Beer Me, Buddy
The best breweries and beer bars in downtown Raleigh to beat the heat!
Burial Beer Co. Raleigh Taproom: Can we be buried here?! This spot gives us life (pun intended…) Referred to as “The Exhibit”, Burial’s Raleigh space has a wicked cool industrial vibe with unique art across the walls. The Exhibit features a curated selection of twenty-four taps, pouring their latest small-batch beers, taproom bottle and can releases, cider, VISUALS wine, and vermouth. They also showcase unique offerings from a carefully chosen group of local artisans!
What makes Burial even better? It’s located in Transfer Co. Food Hall, so after a few brews, you can pop over for a burger, Indian cuisine, empanadas, or whatever your heart desires. 500 E. Davie St. #170
Standard Beer + Food: Standard Beer + Food is anything but standard. Nestled in between Oakwood and Mordecai, this brewpub is passionate about its people, beer, craft beverages, and creative bites (oyster tacos, anyone?). Their selections are superb and they have space galore with a dining room, tap room, and beer garden in the “Backyard.” And, as they say, “Nothing beats drinking beer at the place where it’s brewed”! 205 E. Franklin St.
(P.s they’re proudly Craft Malt Certified!)
The Raleigh Times: Where you go for rare craft beer and horrendously good times! This beer bar with Belgian roots and a history of people hollering “hot off the press!” is the place you dream of when in search of a local watering hole. With sixteen lines, four bars, five dining rooms, and a rooftop with views of downtown, it’s not hard for this spot to win your heart. Before you know it, you’ll be besties with the bartenders and the (many) regulars who hang there on the daily! 14 E. Hargett St.
Vault Craft Beer: While Vault Craft Beer has only been open for a year, little did we know this “little bank” building, oozing with mid-century charm, was originally constructed in 1957 (love when our historic buildings are restored and preserved)! Architect F. Carter Williams, FAIA, designed the building for the First National Bank, which was the first drive-thru bank in the area. The restoration was led by original vellum drawings (NCSU Archives), pencil drawings, and B&W photos.
In addition to the amazing history of this place, the beer selections are excellent. They have craft beer on tap and a bottle shop with a wide variety of brews to-go. Check out their draft list and events here. 518 W. South St.
Little City Brewing + Provisions Co.: Little City Brewing resides near the new Smoky Hollow neighborhood of Raleigh, which means you can make an evening of exploring this district when you pick this place. Serving beer brewed on-site, one-of-a-kind wines, and craft cocktails, this experience will make everyone in the friend group happy. It also has a chic aesthetic an Instagram influencer would love (or, a TikTok queen… Threads poster…? It’s tough to keep up with the trends).
If you want to hit another spot to keep the party going, we recommend New Anthem Beer Project. It’s a fresh addition to Smoky Hollow and the pours are prime! 400 W. North St., Suite 120