The Architect Bar and Social House

Raleigh, United States

3

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 919-833-4949
Website:
www.architectbar.com
Address:
108 1/2 E Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.5 miR-Line (R-2)
0.5 miThesis Project Site
0.6 miR-Line (R7)
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
No
Parking
Garage, Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
No
Good for Groups
Yes
Ambience
Hipster
Noise Level
Loud
Music
DJ
Good For Dancing
Yes
Alcohol
Full Bar
Happy Hour
Yes
Best Nights
Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check
Yes
Smoking
Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating
No
Has TV
Yes
Has Pool Table
No

Today

Today 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
Open now
Local time (Raleigh) 23:17 Friday, 30 May 2025

Business hours

Monday 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
Tuesday 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
Wednesday 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
Thursday 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
Friday 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday 5:00 pm – 2:00 am

Description

Specialties

The Architect Bar and Social House is Raleigh’s choice for craft cocktails, dancing and nightlife. Located in the downtown Fayetteville St. District, the Bar features a resident DJ Friday and Saturday nights, plus live jazz music every Monday night and a live drummer and DJ on Thursdays. The craft cocktail menu features fresh local ingredients and Molecular Gastronomy items.

Enjoy cocktails and local beer bottles and draft in the prohibition era lounge chairs. Ladies Night, Bachelorette and Bachelor parties are always welcome. We also are a go-​to for the service industry, featuring drink specials Sunday — Thursday.

The Architect Bar and Social House is also one of Raleigh’s premier event venues for special occasions, holiday parties, corporate events and wedding receptions. Check out the speakeasy room hidden behind a moving bookcase for intimate gatherings. The high ceilings, exposed brick and abundance of natural light make it an ideal setting for photographers.

History

Established in 2012.

The Architect Bar and Social House immediately became a trademark destination for craft cocktails and nightlife in Raleigh, NC.

Meet the Business Owner

Jon S.

Business Owner

Jonathan Seelbinder graduated from North Carolina State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and minor in Business Management. During college he found a passion for the food and beverage industry.

Jon has spent the last 13 years perfecting his points of service and gaining expertise in many different types of venues. He contributed to a number of highly successful bar, lounge, restaurant and nightclub concepts in the competitive and thriving Raleigh market. Previous openings include The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, The Office Nightclub, Rush Lounge, ess lounge, The Oxford and The Mint. He also has extensive corporate experience in national chains such as Sullivan’s Steakhouse and P.F. Chang’s Chinese Bistro.

The Architect Bar and Social House is Jon’s first solo project and has been built with his «blood, sweat and tears!» He is rooted in Raleigh and excited about new and upcoming projects!

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20 reviews of The Architect Bar and Social House

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Cary, NC
Loved the speakeasy that overlooked Raleigh. The drinks were wonderful throw-​backs to another time. Such great ambiance! I will return frequently!
Place rating: 1
Raleigh, NC
Left my credit card there, called 9 times that week, they won’t answer a phone, and won’t return a call as I left 4 different Messages, I also drove down for 5pm (when they are supposed to open) after waiting a bit (had to go to work) the bar next door told me they never open on time… Finally went there again 5:15 on the following Saturday night, and they were there…
They handed me my card with a $ 56 bill, that they said they couldn’t show me a receipt for (and I knew it seemed high… Then they finally produced a bill, that also showed a $ 14 tip on the receipt and told me they always add 20% gratuity when people leave their credit card… so they’d already ran my card for $ 70 …I informed them that $ 14 is 25%, and they can’t legally just tip themselves with out my ok … Also they added extra drinks to the bill … The 2 extra drinks that I didn’t order added up to $ 12; one «extra» drink was on a round of 4 fancy shots for me and my 3 coworkers… I was charged for 5 ! And a random beer was added after that… So my bill should have been $ 44 plus a tip that I would have written in (not one that they had stollen from my card .)
They told me, I would have to dispute the $ 70 charge with my credit card company, and they refused to do anything …
I’m not young and I wasn’t drunk … But I wonder how many drunk young people are taken advantage of by this establishment?!? I can’t respect a business that steals from their customers …
Place rating: 4
Los Angeles, CA
Another night out in Raleigh with my bros/​baes at the Architect. I love this place because they have pretty good music, it’s always up to date and I always have a great time dancing here. The drinks are reasonably priced and if you really want to get hammered you can always go for the Coors light sold by this lady standing on a crate by the bar. In sum, good dancing, good drinks, good times.
Place rating: 1
Cary, NC
4 iPhones were stolen out of our group’s purses… while people were wearing their purses.
We had a very large group, around 35 people, at the architect on Friday 2⁄26. When the first phone was noticed to be missing, we reported this to one of the bartenders. The bartender responded «There’s a cop downstairs you can talk to.» When we went downstairs, there was no cop, and the staff would not let us back in. Then, the staff kicked the remaining 30 or so people in our group out.
I don’t know if that means the staff are in on the phone stealing, however, they were not quick to help and essentially kicked our group out.
I did call The Architect on the following Monday, 2/​29, and left a message about the incident. I also left my contact info. I have not received a response. Beware of this place.
Place rating: 1
Snow Camp, NC
The rudest experience ever Sat 9÷12÷15 at midnight. While outside we couldnt hear the bouncer talking and apparently he got annoyed with me asking what he was trying to say that he yelled at us. So I told him he didnt have to talk to us that way. As I walked in he pulled on my shoulder to kick us out before even saying to leave. Then proceeded to block our way in, while yelling. When I requested a manager he said he was the manager and when I requested the owner he called the cops on us. Can I add I dont drink and I was not intoxicated. He has no right to treat people that way. Another thing is the bouncer basically turned down a group of 15 because a female of 5’5″ said something back to a 6’4″ male. I have multiple ties to the triad and will not be suggesting this place to them.
Place rating: 4
St. Petersburg, FL
Really liked this place. Cool little bar. Bartender was very knowledgeable about beers and tried to find me exactly what I was looking for. Everyone working there seemed to be having a great time but were also attentive to the customers. Behind the bookcase room is a nice touch. I can’t comment on their drink making ability as I only had beer.
Place rating: 1
Manhattan, NY
I had a terrible experience at The Architect last night. The bartender refused to serve me a cup of water, and demanded that I pay for a bottle of water, insisting that he was «just doing his job.» He eventually ended up handing me a plastic cup that I had to go fill up in the restroom. I was stunned at the awful customer service, especially for an alcohol serving establishment with a crowded, hot dance floor.
Place rating: 5
Germantown, MD
We booked the Architect for our wedding reception on Memorial Day Weekend. Lauren, the event coordinator was extraordinarily helpful from the time we first contacted her, all the way through the day of. She went above and beyond to make sure that our guests enjoyed themselves and that we had everything we needed. The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly, and the creativity of their craft cocktail list is unparallelled. The atmosphere is fun and relaxed, and the sound system is perfect for mingling or dancing. The best part of the place is the «secret» bar behind the bookcase called the greenlight room (a nice homage to the 1920’s speakeasy). It really makes you feel like you’re in The Great Gatsby. We’ve had drinks here a couple of times on non-​event nights, and it’s every bit as enjoyable. A great place to spend an evening.
Place rating: 3
Raleigh, NC
This was my first time here. I went with a group of friends after a graduation party. It was fun. It is definitely more of a club dance spot with top club hits, more shake your head than your hips, lol. Totally fun though. I loved the décor. I definitely plan on coming back to this spot. We left to go to The Hive at about 11:30ish/12 and when we left it was getting really crowded, but so was The Hive and it was a Saturday so that is probably to be expected.
Happy club-​hopping people!
Place rating: 2
Durham, NC
After a few return visits to this bar, I’ve decided to dock this place a whole 2 stars. I must have been drunk with some clouded judgement the first go-​around, because I don’t know what I was thinking giving it 4 stars.
If you get here late it’s going to be really, REALLY crowded and hot. The music is pretty bad because it’s all incredibly dated. DJ plays hits from 5 to 10 years ago! YIKES. I like a throwback now and then, but if that’s all you play, no thanks, I don’t live in the 90s anymore. To make it worse, there is zero flow/​transition between songs, he mixes genres terribly. It’s so bad.
The specials are not great so I’ve had to opt for their other drinks, which are pricey and not worth it. The bartenders are really skimpy on the alcohol. I watched them make my drink, and for the price I paid, they didn’t give me nearly enough. Drinks/​shots are expensive, $ 7 for a fireball?!
I’m seeing a lot of reviews saying this place is a college bar, and while it has the vibe of a college bar, college bars don’t play old music. Also the crowd here varies, I’ve seen younger college crowds and the older 30s crowd as well.
Main point: I’ve been disappointed every time I’ve gone back to this place.
Place rating: 3
Raleigh, NC
For a Saturday night in Downtown Raleigh, I would recomend coming here before the big crowd. It gets jam-​packed quickly! Its pretty inside and they play pretty good music!
Place rating: 1
Raleigh, NC
Crowded and dangerous steps. Okay beer specials, didn’t really bother to get any mixed drinks. Overly crowded and full of bros.
Like other reviewers have said: full of college kids (some looking way too young to be 21) and top hits from 2009.
Place rating: 5
Cary, NC
My friends and I just checked out this place last weekend. There was a wedding going on, so we went into the Green Light, which is a small bar hidden behind a bookcase. It felt like a speakeasy. We had a great time here. The bar tender was awesome and the drinks were great. I can’t wait to go back!
Place rating: 1
Manhattan, NY
I had such high hopes for this place especially since I was visiting and was told to check this place out… I would never set foot in this place again!!! This is a college bar so if that’s not the scene you’re looking for stay far far away from this place… wish I would have known that!
My sister and I came here on a Saturday night around 12pm. The bouncers check your ID and up the stairs you go. The place was already crowded and it was difficult to walk through the crowd. If you like even a little personal space then this is not the place for you either. After getting shoved around we finally made our way to the bar and ordered two drinks prices were not bad at all. A rum and coke and a Jameson and ginger ale was $ 15.
As we looked around we realized this was not the place for us there were drunk college kids everywhere and the dj was playing music from 5 years ago. We decided to finish our drinks and then head elsewhere when an idiot blatantly elbows me and bathes me in my drink!!! Now I know accidents happen as this has happened in my lifetime before, the fact that this idiot looked at me and didn’t even apologize is what still has me perplexed until this day! I told him he knocked my drink and bathed me in it and he just continued to ignore me! My sister tells the bartender and instead of him getting the bouncer he does nothing!
I’ve been to many kinds of bars all over the world and never have I encounter such low class individuals in my life and a staff that does nothing. Save yourself the insult and your clothes and go somewhere else. They couldn’t pay me to come back here.
Place rating: 4
Johnson City, TN
I was only able to stay for half an hour after work. However, it was time well spent. The Speakeasy concept is well executed. The bartender was very knowledgeable about the cocktail menu and helpful with recommendations, and though the drinks were a tad pricey, they were well worth it. I’d certainly love to make this a go-​to spot if I lived downtown. Great little place!
Place rating: 4
Raleigh, NC
I’ve been coming to this bar since it opened and it’s guaranteed to be 2 things– fun and extremely crowded. The DJ plays great music and it’s a cool scene– feels more like a club atmosphere. But it is always crowded and hot. It’s hard to navigate around and get to the bar sometimes for a drink. If you’re in the mood to dance a lot, definitely a great option! Come a little earlier to avoid long lines outside.
Place rating: 4
Chapel Hill, NC
This place has a little «speakeasy» room that is hidden behind a secret bookshelf door.
They have a cocktail called «Porn on Mute».
Place rating: 4
Raleigh, NC
The first time I visited the Architect, my friend and I didn’t stay for long thus we didn’t get to witness the madness dancing crowd. Also we left pretty early on and I thought to myself that it was nice the crowd at the Architect are solid young professionals. Not to mention the furnitures that gave the place a trendy vibe.
Before my second visit, I was warned to expect the college scenes. I was a bit confused because that was not what I had experienced, but my roommate was totally right. Basically to sum the night up, as the night gets later, the crowd gets younger, and the floor gets stickier… I had a great time with all my friends on the dance floor. The place got pretty crowded and the dance floor was packed. The DJ played a wide range of variety mixes. He played both current pop musics and some good ol throwbacks like the Spice Girl and MJ.
So if you’re heading to the architect, remember to put your dancing shoes on.
Place rating: 3
Raleigh, NC
I was told if you want to dance in Raleigh, and don’t mind a typical dance club scene… try the Architect.
Once you climb the stairs (take note girls in dresses/​heels), the interior is pretty well done– darker wood mixed with soft fabric. That’s about the extent of greatness.
The DJ was definitely not playing any where near current dance music… I felt like I had just flashed back ten years. If you go somewhere to dance, that’s kind of an important aspect. Don’t get me wrong, I had fun… but it was more because it was midnight on a Friday and who isn’t having fun.
We had one super nice bartender but one really unhappy bartender… but just getting to the bar is a test of patience.
And I’ve been told this is a very late night club, so maybe midnight was too early to judge it for what it truly is.
All in all… I recommend a new DJ.
Place rating: 4
Charlotte, NC
Great dancing bar! Great music! but Drinks are over priced…
*Best tip about this place: Be prepared for the long steps upstairs, but it’s really about the balancing act coming back downstairs after drinks — especially in heels — that you have to watch out for