Bars, axe throwing and a mechanical bull. Here’s where you can go for nightlife in Cary
Cary isn’t pretending to be Glenwood South, the core of Raleigh’s nightlife scene.
But Cary does have a nightlife — and it’s continuing to grow by the pint.
Axe throwing, a champagne bar, breweries. Residents and visitors have lots of options to enjoy themselves on weeknights and on the weekend.
As more developers build more housing and businesses in Cary, some think this means the fun scene will grow too.
“What used to be one or two or three really great spots has turned into like seven or eight really great spots,” said Tyler Watt, the owner of The Walk Up and Pharmacy Bottle + Beverage. “You can make a whole night of Cary eating, day time, breakfast time, spending the night, whatever you want Cary now has that to offer for sure.”
In the former small farming town, nightlife in Cary includes live music, date night ideas, craft cocktails, movies, a mechanical bull and interactive games, award-winning dishes and new bars.
Whether you are a newcomer, visitor or longtime resident, here are some of the new and popular places for 21-and-over fun in Cary.
Bond Brothers Beer Co., brewery and music venue
Addresses: Brewery at 202 E. Cedar St.; Music venue at 602 E. Chatham St.
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 2 to 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 12 to 12 midnight; Sunday: 12 to 10 p.m.
Info: bondbrothersbeer.com
The brewery’s taproom has been a downtown Cary favorite for years, and its sister business, Bond Brothers Eastside on East Chatham Street, has its own following too.
The beer company is for mostly beer, locally made sodas, and wines, while Eastside was created for live music.
At the taproom, the menu serves a variety of drinks and snacks with a food truck on rotation.
The brewery is kid- and dog-friendly, according to the brewery’s website. Dogs must be friendly on a leash. Children are asked to leave by 8 p.m.
“It is our intention to allow families to enjoy their neighborhood brewery as a family and to educate and promote responsible drinking,” according to the brewery.
Throughout the year, Bond Brothers hosts events like the upcoming Mid-Town Square Spring Fest on April 8 with live music, food and new beer options.
SideBar
Address: 215 E. Chatham St.
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 4-11 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. to 12 midnight; Saturday, 3 to 12 midnight; Sunday, 3 to 10 p.m.
Info: sidebarnc.com
SideBar, which bills itself as a cozy neighborhood bar that serves cocktails beer and wine, recently celebrated its five-year anniversary in downtown Cary. Patrons can sip on classic cocktails like Pimm’s Cup, mules or old fashioneds or taste-test inventive house cocktails. There’s a small beer and wine menu along with some non-alcoholic mocktails.
The bar is near downtown restaurants like Pro’s Epicurean Market & Cafe and Pizzeria Faulisi, making it the perfect place for a pre- or post-dinner drink.
RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar
Address: 210 E. Chatham St., Suite 10
Hours: Vary each week
Info: rbf.wine or Facebook and Instagram
The champagne bar opened in February in the historic Williams House in downtown Cary. RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar invites guests to “be themselves” and enjoy a relaxed environment with friends and neighbors.
The bar offers nearly 15 different kinda of sparking wines and champagnes. There are dozens of red and white wine varieties, rosé. The menu consists of finger foods like bruschetta, charcuterie and desserts.
“There’s a lot that people don’t know about champagne and sparkling wine and it’s also been shown to be exclusive, like just for weddings or New Year’s,” Welton told The N&O last month. “So really part of it is educating people about the array of different sparkling wines from around the world.”
There are also non-alcoholic beverages, including hot chocolate and sparkling wines.
Owner Tiffany Welton adopted a “no tipping” model so she could pay her employees a competitive rate and so they wouldn’t need to rely on tips. Tipping is still encouraged, however.
The bar has seating indoors and on an outdoor patio.
Graffiti: Spirits, Axes & Art
Address: 158 E. Cedar St.
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 4 to 10 p.m., Friday: 3 to 12 midnight, Saturday: 12 to 12 midnight, Sunday: 12 to 9 p.m.
Info: graffiticary.com or Facebook
Graffiti art created by local Triangle artists fills the walls of this new cocktail bar in downtown Cary. You’re reminded of a subway station, and Jeffrey Kaune, the operating partner of the bar, said that was intentional as it seeks to “disrupt” everything people think about downtown Cary.
“We wanted the art and the bar to be king of on equal footing,” he said in an interview with The News & Observer.
Graffiti: Spirits, Axes & Art opened in downtown Cary in December and is often busy right up until closing time. It’s open seven days a week, offering special cocktail drinks to go along with the axe throwing. Food isn’t served but patrons can order from The Scratch, located next door, and Di Fara Pizza on East Chatham Street and have it delivered to Graffiti.
Kaune, a native of Seattle and former partner with The Scratch, said downtown Cary needed an activity along with the boom of more bars and restaurants in the area. Before, people had to travel to places like Raleigh, Durham or Fuquay-Varina for axe-throwing venues.
“I think we’re headed in the right direction in downtown Cary,” Kaune said. “Even a few years ago, it was quite different. There’s a lot of younger people moving to the area and that helps kind of push things ... and there’s just more to do.”
Crosstown Pub & Grill
Address: 154 E. Chatham St.
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday: 11:30 to 12 midnight; Thursday-Saturday: 11:30 to 2 a.m.
Info: crosstowndowntown.com or @crosstownpub14 on Instagram
Known as Cary’s “original downtown pub,” customers can order both food and drinks. The menu features appetizers (like grilled wings, fried green tomatoes and buffalo shrimp) along with soups and salads, burgers, tacos and desserts.
The pub servers draft beers, bottles and cans, wine and cocktails and drink specials. Throughout the year, the pub hosts themed events.
Crosstown is a family-owned business. Sheila Ryan and her son, Sean Ryan opened in 2015. Last summer, they moved the restaurant to a larger space next door and added an expansive patio.
Pharmacy Bottle + Beverage
Address: 120 E. Chatham St.
Hours: Monday-Wednesday: 2 to 9 p.m., Thursday: 2 to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday: 1 to 10 p.m., Sunday: 1 to 8 p.m.
Info: pharmacybottlebeverage.com or Facebook
For the past eight years, Pharmacy has been a staple in downtown Cary next to The Cary Theater. There are 16 taps on rotation at the bar, plus wine, Prosecco and spirits. The retail section also allows customers to buy their favorite bottles.
“In the last eight years, we’ve kind of had a front row seat to the growth of downtown,” said owner Tyler Watt, who also owns The Walk Up down the street. “It’s great. I love to see the growth and plans for the (Downtown) park. It’s going to be something special in downtown Cary.”
Located inside the old Mitchell’s Pharmacy building, the bar often features food trucks and events. Pharmacy is currently carrying Cheerwine Ale, which tastes like a “wheaty beer with slightly more than a hint of cherry,” and Bojangles Hard Sweet Tea.
Dogs are allowed inside.
Hank’s Downtown Dive
Address: 111 E. Chatham St.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 5 to 10 p.m.
Info: hanksdowntowndive.com or @hanksdowntown on Instagram
Matthew and Catherine Bettinger and Jeff Kinard, owners of Cary’s SideBar, an upscale lounge on East Chatham St., established Hank’s Downtown Drive in 2021.
The name of the bar may say “dive,” but the menu features a variety of small plates and entrees like gluten-free fried chicken, lobster, ribeye, lasagna, shrimp scampi, duck breast, tilefish and crispy cauliflower.
The drinks include specialty cocktails, like a mixture of gin, lime, cucumber, jalapeno and absinthe called “Gordon’s Breakfast,” as well as beer and wine.
The “bohemian dive” has indoor and outdoor seating. It’s named after the owners’ cockapoo Henry, who also has a portrait in the bar, according to Food Cary Magazine.
The Walk Up
Address: 126 W. Chatham St.
Hours: Wednesday: 4:30 to 11 p.m., Thursday-Saturday: 4:30 to 12 a.m., Sunday: 2 to 10 p.m.
Info: @thewalkupcary on Instagram
Watt, who owns Pharmacy Bottle + Beverage, opened The Walk Up down the street at the end of last year. The name is inspired by the building — Watt’s favorite part of the business.
“What really drew me was the historic nature of this building,” Watt said.
The side of the building is painted with a 10-by-10 foot Coca-Cola mural. The second-floor building has no elevator so customers have to “walk up” to the top floor for more fun. This spring, the downstairs outdoor patio will feature live music, events and food, Watt said.
The Walk Up’s signature house cocktail has been a hit for customers. The menu rotates different drinks and soon, the bar will have an alcohol-infused drink slushie machine. Wednesday night is “Vinyl Night,” and patrons can bring their favorite to play or choose from the bar’s list.
“We’re really excited about good weather and doubling out footprint,” Watt said. “I grew up in North Raleigh and I’ve been coming to Cary since the ’80s, it’s a lot different. I love to see the growth.”
ProhibitiveCary
Address: 317 W. Chatham St.
Hours: Wednesday-Friday: 4 to 10 p.m.
Info: matthewshousecary.com or ProhibitiveCary on Facebook.
The historic Matthews House — home to ProhibitiveCary — has a long history. In 1915, it was a manor for the Matthews family. It became a wedding and special event venue, and in 2016, was bought by the Chung family.
ProhibitiveCary opened in 2022 after Sarah Chung had the idea to share her cocktail experience with the community, according to the bar’s website. The bar is fit for after-work gatherings or a night-cap after a stroll around downtown.
The bar is located in the house’s dining room and kitchen area. Cocktail tables are placed around the first floor, porch and outdoor terrace.
The menu includes beer, classic cocktails, wine and shared plates. The bar is not open every day and is closed when the Matthews House is hosting weddings or other special events. ProhibitiveCary is also open for special pop-up events.
Peck & Plume
Address: Inside The Mayton, 301 S. Academy St.
Hours: Open various hours during the day, from breakfast through dinner. Closes at 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and closes at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Info: peckandplume.com
The restaurant inside the Mayton Inn serves a solid menu, but if you’re looking for a cocktail with a view, don’t forget about the restaurant’s bar and terrace. The drink menu features North Carolina craft beers (including from Cary breweries Bond Brothers and Fortnight), wine and a slew of craft cocktails. Sip on a Honey Bee or a Mayton Monarch and watch the new Downtown Park take shape.
Cotton House Craft Brewers
Address: 307 S. Academy St.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 12 noon to 12 midnight; Sunday, 12 noon to 8 p.m.
Info: cottonhousenc.co
Step into the cozy and historic Pasmore House, a house from 1900 that has been restored, complete with a 25-foot prohibition-era style bar. Whether you settle into a seat near a fireplace or outside under the twinkle lights, patrons can order the house-made brews from Triangle Beer Co., or sip on a glass of wine. There is a rotation of food trucks to help with the munchies. Dogs are allowed outside.
A few minutes away, Triangle Beer Co.’s production facility takes up residence at 320 E. Durham Road, with the same hours as the downtown location. The family-owned operation serves its beer, wine and adds liquor options as well as its own hard seltzer. Dogs are allowed inside and outside.
BARS IN FENTON, CARY
Sports and Social & PBR Cowboy Bar
Address: 301 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary
Hours: Sports & Social: Sunday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 12 midnight; PBR: Thursday-Sunday: 8 to 2 a.m
Info: sportsandsocial.com/cary or pbrcowboycar.com.
Cary’s Fenton area continues to add new venues and restaurants. Last month, Sports and Social and PBR Cowboy Bar opened, offering a mixture of activities, drinks and food options between the two locations.
Sports & Social has 10 other location in addition to Cary and comes with a 42-foot wall of TVs along with foosball tables, basketball hoops, and arcade games. The menu has shareable items, sandwiches, tacos, salads and bowls, and some homemade favorites including chicken and waffles and a “signature tower” with wings, chips, dip, chili, and nachos.
Customers can choose between margaritas, mules and cocktails, draft beer, crushes and frozen drinks, and “social bowls” meant for sharing. Sports & Social also offers brunch.
The bar shares a space with PBR Cowboy Bar, which has a mechanical bull — the only one in the area. Country music is the star with live music and DJs, line dancing, and a full menu.
For large groups, the bar offers VIP tables and packages for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties and private events.
Dram & Draught
Address: 3 Fenton Main St.
Hours: Monday: 4 to 12 midnight, Tuesday-Thursday: 12 noon to 12 midnight; Saturday 12 noon to 2 a.m., Sunday: 12 noon to 11 p.m.
Info: dramanddraught.com or @dramanddraughtcary on social media
Unlike most bars in Cary, Dram & Draught (pronounced draft) is one of the few places to stay open until 2 a.m.
The cocktail bar opened in Cary’s new mixed-use area Fenton in October and has other locations in Durham, Wilmington, Raleigh, Greensboro and Winston-Salem.
More than 300 whiskeys from around the world are offered along with hand-crafted cocktails, draft beer and wines from the “old and new world.”
In Fenton, Dram & Draught also includes a covered rooftop bar and will soon offer food items.
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