These subterranean spots in our City of Oaks have a cool, cozy vibe you can’t get at street level.
by Emmie Brooks
Below our city streets, craft cocktails meet concealed staircases. Raleigh’s underground bars feel like well-kept secrets – intimate, low-lit and full of character. In a city where many venues are sleek and new, these hidden spots offer a destination for those looking for something beyond the typical nightlife scene.
This intrigue isn’t new. Decades ago, Raleigh’s nightlife had its roots underground — quite literally — in the Village Subway, also known as Cameron Village Underground. In the 1970s and 80s, this nightclub was a lively crossroads for music, socializing and creativity.
On the corner of Clark and Woodburn streets in 1971, the Village Subway could be accessed through a glass entryway reminiscent of a subway terminal. The space was home to several popular venues over time, including The Frog and Nightgown, The Pier, Elliot’s Nest, Cafe Deja Vu and The Bear’s Den. These clubs featured performances from R.E.M., The Go-Go’s, the Police, Duke Ellington and many more. Although the Village Subway closed in 1984, its legacy lingers in the imagination of Raleigh’s contemporary nightlife scene.
With the buzz about a new underground concept in development from acclaimed Chef Katsuji Tanabe and Raleigh entrepreneur Anthony Rapillo (more on that below), we thought we’d take a look at our current underground offerings.
Foundation
True to its name, Foundation was built on a commitment to showcasing the best of North Carolina. It opened in 2009, and locals consider it the first real craft cocktail bar in downtown Raleigh. Foundation’s bar features an impressive collection of locally sourced spirits, including craft whiskeys and bourbons from local distilleries, complemented by house-made syrups and fresh ingredients. The space itself mirrors the ethos of the menu: Exposed brick walls, wooden accents and dim lighting create an ambiance that is both warm and refined. At prime times, the intimate feel gives way to a livelier crowd. Whether you’re a cocktail aficionado or someone looking to experience Raleigh’s local flavors, Foundation offers an experience as grounded and authentic as its underground location.
Open daily | 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. | 213 Fayetteville Street, Suite 010 | foundationnc.com
Neptunes Parlour
A late-night institution with its own unique energy, Neptunes Parlour is where the party thrives underground. Tucked beneath Kings and the former Garland/Umbrella space on West Martin Street, this Raleigh favorite has long been the go-to for those looking to dance, drink and lose track of time under moody red lights. With a lineup of DJs, comedy nights and live jazz, there’s always something happening, and the crowd is always ready to keep the night alive. Recently revived by Martin and Erin Wheeler, Neptunes stays true to its roots while embracing a fresh era of late-night revelry. The bar serves up inventive cocktails and North Carolina craft beers, but with a streamlined approach for quicker service – so you can get to the dance floor faster. Neptunes remains one of the most electric spots in town – a place where the music pulses, the drinks flow and the party never stops.
Open daily | Sun. 4:30 p.m. – 12 a.m., Mon. – Tues. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m., Wed. – Sat. 4:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. | 14 W. Martin Street | neptunesraleigh.com
Watts & Ward
With a nod to the rebellious spirit of 1920s America, Watts & Ward captures the essence of a Great Gatsby-style experience. The bar draws inspiration from the defiant citizens who, long before Prohibition, found refuge in underground spaces filled with music, lively conversations and bootlegged spirits. With the same free-spirited energy, Watts & Ward combines history with modern flair. Beyond the vintage-inspired décor and rich, leather-clad interiors, what sets Watts & Ward apart is its size. This underground bar has multiple rooms, cozy nooks and intimate booths, so it’s a great place to pop in after a night out with a group — even if that means an entire wedding party. A step outside will lead to a patio with picnic tables, twinkling lights and frequent live music. With plenty of space to settle – inside or out – Watts & Ward transports guests to an era where the art of cocktail-making was revered, and the night unfolds at its own pace.
Open Sun. 2 p.m. – 12 a.m., Tues. – Sat. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. | 200 S Blount Street | wattsandward.com
Sous Terre
Located on Person Street, just below chef Scott Crawford’s French bistro, Jolie, this underground speakeasy offers a refined space for those seeking a sophisticated night out. Opened in May 2024, the name “Sous Terre” meaning “underground” in French, speaks to the bar’s inviting, subterranean location. The atmosphere balances luxury and intimacy, with warm amber lighting and plush seating. Whether you’re nestled in a corner booth, or perched at the bar, Sous Terre offers an ideal backdrop for quiet conversations, celebratory toasts or simply savoring a perfectly crafted drink. It’s also the perfect spot for a pre- or post-dinner drink, especially if you’re dining at Jolie or Crawford & Son. Popular choices from the craft cocktail menu include a French 75 — made with Cognac, instead of gin — and a Paloma with mezcal and black salt. Sous Terre also serves spirit-free options, such as the non-alcoholic Little Tokyo, which blends White Verjus, Yuzu, Miso and “Peach Bellini.” Adding to the exclusivity, you need a key to get in – unless you’re dining at one of Crawford’s restaurants, in which case, you’re already in the club.
Open Sun., Tues. – Thurs. 5 p.m. – 11 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. | 620 N Person Street | instagram.com/barsousterre
The Cellar
The Cellar may be more “garden level” than underground, but it still feels like a hidden retreat – just low enough to leave the world behind. Tucked beneath Wolfe & Porter, this bourbon and whiskey focused lounge has only been open for a couple of months, so it still feels like a bit of a secret. “It is a tucked away, classic, refined, cocktail lounge,” says Richie Reno, Manager of Wolfe & Porter. The menu highlights antique bourbons, aged wines and seasonal cocktails, with a custom touch for private events. “We adapt our menu seasonally, and we also adapt the menu per event,” Reno says. “So if someone wants to book with us, one of the first things we ask is that they pick spirits so we can work together and create a specialty menu they aren’t going to get anywhere else.” The Cellar also has exclusive access to the open-air patio, which features a full stage for live entertainment. Open Thursday through Saturday, it’s the perfect spot for a laid-back night with a well-made drink.
Open Thurs. – Sat. 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. | 905 W Morgan Street | wolfeandporter.com/home/#cellar
COMING SOON-ISH: The Third House
A new addition is in the works from celebrity chef Katsuji Tanabe (of Bravo’s Top Chef, Cary’s A’Verde and the former High Horse) and Raleigh hospitality entrepreneur Anthony Rapillo. Known for his ventures like V Pizza, Flask, The Side Door and Flour and Barrel, Rapillo is no stranger to the hospitality scene. The duo’s latest project, The Third House, aims to redefine Raleigh’s late-night culture while paying homage to its history.
Discovered in 2019, the abandoned, hidden space under the Sir Walter Apartments (formerly the Sir Walter Hotel) was once a speakeasy. “The excitement in the city since we’ve announced it has been pretty cool,” Rapillo says. “We’re putting a lot of our resources behind it, we’re taking the time to do it right.”
The bar, slated to open in late 2025 or early 2026, will be split into two distinct experiences: an upscale Japanese restaurant helmed by Chef Tanabe and a speakeasy that retains its 1920s charm. “You walk through the door, and you have the original hidden speakeasy with the original booths, original partitions and all of the original floorings,” he says. “We just want to clean it up, keep everything that’s in there and we want it to feel like you’re walking into a time machine.”
The speakeasy will focus on classic cocktails, with an emphasis on bourbons and whiskeys, steering clear of Instagrammable trends in favor of authenticity. Guests can also expect subtle nods to its past through curated imagery and a marketing strategy driven by word of mouth. “It’s supposed to feel like a secret,” Rapillo says. And for those in the know, it’s one worth keeping.
We expect it’ll be an… underground sensation.
This article was originally published on February 20, 2025 on waltermagazine.com
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