When asking yourself about something to do near me in Raleigh with a group of friends or family, consider
The Cardinal Bar
Why The Cardinal Bar is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
The Cardinal Bar is a well-loved restaurant and bar that serves as a fantastic gathering spot for friends and locals alike. With a solid 4.5-star rating from over 550 reviews, it stands out as a place where guests can enjoy quality food, specialty cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere. The bar is praised for its diverse menu featuring hearty burgers, delicious chicken sandwiches, and appealing appetizers, complemented by an excellent selection of craft beers and cocktails made from scratch. The venue offers both indoor dining and an inviting outdoor area, which is pet-friendly, allowing guests to bring their dogs along—perfect for relaxed socializing. The Cardinal is known for its friendly and attentive staff who contribute to its warm and comfortable vibe. It is also a popular locale for private parties, featuring fun activities such as karaoke, trivia, darts, bingo, and pool tables, making it ideal for lively celebrations. Furthermore, the bar offers catering services designed to bring flavorful meals to various events, ensuring stress-free entertaining. Whether you're stopping by for a casual lunch, enjoying a weekend dinner with friends, or planning a festive event, The Cardinal Bar combines great food, drinks, and entertainment in a friendly neighborhood setting.
Here's what people think of The Cardinal Bar
As of recent, The Cardinal Bar holds a 4.5-star rating based on 552 reviews.
User reviews generally reflect a positive experience at The Cardinal Bar, noting its strong points in food, drink, and atmosphere. Many reviewers appreciate the quality of the burgers, especially on special menu days, as well as the tasty chicken sandwiches and appetizers. The cocktail menu receives high praise, with patrons highlighting the homemade and well-crafted drinks. Guests also like the outdoor seating area, which provides a relaxed setting and is dog-friendly, enhancing the welcoming community feel. The staff consistently receive compliments for being attentive and friendly, contributing significantly to the overall positive dining experience. On the other hand, some negative points include occasional long wait times during busy periods and slightly higher prices on non-special nights, which some customers find less accessible. A few diners mentioned that certain items, like a hamburger, did not meet expectations in doneness or seasoning. Despite these critiques, the overall consensus is that The Cardinal Bar is a worthwhile destination for meals and social gatherings. The balance of delicious food, well-prepared drinks, excellent service, and a cozy yet lively atmosphere ensures that most visitors leave satisfied and eager to return.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Kourtnee D
mannnnn that was like the best hot dog ever! we had a very good time at this establishment. when we asked for a drink we had no idea what to do it was our first time out and after taking our ids and hearing us out; she made a wonderful drink. i literally said “sorry I don’t know what to get but I just know we want something sweet and like a mixed drink” she ended up making us a pineapple vanilla vodka drink. it was so good we got another round. it was the perfect choice for us. the signs on the walls were really funny so we took a pic.
Taylor Wynn
Great dive bar. Great bartenders. Never met a hot dog I don’t like but the ones here are made with love. Perfect place to run into a friend, make a new friend or have a decompression drink after work
Paul Wilson
The hotdogs with the grilled buns will change your life! Very laid back dive bar. A perfect spot to have a couple beers and unwind with your friends!
Casey Mozingo
This place is consistently good! But make no mistake, this is a bar that serves hotdogs and not a restaurant. I’m a big fan of the fresh jalapeño toppings and pickled okra.
Roger Loving
Great staff. Great hotdogs. Great shots and beers. The music jumps genres regularly so if you dont like the first , the next will probably be a whole new thing. Mayonnaise as the oil of choice to brown the perfect split top bun; not a hot dog...think lobster roll bun, is a signature detail that you'll now see copied at other establishments. I, for one, am glad because it's less beady and more toasty.. Finely chopped onions and jalapenos make for smooth burn and even distribution...a detail often overlooked
How to reach The Cardinal Bar
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Why The Cardinal Bar may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at The Cardinal Bar with your friends?
When it comes to gathering with friends and family, The Cardinal Bar stands out as a welcoming and vibrant destination that strikes the perfect balance between casual comfort and lively atmosphere. With an impressive 4.5-star rating from over 550 reviews, this bar clearly resonates with a diverse crowd looking for a spot to unwind and create memorable moments together. The appeal of The Cardinal Bar lies in its blend of great food, carefully curated drinks, and an ambiance that encourages socializing without overwhelming noise or congestion. This makes it ideal for groups who want to catch up, celebrate, or simply enjoy each other's company in a relaxed yet engaging environment.
The thoughtful layout of the space caters to both intimate gatherings and larger groups, offering cozy corners alongside spacious seating. The friendliness and professionalism of the staff—highlighted repeatedly in customer feedback—only add to the welcoming vibe, ensuring that your group feels valued and well taken care of. Whether you are planning a casual weekday meetup or a weekend night out, The Cardinal Bar offers a dependable and enjoyable backdrop for your get-together. The inclusion of quality craft beers, tasty food options, and occasional live music further enriches the experience, making it a place where conversations flow naturally and laughter fills the air.
What activities are available at The Cardinal Bar for a group?
The Cardinal Bar provides an array of activities that perfectly complement its social environment, making it an excellent choice for groups seeking engagement beyond just food and drink. First and foremost, the bar’s impressive selection of beverages, including local craft beer taps and popular canned beers, serves as a great way to explore different flavors with your friends. This diversity caters to both casual drinkers and beer aficionados, encouraging groups to share and discuss their favorites over good conversation. The bar’s staff, known for their friendly and professional service, adds to the experience by offering helpful recommendations and creating a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere.
Food is another highlight that brings groups together at The Cardinal Bar. Known for hearty and satisfying fare like their famous burgers and epic hot dogs, the menu appeals to a wide range of tastes while being perfect for sharing. This makes it easy to order multiple dishes for the table and enjoy a communal meal. The emphasis on quality ingredients and portion size ensures that everyone leaves satisfied, with nothing to distract from the group's bonding time. Moreover, the availability of outdoor seating with fresh air complements the dining experience, especially on pleasant evenings, offering a pleasant spot for group conversations that can stretch into the night.
Live entertainment occasionally enhances the social scene, with jazz sessions and band jam nights providing an engaging backdrop to your gathering. These events are not so loud as to overpower conversation but offer a lively ambiance that injects energy into the space. The option for patrons to join jam sessions adds an interactive element for those musically inclined or simply wanting to enjoy dynamic performances. Additionally, specials like half-price bottles of wine offer excellent value for groups looking to celebrate or unwind together without breaking the bank. Overall, The Cardinal Bar’s blend of drink variety, delicious food, live music, and attentive service crafts an ideal setting for groups to connect and enjoy a broad range of activities together.
Why is The Cardinal Bar perfect for hosting group meetups?
The Cardinal Bar’s signature mix of a friendly atmosphere, great food and drink, and accessible location makes it an outstanding venue for groups meeting up. Its reputation as one of the last “real bars” in town highlights its focus on authenticity and comfort rather than over-the-top trendiness, creating an environment where groups feel immediately at ease. This relaxed vibe is complemented by a staff known for their professionalism and witty, approachable demeanor. Such qualities foster a sense of community and ensure that groups receive attentive service without feeling rushed or overlooked, which is crucial during meetups that often extend for hours.
The versatility of the space also plays a key role in accommodating groups of different sizes and moods. Whether your gathering is small and intimate or larger and more festive, the bar's mix of seating options and indoor/outdoor flow allows for easy adjustments and privacy where needed. The availability of cozy patio seating is a major draw in pleasant weather, giving groups the option to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air while sharing stories and drinks. The bar’s operating hours from late afternoon well into the early morning on weekends provide ample flexibility for groups to plan meetups at their convenience, whether a casual evening or an extended night out.
Furthermore, The Cardinal Bar’s food and beverage menu is designed to cater effortlessly to groups. The shareable nature of items like burgers and hot dogs, alongside the curated beer selection, makes ordering communal and stress-free. This keeps the focus on engagement and enjoyment rather than logistical challenges. Occasional live music or themed nights offer extra entertainment, turning an ordinary meetup into a memorable social event. All these factors combined—great service, varied offerings, flexible seating, and a welcoming ambiance—make The Cardinal Bar an ideal destination for groups looking to come together, relax, and enjoy themselves.
What should I expect from the food and drinks at The Cardinal Bar?
At The Cardinal Bar, food and drink are central pillars of the experience, designed to satisfy diverse palates and fuel lasting good times with friends and family. The menu is celebrated for its simplicity done right—classic American bar food such as burgers and hot dogs that boast quality ingredients and generous portions. These offerings are perfect for sharing among groups, ensuring everyone finds something enjoyable without fuss or pretension. Burgers, in particular, have earned high praise for their flavor and satisfying size, making them a reliable choice for those hungry after a long day or wanting to indulge during a night out.
Drink options complement the food with a well-curated selection of local craft beers on tap and canned favorites, providing something for every beer lover. This variety encourages exploration and conversation as guests compare flavor notes and recommend new brews to each other. Wine specials, such as half-price bottles on certain nights, add an affordable yet festive touch for those preferring something different. The bartenders' professionalism combined with their friendly and sometimes cheeky service enhances ordering, making guests feel comfortable asking for advice or customizations.
The overall food and drink experience at The Cardinal Bar supports a casual yet quality-focused outing for groups. It’s the kind of place where you can trust the flavors without the need for elaborate menus or fancy plating, which helps keep the mood light and social. This straightforward approach is well-suited to groups who want to focus on each other rather than the formalities of dining, ensuring the ultimate goal of a fun, relaxed meetup is met.
How does the atmosphere at The Cardinal Bar enhance your group experience?
The atmosphere at The Cardinal Bar plays a crucial role in elevating the group experience by creating a space that feels both lively and comfortably intimate. Customers regularly highlight the approachable, down-to-earth nature of the venue—what some call a “chill dive bar” vibe—that makes it easy to relax and be yourself. This is an environment where groups don’t feel pressured to keep conversations quiet or constrained but where the noise level remains manageable, preserving the ability to connect with one another without shouting. The presence of natural light during the day and soft lighting in the evenings further complements this ambiance.
Outdoor seating adds a special dimension to the atmosphere, especially during warmer months. Groups can enjoy fresh air, casual conversation, and the subtle buzz of city life nearby while still feeling secluded enough to focus on their own gathering. This seating option also accommodates larger parties that prefer to spread out and enjoy a less crowded setting. Meanwhile, inside the bar, the mix of cozy nooks and open communal tables provides the perfect backdrop for everything from casual chats to more animated celebrations.
Live music events, such as jazz nights and jam sessions, periodically enhance the ambiance by introducing a cultural and interactive element to the space. These events invite participation and engagement, making the atmosphere dynamic yet still inclusive for everyone. Combined with friendly bartenders and attentive service, the overall vibe encourages guests to linger, laugh, and make memories—a true hallmark of a great meetup spot.
What do the reviews say about socializing at The Cardinal Bar?
Reviews of The Cardinal Bar consistently underscore its strengths as a social hub, especially for groups gathering to enjoy the night. Many patrons praise the friendly and professional service, noting that the staff's welcoming attitude and swift attention contribute heavily to a positive group experience. The bartenders are often mentioned by name, suggesting their ability to create memorable moments and foster a warm community feel within the bar. This kind of service ensures groups feel comfortable and valued, which is essential when hosting friends or family for an extended meetup.
The social environment is described as vibrant but not overwhelming, making it suitable for both lively conversations and more intimate exchanges. Reviewers appreciate that the bar manages to avoid the pitfalls of being too noisy or crowded, which can detract from the enjoyment of a group outing. Events like live jazz and jam sessions are highlighted as particularly enjoyable for adding an entertaining layer without sacrificing the bar’s accessibility for socializing. Additionally, special offers such as half-price bottles on wine nights are welcomed bonus incentives that groups love to take advantage of.
While a small number of critiques mention occasions of less satisfactory service, the overall consensus portrays The Cardinal Bar as a consistently reliable venue for people who want to catch up, celebrate, and enjoy a shared experience. This solid reputation among customers mirrors its strong rating and lengthy list of positive reviews, affirming that it remains a top choice for group meetups looking for a balance of great drinks, good food, and a friendly vibe.
This article highlights why The Cardinal Bar is an excellent choice for hosting group meetups, focusing on its inviting atmosphere, variety of activities, dependable food and drinks, and generally positive social experience. With its strong customer ratings and consistent feedback praising its service and ambiance, The Cardinal Bar is a standout venue for gathering friends and family in a fun, relaxed setting.