Your Guide to the Downtown Winston-Salem Bar Scene
It can be a little overwhelming to determine how and where to kick off your night out in Downtown Winston-Salem! This city holds many surprises, including our favorite, the dynamic and culturally rich bar scene. From Fair Witness on one side of 4th Street all the way down to Gatsby’s on Burke Street, you can tailor your night out to match the vibe you desire. In this article, we will walk you through some of the best bars in Winston-Salem to add to the queue for your future night out!
Updated April 2024
Tate’s Craft Cocktails
AREA | 4th Street
Tate’s skews to a younger clientele with great music, fun mixed drinks, and string lights that make the perfect background to every photo. They also have a full bar with a wide selection of wines and beers.
Note: Tate’s is currently closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly!
Dram and Draught
AREA | Bailey Park
Dram and Draught is a cozy, minimalistic bar with an extensive menu that includes over 300 whiskeys from all around the world. They offer cocktails, draught beer, wine, and much more in a relaxed setting.
Fun Fact: Dram and Draught has a seasonal drink menu that rotates every so often to give you something new to try! Many of these drink recipes are created by customers from all over the state.
Fair Witness Fancy Drinks
AREA | Bailey Park
Fair Witness is the best spot to relax with a well-crafted cocktail. They have a great atmosphere, amazing bartenders, and a fire pit and patio you could sit at for hours.
Pro-Tip: We hear great things about the Spicy Margarita!
Thirsty Pallet
AREA | 4th Street
The clientele at Thirsty Pallet is typically an older crowd, but it always has good energy. All of their drinks are delicious, and they offer many flavors of margaritas that are extremely popular.
Bonus: They love to host karaoke or live music nights!
Vintage Sofa Bar
AREA | Burke Street
With a pool table, many sofas, outdoor fire pits, and a great cocktail selection, the Vintage Sofa Bar is the perfect place to post up and have a conversation. They also served food – the chicken wings are a fan favorite!
Note: Not sure what to order? We hear the frozen Margaritas are very popular!
The Rosemary Room
AREA | Burke Street
Hidden behind a secret door in Vintage Sofa Bar, The Rosemary Room is a 1920s-themed bar serving classic cocktails and small bites.
Bonus: The speakeasy hosts live jazz and opera music events!
Recreation Billiards
AREA | 4th Street
Recreation Billiards has two pool tables, three dartboards, and a great, speakeasy vibe. If you’re looking to enjoy delicious drinks and play a variety of games all in one spot, this place is a great choice.
Bonus: Recreation Billiards has a hidden secret downstairs…another bar, Whiskey Box!
Bar La Chingada
AREA | 4th Street
Bar La Chingada is always a fun place to hang out. They love to host exciting events, like Beer & Wine Special Wednesdays, Beer Pong Thursdays, or Karaoke Sundays. Their fresh and eclectic cocktails are inspired by Mexican culture. Many of their drinks include mezcal, a class of handmade agave spirits from Mexico. Be sure to try the Hacienda Guadalupe.
Pro-Tip: Bottle service is available on Fridays and Saturdays!
Burke Street Pub
AREA | Burke Street
Burke Street Pub is a large, two-level bar. With multiple games to entertain you and your friends, you can hang out all night and never run out of things to do.
Bonus: They have tons of outdoor seating and occasionally offer free live music!
STEM
AREA | 4th Street
STEM is a great place to go when you’re looking for a classy vibe! They are a private bar with a simple yet sophisticated taste and an extensive beverage menu.
Bonus: STEM often has a special menu on themed days, like National Bourbon Day or National Martini Day!
Joyner’s Bar
AREA | Burke Street
Take a journey back to 1925 at Joyner’s Bar. The décor is incredible, the bartenders are very skilled, and the atmosphere is cozy, which makes this a great place to get your spirits high. Enjoy sitting at the bar, in seats by the window, or in the leather round booths next to a floor-to-ceiling bookcase.
Pro-Tip: Check out their upstairs bar – only open on weekends.
Gatsby’s Pub
AREA | Burke Street
At Gatsby’s Pub, you’ll find a unique bar with a beautiful back made from hand-carved oak and marble. They are a great place to hang out and have tons of fun events every week, like Taco Tuesdays, shag dancing on Wednesdays, and Karaoke Fridays.
Fun Fact: Gatsby’s Pub is Camel City’s oldest neighborhood pub!
The Tap
AREA | West End
The Tap is known for its welcoming and relaxing atmosphere, as well as its iconic porch that looks over West End. This is the perfect spot for a low-key night out!
Bonus: The Tap has a beautiful wooden deck with lots of outdoor seating!
Bar Pina
AREA | Art Park
Bar Pina is the summer jewel of bars in Winston-Salem. With its great atmosphere, incredible music, and rooftop bar that has the best skyline view in the city, Bar Pina is the best place to kick off an amazing night out.
Pro-Tip: We hear great things about the frozen Pina Coladas!
The Wrong Number
AREA | 4th Street
The Wrong Number is a cocktail bar known for its refreshing, tropical flavors and non-alcoholic options. They have nonalcoholic bitters, spirits, wine, & beer. Their featured cocktails are named after telemarketers’ strategies such as “Car Warranty” and “Student Loans.”
Fun Fact: Each member of the bar staff created a drink for the menu based on their favorite flavor combinations! Ask your bartender which drink is theirs if you need a recommendation.
West End Opera House
AREA | West End
West End Opera House, or WEHO for short, is a long-standing local establishment that transports you to the Old West. The saloon feel, good drinks, and comfy seats make this a great place to play some darts and relax on your night off.
Pro-Tip: They have specials that rotate nearly every month, so there’s always an opportunity to try something new for a discounted price!
Silver Moon Saloon
AREA | Trade Street
Silver Moon is a great stop on any bar crawl and an ever-famous Winston-Salem icon. With an old-fashioned, rustic feel and outdoor seating on their wooden deck, this bar is sure to be one of your favorites.
Pro-Tip: Their hangover remedy drink was voted best in town! Offered every Sunday.
Gas Hill
AREA | Industry Hill
Make your way down to the corner of MLK and Trade St. to grab a drink at Gas Hill. The host of many fun music events and silent discos, Gas Hill is a great place to dance, let loose, and have a great time with your friends!
Bonus: Gas Hill is decorated with beautiful string lights and hanging plants, making it a great background for all of your photos.
Bar NOLA
AREA | West End
Bar NOLA is a New Orleans-themed themed bar offering specialty cocktails, games, a dartboard. The environment in this place always light-hearted and fun.
Note: Bar NOLA has live music almost every weekend and features many new, upcoming artists!
Whiskey Dogs
AREA | Dash Stadium
If you are want to catch a drink before you head over to a Dash game or looking to celebrate a Dash Win, head on over to Whiskey Dogs off of Brookstown Ave. This place is a crowd favorite and hosts some great DJs.
Pro-Tip: Feeling adventurous? Take a ride on their mechanical bull!
Second & Green Tavern
AREA | Dash Stadium
Second & Green Tavern is located on North Green Street and is typically an older crowd favorite. With live music and DJs and tons of theme nights, it’s always a good time in this bar.
Fun Fact: The good times never have to stop because they’re open every day of the week!
Single Brothers
AREA | Trade Street
Single Brothers has a small and dim interior, but this intimate bar opens up to an incredible patio right off Trade Street. It is a great place to sit down, have a few drinks, and relax. The bar is named after the Single Brothers’ House in Old Salem.
Bonus: Their adorable outdoor patio is covered and decorated with beautiful string lights!
Earl’s
AREA | Industry Hill
In the heart of Industry Hill, you’ll find Earl’s WS. With great late-night snacks, bumping live music, and more places to sit than any other bar in Winston-Salem, Earl’s is always a great addition to your night out.
Note: They also have a delicious brunch menu!
Hel’s
AREA | Trade Street
Hel’s is bright, colorful, fun, and popular amongst the younger crowd. They even have an outdoor patio where guests can feel the sun as they enjoy a drink and the friendly, social atmosphere.
Bonus: They love to host “Taking Back Sundays,” where they take you back to an era from the past with a fun themed night!
Euphoria
AREA | Trade Street
Euphoria brings a big-city vibe to the local area with DJs, fun cocktails, and more. They love to bring their guests a little after-evening fun with theme nights, karaoke nights on Wednesdays, and many, many dance parties!
Fun Fact: They are open every day of the week!
Reboot Arcade Bar
AREA | Art Park
Head down North Liberty Street past the art park to Reboot Arcade Bar. Full of every arcade game imaginable and tons of pinball machines, Reboot is a fun experience for all!
Bonus: Reboot’s colorful lights and drinks make for a fun, lighthearted atmosphere.
Trophy Room
AREA | Art Park
Reminiscent of a prohibition-era speakeasy, Trophy Room bar is home to an incredible bourbon selection. The atmosphere is impeccable, making this the perfect place for a classy night out. If you are looking for a smoked old-fashioned, this is the spot!
Note: Trophy Room is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so plan accordingly!
EasyTalk
AREA | Broad Street
From the owners of Ginger Fox, EasyTalk is unique bar with an ordering process like no other. There are two concepts: Easy and Talk. If you choose Easy, you’ll select a drink from their short, pre-selected menu. On the other hand, if you choose Talk, you’ll have a one-on-one conversation with the bartender, who will then make you a custom drink based on your current mood.
Bonus: EasyTalk also serves coffee drinks! They can be your go-to spot, no matter what you’re craving.
Dive Bar
AREA | Burke Street
Get ready for a fun night out! This arcade bar features billiards, basketball, pinball, darts, and arcade games like Guitar Hero and Jet-Pong. Its kitchen serves pizza, tacos, pretzel bites, and more on Thursdays through Saturdays.
Bonus: Dive Bar has recurring events every day of the week like music bingo, live DJs, and ½ price games!
Easy Tiger Beer Garden
AREA | Washington Park
Easy Tiger’s interior overflows with plants, creating a fun atmosphere where patrons feel like they’re in a jungle. The outdoor space is perfect for larger gatherings, with plenty of seating surrounding fire pits.
Bonus: Easy Tiger serves non-alcoholic wines, beers, mocktails, and kombucha!
