Killjoy

Amazing lounge, throwback music and the signature cocktails are not only good but they are reasonably priced. Top shelf liquors, the furniture and atmosphere are stunning. And a plus was they were not overrun. Plenty of outdoor or lounge seating…

Cute, creative, and balanced cocktails. They have a great social media presence as well. You can tell they try to curate a good experience! The decor for February is also adorable. Only feedback I could give is maybe turn the lights down, and the music up! :) cheers

This place was great! We came on a Sunday night and the bartender was friendly and nice. He was attentive, and made recommendations. As for the location, it’s well kept with plenty of space. The drinks themselves were amazing, with a wide selection to choose from. Fairly priced as well though it can be tricky not to get carried away so be cautious. A nice touch I noticed was that the bathrooms contained mints and mouthwash for one to freshen up. All in all, it was a nice experience and I’ll def be back again.

We love this place and keep coming back with out-of-town friends to show them a good time. The drinks are great and the charcuterie selection is tasteful. The ambience is lovely as well. We're so glad to have a great cocktail lounge to rely on when we're heading out to have a good night. Would recommend!

This place is the real deal! From the moment I walked in, I was struck by the elegant and classy ambiance - this is the perfect spot for a night out with friends or a romantic evening with a special someone. One of the things that really stood out to me about this lounge was the music - it was the perfect blend of classic hits and modern beats, and the volume was just right so that you could still have a conversation without straining to hear each other. The sound system was top-notch and the DJ really knew how to set the mood. But the real star of the show, of course, was the cocktails themselves. Each drink was a work of art, hand-crafted by skilled mixologists who clearly know their craft inside and out. The flavors were complex and layered, with a depth and richness that you just don't find at your average bar. I loved how each drink was presented with its own unique flair. All in all, I would highly recommend this cocktail lounge to anyone looking for a truly special night out. The classy vibe, great music, and exceptional cocktails all come together to create an unforgettable experience that will leave you wanting more. Five stars all around!

This place was such a good vibe. The owner is super cool and more than accommodating. The decor is well put together, and the cocktails are absolutely amazing; The best I’ve had in Raleigh thus far.

Came for an Offline event. Decor is spectacular - you can see the effort that was put into it. Bartender was efficient and kind. Drink was delicious (yippee ki yay). Thanks for a great first experience at Killjoy!

Craft cocktails! This place has it. Glad to see Raleigh gaining ground on this front. The location is nice. Space is open with comfortable seating indoor and out. They take reservations. Here on a Thursday evening a DJ is mixing live. Spoke to one of the bartenders who made me a bourbon cocktail with homemade strawberry jam. Friendly staff. A great spot for an evening out.

This place was great! We came on a Sunday night and the bartender was friendly and nice. He was attentive, and made recommendations. As for the location, it's well kept with plenty of space. The drinks themselves were amazing, with a wide selection to choose from. Fairly priced as well though it can be tricky not to get carried away so be cautious. A nice touch I noticed was that the bathrooms contained mints and mouthwash for one to freshen up. All in all, it was a nice experience and I'll def be back again.

We had a great experience at Killjoy. We showed up right when they opened and had two rounds of drinks. It was packed because of a networking event but we had a great time anyway. Our service was speedy and delightful with well crafted beverages. Bring your phone for a photo op against the wallpaper in this place. The walls and decor are EVERYTHING. Even in the restroom. I loved the "What in Carnation" and can't wait to return to get it again.

If you're looking to get poppin on a Tuesday, definitely come to Killjoy! They're starting R&B night on Tuesdays and the deejay is fireeee. He lit up the dance floor not only with his charming smile, but his beats. Not a large area to dance at, but I'm sure they'll make improvements with this! They've got such great cocktails, the ambiance is Instagrammable, and the bartenders are friendly and attentive. If you're coming with a large group, you're able to reserve tables! They also have outdoor seating as well if you want a quieter place to chat. Highly recommend this spot for visitors!

Discovering new cocktail bars while traveling is always a must for me. I was recently in Raleigh and found myself wanting to grab a night cap after a long day. Yelp brought me to Killjoy and I was so happy to have discovered it. First of all, the decor is great. There's a large main room with a pretty big bar, as well as a room on the side that has quirky yet welcoming decor. Since it was a weeknight it was pretty empty, but I didn't mind the chill vibes. My bartender was super nice and made a great dirty martini. Their liquor selection seems extensive, and their cocktail menu was impressive too. It's open late, and the drinks are well priced. Would definitely go back.

Visited on December 21, 2022 and 12/31/2022 I love the space here and how it speaks to a more professional crowd of adults. The cocktails are always great. No complaints there. I wouldn't say I like this new service vibe here, Kill Joy. No host at the door. No warm welcome, no greetings, or anything. These proactive things I've mentioned added value and set KillJoy apart from all the typical bars in this area. The service here has declined significantly, and I'm assuming this is the economic decline or a change in management. Or perhaps business is slow, and the extra pleasantries and warm and polite approach are no longer part of killJoy. I witnessed poor service on (Thursday) evening when there were only five customers in the bar, and I was surprised. KillJoy is a spot I have frequented over the last two years for many special occasions. I think the person behind the bar was not present to acknowledge customers unless you were sitting at the bar. He was just there scrolling through his phone and socializing with an employee. A guy in a group of three asked how they could get drinks, and I pointed to the bartender. Since there was never an acknowledgment, those 3 customers walked out. I did speak to the manager (off duty but in the back). She came out. I want to say her name is Kat. Not apologetic at all: but said the bartender serves who approach him, and that's KillJoy style now. Strange. I was invited back here on NYE and joined a table a friend purchased, and the same "approaching" service was required even after my friend paid for the table and bottle. Not sure about the details of her package, but it's odd to have customers who reserved tables approach the bar themselves. Are you all short-staffed? You were not even that crowded, NYE. I love this place for how it used to be, but I guess all good things end.

Killjoy was such a hidden gem. Super eclectic! I loved everything about the interior decor. We came at the perfect time because there weren't many people there, so we could really enjoy ourselves and all of the seating areas. We tried a few drinks like the beach bonfire, old fashioned and the grass is greener. All of the drinks were so good and the bartenders were helpful. Around 9pm, there's a DJ that comes in. More people definitely started coming around that time, so if you're look for good drinks and vibes, check out Killjoy!

Came here on a Saturday evening around 730pm The place was maybe less than half full. Great looking spot, bright with plenty of comfy seating. The bartender was a bit cold and ZERO help. This is the convo I had with her Me: do you all have mezcal? Her: yes (she names them off, tbh idk types like that) Me: bottom shelf? Her (knowingly smiles) Me: any cocktail recommendations with mezcal ? Her: besides Margarita, I wouldn't know. Wait what?! This is a cocktail bar isn't it? I have never been to a cocktail bar where the bartender couldn't put together a customer's drink based on preference of liquor. I was thrown. The conversation itself was fine, it was just the interaction in general too with the rest of our party that was cold. She then runs all our cards and doesn't even ask if we wanna close out. It wasn't till we were leaving that I realized we never got the bill. I always close out so when she handed me my card initially, I thought it was closed (even though it should have registered that I never got the bill to sign). Anyway, she wasn't the greatest. The person we closed out with was better. The DJ was just setting up for afrobeats night but we had to leave unfortunately. The place was super empty by then. Hopefully it filled up later. It was all before 9pm. I forgot to mention I got the Texas Tini. It was okay. Maybe I'd be back. Not sure.

One of the bars with the nicest aesthetic in Raleigh. On the weekends, it is live music and they can get really fun during the week is very chill.

I love Killjoy! I come here all the time to start my night with my friends and the vibe is always awesome. Most of the people here are 25+, but sometimes they have huge parties where more young people come, so you just have to play it by ear to see what kind of crowd you'll get. I really love the music and the bartenders are great! I've never had a bad drink from here.

I don't know how I'd never been to killjoy but my first experience was a beats and brunch event and I had a wonderful time, it's Instagram weather with gorgeous decor. The drinks were okay, I expected a bit more from a cocktail lounge but the vibes made up for that. It's spacious but intimate at the same time and the outdoor seating is a plus. Parking can be a drag because of downtown but there are pay lots close by.

Worst cocktails. Everything is watered down and tastes like only one ingredient. Had really high hopes over the ingredients that went in but you don't taste any of the complexities of the fragrant ingredients. Ambiance was cool but we ordered 4 drinks and they were all below expectations (plum luck, coffee & starfish, fruit for thought)

I came here on a Saturday night to celebrate my birthday, and I was disheartened when my group and I encountered the bartender. She seemed extremely disinterested and was a bit condescending when we asked about some of the cocktails on the menu. The rest of the staff seemed nice, but it kind of soured our mood. Hopefully we just got her on a bad night because I wouldn't want anyone else to have to deal with that.

Cool spot with great drinks and neat selection of mocktails. I can definitely see this being a cool girls night out spot, but I enjoy going on a date night before dinner. Cool interior, neat specialty drinks, and music is always on point. Check it out if you are in the area!

Bartender seemed extremely disinterested. Drinks were ok, maraschino cherry used for Manhattan is not expected for high end prices. There is SO much going on in the decor, it is hard to relax. Lots of Selfie spaces if that is something you enjoy. Probably a pretty happening place later in the evening .

I enjoyed my time here. I visited for a wine tasting event and got there a little early so got to the the bartender. He shared that he pressed his own juice for the days special. Super friendly and knowledgeable. They make craft cocktails the decor was nice and just an all around good vibe. I will be back here for sure.

I thought this was a pretty fun cocktail bar with great energy! Staff was fun to interact with and was knowledgeable about the drinks. I'm a huge fan of the unique drink selection and tastes they were offering. The establishment has great looking seating and can be quite intimate. Only issue I saw is that the place seemed to be pretty popular so a large party (or a booked event?) came in so noise came in! But it wasn't a major problem - glad they were all having fun. I'd like to return if I'm ever in the area again!

Such a great joint - loved the vibe and the bartenders and the drinks and the music. Drink menu was excellent, with classics and new inventions. Can't wait to come back!

Had an excellent experience here recently. Vibe and music are cool, drinks were well-made and tasted great. Does get sort of crowded at times, but that's usually a good sign. One of my friends had a snack, I don't actually know what it was, just that it smelled heavenly and she loved it.

If you're looking for an instagram spot, this is the place for you! I wanted to live this place, it's super cute. The service was almost non-existent and the self-service water was convenient but gave it a casual brewery feel. Enjoyed the French Kiss, but the G&T (went off menu for my second one) was way better. Overall, was underwhelmed and probably won't be back, mostly due to the service.

This place was an unexpected gem! Amazing atmosphere and delicious drinks. Try the Godcousin! It's sooooooo good. Pineapple ,cognac , amaretto, lemon and cinnamon(frozen). Definitely recommend and will be back!

Great little cocktail bar just of Glenwood in Raleigh. Loved the women bartenders and their tasty takes on various cocktails. It was hard to chose which to try. I got the EZ LVR and it was a great choice, not too sweet and not to alcoholy. The decor of this bar is very cool and I thought it was interesting and hat most of the clientele were women. I definitely felt very comfortable there and could see coming here for a girl's night. Indoor and outdoor seating available.

This place is definitely a vibe! The bartenders will take good care of you! Please visit asap!

This place is so cute! It's been a few things in the past I have also enjoyed and a nice location close enough to walk to Glenwood for more fun. The craft cocktails are great and unique. My favorite was The Luckiest. I never usually opt for whiskey drinks but this was divine. The Earl Gray really made it amazing.

Kat and the crew at Killjoy were great Top notch cocktails, complex yet approachable Great atmosphere. I had Kat make me a bartender's choice off menu. It was off the hook. Enjoyed the conversation and great vibe. Come to Kill Joy!

Great everything every time Must go on Friday nights Tip the bartenders they will take care of you

Our waitress CeeCee was AMAZING!..oh, and the drinks are to die for!! Chill atmosphere (call ahead and make a reservation), fun people enjoying their libations and yummy tapas to munch on. What are you waiting for?..get dressed and go!

Great vibe and drinks. Highly recommend for a night out with your significant other or friends

Cute little cocktail bar with great outdoor seating. Honestly, I wasn't impressed with their cocktails. They do have nice Mocktails. It's a meh for me.

This is an updated review after coming multiple times since my first review five months ago. This has been our favorite bar to go to for months, now. Anytime a friend mentions going out, we mention Killjoy. The ambiance here is great; the lighting isn't harsh and is great for time with friends or a date night. The decor is very unique and almost gives the vibe of a modern speakeasy. They offer your typical cocktails, like an old-fashioned, while also offering cocktails that I've never seen anywhere else, such as the cocktail they have with lucky charms. They have been having a DJ during weekends, which has been a refreshing change from the lack of live music. We went to their cocktail class last week and we had so much fun while learning to make our own cocktails. The bartender was very patient and didn't mind breaking things down a little more, when needed. The cocktails were delicious. Really enjoyed the simple margarita we were taught to make, as it is something quick and simple while not sacrificing taste. Although it is possible to walk in, I would advise reservations if coming on a weekend night. The photo booth is super fun, too!

I'm visiting from New Jersey and had THE best time at Killjoy Friday night! All of the bartenders were amazing. I had the frozen cocktail "godcousin" and the kick of cinnamon was oddly satisfying. A dj named UncoolKevv came around 9pm with great music and the entire place was packed shortly after. No worries because they do not charge a cover & there's plenty of space to sit/dance! I will definitely be back when I visit Raleigh again!

This is such an awesome spot, great atmosphere! There are heaters on the patio which makes it nice to sit outside. We only went for drink and it was so worth it, some of the best cocktails I have had! Our waitress was amazing, very attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. They employees all wear mask and the check temperature on the wrist on entrance!

I am so glad I found this gem on Yelp while visiting Raleigh. I have an alcohol intolerance, so I always am looking for a place that has mocktails on the menu. Unfortunately, my searches always come up pretty dry (no pun intended) and I always am disappointed with the lack of diversity and the mojo the place gives off. This is the complete opposite experience I had at KillJoy, I am actually highly considering moving to Raleigh just so I can live at this place. The staff was so friendly and welcoming to my group. Each one of us ordered a mocktail and the waitress was so nice and was so supportive of us either doing a dry January or not drinking in general. What was cool was you could make any of the mocktail items a cocktail if you wanted. I ended up adding vodka to the Ginger Limeade to celebrate my 25th Birthday and it was so good. The drinks were refreshing and adorable. You could tell the ingredients they were using were high quality. They weren't too sweet or too sour and had the perfect amount of kick and flare to them. The Tahini Colada was literally UNREAL. Unfortunately, they ran out the night I was there so I was only able to enjoy one. The table also enjoyed the rest of the mocktail menu but that drink was the winner, hands down. Not to mention, the aesthetic of this place was amazing. I was sad that I had to stay put in my chair because of COVID and so I wasn't able to explore the many different room/wallpaper themes they had throughout the place. They even have a little photo room where you can take cool funky pictures. People were taking pictures everywhere, left and right. My group brought our polaroids and it was so much fun. It was just such a chill and welcoming environment I could have stayed there all day and night. The music was on POINT my Shazam was going all night -- I wish I asked them for a playlist. It is the perfect spot for a date night as it is cozy, comfortable and intimate. I am obsessed with this place. I can't wait to visit again.

We stopped by Killjoy twice to try the Ube Old Fashioned and the Mouse king special. The environment and design was fun and they take temps at the door and follow social distancing requirements so I felt fine going in! I went with a couple friends and it felt like a cool little hangout! We ordered a few appetizers and the two drinks we wanted to try, however they were out of certain ingredients to make both so we opted for options they suggested and we weren't disappointed. They even offered us to try their private Makers Mark label which was delicious. We had a great time on our first visit so we inquired when they would receive another shipment so that we could try the two drinks we really wanted to try. They provided us with a day so we made a point to visit the day after the day they were to receive the shipment. Our second visit was just fine, however, when we ordered the two drinks again, they weren't able to offer it due to missing ingredients. Again we had a good time, but we're very disappointed that we still weren't able to order what we originally wanted to order when we wanted to try this place.

Fabulous vibe drinks are delicious and the servers were very attentive. Noise level in the place is just right. Would recommend this place to anyone visiting Raleigh NC, and locals.

I can't say I was a huge fan. We stopped in for a drink having made a reservation before and we were about 30 mins early, but they were able to seat us, which is awesome. When you enter, you're greeted by the hostess and asked to step in front of a screen that "confirms" that you're wearing a mask, and then hold your wrist out for your temperature to be taken. All of this is great, no complaints. That's when we noticed there was absolutely no distancing going on whatsoever. We were seated right in between two other tables - I could casually reach my arm out and touch the person next to me, so that didn't make me feel too comfortable. Employees were wearing masks or bandanas, but no one else was at any point after being seated. My husband ordered a Lucky something cocktail and it did taste like Lucky Charms, but it was so sweet and oddly clear. I got the Baby 81 and it was just plain weird...like it was trying to be a couple of different things and couldn't decide which. We decided to just have our drinks and go because we weren't entirely comfortable and the drinks didn't wow us. Prices are comparable to other cocktail bars nearby, so I think we'll stick with those when they're able to reopen.

Try their cocktail class - super intimate and engaging. Learned a ton about foundational rules for craft cocktails and got to enjoy them in a cozy, quiet corner of the bar. Fun!

First time here for my friend and I, absolutely loved it , we only sat at the bar but the drinks were very tasty and it was pretty busy for a early Saturday night. Would recommend to anyone!

Killjoy has such a cute vibe! The inside is beautiful from the wall decor to the plush couches it is an instragrammers ideal lounge/bar. The service and drinks are very good, and they even have mocktail options. A great spot for pre dinner drinks or a girls night out!

I'm a little torn on this spot. I like the vibes (of course, it's very similar to Haymaker) but I'm not sure if I'll like this spot post-COVID because it could be a little too IG (Instagram) for me. The drinks were interesting and good but not my favorite. For round 1 we tried the Baby 81 and Liberty Square and for round 2 we tried the Ube Old Fashioned and The Luckiest. I did really like that this cocktail bar offered spirit-free cocktails. It's definitely worth checking out just make a reservation before you go.

Really cool, different cocktails! The prices are steep, but I think probably worth the splurge every now and then. The location is great, off the chaos of Glenwood. And great ambiance!

Cozy spot for a good cocktail. Felt very safe during Covid; only a couple other customers there and very spread out. There are a few food items on the menu. Both the cauliflower hummus and pimento cheese spread were phenomenal.

Awesome drinks and atmosphere. Super attentive staff with an overall great vibe. Cody is a fantastic bartender- the best in the triangle!

Beautiful spot, ok location. The drinks were very good but service was awful! We were the first people there (and the only). We ordered three drinks at the bar and were told to sit since they would take awful. When the drinks never got to us (again we're the only people there) we found them sitting at the bar. Honestly probably wouldn't go again

We were here for the first time. We don't drink alcohol and hence when looking up for places with good mocktails, Killjoy came up on the search. They have got some amazing maocktails and there are some cocktails which can be made mocktails too! We got Orange Dreamsicle and Pear Cream Soda, both were too good! Situated in downtown Raleigh, they have amazing ambiance and great comfortable space. We will be coming here often to try it all out. Definitely one of the must recommended places!

Great find. Good drinks and friendly atmosphere'. Definitely will be back again next time I'm in Raleigh.

The atmosphere is so cute and picture worthy, but the cocktails are deceiving. I ordered the skeleton key and when he brought it to me, there was no skeleton leaf. I asked for the leaf and he said they had run out. I really wish he would have told me to begin with cause in reality it tasted like an $11 vodka soda. Other than that, we had a great experience. I also ordered the Baby 81 which tasted delightful. We ordered every small plate and enjoyed them as well.

I was really surprised to see the reviews about the employees being awesome but then didn't experience the same energy. I think the reviews may have been referencing class experiences though. When we walked in we weren't greeted and had to ask do we seat ourselves. After 10 minutes of seating, we were then told we are to order at the bar. I didn't understand if we walked in and asked do we seat ourselves why it didn't prompt the employee to explain the process. That was a clue it was our first time. We ordered two drinks which for the price and size of glass is ridiculous. The decor is really nice though. Overall, I wouldn't return. There were others bars I enjoyed more.

Have only been in Raleigh a week (just moved here) but I think I found a great go-to spot. Nikki & Alex were amazing! They made delicious cocktails + were extremely personable & gave recommendations on other spots to check out in Raleigh. Highly recommend checking this spot out!!

Incorrect hours of operation. Showed up at nine when suppose to close at 10. Drove 30 minutes to be turned away on my birthday.

Glad we stopped by, we will definitely be back! The inside is insta-worthy and they did a really nice job with it. Our drinks were great and the bartender was really nice! This place reminds us of our time living in nyc -- faaaaancy