Great Bars to Check Out in Greensboro, North Carolina

Whether you're new to Greensboro or just looking to go somewhere different, check out this list of great bars.

1.) The Flat Iron:

If you're looking for a place that's just a bar, not a bar/restaurant, the Flat Iron is a great place to check out. Laid back and comfortable, they have couches and chairs in one section of the bar, a computerized jukebox, bar games, and more. They have an open mike night Tuesday, live local (or touring) bands Friday and Saturday, and free pool on Sunday. The rest of the nights it's pretty laid back, so it's a great place to go to party or to just chill.

2.) The Blind Tiger:

If you like the Flat Iron, you should check out the Blind Tiger (or vice versa). It's another music venue/bar that, like the Flat Iron, isn't a restaurant as well. They also have open mike nights, on Mondays, as well as live local and touring bands, and pool tables. They also have a back patio that's great for hanging out and smoking in the warm weather. There aren't a lot of seats besides the bar, though, and the overall ambiance is very dark and plain, so don't come if you're looking for a nice, cozy place.

3.) Fat Dogs:

Fat Dogs is a laid back, informal bar/restaurant. They have cheap bar food, like burgers, hot dogs, and variations on potatoes (they even have tater tots), and they have veggie burgers and dogs for vegetarians. They have lots of toppings for burgers/sausages/hot dogs as well. Most nights they serve food until 1:30 so they're a great place to come for late night snacks and a beer. Their drinks are pretty cheap and they have electronic bar games. They also have Wi-Fi. They are a bit of a sports bar so don't come during a game if you don't want to deal with sports fans. They're also somewhat small, but they have a big front patio where you can sit when it's warm.

4.) Spring Garden Pizzeria:

Spring Garden Pizzeria is located right next to Fat Dogs. They're almost always crowded, they have good food, good drink specials, and electronic bar games. Their food specialty, obviously, is pizza, but they also have other Italian foods like stromboli. They also have a limited late night menu and for a while they were doing buy one slice, get on free between 12-2, both afternoons and nights. I don't know if they still have that deal or not, but it's worth checking out. They have been known to have slow service though, so don't come if you're in a hurry or really hungry. They also tend to be loud, so if you're looking for somewhere quiet and relaxed, Spring Garden Pizzeria might not be the place for you.

5.) Sticks and Stones:

If you're looking for a more upscale pizza place and bar, check out Sticks and Stones. They like to use local and organic ingredients, and the result is incredibly delicious, if a bit expensive, food. The ambiance is also really nice, as the restaurant is carefully decorated with an comfortable, earthy feel to it. Sticks and Stones has a more restauranty feel than a bar feel, but they do have a full bar and are a great place to come if you want drinks and good food but don't want that bar atmosphere. Keep in mind that they are a bit more expensive than your average pizza place, but if you're willing to spend more, it's definitely worth it.

6.) Mellow Mushroom:

Okay, just one more pizza place. Mellow Mushroom is the first place on this list that is, in fact, a chain, but it's an awesome chain. They're whole thing is a kind of hippie-collegey type vibe, and the decor is pretty cool. They have beautiful stained glass windows as well as really cool old-fashioned looking light fixtures. They often have free stuff, such as Mellow Mushroom calendars or bumper stickers, sitting up at the registers. They have a huge menu with delicious food. They're especially great for vegetarians, as they have a number or vegetarian sandwiches that are way better than just the typical veggie wrap that you can find anywhere. Their sandwiches are also huge, and well-priced considering. And, of course, their pizza is great. They have a great beer selection, and overall, Mellow Mushroom is just a fun place to be. They do tend to get crowded though, especially on weekend nights, so calling ahead can be a good idea.

7.) Natty Greene's:

Natty Greene's is kind of a Greensboro staple. Named after the guy the town was named after (Nathaniel Greene for those who didn't get the reference), Natty Greene's is a local brewery as well as bar and restaurant. The food is good, the beer is good, the atmosphere is simple but can be loud and crowded. There are two floors, as one used to be smoking before the no inside smoking rule went into effect, and the top floor is more of a bar environment while the bottom floor feels more like a restaurant, so you have your choice depending on what you're looking for (although you can get food and drinks on either floor). They also have a nice outdoor patio.

8.) M'Coul's:

Across the street from Natty Greene's is McCoul's, an Irish pub with a cozy Irish pub ambiance. They tend to be more expensive, and I think their food is overpriced, but I really like the atmosphere. They have two floors, along with two outdoor patios. Both floors have a cozy, low-light pub feel to them and the downstairs is filled with big, comfy booths. They're great for a big group of people, as they have a large, comfortable corner booth that is circular, which is so much better for a group that a long rectangular table. The coolest part, though, is the top floor patio, which is essentially located on the roof of the building and has a great view of the city.

9.) Lindley Park Filling Station:

Lindley Park Filling Station is a cute little bar in the Walker area (located, obviously, in Lindley Park). They have great drink specials every night, including one night where every alcoholic drink is a dollar off. That way, if you have a mix of beer, wine, and liquor drinkers in your group, everyone gets a good deal. They also have a nice menu of inexpensive food that consists mainly of sandwiches, salads, and soups. The sandwiches are all named after streets in the surrounding area, which is a cute touch. They're a great bar to come to if you want something not too loud or crazy, and not too formal, but just relaxing and simple. They also have Trivia on Tuesday nights.

10.) Vintage 301:

Vintage 301 is a more upscale bar/restaurant that's tucked away on Martin Luther King Jr Drive. They have amazing food and great wine. The ambiance is a bit more formal but not overly so. As far as food, they have both small plates, if you're looking for a tapas-like experience, as well as regular meals. All of the food is delicious and carefully prepared by professional chefs. They are a bit more expensive, but they also have great specials like $10 off bottles of wine on Tuesdays, a dollar off all alcoholic drinks on Thursdays and half-off beer from their fantastic beer list on Fridays.