Greater Raleigh Bars and Raleigh Sports Bars 
42nd Street Oyster Bar
For fresh oysters and shrimp and a wide selection of beer, head for 42nd Street. This classic '40s-style seafood restaurant features live jazz and blues several nights a week. On nights when the stage is bare, the bar is a regular meeting place for downtown business and government workers.
508 W. Jones Street, Powerhouse Square, (919) 831-2811
Web site: www.42ndstreetoysterbar.com The Cantina
Although the view from the deck is not exactly south of the border, the spirit is the same. Burritos or nachos and a bucket of longnecks are all you'll need to while away a few hours on a warm afternoon.
3011 Hillsborough Street, (919) 832-4541
Crowley's
The original location on Medlin Drive defines the words "neighborhood bar" in spirit and clientele. The combination of friendly service and frequent live music proved so successful that the owners opened outposts in north and west Raleigh. Today, Crowley's is a staple among locals, both for the lively atmosphere and the killer barbecued ribs.
(3 locations in Raleigh)
3071 Medlin Drive, (919) 787-3431
7330 Creedmoor Road, (919) 676-3431
Edwards Mill Road at Duraleigh, (919) 783-5447 Enoteca Vin
This wine bar will serve wine by the ounce as well as by the glass or bottle, so patrons can sample various wines. The staff is very knowledgable about wines and will be happy to help you choose a selection. Cheeses and other snacks are served, as well as a full entree menu of French classics.
410 Glenwood Ave, Suite 350, The Old Pine State Creamery, (919) 834-3070
Web site: www.enotecavin.com Five Points Pub - Real Name is just The Point
A popular stop for the young professional crowd, this neighborhood bar's highlights include a laid-back bar, pool tables and dance area. The surrounding Five Points neighborhood offers an eclectic mix of entertainment, including antique shops, an upscale bistro, a popular pizza spot, a martini-and-cigar bar, unique specialty shops and the Rialto Theatre, a favorite classic art-house cinema.
1626 Glenwood Ave., (919) 833-4004 Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
Beer is the name of the game here, with 80 different beers on tap and more than a hundred available in bottles. Those who drink 200 different beers get their name on a saucer on the wall, but that might take more than one weekend here to achieve!
328 W. Morgan St., (919) 821-7468
Web site: www.beerknurd.com Mitch's Tavern
Open every day of the year except New Year's Eve, Mitch's Tavern is one of Raleigh's classic watering holes. Apparently, it was just what the director of the movie Bull Durham had in mind when he filmed a key scene there. Although you probably won't spot Kevin Costner or Tim Robbins, the cold beer and great sandwiches still draw several generations of Raleigh devotees.
Hillsborough Street, (919) 821-7771 Players Retreat
People can not truly call themselves Raleighites until they've kept a booth or barstool warm for a few hours at this hole-in-the-wall bar. On a typical night, you may find yourself sharing a beer with a legislator, a construction worker, a lawyer and a musician. Barroom banter is the main entertainment at the "P.R.," with a set of encyclopedia behind the bar to settle bets.
105 Oberlin Road, (919) 755-9589 The Pour House
The two-level Pour House features pool and darts on the top floor and a bar with more than 30 beers on tap and live music on the ground floor.
224 S. Blount Street, (919) 821-1120
Web site: www.the-pour-house.com Southend Brewery & Smokehouse
This microbrewery serves up dozens of beers brewed in the giant vats that make up the decor. The restaurant serves burgers, ribs, sandwiches and wood fired pizzas to complement the beers. Southend has a small outdoor plaza for the pleasant North Carolina evenings.
505 W. Jones St., Powerhouse Square, (919) 832-4604
Web site:www.southendbrewery.com
Raleigh Sports Bars Carolina Ale House
A favorite for sports fans to catch the big game. In addition to a full menu served from 11am – 2am, the Carolina Ale House has a great selection of import and domestic bottled beers and one of the largest selections of draft beers in the area, including the signature Ale House Summer Ale.
512 Creekside Dr., (919) 835-2222
7981 Skyland Ridge Rd., (919) 957-4200
4512 Falls of Neuse Rd., (919) 431-0001
2240 Walnut St., (919) 854-9444
Web site:www.carolinaalehouse.com East Village Bar & Grill
This Hillsborough Street bar and restaurant has a great outdoor patio for summer nights and a cozy, well-designed bar for catching popular ACC games on the tube.
1 Dixie Trail, (919) 821-9985
Hi5
For food and fans, Hi5 is the place to watch. Over 30 TV's including 10 plasma screens and one huge projection screen. Full menu offered all day and night, including hearty sandwiches, fresh appetizers, plates to share, salads and robust entrees.
510 Glenwood Ave., (919) 834-4335
Web site: www.hi5raleigh.com Jax Sports Grill
N.C. State's neighborhood bar offers up games and grub. Housed in a recently remodeled building in the heart of N.C. State's stomping grounds, you'll find all the traditional sports-bar trappings (neon beer signs, video games, sports memorabilia on the walls).
2300 Gorman St., (919) 233-7226 Jillian's
This enormous dining and entertainment complex is a great escape for the young at heart. This facility offers two restaurants -- Jillian's Habachi Grill and Jillian's Video Cafe. Visitors may entertain themselves with games of pool, Ping Pong, air hockey and a variety of interactive video games. The complex also has a beach with sand valleyball courts and the Groove Shack night club playing hits from the '70s, '80s and '90s.
117 S. West St., (919) 821-7887
Web site: www.jillians.com Playmakers - The Saucy Sports Cafe
TVs wherever you look show basketball, baseball, wrestling, soccer, football... whatever sports are being played. Playmakers serves beer and standard sports bar fare, but their specialty is barbecue wings, from tame to super-spicy.
3801 Hillsborough St., (919) 743-5544
Web site: www.playmakers.citysearch.com
Sammy's Tap & Grill
This popular NC State campus bar has what the sports fans are looking for: good company, beer on tap and games on the screens. Come early on game days if you want a table.
2235 Avent Ferry Rd., (919) 755-3880
Web site: www.sammysncsu.com
Sidelines Sports Pub & Grille
1885 Averson Rd., Garner, (919) 779-5676
Skybox Grill & Bar
Raleigh's premier sports entertainment zone. SKYBOX is Raleigh's newest dining and entertainment experience. Watch your favorite sporting events on either our 6'x10' or 5'x9' high definition projection screens, 5 plasmas or 38 32" flat-screen monitors. Billiards and five interactive games, including Golden Tee 2004!
Off I-440, Exit 10, inside North Raleigh Hilton, (919) 878-4917
Web site: www.skyboxgrillandbar.com Stool Pigeon's Coop & Grill
Glenwood South's basement sports haven with a bar along the entire length of the restaurant and a wall of tv's at the front. Standing room only on the weekends as students and young professionals mix and mingle.
410 Glenwood Ave., (919) 831-0400
Upper Deck Restaurant and Sports Pub
This laid-back grill-and-pubs shows the hottest games with the coolest drinks and great sandwiches.
329 N. Harrison Ave., Cary, (919) 460-9977 Woody's Sports Tavern & Grill
What a sports bar should be: plenty of TVs, screaming fans, good food and drink specials every night. Woody's also has live music some nights.
8322 Chapel Hill Rd, Cary, (919) 380-7737
205 Wolfe St., City Market, (919) 833-3000
Web site: www.insidethebeltline.com/woodys/index.shtml
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