The Haymaker

Great holiday bar with wonderful decorations! Be ready for a long wait outside, and a wait at the bar for drinks. The drinks are DELICIOUS! And the Christmas mugs are fun too. The boozy hot coco is strong, warm, and yummy.

So fun to visit during the Christmas season when it’s all decked out! The drinks are a little pricey, but worth the experience

I don't frequent downtown Raleigh often, but The Haymaker has become a bit of a ritual during the holidays for me and my husband. Their decorations are always fantastic (shout out to the woman who designed their Nightmare Before Christmas theme things year!) and their drink specials are quite creative. I drank a boozy egg nog out of a "t-rex wearing a santa hat" mug last night, for example :) Bar staff was also quite friendly. I don't even like liquor, but they're always willing to work with you to make a drink that you'll enjoy.... but they also have beer and wine, if you really don't like liquor.

I visited their holiday pop-up and was disappointed with the experience. The venue is very small with limited seating and the Dj is loud which makes it difficult to hear. The holiday drinks didn’t look appealing, so my friend and I ordered non-alcoholic drinks with tequila added. We each ordered one drink, and the total came to $32. The bartender told me I had to open a tab in order to use the holiday cups for the pop-up, which already felt odd. They had already made our drinks and put them in the cups so there wasn’t much of a choice. When they tried to open the tab, I watched them repeatedly swipe my card. This caused my bank to freeze my account and somehow drained it to zero. When I explained the situation as I was leaving, they comped the drinks; but only because I literally didn’t have access to my funds. I still have a $55 pending charge, and I can’t use my account until my replacement card arrives. This happened on Saturday night, and it’s been a major inconvenience. I’ve opened tabs at many bars and visited other holiday pop-ups, and I’ve never experienced anything like this. The requirement to open a tab just to use a Christmas mouse cup seems unnecessary and ultimately caused a huge headache.

Came on Monday, smaller crowd. Drinks were great and the decorations were cool!

Came to the Haymaker for the pop-up Christmas experience with friends and oh-boy what a mistake. The vibe going in was immediately shuttered when we were met at the entrance by the big bad bouncer who insisted... $5 per person if you want to come in to enjoy our Christmas decorations (visualize it with attitude)... We contemplated for a minute going in but finally decided to give it a try 🤮. It was awful, horrible Christmas vibe, horrible music and ambience, few people inside were miserable. We should have listened to our inner voice and left the minute we walked in. We ordered a drink to share just to try some cocktails but left after fifteen minutes. We realized afterwards the reason they're charging a cover at the door is as an insurance policy because of how horrible the experience actually is. After leaving we all decided to try Wye & Hill Christmas pop-up experience instead, just 5 minutes away, and OMG what an incredible difference. Wye & Hill was lively, energetic and very Christmassy the way you would expect. We were able to save the night and ended having a great time.

The Miracle Bar / The Haymaker’s Christmas time alter ego was decorated beautifully in 2024 and had the best and most festive drinks! This was such a fun and cozy spot to enjoy delicious liquor drinks with a fun ‘instagramable’ touch to it. It’s not a huge spot and is tucked away a little bit but if you know what you’re looking for and where to look, this place is it.

We were looking for a nice cocktail bar for a pre dinner drink. This place is not in the best location as it’s hidden between some business buildings away from the main part of downtown. But this is definitely one of my favorite bars in Raleigh. They have a cool hip hop vibe and trendy couches. The bar selection is amazing, everything you need. Great service and good prices for what you are getting. Go here!

Whoo-hoo-- 1st Miracle Pop-up of the 2024-2025 szn! The Haymaker was spectacular! The bartenders are friendly and the service is excellent. The space is beautifully decorated, and immediately puts you in the holiday spirit! The miracle pop-up cocktails are great, per usual, with the Chrismapolitan being my favorite of all. 'Tis the season-- Cheers!

Loved everything about this cute festive bar! Staff 10/10! Drinks 10/10. DJ 10/10. Had a great time. Be prepared to wait if it's crowded. Dress warm. We had a small wait but it was worth it. They have a cut holiday drink list or you can order a beer or your favorite cocktail. It's cute for a girls night out or a drop in before dinner which is what we did. There is a $5 cover which I was not anticipating but it was no problem. Just bring cash.

It's a quaint little spot which definitely feels warm! We came during the Christmas time, so it was decorated festively. The bartenders were nice and friendly, which was much appreciated. Plenty of holiday drinks to choose from. I definitely recommend you stop by!

Cute little bar with really good drinks! We went before the crowd got there and it was such a comfortable, inviting place to have a drink before the concert.

Loved the Christmas at the Haymaker experience. It can take a long time to get in so I suggest going on a week night. I went on a Wednesday at 6 and waited about 30 mins to get in but when we left at 7:30 there was no line so it's hit and miss. The drinks were great (I got the Rudolph's replacement drink and it came in a dinosaur glass). The place was crowded but had enough tables where you could find somewhere to sit and have a good time with friends. I would go again!

Staff are funny and engaging , all my dates compliment the decor , and the music is great.

I arrived around 7:45, and there was a short line. There was staff outside managing the crowd and letting people in as others exited. Once in, we went straight to the bar and didn't have an issue quickly getting service and our drinks. I loved the view of the festive holiday decor. The holiday-themed drinks were also tasty. I tried the Elfing around, which is similar to the French75. Great drinks and service. I look forward to going back.

Def good drinks. I have the dreamville. If tastes amazing. Good ambiance. The bartender made a great drink. I'd come here again for sure.

Ordered a nonalcoholic drink that they couldn't figure out what to charge it as, eventually they said "just give it to her" insinuating it was on the house. I look at my card this morning and I was charged $25 for a glass of sparkling grape juice. Would've been nice to have some communication as to whether I actually had a tab open or not. My friend was also charged 3 times for her drink?? The bartenders were not very kind to begin with.

Great spot in downtown Raleigh. Lots of drinks and great bartenders. Sometimes there's also a dj which makes it a lot of fun

Haymaker is always a good place to go for a night out. They have great cocktails and great djs on the weekends. it's pretty small in the venue and can get pretty congested which makes it hard at times to order from the bar. It can also be loud so not ideal if you're trying to talk to someone. The holidays are my favorite time to go though because they do the pop up holiday bar.

Disclaimer - I've been multiple times but only for their Christmas bar pop-up, so I'm only reviewing the bar as it appears in December. The entire bar is decked out with over the top decorations, including wrapping the bar in wrapping paper and a blow up santa arch inside. The Christmas drink menu is ~ 12 different drinks and 2 types of shots. My husband and I tried a few different ones when we went this week, our favorite was yippie ki yay. It tastes like a tiki drink, and came with a mint leaf sprinkled with powdered sugar. All the drinks are served in specific glasses for that drink, and you can tell the bartenders take pride in the presentation. The only negative, if you go on a weekend you'll probably have to wait awhile to get in. It's not a huge bar, and it's really popular this time of year.

I went on a Saturday night when DJ Deluxe was spinning. The drinks and vibes were Unmatched and I will definitely be back. It's not a big venue but the intimacy makes it great for hanging w/ friends and having a good time. 10/10

The Haymaker is one of my favorite bars in downtown Raleigh. I really enjoy the layout of the bar, the cocktails, and the overall chill vibes. I've met some cool bartenders here, too, although they're not always the most friendly. I don't know if it's because they turn their nose up at someone who is young (which I've experienced from other places often!) or if they're just too busy. Either way, I'm not coming to hang out with them so it doesn't bother me too much. My favorite thing to do here is to get one of their punch bowls and share it on a sofa with some friends. It can serve 4-6 people, I'd say, unless you're really trying to drink then I'd say get 2! The Haymaker is great but it's even better when the Miracle pop up happens in the winter! The place is decked out in holiday decor and they have a special menu with themed drinks. If you've never been to Haymaker, come during this time! It's usually pretty busy and there's a cover if you're not a member (I think) but it's so worth it! Definitely some great Instagram content, if you're into that thing.

Welcome to in Downtown Raleigh! If you still need to get into the holiday spirit, stop by and have yourself a cup or glass of holiday cheer! As soon as you open the door, Santa greets you! The room is completely transformed, fun ambiance! There isn't a lot of room inside and you may have some wait time but worth the wait. Drink names are great, they sell their glassware and I purchased the Santa naughty & nice shot glasses. I ordered the Elfing around drink and Yippie Ki Yay.

The music is always popping when they have a dj. Drinks forever on point love the mixologists.

Came here during their holiday themed night and my friends and I had a blast! I got a warm drink that came in a really cute Santa mug. We also got Nice shots which my friends were not too fond of, saying it had a rubbing alcohol aftertaste, but I thought it was fine. The interior was well decorated, but be prepared to wait in line outside for over an hour.

The drinks are strong and the vibes are stunning! A perfect pre-opera stop for drinks and good conversation! Love the ambiance

The ambiance is very nice. The Dj on a Friday had me dancing all night. The service was very slow. And the drinks were a tab bit pricey and not worth it for the pour.

This place has such a cool vibe! If I could buy some of the art pieces that were hanging, I totally would. I was actually surprised that it wasn't very crowded when we were there and it was Saturday but I'm sure it gets crowded later. The drinks were great! My friend suggested we come here and it didn't disappoint. They have bar seating and some regular tables. One of the drinks was very citrusy and delicious! Can't remember what it was exactly but I know it's al all year round drink.

Loved coming here for the Miracle pop up! The atmosphere is perfect for Christmas! I've ordered the yippee ki yaay here, the christmaspolitan, and the santarex here. The drinks are definitely strong. Forwarning. But that's the way I like it. Perfect place to go to!

So if you're in Raleigh and don't come here - did you even really go to Raleigh?! Honestly this place is a gem, it's super cute, the design is cute, homey, eclectic, and plush. The bartenders are fast and attentive, and the drinks are creative, yummy, and well priced. Walking in the space isn't super big, but it's all you need for you and your friend to be comfortable and have a good time. The walls are filled with beautiful paintings, antique items, and the bar is stocked - like stock-ety stocked. I went before and got a super cute drink with really yummy things in it i can't remember lol but last night- oh Thursday nights it's fun! $1 cover and a super cute DJ -but I got two fireball shots (the shots are $5 each and the "fireball" is homemade), as well as the Yes, Lawd! Which was strong and delicious and fills about two glasses with ice at just $9. This is becoming one of my favs so easily- definitely check it out and tell me what you got!

Tl;dr: don't get the gingerbread Christmas drink Ambience: 5/5 Drinks: 2/5 They do a good job decorating and I enjoy the music, hence the A+ for the ambience. But they have missed their focus of what a bar should focus on: drinks. The drinks are less 'mixed' and more so 'compiled' , usually resulting in a cacophony of flavors in sharp contrast to the musical background. I went there last year for the holiday thing they have and idk what was in the Gingerbread Mule that I had but it should've been called Gingerbread Man because I couldn't catch the gingerbread flavor. It was one of the worst drinks I've ever had--i.e. I only took three sips of it and put it back on the counter. Perhaps it's changed...but a friend reminded me today that it is still just as bad as before [with respect to the drinks].

Hip-hop meets pre-prohibition at Haymaker. It was an enjoyable post-dinner experience on a midweek night here. The chairs are so comfortable and the drink choices were plentiful. Nice mix of wine and local brews as well. Our colleague recommended this and it was a rememberable late-night low-key conversation-catalyst type joint. The walk back to most downtown hotels makes it a nice spot, and I'll return when I can.

Intrigued by the punch bowls, swept away by the atmosphere. My boyfriend and I found the decor chic and wonder-inspiring. We wandered in at about 10 pm on a Friday night and the place wasn't crowded. I expected a nicer greeting at the door, but they requested our ID and a membership card upon entering. Membership is $1 per person. Upon seating, a server greeted us and gave us very cute cocktail menus. My boyfriend had the Daiquiri while I went for the Malbec. We enjoyed both our drinks! The menu was enticing, especially the punch bowls, which I mentioned above. I deducted a star because the cocktails seemed overly pricey and the greeter/bouncer at the door wasn't very friendly. I would definitely come here again though. It seems like a great place for a first date or to start off a girls' night. Upscale, yet relaxed because it's not overly crowded. We adored the music; seemed like the Snoop Dogg pandora channel was playing! Another plus is the games...Guess Who, Connect Four or Battleship will keep you entertained all night.

First of all. The vibe in this place is super chill. Think old bar in Europe meats 1990s America rap/R&B... biggie wallpaper, Brooklyn vibes, funky decor. It's comfortable. Dark but not too dark. Now for the drinks. The best mule I've ever had! They make their own ginger syrup. Served in a julep cup. Delicious cocktails- reasonable prices for a hip downtown bar. There's construction going on and it's a little hard to find but if you do, you'll be happy you did!

Some friends and I were enjoying a fun summer night downtown Raleigh when we discovered Haymaker!! Because of construction in the area, it's kinda hidden, but a really cool spot. You pay $1 cover charge for the entrance. It's a really nice bar with comfy couches and lots of seating. They have board games and other fun games to play. They have specialty drinks as well as some classics. They have fun non-alcoholic drinks as well. We decided to sit on the comfy cool couch and one of the mixologists, Christian came to take our order. The drinks are super tasty and made with great attention to detail. Drinks are anywhere from $3 (non-alcoholic) to $12, and there's this cool punch bowl for 4 to 5 people to share for $49, as well as beer and wine. It's a great low key spot with great music!! I'll definitely be going back soon.

This place is just so pretty! Sitting down having a drink you can't help but stare at all the details of the place. From the huge flower wall mural, the mismatched chandeliers, the mid-century chairs, to the decorative punch bowls lining the top of the bar. I loved it! The Haymaker is a bit tucked away, their hand street sign instructed us to turn left and there it was. Basically once you see the B Good, turn the corner and they are in the same building just towards the back. The cocktail list is quite impressive. I love that they do punch bowls for a group and serve it with teacups. If you are there with a few people I would recommend one of the punch bowls, just for the experience of the thing. Since the cocktails have quite a few ingredients in them it does take a good bit of time to craft each one. I went in early on a Friday night so it wasn't too busy. I'm not sure how long the wait would be when the place is slammed. I'm more of a wine/champagne girl and the bartender suggested a great sparkling rose which I enjoyed. The staff was friendly. You order at the bar and then grab a seat. Once we were settled there was also a bartender working the floor taking empty drink cups and putting in additional orders. Looking forward to heading in again!

Tried this spot with my mom last week. Loved it. It has a speakeasy vibe with the comfort of really just being one big cozy room. There's a bar, some table seating and a cool cove decked out with antique furniture for a small group of friends. Speaking of decor, it reminded me of one those "Can you find the random item?" puzzles. You know...the one where you're looking for a wheelbarrow in the middle of a dining room. Very eclectic arrangement. The music was a hip-hop blend which paired well with the play on drink menu options that included a lot of Biggie and Nas references. We didn't try one but they also offer punchbowl drinks you can share with your friends. The best part - they're actually old school punchbowls. Nice touch! The only thing that would give this place the final star is a couple of food items on the menu. Nothing too heavy but maybe something with just enough "Salt n Pepa" to keep you drinking. I'll be back!

Just wanted to update my review after visiting Haymaker's Miracle pop up. Great drinks as usual (I had the dirty santa, which was oat milk, chai, rum, and more). My two friends and I came around 8 on a Sunday and it was already packed, but line wasn't out the door. Definitely recommend coming early for Miracle because I can only imagine how packed it would be on a Saturday night. Love this place, but really wish they could expand the space somehow and maybe add another room. Great place to hang out but it just gets so packed for events like this.

The newest bar and cocktail lounge in Raleigh seems to be a winner! Located in the new Charter Square building, you'll have to work a bit to find Haymaker. It's in the back and out of street view. Inside you'll find a classy, Euro-centric type decor with a lot of space inside. Two-tops scattered about and a nice bar to the side. Haymaker seems to be focusing on cocktails and punches along with a small list of beers if you're not in the mood. Overall I was impressed with the spot and having a semi-hidden entrance may be a good thing in terms of attracting a more mature crowd. But we shall see, Haymaker has only been open for a couple of days so there will be lots of updates and changes moving forward. But for now, enjoy it for what it is. Another higher end cocktail bar with stylish decor and plenty of space for conversation...

Awesome speak easy vibe. Went on a Sunday afternoon and were the only ones in the bar, but we enjoyed some nice local IPAs. The cocktails looked very good.

The Haymaker is my favorite cocktail bar! The drinks are fantastic, the staff is always great and the music is always on point. If you are looking for a place to grab drinks, this is your spot.

Fun bar decked out for Christmas! My first time going to haymaker. Tricky to find, they have signs on Fayetteville street directing you to the bar because there's construction going on next door. I ended up parking on Fayetteville street. The staff at the door was very friendly and asked how my visit was leaving. They do charge $1 for a one time membership fee. I ordered a simple cranberry vodka ($8/titos). I didn't want to order a holiday drink even though they served your drink in a fancy miracle glass. Loved how the bar was decked out for Christmas!

If you want to go to a weird bar that doesn't fit its location, go here. The decor is pretty eclectic and they have Biggie wallpaper in the bathroom. Drinks are solid and the crowd is always very mixed, which I appreciate. It thins out quite a lot as it gets late, so we tend to pop over here after we've wrecked all the other bars because it's much easier to get a drink close up last call. Christmas here is THE BEST. It's like the set of Elf. I really do like this joint.

I'm a sucker for this place. It's my favorite bar in Raleigh and it might be because I can get a cocktail served in a tea cup. I always get Sing like a Bee. I mean Earl Grey infused Gin? Count me in. Plus you will be the cutest person at the bar sipping from your tea cup!

Great for a weeknight cocktail or a group outing with friends. Punch bowls allow everyone to share on the experience. Decor a beautiful blend of classy Brooklyn NY. Staff is friendly while maintaining an air of confidence and professionalism. Ingredients are fresh and the cocktails are inventive twist on requested classics.

It was really cute and small. The music and DJ were great but there was limited settings and crowded.

Great spot for cocktails! We went on a Thursday night after an event downtown. It wasn't busy, although we went around 8 and left by 9... I'd imagine the hip downtown Raleigh young-ins pack into this place after old farts like us go to bed. The decor is eclectic and unique, too, which creates a fun ambiance. They don't have an outdoor area, but I'd love to come back to this place during the winter when it's freezing cold out because the vibe inside is so warm and cozy. If you head there, be aware that the entrance is behind B. Good. We weren't totally sure where in the building it was because Google Maps is a little vague but head to B. Good and you'll... be good. :)

I decided to stop by during the holiday season for Miracle pop up and I'm glad that I did. Parking can be a hassle depending on when you go. But service was awesome and the drinks were great!! The atmosphere was laid back, which I loved. The holiday decorations were cool. I'll be back again!

So I've only been for the Christmas pop up so far, but I'm in love! If they do everything as grand as they do Christmas then I'm there for all the regular cocktails as well. The decor is outstanding and a little tacky, but in the best way possible. The drinks are fun and inventive and even better, they have different Christmas glasses for just about any drink you order. I got the eggnog - so yum, but a heavier drink. Good after dinner one and done kinda drink. It came in the cutest mug. There was a dinosaur glass and I just need that in my life. Must go see!

They're still slinging good drinks behind the bar at this fun, retro bar on Fayetteville street. It's tucked away but worth the visit. It had been awhile since we'd been over here and though the menu has changed a bit the drinks are still as good as ever and the environment is funky and laid back. The 90's and early 2000's rap playing is audible but not distracting. I loved seeing a really diverse crowd when we visited Saturday night - everyone from college aged to 60+ from all walks of life. They've got a great assortment of classic cocktails with some creative concoctions mixed in and the prices are more than fair.

Do not come here! The bouncer did not let people in and they overcharged me for drinks

Not the bar's fault, but a group of four went to Haymaker last week and three of us caught COVID. Lot of people packed into a small bar. We knew the risk we were taking, so not trying to blame Haymaker. Just kind of put a damper on our Christmas and haymaker was the point of origin after process of elimination

I've tried coming here a few times and it always takes forever to get a drink. I get they take awhile to make, but I've waited up to a half hour for drinks before. The atmosphere is cool. Some bartenders are super nice, while others are rude and clearly annoyed. I went with my friend during the miracle pop up. We had our offline media numbers for a free drink. The bartender refused to give us our drinks until we handed her a tip. We were planning on tipping to start with, but to demand a tip....smh. There's much better/nicer ways to suggest to tip too. One less star because the bartender held our drinks hostage.

Love the concept, the decor & the hip-hop music constantly playing overhead. Bartenders are nice & fun to talk to. Oh & the goldfish snacks! Love! While it's tucked away from the street, I think that adds to the "mystique." Good selection of cocktails & beer. Check out the bathrooms, too! Love the door & the wallpaper.

This place is cool. The decor and music is very black, which is a part of what makes this place cool, but it felt a little culture appropriation-ish, to me especially since the crowd is largely non-black. However, the drinks were good and creative. Service was quick and accurate.

First off, The Haymaker is gorgeous. Especially their huge floral wall. I was instantly in love, even before having a drink. The space is cozy and eclectic, without looking like it's trying too hard. Definitely a spot to bring guests you want to impress. The menu was very interesting and I decided on the Wet Hot Mexican Summer, a drink with El Jimador blanco, dry vermouth, watermelon,lime, egg white, mint. I was initially hesitant about egg and alcohol (if it's not obvious i'm more of a beer girl) but I decided to try my luck-- and i'm very happy I did! My drink was delicious! Very easy to drink, balanced and just boozy enough not to need to order another drink. The rest of the menu looked equally impressive, and watching the bartenders make drinks as I enjoyed mine was quite enjoyable! You can really tell they put a lot of effort into their craft. Prices are $10 a drink, almost across the board. There are a few beer options and champagne (from the tap!)....There are also punch bowls. I'm nowhere near tough enough to drink one of those with just one friend, so I'll have to wait until I come with a bigger group. All in all the menu looks great! Definately check out The Haymaker, it's hidden before B.Good on Fayetteville Street!

Ambience, presentation, service were excelente. Brought a friend visiting from Orlando who was amazed with the crafty and sophisticated cocktail menu! Kudos to our server Audrey who was very friendly and attentive. Thanks Audrey! Can't wait to come back!