Central North Carolina

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central North Carolina - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Foothills Brewpub

    Downtown

    Winston-Salem's first craft brewery keeps a variety of year-round and seasonal brews on tap, including regional staples like their Hoppyum IPA and Torch Pilsner. The pub also serves up inspired bar food like dry-rubbed wings and daily flatbread and sandwich specials. It's a popular happy hour and weekend gathering spot. Try even more beers at the brewery and tasting room, just outside downtown.

    638 W. 4th St., Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
    336-777–3348
  • 2. Kingfisher

    Downtown

    The subterranean digs at this choice cocktail bar make it feel like a speakeasy, but there's no secret password required to enjoy bespoke cocktails like the Celebrity Sour, an addictive amalgam of mezcal, cinnamon, pomegranate, and caramelized goat yogurt.

    321 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham, North Carolina, 27701, USA
  • 3. 6th and Vine

    Downtown

    For a classy yet quirky evening out, try this wine bar--café. Outdoor patio seating (on the street and back patio), North Carolina wines, local brews, and frequent DJ dance parties make this a fun gathering place in the heart of the Arts District.

    209 W. 6th St., Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27101, USA
    336-725–5577
  • 4. Cat's Cradle

    The Triangle’s premier live-music club since the late '70s, this legendary venue hosts local and regional bands as well as nationally known indie acts.

    300 E. Main St., Carrboro, North Carolina, 27510, USA
    919-967–9053
  • 5. Fullsteam Brewery

    Downtown

    Local ingredients are used to make the traditional and experimental beers at this regionally celebrated brewery. Beer-friendly food is served at the tavern.

    726 Rigsbee Ave., Durham, North Carolina, 27701, USA
    919-682–2337
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  • 6. Goodnights Comedy Club

    University

    This club near the university combines dinner with a night of laughs. Past performers include Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Ellen DeGeneres.

    861 W. Morgan St., Raleigh, North Carolina, 27603, USA
    919-828–5233
  • 7. Motorco Music Hall

    Downtown

    This former mid-century car dealership is now one of Durham’s top places to hear live music and enjoy cocktails with friends. Motorco is made up of four parts: the eclectic Garage Bar, Parts and Labor restaurant, a spacious patio with outdoor seating, and the 450-seat Showroom, where you can catch both nationally touring acts and favorite local bands and performers.

    723 Rigsbee Ave., Durham, North Carolina, 27701, USA
    919-901--0875
  • 8. Natty Greene's Brewing Company

    Downtown

    Located on lively South Elm Street, this tavern keeps a dozen beers on tap, including several that it brews in-house. The bar food here's done right, including the potato chips and a generous tuna steak. Upstairs is a sports bar with pool tables. In nice weather, you can sit on the patio along the main drag.

    345 S. Elm St., Greensboro, North Carolina, 27401, USA
    336-274–1373
  • 9. Raleigh Beer Garden

    Cameron Village

    This two-level pub claims to have the world's largest draft-beer selection. If that's not enough, it's just plain fun to drink here—there's a tree in the ground-level bar and junglelike patio seating amidst walls of green vines.

    614 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, North Carolina, 27603, USA
    919-324--3415
  • 10. Raleigh Times Bar

    Downtown

    Faces of early-20th-century newsboys stare out from a 20-foot photo mural covering one wall at this 1906 newspaper office, artfully restored into a gastropub. The bar features a great selection of Belgian beers and thoughtful wine and cocktail lists.

    14 E. Hargett St., Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, USA
    919-833–0999
  • 11. The Crunkleton

    Downtown

    Setting the standard for craft cocktail bars in North Carolina, the Crunkleton has a knowledgeable staff of mixologists ready to stir and shake drinks. You can also select from a pages-long whiskey list—it includes antique spirits that seem to taste even better in the dark, parlorlike surroundings, with elk and deer busts lording it over the room.

    320 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, USA
    919-969–1125
  • 12. Top of the Hill (TOPO)

    Downtown

    A restaurant, brewery, and distillery all in one, TOPO has an impressive cocktail list featuring drinks made with homegrown spirits. As for beers, the refreshing Kenan lager and Old Well White wheat beer are always on tap. The top-floor space overlooks Franklin Street and is the place to be on UNC game days.

    100 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, USA
    919-929–8676
  • 13. Watts & Ward

    Downtown

    There's definitely a speakeasy vibe going on at this subterranean club downstairs from Caffé Luna. In fact, Watts & Ward is named for the legislative acts that first sought prohibition in North Carolina. With several bars, a terrace, and nooks with sofas and cozy seating, it’s the perfect setting for sipping a scotch or expertly mixed cocktail. There’s often live music.

    200 S. Blount St., Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, USA
    919-896--8016
  • 14. Wise Man Brewing

    Downtown

    Winston-Salem's downtown brewery scene is geographically compact yet expansive in variety, and Wise Man is arguably the best among a strong pack of contenders. Choose from over 20 rotating brews, like the punch-packing Body Electric double IPA or the Sufficient Wit Belgian witbier, and grab a seat at any of the shaded picnic tables lining the warehouselike brick taproom.

    826 Angelo Bros. Ave., Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27101, USA
    336-725--0008
  • 15. Southern Rail

    Closed Permanently

    This crowd-pleaser makes a unique place for drinking and schmoozing. Set near active train tracks, the bar/restaurant/music venue is scattered throughout old train station buildings and railcars.

    201-C E. Main St., Carrboro, North Carolina, 27510, USA
    919-967–1967
  • 16. The Blind Tiger

    Coliseum
    Closed Permanently

    A Greensboro institution, this standing-room club is one of the best places in the Triad to hear live music. Previous headliners have included Ben Folds Five (their first show, no less) and members of the Neville Brothers.

    1819 Spring Garden St., Greensboro, North Carolina, 27403, USA
    336-272–9888
  • 17. The Garage

    Downtown
    Closed Permanently

    Check out one of the best places to drink a beer and hear a sampling of mostly regional musicians. There's live music about half the week.

    110 W. 7th St., Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27101, USA
    336-777–1127
  • 18. West End Wine Bar

    Downtown
    Closed Permanently

    An affluent crowd seeks out this tony bar, locally owned since 1997, for its comprehensive wine list (more than 50 by the glass), tapas menu, lounge, and outdoor and rooftop patios. Downstairs, the speakeasy-style Cellar has two pool tables and beers on tap.

    450 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, USA
    919-967–7599

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