooftop bars. Here’s a list of our top libation locals for you to enjoy. 🍸
Raleigh 🌆
Taverna Agora, 326 Hillsborough St. | A lush Mediterranean rooftop patio
Try this: Greek Mule
Mulino, 309 N. Dawson St. | Beautiful courtyard dining
Try this: Amalfi Holiday cocktail
Plates Neighborhood Kitchen, 301 Glenwood Ave. | A neighborhood kitchen with a globally-inspired menu
Try this: Housemade blackberry sage soda (zero proof)
Wye Hill, 201 S. Boylan Ave. | Rooftop patio that overlooks downtown
Try this: Don’t Dew Me Like That
Gringo A Go Go, 100 N. Pearson St. | Vegan options available
Try this: Mexican Jarritos (zero proof)
Jolie, 620 N. Pearson St. | Dine on the romantic le rooftop
Try this: Dame en Rouge cocktail
Whiskey Kitchen, 201 W. Martin St. | In the heart of downtown Raleigh
Try this: Cocktail de la Louisiane
Irregardless Cafe, 901 W. Morgan St. | Award-winning menu + service
Try this: Putin’ on the Spritz (zero proof)
The Longleaf Lounge, 300 N. Dawson St. | Perfect spot for a date night
Try this: The Booster cocktail
Bittersweet Raleigh, 16 E. Martin St. | Enjoy drinks + dessert
Try this: Derby pie shot
The Willard, 9 Glenwood Ave. | Elivated rooftop lounge
Try this: Aperol spritz
Morgan Street Food Hall, 411 W. Morgan St. | Spacious dog-friendly patio
Try this: Dutch mule from The Arbor Bar
Transfer Co. Food Hall, 500 E. Davie St. | Large outdoor patio with 10+ vendors
Try this: Flying Embers Hard Kombucha
La Santa Modern Mexican Food, 222 Glenwood Ave. | An emphasis on cocktails made with tequila + mezcal
Try this: Kiwilicious margarita
Clouds Brewing, 126 N. West St. | German inspired beer
Try this: Dubbel Rainbow Belgian Dark beer
Raleigh Beer Garden, 614 Glenwood Ave. | Outside tables with fire pits + world’s largest selection of draft beers
Try this: Check website for an up-to-date tap selection
Humble Pie, 317 S. Harrington St. | Tapas everyone is sure to enjoy
Try this: A classic mimosa at Sunday brunch
Trophy Brewing & Pizza, 827 W. Morgan St. | Grab a slice of pizza + enjoy the heaters on their outdoor patio
Try this: The Trophy Wife session IPA
St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar, 223 S. Wilmington St. | Fresh oysters + seafood
Try this: Vermut con Sifon
The Raleigh Times Bar, 14 E. Hargett St. | Timeless watering hole in the heart of downtown
Try this: Bloomsbury Lane
Hibernian Restaurant & Pub, 311 Glenwood Ave. | Additional location in North Raleigh
Try this: Pound cake bomb
Carolina Ale House, 500 Glenwood Ave. | Additional locations in Cary, North Raleigh, and Wake Forest
Try this: Carolina Spiced Bloody Mary
Crank Arm Brewing, 319 W. Davie St. | A fun neighborhood hangout in downtown
Try this: Unicycle citra pale ale
Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, 331 Blake St. | Enjoy authentic Italian food in historic City Market
Try this: A glass of pinot noir
Gravy, 135 S. Wilmington St. | Gravy + Sitti share a patio behind the restaurants
Try this: Pomegranate Spritz (zero proof)
Sitti, 137 S. Wilmington St. | Gravy + Sitti share a patio behind the restaurants
Try this: Lebanese sweet tea (zero proof)
Hummingbird Raleigh, 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Rd. | New Orleans inspired cuisine
Try this: Hummingbird Fizz
Stanbury, 938 N. Blount St. | The patio has been extended into the parking lot for increased seating options
Try this: Old fashioned
The London Bridge Pub, 110 E. Hargett St. | Outdoor seating options are not in short supply here
Try this: Whiskey sour (Pro tip: Visit them on Wednesdays for half off whiskey + wine)
Sushi Blues Cafe, 301 Glenwood Ave. | A sushi bar with vegetarian options
Try this: Horin Junmai Daiginjo sake
The Station at Person Street, 701 N. Person St. | Neighborhood bar in Raleigh’s Historic Oakwood neighborhood
Try this: RussianRita
Cortez Seafood and Cocktail, 413 Glenwood Ave. | Small plates with an emphasis on seafood
Try this: Roots to Jalisco
Barcelona Wine Bar, 430 W. Martin St. | Wine, cocktails, beer, tapas + more
Try this: A glass of rosé
Boxcar Bar + Arcade, 330 W. Davie St. | Pinball machines, arcade-style games, craft beer + a full liquor bar
Try this: $1 mimosas on Sunday’s
The Willard Rooftop Lounge, 9 Glenwood Ave. | An elegant space with views of downtown
Try this: Willard Gimlet
Midtown 🥂
STIR, 4242 Six Forks Rd. | Cocktails poured over artisan ice that is cut and shaped by hand
Try this: Queen’s Gambit
Level7, 101 Park at North Hills St. (inside the AC Hotel) | A rooftop bar with beautiful views + signature cocktails
Try this: The Smoked Manhattan
Rosewater, 110 Park at North Hills St. | An expansive covered patio with beautiful greenery
Try this: Barrel Oak Aged Vesper Martini
Midtown Grille, 4421 Six Forks Rd. | Lovely outside patio with heat lamps if it gets chilly
Try this: Johnson & Johnson
Bartaco, 4121 Main North Hills St. | Sprawling patio in North Hills
Try this: Bartaco margarita
The Capital Grille, 4242 Six Forks Rd. | Upscale dining
Try this: A glass of sauvignon blanc
Vivace, 4209 Lassiter Mill Rd. | Italian fare
Try this: Milano cocktail
Cowfish Sushi + Burgers, 4208 Six Forks Rd. | Unique food + drink menu
Try this: No Sleep Till Brooklyn spiked shake
More of the Triangle 🥃
Relish, 5625 Creedmoor Rd. | A Raleigh staple with a bangin’ bourbon bar
Try this: Pancake mimosa
Guglhupf, 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham | German bakery, café, biergarten
Try this: Fade to Black cocktail
Scratch, 225 N. Salem St., Apex | Additional location in Cary
Try this: Honey Don’t Be Sour cocktail
Craft Public House, 1040 Tryon Village Dr., Cary | Live music in the summer
Try this: Old Fashioned Cream Soda cocktail
Gonza Tacos y Tequila, 7713 Lead Mine Rd. | Additional locations in downtown Raleigh, Cary, and Wake Forest
Try this: Rosemary paloma
Crosstown Pub & Grill, 140 E. Chatham St., Cary | Sidewalk patio + indoor dart boards
Try this: Green Man Brewery’s ESB
Deja Brew Coffee House, 5001 Falls of Neuse Rd. | Delicious coffee + local pastries
Try this: Banana pudding blended drink (zero proof)
Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard, 1930 Wake Forest Rd. | Brewyard with a fire pit, a garden patio + live music
Try this: Frozen watermelon icy
Ponysaurus Brewing, 219 Hood St., Durham | Spacious patio + food from Little Pizza Box
Try this: Check website for an up-to-date tap selection
Geer St. Garden, 644 Foster St., Durham | Shaded patio dining
Try this: The Durhamite cocktail
Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen, 7307 Tryon Rd., Cary | Southern fare crafted with local ingredients
Try this: Darker and Stormier
MacGregor Draft House, 107 Edinburgh South Dr., Cary | Neighborhood eatery + watch Canes games
Try this: Check website for an up-to-date tap selection
So•ca Cocina Latina, 2130 Clark Ave. | Delivers cuisine derived from south of the Tropic of Cancer
Try this: Little Mendoza cocktail
Doherty’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 1979 High House Rd., Cary | Additional location in Apex
Try this: Writers’ Tears Irish Whiskey
The Durham Hotel Rooftop, 315 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham | Beautiful views of Durham
Try this: Fig Leaf cocktail
Margaux’s Restaurant, 8111 Creedmoor Rd. | Locally-sourced + award-winning cuisine
Try this: Left Bank cocktail
Bahama Breeze, 3309 Wake Forest Rd. | Island grill with Caribbean inspired cuisine
Try this: Painkiller
Glenwood Grill, 2603-151 Glenwood Ave. | Low country fare
Try this: A glass of prosecco
Bull City Ciderworks, 305 S. Roxboro St., Durham | Large outdoor space with firepits
Try this: Sweet Carolina honey cider
Angus Barn, 9401 Glenwood Ave. | A large upscale steakhouse that offers outdoor seating
Try this: A glass of Jolo Vineyards red blend
Prime Barbecue, 403 Knightdale Station Run, Knightdale | Skip the line by pre-ordering online
Try this: A local brew
Neuse River Brewing, 518 Pershing Rd. | A craft brewery with a menu reminiscent of a European bistro
Try this: Purple People Eater
Mordecai Beverage Company, 2425 Crabtree Blvd. | Rotating schedule of food trucks
Try this: Check website for an up-to-date tap selection
Saints & Scholars Pub, 909 Spring Forest Rd. | Enjoy the pub atmosphere under the stars
Try this: Moscow mule
Zest Cafe & Home Art, 8831 Six Forks Rd. | Family-owned and operated complete with a cute gift shop
Try this: Café au Lait (zero proof)
Lynnwood Brewing Concern, 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Rd. | Offers year-round, seasonal + collaboratory brew
Try this: Blonde Moment Belgian Blonde
Vinson’s Pub and Eatery, 800 E. Main St., Clayton | Open every day except Mondays
Try this: A local brew
Driftwood Cantina, 8460 Honeycutt Rd. | Spread out on their large patio
Try this: Blue Pineapple Margarita
Winston’s Grille, 6401 Falls of Neuse Rd. | A covered patio
Try this: The Palmer cocktail
Dos Taquitos, 6101 Glenwood Ave. | Passion for Mexican cuisine + culture
Try this: Cucumber Mojito
Flying Biscuit Cafe, 2016 Clark Ave. | All day breakfast
Try this: Super Bacon Mary
Di Fara Pizza Tavern, 111 E. Chatham St., Cary | Offers pizza by the slice
Try this: Check website for an up-to-date tap selection
Mandolin, 2519 Fairview Rd. | Named one of the best 50 Southern restaurants in America by OpenTable
Try this: Contraband cocktail
Chow, 8311 Creedmoor Rd. | Local hangout + casual dining
Try this: The Local cocktail
The Patio at Unscripted, 202 N. Corcoran St., Durham | Igloos dining in the winter + spring activities starting in April
Try this: The Unscripted Blues
Tazza Kitchen, 432 Woodburn Rd. | Additional location in Cary
Try this: A glass of chardonnay
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, 3001 Cameron Blvd., Durham | A fine dining experience
Try this: Orange You Happy Sangria
Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know.
