The Cardinal Bar

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

I haven’t had any remarkably negative experience with the bartenders. I did it for ten years, not every day is sunshine and rainbows. But all the stupid little signs they’ve plastered the bar with are genuinely mean spirited and pretentious. And the owners have proven more than once (quite publicly as well) that they are the type to respond to that critique with something along the lines of “if you don’t like it get out, snowflake.” The DMV is more inviting than the vibe here.

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!

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.

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

Cardinal is one of very few real bars left around Raleigh. First things first, staff is amazing. Always friendly, sarcastic, but professional. The dogs are 3.75! Chili or slaw is 0.50! That’s a real deal. Authentic and delicious. Tell them you want a weenie for your pups! They’ll make one for them, too. My aussies and I love coming here. In talking to the staff, the owner throws them a solid EOY party and even closes next day to let them recover. You don’t see that these days. Please support one of the real, real businesses that loves you, your pupper, and your love for authentic bars.

Preface this by stating we went at lunch time and it wasn't busy. Simple order system where you check what you want on your dogs. Fun signs everywhere. Bartenders super personable. Hot dogs had good texture, perfect amount of tasty toppings and loved the toasted buns.

Love this place! The BEST hotdogs!

Hot dogs RIP!!!!! my glizzy tasted amazing as i pounded a couple micky ultras with the fellasssss! People were great, vibe was sophisticated!

The Cardinal Bar is a really cool place that's been around awhile. It's a neighborhood joint in a rapidly gentrifying area of downtown Raleigh. The beer is cold and the hotdogs are good. Prices here are reasonable and two dogs, chips and a beer will set you back about twenty bucks. Service was good also. There is plenty of seating and there is a parking lot and street parking available.

Cool little dive bar, had great conversations and laughs, they have these famous hot dogs..bar staff were fun and engaging.

cool little dive bar with yummy hotdogs. slither in grab a basic beer and enjoy listening to the local banter. the afternoon i visited they were all watching slasher horror flicks. it was pretty fun. the bartender was a cross between a young robin williams/bradley cooper/and my son-in-law maybe it was the cocktail he concocted for me. worth a visit!

BEST dive bar in town!! And don't pass up on the hot dogs - they are literally EPIC. {{*.*}}

The Cardinal is a good little spot with a small patio off the main strip of downtown so it has more of a dive bar feel/atmosphere. It is kind of nice because I feel like it draws a slightly older crowd vs the typical younger Glenwood crowd. The patio is small with not that many seats. We just came for a beer and it was a good time to sit and chat, very laid back!

My favorite bar in Raleigh. Absolutely must go here and get a hot dog and beer. If you are really in the mood, drop a peppercini shot.

I love a bar that tells you exactly what it is, and what is isn't. Makes so much space for pesky dummies to have none of their points proven. I'm not sure that I'd go as far as to call this a dive bar as it's very clean and I'd actually eat here, but it is one. And it's a damn good one. Have a few drinks on the patio. Dip into the air conditioned small bar space, where your bartenders will also be making you hotdogs which is honestly a #dream. Crowd is super diverse and everyone is seemingly super nice. A win if wins.

It was the perfect place for a birthday celebration with close friends! The hot dogs were delicious as well as the chips. The service was very fast and we had a large group. I will go again!

after a night out at the bars, all I wanted was a chili dog! I had seen someone post about Cardinal on Instagram the other night and wanted to try it out. Definitely didn't disappoint! I recommend getting it with chili, cheese and onions

This bar would be one of the best dive bars in Raleigh if it weren't for the arrogant bartenders. It seems like they always have a remark about something. Sure, the beers are cheap and the hot dogs are delicious, but it is hard to justify dealing with the bartenders just for a hot dog I could go get off of the street of Glenwood.

Preface this by stating we went at lunch time and it wasn't busy. Simple order system where you check what you want on your dogs. Fun signs everywhere. Bartenders super personable. Hot dogs had good texture, perfect amount of tasty toppings and loved the toasted buns.

We came in here for a quick drink and everyone had a hot dog in their hand! We had just eaten so we weren't hungry, but I think we may need to try them out next time. The bartenders made the BEST lemon drop shots I've ever had. We will be back!

Beer, booze and hotdogs. What else do you need. Thanks for the great service. Xxxxxxx

Toasted (or was it griddled?) New England style hot dog buns and a tasty dog. Simple and done well. A bonus plus to the creativity the servers put into the way they call out the ready orders. A laugh riot!

Stumbled upon this semi-hidden bar last night. After reading other reviews it seems pretty typical that people come here for a drink and a hot dog, and end up staying quite a while! The Cardinal has a super chill environment. Sit inside or on the outdoor deck. Order a dog with beer onions and Zapp's voodoo chips on the side (my fave). The hot dogs are delicious and made to order. Chat it up with the staff and neighboring drinkers. Have a beer (or 4) and you're set! I'm looking forward to checking out The Cardinal again since last night's visit was my first. Seems like the no frills type of place that could really steal your heart. Tips: Gender neutral bathrooms Private parking lot Decent wine selection Juke box - $1 a song! 1 tv inside showing ESPN

So glad a friend told me about this spot. This joint has great Hot Dogs. Polite and helpful staff. Atmosphere was perfect. They are not afraid to be honest. You can get away with a lot when you're food and service is on point!

Went here a couple of times with friends. Pretty cool dive, hot dogs hit the spot, enjoyed the pinball table, blonde bartender was charmingly icy in a "we'll be nicer when you're a regular" kinda way, and the beer was nice and cold. Did get a weird alt-right kinda vibe from the place that I couldn't quite shake, and wouldn't you know it, I checked their official bar Instagram follows and right there is James O'Keefe. Never let it be said that I can't read a room. I'll personally be steering clear of the place, but I'll give it three stars because it would be a pretty cool hangout for your next Proud Boy meetup or a Welcome Home party when the Feds release you for storming the Capitol.

A bar and hot dog joint, you say? My prejudice murmured "must be run-of-the-mill hot dogs, those take it or leave it dogs (you're probably better off leaving it) from the store that they mark up for convenience". But No No No! These reasonably priced dogs are deliiiiicious! We begin with the base dog of $3 with offerings of ketchup, mustard, relish, and sriracha at no charge. Other fixings can be added for additional money (maybe $.25 each i think?). You're vegetarian? They have a tasty veggie dog for you for a dollar more. Numerous friends have commented on the excellence of the non-meat option. Not just a "oh its an ok veggie dog" but a, "This is a great veggie dog!". Either meat or meatless, the dog comes out in a toasted bun as to the likes of grilled cheese (minus the cheese of course. We're talking dogs here.). So. Darn. Delicious! The place is small and comfortable with the inside accommodating two tables of 6, two tables of 4, and a bar of about 10 or so stools. There are a few arcade games in the corner and a giant map of Raleigh on the wall for a trendy fun atmosphere. The outside covered porch has a lot more seating and those stand up heaters. And as an extra bonus, there's an arm chair seat in one of the bathrooms. That may mean nothing to you.. but for some, that's a big deal :) The bar is stocked with liquor galore and a variety of beers. On the two occasions I've been here, the bartenders have been friendly and chilled out. A nice place to relax with a brew and a good eat or to just grab a quick tasty bite and peace out.

This spot is definitely a dive. We stopped in to grab a few drinks before heading to dinner. There were only two draft beer options available, both from Crank Arm. I went with a Trophy can option. The hot dogs looked very tasty, I'll have to come back soon for one of those. In the end, it's a chill bar with cool views from the patio.

5 star Hot Dog , if you want fancy go to Second Empire! This place is just solid, no frills , place to chill by yourself or hang out with good friends. Cold beer & hot dogs with a great juke box and front porch with a view, what else could you possibly want. It's a great spot!

Yes. If your wondering if you should visit here, your asking the wrong question. The only correct questions are, how quick can you get here and why haven't you gone before?!?!?! It's a dive bar with adorable digs and the most mouth watering dogs that are more addictive then cake to a fat kid.

Great staff, solid beer and shots, incredible hot dogs. 10/10 recommend. Shout out to Sal and Austin, my incredible bartenders!

I like that this place keeps it simple- just hot dogs and a bar. Nothing fancy but a fun place to hang out and the dogs are delicious and cheap! I had several veggie dogs- seriously the best veg dogs I've ever had and were cooked perfectly on a toasty bun. My friends had the beef dogs and loved them- they went back for seconds! You can customize your dogs with simple toppings- chili/slaw/relish/cheese/condiments. Nice porch to hang out on and very chill vibe all around. The place is small so I could see it getting packed on a busy weekend. I'll definitely be back!

This has been my favorite bar in Raleigh for a couple years but they've been slipping lately. Bartenders could be more friendly. Also do not get a pepperoncini shot if you see them pour the liqour in the pepper jar WHILE you are there. The vodka needs time to marinate in the peppers, otherwise you're getting a straight shot of military special vodka. 4 stars cuz they're still my favorite bar and the service industry bar is set pretty dang low right now.

I don't usually take shots, especially not on a Saturday afternoon, but the large tank of pepperoncini marinated in vodka convinced me otherwise, and I'm so glad I did it. Served with a shooter of Bloody Mary mix, this was a strange, spicy treat in my mouth that paired well with the buttery hot dog bun that I had also ordered. For those who don't want to have straight up vodka, The Cardinal has tons of other great options, including a few select beers on tap and a huge selection of everything else. Order a hot dog (customized the way you want) and it'll instantly become your favorite hot dog in Raleigh, especially with the pickled okra garnish. A perfect place to spend a weekend afternoon, especially when warm and sunny -- you'll have a great skyline view of Raleigh, I promise.

Hot dogs were good and it definitely gives dive bar feel. Was super sused out upon pulling up because a bar regular outside smoking cigarettes was staring daggers into my car. Was immediately more uncomfortable after seeing the "Maskless entry only" sign. Got a really weird vide from the staff and bar as a whole. They forgot my chips but made me uncomfortable enough to not want to ask. Won't be going back but the food was solid. If you're black or gay, don't go.

Cardinal Bar is quickly becoming one of my favorite bars in Raleigh. I had been several times in the past and had some drinks with friends. They usually have a few beers on tap (which they switch up), and a good selection of cans. This past Tuesday, I went by and had what was supposed to be a quick lunch. I ended up hanging around for a bit and watched some of the soccer game that was on. Just ordered a few hotdogs and a few beers and chilled. Everyone that I have met working there is good people.. The hot dogs are fantastic.. I love how you just fill out a little card and pick out all your toppings. The pickled okra you can order on the side is a nice little touch as well. Bonus points for the mural right there of the old Raleigh bikes ad. Maybe my favorite mural in Raleigh...

One of my favorite spots in Raleigh, almost reluctant to share that. It also happens to be my 9 year old son's absolute favorite place in Raleigh, so this isn't exclusively late night. Love the hot dogs - buns get some mayonnaise and a toast on the griddle, don't forget to opt in for the pickled okra on your order sheet - give it to me if you don't want it. Life is simple when your choice for chips is exclusive to the best possible chips, Voodoo by Zapp's. Great to eat in, or on the porch - you can sit in a place that feels real and look out over Kane's plastic Smoky Hollow monstrosity.

Came into The Cardinal Bar while visiting a friend in Raleigh because I'd heard they had good hot dogs. I didn't realize it held the private club status so I was a bit anxious walking in. I stood at the bar and the bartender approached. I said that this was my first visit and, in the most enthusiastic way, the bartender said "Welcome to the f*ckin Cardinal Bar!" What a perfect way to be welcomed; all my worries were washed away. I ordered a beer and sipped it while I filled out the membership paperwork. I'm now a proud member of The Cardinal Bar. I completed the slip of paper for hot dog orders and took a seat on the heated deck because the inside was packed. The deck has a great view of downtown. The hot dog was delicious too. Tasty chili, good slaw, and a fantastic, toasted split top bun. Just wonderful. Get you to The Cardinal Bar for a good time.

They have VEGGIE DOGS! Thank you! Definitely found my go to hot dog spot. You pay for what you get and have a simple variety of toppings. Cute local bar with a decent view as well. Loving the vibe of the patio.

I only give this two stars instead of 1 because there were people there clearly enjoying their food. Sadly I didn't get to try any because I stood at the door for a while waiting for someone to tell me to be seated or to be offered a menu. I take it this is a locals spot where people just know what to do and where to go but the newbies kinda get lost in the shuffle. I should add it wasn't busy, and coming from a restaurant family I know busy and you can always make eye contact to let someone know you're coming to help. But none of that. And looking at other reviews I've see now customer service is not their strong point.

Incredible hole in the wall atmosphere. All they have is hotdogs but they have enough toppings to make it interesting. I ate two and had to order a third, that's how good they were. Hotdogs were made to order but were fast and absolutely delicious. The bun was a toasted split top roll and was arguably the best part. Only one option for chips which is Zapp's Voodoo, which in my option, are the best anyway. I hope to come back here many times.

We went to this bar after a show at PNC Arena. It was fine. Hotdogs were fine but took ages to come out despite there not being much of a crowd or a "rush" at the establishment. The male bartender and female cook were so drunk they could hardly stand upright. We ordered a round of beers and shots for our party, and then it took an additional fifteen minutes to receive a round of waters that we had asked for. It took half an hour to get our hotdogs. The dogs were tasty but it's ridiculous and unacceptable how inebriated the staff was. Other members of our group got tired of waiting for their food so we just left and went elsewhere. Do better. The sign as you walk in says to "lower your standards"- we did. It's not a great business model to have your patrons lower their expectations to zero and STILL disappoint your them.

A neighborhood bar that exclusively served spirits and hot dogs. I'm in! The execution of this establishment could've been sketchy at best. In actuality, Cardinal Bar is such a nice place to hang out, people watch, or read a book while drinking a beer or cocktail. The hot dogs are SO GOOD. They're fresh and the coleslaw doesn't make me feel like I'm eating something healthy. I'm a fan!

Best veggie dogs downtown Raleigh....... and dope staff You could definitely bring a nice date here

Seriously, what's not to love. Hot dogs, booze, and patios, also known as the Holy Trinity. The folks behind the bar are awesome! Hot dogs are great, no-frills booze - A+ in my book. A nice place to avoid the college kids that are known to plague Glenwood Ave! Definitely a spot that is great year-round!

Great spot for a hot dog, some voodoo chips, and some High Life ponies. Fun environment. Plenty of parking.

Great for small groups! The hot dogs were excellent and I really enjoyed the music especially the rock music that you could pick on the pay to play machine. I highly recommend if you want a new laidback bar to go to with friends.

Loved our first trip there! It's in a good spot in a quiet neighborhood and is a hidden gem. The view from the front porch is really pretty and you have the option of sitting inside or outside. Whether or not you want a hot dog definitely come for the good ambience and drinks. But if you're smart you'll order a dog at some point! Just goes to prove if you do simple food with high-quality ingredients the result is delicious.

Had a really bad experience at Cardinal last week. It was a weeknight and the place was semi busy but not busy enough that we couldn't order right away. It had been awhile since I've been here so I didn't exactly remember how to order / what they had on the menu. I don't care what kind of establishment you are but when I'm a paying customer asking a question, I deserve to be treated with respect. Whenever we asked the rude female bartender a question, she was obviously annoyed with answering. We finally ordered our hot dogs and asked what was on the beer list ... guess you're not aloud to ask what beer they sell? You get yelled at if you ask that apparently. We couldn't really see the bottles in the other side of the bar, she angrily pointed at, "the beer list." We asked if they had bud light to keep it simple and the. she yelled the names of the beers up there as quick as she could. I mean serious attitude. We were so uncomfortable we ate and left ASAP. I don't really care about your rude signs or whatever kind of schtick you're trying to pull. Be nice to people. Especially paying customers.

As a self proclaimed hot dog connoisseur I have to say The Cardinal Bar serves up some of the best dogs in Raleigh. The toppings, the bun...perfection! I especially love their slaw. Its different than most other's I've tried anywhere. The atmosphere in general is great. They have some nice covered outdoor seating too. The vibe is chill and the bartenders are friendly and serve up great drinks!

I gave it a 5 only because 6 isn't an option. The hot dogs.. daaaaaaaammmmnnn. Just fantastic. We roll in from Holly Springs often to have hot dogs, VooDoo chips and whatever they got marinating in tanks on the bar. This time was banana peppers in Vodka so naturally I had a Bloody Mary with that as the booze! Spicy but tasty. It's small but easy and they have a great patio area. It's a millennial bar and I'm 40 but I don't care cause the service is good and unpretentious. While it's a bar ( and I'm sure some of you will call me " parent of the year" for this) and not really for kids, we took our 13 and 7 year old in there anyway for 40 min to have a hot dog and watch the end of a game and they loved the atmosphere.

This is the real deal. If you love hotdogs this is the Mecca. It's all about the love and this place has the love. Gotta try it at least once, get a chili and slaw dog. Once you do, you will know. Enlightenment will follow.

I love a small, homey place. I love how simple the menu is! The dawgs were soo good!! Highly recommend this somewhat hidden gem!

The Saturday day crew are the best. They tell dry-humored hotdog jokes to customers. KILLER wieners and they have a pinball machine - very important.

Great little neighborhood pub serving grilled hot dogs on a split bun that's warm and toasty! Beer selection is all craft and a bit obscure but we found something we all liked. I had a dog with chili, beer onions and mustard which was on point! Highly recommend as an alternative to the Roast Grill! Soon to be famous!

Let me tell you a little about the bartender's, Jobie, dog, Rox. I met him a few days after they got him, he's a mini Rottweiler, adorable (and still is). But as with all puppies, they're gonna do puppy things, after he got his balls chopped off, one would assume they'd calm down a bit? Not this little man, he was bitter and revolted for some time. He's finally out of this phase and has accepted not having balls anymore and has blossomed into a fine young man. My coworker has nicknamed him "Out the Gate" because of the way he barrels out of the building he lives in like a little bowling ball to go for a walk. Anyway, this place is great.

I'm not sure what all the hype is about this place. The drink was above average, the hot dog was okay, and chips from a bag. You get what you pay for here!

Oh my Ghee. Laid-back, meat and veggie dogs, infused vodka w pineapple and pepperocini. Take a slip, customize your dog (try the voodoo chips) have a great drink by laid-back, friendly bartenders (thanks Doug and Austin) sit on the porch! Dog friendly! Go check it out!