Raleigh is a city that has undergone tremendous growth and change over the past few decades, but despite this growth, the district that always has the biggest vibe is the downtown Raleigh district.
If you’re a craft beer enthusiast, downtown is a good place to go. Here you’ll find some of my favorite breweries in all of Raleigh, each with its own unique character and offerings, but all with a lively atmosphere and tasty craft beers. And some cool cocktail bars too!
Whether you are a beer lover or just looking for a fun night out, you’ll find a brewery in downtown Raleigh that will fit your needs. But if you’re not sure which one to visit, here is a low down of our favorites.
What is Considered Downtown Raleigh?
If you’re new to Raleigh and not sure what areas are considered downtown, then you should note that downtown Raleigh is broken up into six districts; Fayetteville District, Warehouse District, Capital District, Moore Square District, Glenwood South District, Seaboard + Person St District.
When you visit Raleigh, the downtown area is where you’ll find the most historic neighborhoods in Raleigh, world-class museums, some of the best places to eat in Raleigh, underground bars, food halls, coffee shops, performing arts venues, local retail stores, and of course some of the best Raleigh breweries.
The breweries mentioned in this guide can all be found in the downtown region, but if you’re not sure where to find them, here is a helpful map of each of these breweries in downtown Raleigh.
9 Great Breweries in Downtown Raleigh
Visiting a brewery is one of our favorite things to do in downtown Raleigh and is the ideal way to spend a summer’s evening. Below you will find our nine favorite downtown breweries in alphabetical order, and what you can expect from each of them. And you could even walk between all of them and make a tour out of it.
1. Brewery Bhavana
If you’re looking for unique breweries in downtown, then you won’t find anywhere more unique than Brewery Bhavana, which is a unique brewery that combines beer with books and flowers. This brewery has a full-service flower shop, bookstore, and dim sum restaurant all under one roof.
The brewery offers a range of beers that are inspired by Belgian and Asian brewing traditions. Some of their most popular beers include Grove, a farmhouse ale, and Burmese Gypsy, a Belgian-style Tripel.
Brewery Bhavana has won multiple awards for its beer and was named the best new brewery in America by USA Today.
More details:
- On-site kitchen: yes
- Outdoor seating: no
- Food trucks: no
- Games: no
- Live music: no
- Kid-friendly: no
- Dog-friendly: no
Find them:
- Address: 218 S Blount St, Raleigh
- Website: BreweryBhvana.com
2. Burial Beer Co (The Exhibit)
Burial Beer Co is a brewery that was founded in Asheville, NC, but has since expanded to locations in Raleigh and Charlotte.
Their Raleigh location is in the heart of downtown (next to Transfer Co Food Hall) and offers a wide range of beers, including stouts, IPAs, and saisons. It has 24 taps offering what the local’s consider some of the best brews, poured by knowledgeable and helpful staff.
The decor is modern and creative, with unique artwork on the wall. Burial’s name is derived from the founders’ time in New Orleans, while their brewery in Raleigh is endearingly referred to as “The Exhibit” because of its distinctive immersion into Burial’s art world.
More details:
- On-site kitchen: no (food hall attached)
- Outdoor seating: yes
- Food trucks: no
- Games: no
- Live music: no
- Kid-friendly: somewhat
- Dog-friendly: yes (outdoors)
Find them:
- Address: 500 E Davie St #170, Raleigh
- Website: BurialBeer.com
3. Clouds Brewing
Clouds Brewing is a German-inspired brewery with an American twist. It has 30 beers on tap, 20 of which are home-brewed beers, and a self-pour bar where customers can pour their own beers.
If you’re looking to try different types of craft beers, they offer flights of four beers so you can sample different kinds without having to commit to a full pint.
Clouds Brewing also has rotating beers and seasonal offerings, meaning there’s always something new to try every time you visit.
The full kitchen serves up delicious food like pretzels, nachos, and burgers, and their beer selection includes a variety of IPAs, stouts, and sour beers.
More details:
- On-site kitchen: yes
- Outdoor seating: yes
- Food trucks: no
- Games: yes
- Live music: yes
- Kid-friendly: yes
- Dog-friendly: yes
Find them:
- 126 N West St, Raleigh
- Website: CloudsBrewing.com
4. Crank Arm Brewing Company
If it’s your first visit to Raleigh, then you might have noticed that the city is quite big on cycling, and for cycling enthusiasts, the brewery for you is Crank Arm Brewing a sit’s dedicated to all things cycling – they even hold a run club on Tuesdays and a cycling club on Wednesdays.
The brewery is located in a building that was once a bike shop, and the walls are adorned with vintage cycling memorabilia.
Crank Arm Brewing’s beer selection includes a range of classic and creative flavors, all of which are unfiltered and include a double hazy.
Crank Arm Brewing also has a large outdoor patio with a fire pit in the winter that is dog-friendly, and there’s even free popcorn and games such as Jenga and puzzles for kids to enjoy.
More details:
- On-site kitchen: no
- Outdoor seating: yes
- Food trucks: no
- Games: yes
- Live music: no
- Kid-friendly: yes
- Dog-friendly: yes
Find them:
- Address: 319 W Davie St, Raleigh
- Website: CrankArmBrewing.com
5. Little City Brewing & Provisions
Little City Brewing & Provisions is an industrial-chic brewery that is dedicated to using local ingredients whenever possible, with its ‘made on-site’ craft beer offering.
The brewery doesn’t have a huge beer selection, only around eight on tap at a time, but they do also serve delicious cocktails and wines if you’re looking for somewhere that has multiple drink options.
Little City Brewing & Provisions doesn’t have a kitchen but it does have a food truck outside and they also have board games and puzzles.
More details:
- On-site kitchen: no
- Outdoor seating: no
- Food trucks: yes
- Games: yes
- Live music: yes
- Kid-friendly: no
- Dog-friendly: no
Find them:
- Address: 400 W North St Suite 120, Raleigh
- Website: LittleCityBrewing.com
6. Raleigh Beer Garden
Raleigh Beer Garden is not necessarily a brewery, but since it’s an establishment that has over 350+ beers on tap (the Guinness World Record holder for the largest selection of beers), it deserves a spot on this list.
The venue is housed in a historic building that was once a train depot, and the interior is adorned with vintage train memorabilia.
It’s a huge 8,500-square-foot space made up of 3 levels, a huge outdoor beer garden (as you would expect), a back beer garden patio that is family-friendly, an airstream bar, as well as a rooftop bar.
Raleigh Beer Garden’s beer selection includes a range of beers from all over the world, as well as a large selection of North Carolina beers.
They also host regular events throughout the week, including trivia nights, karaoke, and live music.
More details:
- On-site kitchen: yes
- Outdoor seating: yes
- Food trucks: no
- Games: yes
- Live music: yes
- Kid-friendly: yes
- Dog-friendly: yes
Find them:
- Address: 614 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
- Website: TheRaleighBeerGarden.com
7. Standard Beer + Food
Standard Beer + Food is a brewery that has a relaxed and chilled atmosphere, with a comfortable indoor and outdoor seating space.
The brewery’s beer selection includes a range of classic styles like lagers, IPAs, and stouts, as well as some more creative offerings. They also have a QR code to order food and drinks to the table, so no more waiting around for the server to come to you.
Standard Beer + Food also has a full kitchen that serves up delicious food like tacos, caesar salads, sandwiches, and crispy fried chicken.
More details:
- On-site kitchen: yes
- Outdoor seating: yes
- Food trucks: no
- Games: no
- Live music: no
- Kid-friendly: yes
- Dog-friendly: yes
Find them:
- Address: 205 E Franklin St, Raleigh
- Website: StandardBeerAndFood.com
8. Tobacco Road Sports Cafe & Brewery
Tobacco Road Sports Cafe & Brewery is a huge brewery located in the heart of downtown Raleigh. The beer selection includes a range of classic styles like pilsners, IPAs, and stouts, including their own Tobacco Road beers that have been brewed on-site.
It has two floors, multiple bartenders, and lots of TVs throughout the space, making it the perfect sports bar in Raleigh to catch a game. And if you’re looking to play some board games, you’ll find a large games room next to the main bar area.
Details:
- On-site kitchen: yes
- Outdoor seating: yes
- Food trucks: no
- Games: yes
- Live music: no
- Kid-friendly: yes
- Dog-friendly: no
Find them:
- Address: 505 W Jones St, Raleigh
- Website: TobaccoRoadSportsCafe.com/raleigh
9. Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing
If you’re looking for downtown breweries in Raleigh, nc with food, then Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing is the place to go. It’s one of our favorite brunch spots in Raleigh because of its amazing outdoor patio with scenic views, and an extensive brunch menu.
The brewery’s beer selection includes a range of classic styles like pilsners, IPAs, and stouts, as well as an extensive cocktail menu.
Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing also has a full kitchen that serves up delicious food with a chef driven bar that uses fresh North Carolina ingredients.
The views from Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing are also fantastic, with sweeping views of the city skyline and river. It’s the perfect relaxed setting for a date night in Raleigh.
More details:
- On-site kitchen: yes
- Outdoor seating: yes
- Food trucks: no
- Games: no
- Live music: no
- Kid-friendly: yes
- Dog-friendly: yes
Find them:
- Address: 201 S Boylan Ave, Raleigh
- Website: WyeHill.com
Parking in Downtown Raleigh
Parking options for downtown Raleigh include mostly street parking, as well as a few parking lots, and parking decks. You can see a full parking map of downtown here.
Street parking is well marked, and if you see a blue sign, then you have to pay between the hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday – Friday.
On the weekends and after 5pm street parking is free.
If you see green signs, it means you have a limited amount of time to park, which is usually displayed on the sign. For example, you may find you only have 1 or 2 hour parking, but it could also say “permit required” which means that only permit holders can park in those areas.
Read the signs and the times carefully as traffic wardens operate regularly in this area.
You should also keep in mind that numbered parking spots typically mean a payment is required in the designated time period.
FAQs About Breweries in Downtown Raleigh
Here’s what people usually ask us about breweries in the downtown district…
What Are The Best Downtown Raleigh Breweries With Outdoor Seating?
The best downtown breweries with outdoor seating are Burial Beer Co, Clouds Brewing, Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh Beer Garden, Standard Beer + Food, Tobacco Road Sports Cafe and Brewery, and Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing.
What Are The Best Downtown Raleigh Breweries With Food?
The best downtown breweries with food are Brewery Bhavana, Clouds Brewing, Raleigh Beer Garden, Standard Beer + Food, Tobacco Road Sports Cafe and Brewery, and Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, downtown Raleigh has a brewery for every taste and preference.
Whether you are looking for a unique atmosphere or a classic beer style, you will find something for everyone at a brewery in downtown!
