Aunty Betty's Gin and Absinthe Bar — Restaurant in Raleigh

For the drinks, the atmosphere, the selection, and the bartenders - 5 stars, excellent work. I will say, for a bar advertising itself on "gin and absinthe", I only noticed absinthe prominently featured on a couple of menu drinks. They also have various, well-selected rums and whiskies (including some Japanese bottles and some nice Scotches and Irish), and will make pretty much anything they can.

Dropping it down to 4 stars because of our experience with one of the waitresses we had after relocating from the bar to a table. I'm hoping she was new to the job or foodservice in general, as that would soften the experience a bit. Firstly, when she asked what we wanted, I told her I wanted a "single pour, neat, of Gray Whale," one of the most popular new gins right now. She then asked me, "Gray? Like the color?" I told her yes, then she asked, "and well, like a hole in the ground?" to which I responded, no, whale, like the fish. She took the other orders and went. She did not return with the drinks for probably 15-20 minutes. It was a Wednesday, and there couldn't have been more than 10 people in the bar, including our table. When she finally returned, her tray did not bear a neat gin. She handed out drinks, then confusedly asked who ordered the "Singapore...something? Swing?" meaning a Singapore Sling. I informed her that I had asked for a "single pour, neat." The bar was not loud. She took the Sling back to the bar and returned shortly with my gin. Eventually, she came around to ask how we were doing. I told her that my wife and I were done, and we'd take our check. She never returned with the check. Eventually, the bartender came over with a "surprise me" drink for our friend at the table, and we asked him for the check, which he brought. He visited our table a couple times before we all left. The waitress didn't attended to us again after we asked her for the check.

I'm not going to let one poor waitress distract from the otherwise great bar experience. The place itself is wonderful, and the cocktails and selection are everything I could've wanted. I would just advise management to more closely vet who you're hiring on staff, or make sure everyone is well-trained and well-performing. If you're going to serve tables, you need to know the names of the stuff you're serving, be able to hear what the customer is saying, be timely, and be consistent. Again, zero complaints about the guys behind the bar, they were attentive, made conversation, made suggestions, and clearly knew what they were doing. I'll absolutely be back, but I'll be...

As a 30 year old I've run into the Cliche I never thought I'd be. Bars have lost their shimmer and replaced by the cringe-inducing "Try hard" Visual and atmosphere that's impossible to get away from in your 30s. The punk sounds that made your fist ball as a 15-year-old is just a bar filled with the stickers of bands that yelled alot and pretended to be profound. The thing that happens in your thirties isn't that you "Get boring" it's that you've seen This trick before. Bars are dead.

Except one,

Aunt betteys a Tight little spot on the corner so discrete that you may miss it on your way there, from the outside looks like a regular square of metropolis but on the inside gorgeous. it has this way of opening up when you first walk in, like a scene where the protagonist meets a dragon and camera zooms out to capture the full scope of the creature it feels like walking into a wonder. "I didnt know the ceilings were this high" or "the inside felt like this" The atmosphere is rich with artistic dignity and class without the stuffy pretentiousness of a Bar that pretends its an "Establishment" . Aunt bettys lightly places a hand on your shoulder and says "hey, you're at a bar" It smells nice, and the music is great. But it never pretends not to be a bar, it's not trying to pass itself off as a weekend in Greg's basement, or A workin man's bar after a hard day. it's a bar where you can talk to intelligent people about things deeper than Twitter and go home.

Which brings me to the staff (Trust me Im almost done) Every single person on the staff is one of the most interesting people I've ever seen, in a way that makes me wonder what the hiring process is like. Each bring their own flavor scraped from a corner of the world you've never experienced not least of which Rei. He has this confrontational while being completely in control and respectful energy to him that's addictive. I can have the most intense debate with him about things we both Genuinely care about without either of us getting upset, or a conversation we both agree on and start adding to each other's reason we feel that way. Funny, witty,quick ,And I mean quick personality that makes you feel like you're on a sitcom set. And thats just one of the great bartenders at this bar.

Listen if you think to yourself "Wow that was a really good review of a bar" check it out, only bar I...

Tucked behind the bustle of of the Morgan Street Food Hall lies a not-so-secret secret: a whimsical den of gin, absinthe, and mischief. Step through the unassuming door near the buildings corner and find yourself in a moody little lair where botanicals bloom in every glass and green fairies are always welcome. Part apothecary, part speakeasy, all vibes — this tucked-away tipple temple is your reward for being curious.

Blink and you’ll miss it — sneeze and you’ll lose your seat. This cozy little cocktail cave fills up faster than you can say “Negroni, please.” With just enough room for a handful of lucky souls, it’s part bar, part social experiment. Come early, come curious, and be prepared to elbow your way into the best seat you’ll never want to give up.

If you’re in a rush, maybe try...literally anywhere else. Their cocktails take time — because They're busy muddling together timeless classics, like a good Old Fashioned. But hey, perfection can’t be microwaved. Sip slowly, wait longer, and remember: you can’t rush greatness...or...