The Crunkleton

Cocktail bar · Chapel Hill

The Crunkleton

Cocktail bar · Chapel Hill

2

320 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

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Highlights

A sophisticated, cozy retreat in Chapel Hill, this private club boasts over 500 spirits and exceptional handcrafted cocktails, perfect for a refined evening.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

320 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Get directions

thecrunkleton.com
@thecrunkleton

$$

Information

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320 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Get directions

+1 919 969 1125
thecrunkleton.com
@thecrunkleton

$$

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Jul 11, 2025

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@eater

"For speciality cocktail bars like Durham’s Kingfisher, Charlotte’s Dot-Dot-Dot, or Chapel Hill’s famed bar the Crunkleton, liquor drinks are their bread and butter." - Matt Lardie

North Carolina Senate Halts To-Go Cocktails for Bars - Eater Carolinas
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@infatuation

"Craft breweries and taprooms are everywhere in the Triangle, but cocktail bars are still harder to come by. The Crunkleton is easy to miss on Franklin (the main street that runs adjacent to UNC’s campus), but it’s the best cocktail bar in Chapel Hill. If it’s your first time, you’ll need to sign up for a membership - North Carolina technically doesn’t allow bars, so any place that serves alcohol without food is classified as a “private club” - but it’s just a matter of signing a piece of paper and paying a $5 fee. Pick something from the leather-bound cocktail menu, like the Carrboro 75 (our favorite) or a mezcal sour, or have one of the bowtied bartenders make you something different." - Christine Byrne

The Crunkleton - Review - Chapel Hill - North Carolina - The Infatuation
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Lindsay Holton

Google
Love the vibes of this rustic old school bar. The drinks are delicious and well balanced. The bartenders are attentive and have knowledge on the alcohol. A must if you are looking for a great drink.

Dilruba Dulgeroglu

Google
The Crunkleton🎷🍸🩸One of my favourite spots in Chapel Hill❣️ Like a haven for those seeking a refined atmosphere and top notch cocktails🫠 With its sophisticated ambiance, it’s the perfect spot to indulge in an elite cocktail experience🍹 The Crunkleton never disappoints, making it a cherished destination for authentic enthusiasts🥀

Avery Holton

Google
Great spot for an elevated bourbon or cocktail experience. Solid selection and very knowledgeable staff add to this gem, which gives speakeasy vibes. Low light and leather keep the vibe going, and the pool table at the end of the joint adds just a touch of socializing space. Added bonus: if you see a whiskey you want to try but aren’t quite sure you want a full pour, they offer smaller pours, too. Highly recommend.

Isabella Grandic

Google
Actually really enjoyed. Got the elderflower signature drink. Ginger forward but super nice. The cucumber was really good. It’s a bit pricy, $15 per drink. But ambient atmosphere for a conversation. Empty on a Sunday at 7p but got populated by 8:30. Sophisticated vibe. Great lighting.

Rob Mihelic

Google
One of the nicest spots in Chapel Hill. It's clean, classy, and elevated. The cocktails are wonderful, and their whisky selection is large! A lot of good, hard to find, rare, and allocated whiskies. Prices can be a little high, but the atmosphere makes it worth it. The pool table in the back is great! The decor is great! The service is top class! And the drinks are unique and good! Parking can be difficult to find. Not kid friendly. Very Handicap accessible.

Adele Sommerville

Google
Very nice bar on Franklin St. The bartenders are extremely nice and make great drinks. We go there a lot for company events and everyone seems to enjoy this venue. Highly recommend it.

Olivian Ingledue

Google
Excellent experience all around. Both cocktails were delicious (and large!). My boyfriend got the Painkiller and I got the Bourbon Bramble. The atmosphere is unbeatable, it feels like a cozy hole in the wall tavern. Long live The Crunkleton!

Oceanthebartender

Google
Excellent cocktail bar and den of spirits here in Chaple Hil NC. The Bartenders are knowledgeable about craft and spirits. The experience was solid. I had the Painkiller and it's good. Very solid and tasty I wouldn't say it's the best Painkiller I've ever had but I also couldn't say it wasn't the best. I'm not sure I'm sold on the vibe here. I think the music was very lacking in connectivity as far as inspiring a clientele. However I dig the jazzy vibe so it's hard to doc for that. I think ky experience is marred by how much this particular concept was hyped up to me. But all in all I def would say this is a whiskey lovers paradise and if your in town for a night or two this place 100% has your bourbon/whiskey/cocktail fix and that's an Ocean guarantee 💯. Come hang out have a drink and see what the vibes are. Hopefully I'm not blowing smoke up your crunkleton.

Will M.

Yelp
Great vibe, awesome service, incredible selection of booze, and our cocktail waitress was incredible. Great place to sit back and enjoy!

Jenny D.

Yelp
Went in early December and they have all their holiday decor out! I honestly think that added so much magic to the ambience of the bar. It was giving me Hogsmead/ Hogshead at Christmas vibes and I loved it. I had one drink and it was OK. Tasted like alcoholic sweet tarts which wasn't my thing. I think next time I'll stick to something less fancy with rum in it. A major mention: This place is not for people that can't afford a $15 drink (idk how I found myself here then on that logic). This is definitely going to be more the scene of older grad students or above and with that, a higher income. Unfortunately, on a normal day, I definitely wouldn't come because of the prices, but the staff were nice and the place was pretty clean. I'm taking away a star mostly because the prices are just so high (one drink was literally $26 and I believe on the lower end it was like $12) but otherwise it's a nice little celebratory / special event place.

Mary W.

Yelp
Cool cocktail spot off Franklin. In a sea of dive bars, The Crunkleton offers a more upscale drinking lounge with unique cocktails and cozy vibes. It gets absolutely slammed here, but you can usually snag a spot at one of their friendship bars and they do a great job with managing the crowd. The pool table in the back is a nice touch and adds to the appeal of this spot. I had the Bourbon Bramble which was very boozy and bourbon forward, but a little sweet for my taste. Still tasty though! My mom had the Dusty Cactus which was also sweet but also spicy. I'd definitely come back here to check out some of the other cocktails on the menu!

Jeni E.

Yelp
It's not a secret, this place has a well known quality cocktail list with impressive mixologists. As a person that enjoys both, a cocktail and a mocktail, I was pleased that they have both options (though only two mocktails) on the menu. Also, there are many more cocktail options on their in person menu compared to the online menu. Service is quick and it's a first come first serve for seating. I'm looking forward to going back to see if a week night is a little calmer since Saturday night was loud and FULL!

Victoria N.

Yelp
I like the decor and the cozy feel of this bar. Also, I noticed fewer college students here-which is a nice change of scenery after our bar crawl. The bartender we had was standoffish so that was unfortunate. I had the elderflower sour, which almost tasted like a Moscow Mule. For my second drink, I asked for a bourbon smash and our bartender was not pleased that I went off the menu. But he made a decent one despite being his first time making it. The cocktails weren't bad and the prices were comparable to other nice cocktail bars I've been to but the staff made it less of a welcoming atmosphere.

Daniel B.

Yelp
The Crunkleton is a good bar. I'm not sure whether to rate my experience three stars (OK) or four (good). The reason why I would rate my experience three stars is because the bar was too loud and crowded. I know bars are loud, but the music here was exceptionally loud. It was one of those situations where you had to talk really really loud just to talk to the people next to you. It's like we're screaming into each other's faces. Not ideal for me. As far as crowding, the bar was a few people deep almost all the way around. They stopped letting people in shortly after we arrived on a Saturday night around 10pm. I saw the hostess stop a group of what looked like undergrads from entering. I heard her say to them, "One out, one in." One of the guys replied to her, "One out, four in." Kudos to her for standing her ground. I imagine that's when the job's not fun. We sat in the chairs and sofa by the entrance, with a line of people out the door, waiting to get in. Not gonna lie - it felt a little uncomfortable and awkward for me with so many folks waiting and (sometimes) watching us, but I'm sure others didn't care. We left after 11pm. On the way out, we passed a line of people waiting to get in. The Crunkleton was at and stayed at max capacity. My wife and the friends we came with have been here multiple times. This was my first time and I have no desire to come back if it's always as packed and loud as I described above. However, I do think this is a very cool bar in terms of the aesthetic, overall vision/design, and service, hence why I think this is a four-star bar. This would be a place I'd love to come to if it wasn't so crowded and loud. I like the low-key storefront and its large foldable windows with bench seating that open up onto Franklin Street. The interior looks classy and sophisticated with old portraits, hunting trophies, and a dark wood/leather sort of feel. The staff are uniformed in dress shirts, aprons, and bowties. I heard and read that this was, is, or has a members-only component to it. It definitely wasn't members-only the night of our visit nor the nights of my wife's and friends' visits. I did see on The Crunkleton's website that the Charlotte location is a "private club, open to members and their guests. Memberships are $10 annually and can be purchased at the door or online." The Charlotte location opened in December 2018: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-crunkleton-charlotte. It has a restaurant. This original location in Chapel Hill opened in 2008. It's a bar only. No restaurant. A third location is opening soon in Raleigh's Smoky Hollow mixed-use development. It will be a restaurant and bar like the Charlotte location. The crowd here was interesting. It was a mix of young and old. College students and folks in their 50s and 60s. And then there was us, right in the middle (30s and 40s). One of the first guys I spoke to here was wearing an old-school WWF Intercontinental Championship belt over his shoulder. Certainly a conversation-starter. The cocktail menu I was given by the host had 16 cocktails priced at $14-17 each plus six barrel-aged cocktails priced at $18 each. For each drink, the menu identified the bartender/mixologist who created it. I thought that was a nice touch. I counted six drinks by The Crunkleton's founder-owner, Gary Crunkleton. Here's what we had: * The French 75 popularized by Chris Hannah ($16) - cognac, London Dry Gin, curacao, lemon, champagne * Elderflower Sour by Gary Crunkleton ($14) - London Dry Gin, St-Germain, ginger, lime, cucumber * Gin Gin Mule by Audrey Saunders ($15) - gin, ginger, lime, mint, sugar We got a couple of the Gin Gin Mules. Everything tasted great. The drinks were strong and delicious. I'm not a cocktail connoisseur, so I can't appreciate the finer details. What I do know is these drinks tasted well-made and high-quality. I've had bad and/or weak cocktails and these were not that. These were very good. The two Crunkleton employees I interacted at were pleasant/nice. Good service. If you like bars and have never been to The Crunkleton in Chapel Hill, it's worth checking out. It's established itself as quintessential to Chapel Hill's nightlife. We parked for free across the street, next to 411 West Italian Cafe, in the 415 West Franklin Street Lot. There are several places to park for The Crunkleton including on the street, in the aforementioned lot, and in other nearby lots. Street parking and the lot we parked in cost money Monday-Saturday, 8am-6pm, except town holidays. Enforced by the Town of Chapel Hill.

Kendre W.

Yelp
Stopped in for a quick drink and to catch up with some friends in the area. It was cozy and sexy with a casual flare. Clean bathroom, clean place, interesting music. A back in the day speak easy kinda place. A definite recommend.

Karen Z.

Yelp
It is such a shame that I am having to write this review, but it needs to be known that this establishment is very unwelcoming to people of color. I am not one to write negative reviews, or to claim that prejudices have been dealt against me, but the experience I had today at the Crunkleton simply cannot be left untold, and was unequivocally shameful. My group of 6 friends, all graduating UNC dental students and all Black, Brown, and Asian, visited tonight, and the host turned us away at the door, stating that the building was at capacity and we could not enter until others left. That made sense, so we exited without questioning and waited outside. However, immediately as we were exiting, a similarly-sized group of all white folks approached the entrance, and were allowed to enter. No other people had left from the building between our two groups. Now, I will leave that up to you to decide what the difference was between our two groups, but to me it is clear what that difference is, and it is so shameful that an establishment in Chapel Hill or anywhere would act in this way. This is not the only instance of such unwelcoming behavior either. I have other Asian friends who, on another occasion, have been repeatedly ignored and refused service at the bar (they luckily were at least let in) while other white counterparts were served around them. Suffice to say, I hope anyone reading this review thinks twice about the bar they choose to be a patron of, and stay away from the Crunkleton-- an establishment that is unwelcoming at the least, and racist at the most.

Ryan A.

Yelp
If you're after rare bourbons and true craft drinks, this place is it. It's classy, comfortable and has some of the best mixologists in the area. Friendly and capable. Good spot for people watching. One of my favorite places around.

Eric S.

Yelp
Went there to knock off a couple of stiff drinks on a Tuesday afternoon w a work colleague. Superb choice. Cocktails were perfectly mixed, good booze, excellent service. As I said to my buddy: "good thing there is not a bar like this near my university (workplace)."

Shawn M.

Yelp
They're really great people here and they're very knowledgeable mixologist but still sit and chat for a while. If things settle down with the crowd I come here every time I'm in Chapel Hill I would never miss a trip to the Crunkleton.

Vu T.

Yelp
Great spot to grab a drink and meet some new people! Collin the bartender there is amazing. Definitely a spot to stop by if you are in town, their selections are boundless!

Jennifer C.

Yelp
Lovely little spot in North Carolina. Visited with my brother and we had a nice time.

Kirk F.

Yelp
I've been by when this bar was roaring--and I'd give it a pass. This is not what I want for a raver where you and your friends have to shout at each other and your elbow is being banged and you have to fight for attention--there are plenty of places for that on Franklin. I don't need 43 choices of fine bourbon if I am slamming it down and have to yell to be heard. BUT, BUT, BUT...on a quietish night where you have space at the bar, and the bartender mixes you an old fashioned that goes down as smooth as silk and you can take the time to sip it and quietly chat to the people you came in with, with people murmuring to each other in the twilight...this bar is magic and worth seeking out.

Kristin U.

Yelp
Fun bar! Came here because a friend said they have Painkillers on the menu. I like my Painkillers frozen, so ordered the Elderflower Sour instead which was delicious with the right amount of gin, St Germain, cucumber, lime and ginger. We also ordered the French 75 which was well balanced, and the Oaxacan Sour. Met Gary himself, who credits the inspirations or creators of featured cocktails. Cool lounge in the front, pool table in the back.

Sophia N.

Yelp
The classiest bar on Franklin St, granted the bar is not that high. I went on a Saturday night and it wasn't too crowded but definitely many college boys in khaki shorts and boat shoes. The drink was good but nothing special. I recommend it for a date night or a GNO!

Ted G.

Yelp
My first impression when walking into The Crunkleton was an upscale version of cheers! The large and cozy leather furniture, surrounded by the wood decor, lit up by the warm ambient lighting really creates a comfortable environment. I was absolutely amazed with the size of the bar within this comfortable venue and have no doubt they could make any drink the imagination could cook up. Much to my delight the large front windows open up to the street, giving you the option to sit outside without having to sit out on the sidewalk. The drinks are excellent, and the company is definitely casual and more upscale. Cheers!

Tom H.

Yelp
Amazing relaxed experience couple with the best cocktail service anywhere in the USA. Lucky to have this sanctuary of relief to enjoy the best cocktails. Cheers!

Joe T.

Yelp
The service was A+ , our bartender was personable, punctual and knowledgeable, drinks were all poured with a heavy hand and tasted great, chill trophy game room vibe, free pool , a win win

Rick D.

Yelp
This place has some wonderful drinks and mixologist and wonderful and relaxing looking sitting area, then you find that instead of relaxing this place is confused does it want to appeal to the kids or the grownups that spend money. The place gives you the look of come on in and relax but then the music is too loud and which causes people to have to scream at each other which adds on to the noise, it really is unbearable past one drink, so go have a drink and get out. IF your coming in to play pool and get sloshed this is the place for you, if you are looking to come in and relax and have a few drinks, not so much. Decide what you want to be, turn the music off build a clientele that wants to appreciate your drinks and have conversation or get rid of the fancy chairs and put in bar stools. Find an Identity!

Jacob A.

Yelp
Service. Bartender was extremely upset that my group would not pay on one tab and Venmo each other instead of paying separately. Proceeding to loudly complain about us to other customers after the fact so that we could hear it. Definitely will not be coming back

Byron Ethan A.

Yelp
Tl;dr: Well crafted coctails, professional staff, unique and engaging atmostphere. Went here after a UNC soccer game (~9pm) and found a full house. The business school hosted an event earlier and had left some catered food for grabs at the table so that was nice. Seemed like they catered from the Mediterranean kitchen next door which has great food so I definitely indulged. I got The Old Fashioned with came with three clocks of ice instead of just the one but it worked well because the ice melted a little quicker which helped me sip on it throughout the night. It was well crafted, strong and heady at the front, smooth with some citrus that lingered after the sip. The restrooms were small, the men's room had one urinal and one stall that does not lock and the washing station did not have clean towels so there was a heap of moderately damp towels in the hamper that many people were using which I did not care for, so that is my only qualm about this place!

Andrew M.

Yelp
Let's start with the bartenders. Alex and Zach behind the bar are attentive and great mixologists. I had the pleasure of trying one or their old fashioned drinks. My drink was correctly garnished and smooth, leaving you wanting me more. The venue's decor speaks for itself giving the feeling of high society, without its price. Definitely one of the places to visit while in chapel hill, if you're looking to be social and mingle, or stop by and get a drink.

M M.

Yelp
Well-made cocktails in an inviting, classy atmosphere with an interesting clientele. What's not to like?

Gabi P.

Yelp
The bartender was extremely aggressive and hostile to me and my friends for paying separately...when we didn't tip (because he was rude), he then proceeded to yell to various other patrons about how these "children" and "women" need to learn how to tip and be adults. Definitely doesn't fit the "classy" and "respectable" vibe this place presents itself as. Will not be coming back here.

Marlon T.

Yelp
I love whiskey bars in general and I very much wanted to love The Crunkleton. Up front though, I am giving this place 1 star because they made a mistake on the tip I gave. However, I never think it's a mistake and some bartender is just trying to hustle out more money from their no-future job. I know, this seems like an unfair judgement, but even if it's just a little mistake, who knows how many "little mistakes" slip on by? Also, if no one says anything, people will continue to be robbed, mistake or not. If you didn't know already, drinking establishments in North Carolina must be classified as a club. That said, The Crunkleton has a club membership fee of $5 which lasts 1 year. One membership will get you and 3 friends in. That said, if you're only going to be in Chapel Hill once and you're in a group of 4, then it'll cost $5 for 1 person, and you can take in your 3 friends. Is it worth it? I think so. It's annoying, but it's not that much money that'll allow you access to a great environment to consume amazing concoctions. The drinks are great and the atmosphere is whiskey-classic (I just made that up). I very much like how they had a bunch of vintage whiskey bottles (see pictures I uploaded). I wish I could try them all neat or as an old fashioned. I believe there is an emerging (and very limited) market for vintage cocktails. You can't really go wrong with any of their cocktails as I am certain they're all very delicious! I would consider not paying with a credit card here because they might up their tip and hope you don't notice. Beware.

Heidi U.

Yelp
this bar is just fabulous! the drinks are delicious, the bartenders are wonderful , the drink menu is varied, the decor is beautiful. if you don't know what you want, the bartenders are happy to listen to your likes and dislikes and suggest. they are also happy to adjust anything on the menu to your liking. we were fortunate enough to be in the bar when the owner, gary, was, and he spent quite some time chatting with us about bourbons and his life as well as asking about ours. definitely a spot to hit when in chapel hill

Jennifer W.

Yelp
Great atmosphere, good service but cocktails were just ok. I love a well crafted cocktail and have had my fair share from all over the world. I tried the Elderflower Sour (very tart, heartburn city), egg white whisky sour (tart, oddly served iced ice. Typically it's served up), Old Fashion (way to much butters), French 75 (super tart/sour, where is the simple syrup?). Overall cook vibe but if I came back I would not order cocktails, I would stick with wine. Everything is way to sour or tart and the cocktails are not well balanced.

Stephanie W.

Yelp
We were in town for a few days and this quickly became a favorite. The decor and feel of the bar is awesome and the music was good (although a little loud, making conversation difficult, hence the four instead of five starts). The drink menu has great options and cocktails that taste as good as they look. The bartender was very friendly and responsive. Highly recommend checking this place out!

Christopher P.

Yelp
The Crunkleton is the opposite of most bars on Franklin Street - it's meant for adults. It's not somewhere you have to worry undergrads will visit, which is probably one of the largest selling points of it at all. It's also one of the craft cocktail bars that you can expect to serve you something decent, which is a nice thing in an area where there just aren't those kind of options (save the Franklin Hotel). I appreciate the Crunkleton for what it is. Yes, there's a membership fee, which is annoying if small. It's made only more annoying by the fact that having cash to pay the fee is probably the biggest hurdle, not the price. But the drinks are quite good, and the ingredients tasty. The menu gives you some entertainment to read through. As for the environment, I have mixed feelings. It's definitely not a place where people are going to be throwing up in the bathroom, and it seems to try to invoke an upper-class older lviing room with all the wood. It's not what I'd call inviting however, but still nice. Well done, treat yourself, and come here.

Jennifer S.

Yelp
Super sad to write this as I loved this bar. I always brought my out of town guests here, it was a date night spot, last night I invited 8 of my coworkers out here...this place was my jam. Unfortunately last night the bartender totally ruined it for me. He publically harassed and belittled my friend for asking for a substitution in her drink. Not just a friendly banter, it went on and on and on. Also made insulting comments about gender pronouns and went out of the way to tell us that he will be offending someone in our group tonight. Cool goal for a person whose job it is to make the night fun. Attitude aside, he also simply seemed like a weaker bartender compared to the others I've had. Two of our group felt the proportions of ingredients were off on pretty simple drinks. Overall the experience was a total letdown. I was so embarrassed for suggesting the place, we left after one round and will not be coming back.

Meredith S.

Yelp
The bartender was beyond rude. I usually have good experiences here so I was incredibly disappointed. I absolutely will not be coming back here again.

Kathern A.

Yelp
Love this bar! We always try to make it out when we are in town. Solid for those in their late 20s or 30s

Shawna G.

Yelp
I visited The Crunkleton on 1/2/22 with my husband, sister and brother for a post-holiday outing. Conner was tending bar and provided great drink recommendations. While the bar decor is interesting and inviting, Conner was the star of the show. He had an in-depth knowledge of both scotch and bourbon. As the night wore on and more patrons entered, Conner never forgot about us. His customer service was best part of our visit and we will be back.

Jen L.

Yelp
Because I am fancy, I have been to neuvo-cocktail bars in a lot of places. And the Crunkleton has very tasty drinks with suitably hipster (said with love) barkeeps. I had a couple of their old fashioneds and thoroughly enjoyed them. My friends had wine and beer. So I'm not really sure what's going on with the membership thing and it was only sporadically enforced while I was there. Since one of my friend's is an attorney, she didn't really see a legal reason for it. Maybe it's to make you feel all exclusive? I will say that the place was full of aging frat boys the evening I was there. And that's not my favorite crowd. My friend who has been most often usually goes as part of an after work crowd from his office. Since the place is lovely and my drinks were tasty and I wasn't hassled regarding a membership card, I'm going with the 4 stars.

Sherry M.

Yelp
Great cocktails, ambiance and pool table! The Elderberry Sour and Expresso martini were delicious!

Gabriela R.

Yelp
The Crunkleton is a gem!! It's one of the only places of its kind in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area, and gives a speakeasy vibe! Usually you need a membership but with COVID they have temporarily removed that policy so I came by to give it a try and lemme tell you these bar tenders are no joke- better named mixologists. The staff is so friendly and accommodating and they pour a heavy one! They don't usually offer espresso martinis but our bartender made us a coffee martini and it was AMAZING. The Roycroft is good if you like green chartreuse but this is too heavy duty for me. 10/10 recommend the elderflower sour it's their best cocktail on the menu. Totally need to go to this place it's a treat!

Kevin S.

Yelp
A very cool bar in the heart of a very cool university. A great way to enjoy some terrific bourbons. Got to check this joint out.

Andrea H.

Yelp
I will spend the rest of my days comparing every cocktail I have with the Elderflower Sour at The Crunkleton. It wasn't just that drink that was so good. I also had a dusty cactus, which was a spicy margarita of sorts. The presentation of both drinks were spectacular and the flavor even better. The location was also terrific and beautiful. It has dark wood paneling, lots of leather and wall-mounted animal heads, which gives it that men's hunting club/room feel. The room has dim lighting, but you can still see one another. The front windows open up to let fresh air in. In addition, the bar itself tastefully displays its wide variety of liquors. There is also a pool table in the back. When it comes to seating, there is space with couches and chairs near the front, which are great for a small gathering. I was there for an engagement party, and the front area with the couches and the area right behind was a good space for mingling and being able to talk while standing or sitting (and also storing jackets/purses). In addition, there is more seating throughout that is very clever for maximizing the small space of the bar. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the bartenders. I was with a party of about 25 people - plus the bar was still open, so there were plenty of other patrons. The service was excellent. The bartenders were friendly and informative when it came to the drinks. Some of the drinks were quite involved, and it felt almost like a show watching them mix and shake. I highly recommend this bar for a delicious drink and a beautiful atmosphere that doesn't feel too stuffy.

Gerald H.

Yelp
This place has a great atmosphere and delicious food! I You cannot go wrong for a night out! We travel all the way from Raleigh for this place!

Cathy B.

Yelp
Liked this place a lot. Loved the menu, loved the furniture, loved that -- the night I went (between semesters), I basically had a whole corner of the place to myself. I tried one cocktail and did not like it - no fault of the drink; I was trying an ingredient that was new to me, and it did not sit well. The bartender did me a solid and simply replaced it with something else instead. My second drink was well assembled.

Vince G.

Yelp
Only one question ... Is this Heaven? Stopped at this place before a dinner while at an out of state conference. Whiskey wall to die for with bookshelf ladders that adds to the ambiance. Pool table and experienced whiskey mixologists. Talk to the one with the bowtie!! Every type of whiskey and liquor to choose from. I will be back tomorrow.

Josh P.

Yelp
WHAT A JOKE! AS AN OUT OF TOWN VISITOR I WALK IN AND GET TREATED LIKE AN OUTSIDER AND OUTCAST. As a lover of bourbon I was excited to check it out. I asked a question about the 1792 options they answered and walked away. I asked another question and they ignored me. What a joke! Get a grip on what hospitality is. Shame on you.

Amber M.

Yelp
We love this place! We first found it last year when we were visiting family in Chapel Hill and just happened to stop in here one day. We loved the sofa lounge area and relaxed while sipping on some of their delicious cocktails. This year, we made it a point to stop by while we were visiting the family again. We came here on a Thursday evening and they were pretty busy. We were lucky on timing and able to grab a couple seats at the bar. They have a great menu with craft cocktails, some are classic and others are very unique. The bartenders really know their selection and can also create an amazing concoction for you if they have an idea of what you like. Some of the drinks we tried on the menu: Needs More Cowbell, Bitter Southerner, Kiss Me Deadly, The Gingembre, Miss Wallace, and the Sazerac--I know we were there for a few hours watching the football game. They have a VERY impressive collection of booze, especially whiskey and bourbon. They really have anything you could want, even some lesser known options that are delicious. We even had a chance to talk to the owner about the selection and the history there, which was awesome. We absolutely love this place and can't wait to go back next time we're in the area. Definitely stop by if you're in the area!

Karly O.

Yelp
I ordered a drink. I was paying in cash and asked the bartender how much it was so I knew how much to give him. He responded "$7". I responded with "each?" to clarify the total tab. He proceeded to mock me and say "no one is 10 and the other is 7". He took a 20 for a 14 dollar tab and kept 6 for himself without returning the remaining money. He stormed off and took almost a 50% tip.

Jennifer T.

Yelp
I've been into this place two separate times. One on an early Friday afternoon, and another an early Saturday evening. Both times I loved it! Such a cool place and what an amazing vibe. The drinks are really good, there's a great variety and the bartenders are awesome at doing what they do. Make sure that if you go in you have your ID, you're aware that the drinks are going to be $10 and above, and that you may just wanna sit and lounge for a few minutes. Can't wait to go back and try some more, maybe the next time play a round of pool since there's a pool table in the back.

Ron W.

Yelp
Believe it or not, the Crunkleton is NOT the place to "get crunk"! It just happens to be the last name of the owner and the name of Chapel Hill's latest lovely place for libations. Inside the Crunkleton's long space you'll find a well-polished bar with a traditional bow-tied bartender behind it. A bit clubby, a bit cozy, the Crunkleton could be the result of a romantic tryst between The Whiskey in Durham and Foundation in Raleigh! It's got the old school feel of the Whiskey, but also pours out mixed drinks made with love and care. This place wasn't open when I went to school at UNC but I can definitely see it being a hang-out for budding lawyers, doctors and investment bankers. The classic cocktails and higher prices ($8+ cocktails) should definitely keep the Carolina undergrads and kids out... I stopped in for a quick beer and wanted to check out the scene a bit during a short visit to Chapel Hill. Mostly dudes hanging out and having a cocktail, the Crunkleton is definitely all B-A-R! Service was fine but the beer taps were down so no drafts that night, boo... All in all a fine place for a drink or two on Franklin Street but I'll still have to give the edge to the Foundation and it's hip, hand-crafted cocktails. Keep it classy, Crunkleton!

Amber M.

Yelp
Fantastic brunch spot. The food is incredible. I thought it was a bit overpriced but honestly it might not be too far out of line when you consider the ingredients and preparation. I got Bloody Mary's and was not disappointed. I had mine without the ham. Wish they offered some other option to replace the pork but the drink was fine without the salty companion. I got olives with my first one and a peppercini the second go around. My friend got some honey concoction with bourbon which was too sweet for my taste but delicious. We both did the chicken biscuit with cheese grits. Soooooo good. The cheese grits were fantastic and cakey consistency which I love. The biscuit was awesome and perfect with my drinks. This will be a new standby for me. As mentioned in other reviews there is an annual membership fees of 10$ which is required by state law due to the antique spirits served. You can also purchase ahead online.

Samantha A.

Yelp
Came here my first night in North Carolina! This place is members only, good thing my friend has a membership. In loveee with the music and vibe - speakeasy and London atmosphere. Very hip and fancy place in the middle of Chapel Hill. Nice change from the college town feel in the bars on the street. There's a pool table as well. Awesome dim lighting and cool temperature. Check it out!