Best Nightlife in Raleigh, North Carolina

Are you going to be in Raleigh, NC and want to have a great night on the town? Not sure where to go? I recently visited 25 hot spots in Raleigh, NC and have listed the top ten here.

Greenshields Brewery and Pub is a cozy little bar nestled in Cary. From their traditional English cuisine to their home brewed beer, it's a definite must see. The beer, which is made onsite, is now being served at various other restaurants throughout Raleigh. The menu is a mix of traditional English food and unique tastes. You can find shepherd's pie, fish and chips and bangers and mash as well as the less unique burgers and sandwiches. Brewery tours are available by reservation on Saturdays. The dress code is business casual to casual.

42^nd Street Oyster bar is a very popular Triangle restaurant nestled in downtown Raleigh. Thursday through Saturday the bar is crowded with an eclectic crowd of twenty and thirty somethings enjoying the live music. The food is great and has a mixture of foods meant to please those with a lighter appetite and those who need something to sop up the alcohol. The drink menu will sure please most everyone with 70 beers and 100 wines available. The dress code ranges from business casual to trendy and everything in between.

Charlie Goodnight's Comedy Club is considered one of the best comedy clubs on the east coast. With its three levels there is surely a place for everyone. At street level you will find the comedy club where the likes of Jay Leno, Drew Carey, Jerry Sienfeld and Ellen Degeneres have visited. Downstairs is Charlie's own restaurant, "The Old Bar," where Tex-Mex grub, cold beer and loud music and sure to keep you busy. On the second floor is "Champagne Charlie's" which offers a more classy and upscale atmosphere. The dress code ranges from business casual to trendy.

Zydeco Downtown, a jazz club, owned by NFL star Antwan Harris is a great place to stop in and have a drink. With a built in fish tank and upholstered stools you can't go wrong. There is a dining room that serves Southern delights like shrimp and grits and jambalaya to entertain your taste buds and a live band to entertain your ears.

The Office is a comfortable yet upbeat way to spend your evening. The main floor offers a dance club to keep your feet moving to the beats of hip-hop, R&B, and Top 40 while the cocktail lounge offers renowned martinis. The patio contains Japanese fire pits and offers a comfortable hangout as well.

Berkeley Café is a lunch spot by day and a blues bar by night. It is very down to earth and attracts a crowd of regulars. The bar is at the front but most of the crowd can be found in the back room, which contains a large stage and great sound system. Music trends towards blues and rock but they do through in some other sounds to keep everyone's foot tapping.

Tir Na Nog Irish Pub means land of eternal youth in Gaelic and contains traditional Irish food and beer. Sunday is make your own Bloody Mary nights and draws quite the crowd. The music schedule ranges from Irish to bluegrass and they also offer karaoke and open jam nights.

Longbranch Saloon is two clubs in one and offers a country western bas as well as a top 40's club. The stage has been graced by some top names including Brooks and Dunn, Trace Atkins and Reba McEntire. When there's not a show, fans strap on their cowboy boots and hats and take to the two-step. And don't forget to ride that bucking bull.

Bogart's American Grill is a more high class dining spot but offers a wide range of entertainment from jazz to live DJ's. The menu contains delicacies like filet mignon and Bogart films run throughout the night. The bar contains some specialties that include infused martinis, ginger cosmopolitans and the white heat.

Marakesh Café has furniture imported from Morocco and vibrant walls. Patrons gather around tables to some the magic available six flavors and they offer native foods like hummus and falafel. Friday and Sunday night belly dancers are there to entertain.

Raleigh offers a great variety of nightlife, from the traditional to the eclectic; there is a place for everyone.