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Dram & Draught

Raleigh, NC Whiskey Bar Located in the Heart of Downtown Raleigh

News & Blog

Greensboro: Dram & Draught and Burial Beer Cocktail Competition Recap

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On Sunday, September 8, 2019, we teamed up with Burial Beer Co. to host The Liturgy of the Bartender Cocktail Competition. Eight of the best local bartenders went head to head for bragging rights and a solid lineup of prizes.

Dram & Draught and Burial Beer Cocktail Competition

There were four single-elimination timed rounds and three local judges there to decide who would take home the crown. Judges were Gary Crunkleton from The Crunkleton in Chapel Hill, Andrew Norman from Fainting Goat Brewing Company in Fuquay-Varina, and Kyle Morgan from Burial Beer Co. out of Asheville. The following bartenders participated:

All of the drinks were incredible but the big winner for the evening was… Max from 1618 Midtown!

Dram & Draught and Burial Beer Cocktail Competition

Next time you see Max, be sure to tell him congratulations and ask him to make you a cocktail from the event. You won’t regret it.

Thank you to everyone who participated and to all of you who came and joined in the fun. Check out the photos from the event below. All the photos were taken by Colin Beggs. Not only is he an incredible bartender but he is pretty good behind the camera too!

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About Burial Beer Co.

We loved working with Burial Beer Co. on this event. They craft German lagers, Belgian-inspired ales, and bold American styles with a dedication to creativity, tradition, modernization, and preservation. They have locations in Asheville and Raleigh (where our sister location is), and you can take home cans and bottles, and taste many of their offerings on draft. Learn more at BurialBeer.com.

Looking for More Events?

Bartender competitions, live music, trivia, food trucks, tap takeovers, and more. There is always something happening at Dram & Draught. Check out our Events Calendar and make sure you are signed up for our newsletter to keep up with all the latest happenings.

Raleigh: Three-Year Dramiversary

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Join us Saturday, October 5, 2019, 12 p.m. until 2 a.m. for our Three-Year Dramiversary party in Raleigh!

Three-Year Dramiversary Party at Dram and Draught

We’ll be celebrating three years open in Downtown Raleigh and three months in our new space at One Glenwood. Since it’s our leather anniversary, we’re giving away a keepsake by hand-stamped leather coaster to our first twenty guests to arrive. This special keepsake will also be available for purchase from noon until two for those who can’t make the party right at noon.

We’ll have special tees and ladies tanks, too… stay tuned to see the artwork debuted soon!

If you joined us for our Grand Opening party on Saturday, September 14, 2019, you had the pleasure of partying to beats by DJ Nyce Danger. Good news, friends… DJ Nyce will be back and is ready to take requests for your favorite songs! Come see him from 8 until midnight!

Please note that Dram & Draught is 21+ only. We appreciate in advance your adherence to this policy. Become a member instantly at https://www.dramanddraught.com/raleigh/.

The Speakeasy Podcast: Episode 342 Southern Fried Hospitality

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Each week industry leaders Damon Boelte and Sother Teague sit down with a wide range of hospitality and spirits experts from around the world to discuss everything that impacts their business over The Speakeasy. Last week was episode 342, “Southern Fried Hospitality”.

The Speakeasy Podcast Features Dram & Draught Founders

In the episode, Sother checks in with Dram & Draught founders Kevin Barrett and Drew Schenck, as well as two of our Raleigh barmen, Jake Davis and Ian Murray.

Take a listen to learn about how they are bringing a true sense of cocktail culture and genuine hospitality to the south with their lively and comfortable bars.

In case you missed it, Sother came to both Raleigh and Greensboro Dram and Draught for his book signing featuring “I’m Just Here for the Drinks”. A great time was had by all, especially the crew who went out to dinner in Raleigh after the event. Apparently, local chef Ashley Christensen hooked them up with a delicious meal at Death and Taxes followed by a tour of the vault. You’ll have to listen to the podcast to find out more details!

You’ll learn just how Drew and Kevin got into the hospitality industry and how they came to love bourbon. When they first met one was trying to get into the bourbon business and one of them was trying to get out. After about a year and a half, the two got together to speak again and this is when the concept of Dram and Draught came alive. They also talk about what it means to run multiple locations of the same concept and hear what’s on the horizon for these dynamic entrepreneurs.

Be sure to tune into The Speakeasy every Wednesday at 2:00 P.M. For upcoming events be sure to check out our events calendar here.

Follow Damon Boelte on Instagram @DamonBoelte, Sother Teague @CreativeDrunk, and Speakeasy Podcast @SpeakeasyPodcast.

News & Record Says “Two Greensboro Bartenders Are Shaking up the Cocktail Scene”

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And we completely agree! News & Record’s 1808 Greensboro posted an article in early September about two bartenders that are making their mark in Greensboro and they just so happen to be two members of the Dram & Draught team: Ronaldo Pettigrew and Ryan Hill. You can read the full article here but we wanted to share with you a few of our favorite parts.

Ronaldo Pettigrew

Rolando Pettigrew
H. Scott Hoffmann Photo

As Hurricane Barry was making its way to New Orleans in mid-June, Rolando Pettigrew sipped water and shrugged.

“I’m going anyway,” he said.

Pettigrew, who won third place at an Exotico tequila competition, has used the ingredient oleo saccharum in cocktails, where citrus rinds ferment with sugar over the course of a couple days. He’s inspired by the recent trend of zero waste in cocktail making, where bartenders use scraps and other so-called trash from restaurant kitchens.

“It’s a version of farm-to-table,” he says.

Ryan Hill

Ryan Hill
H. Scott Hoffmann Photo

Ryan Hill, Pettigrew’s co-worker at Dram & Draught and a trained opera singer, won second place at Copper & Kings’ regional semifinal competition in Raleigh this past May. His entry had to use Copper & King products and be themed after a song, which would play while he made and served it.

He chose “How to Disappear Completely” by Radiohead and paired the song with an orange-chocolate cocktail he called “I’m Not Here.” It was a pre-Prohibition style called a flip, which includes a full egg that makes it “comforting, relaxing, and indulgent,” says Hill.

Hill & Pettigrew

The pair, who have over two decades of bartending experience between them, are working to restart a branch of the U.S. Bartenders Guild in the Triad. The guild would host distributor and brand ambassador visits, book signings, and meet and greets. It would also fund member travel to conferences and competitions.

Pettigrew and Hill also plan to bring cocktail competitions to the Gate City. There will be a Bartenders Brawl in September, like the one Hill recently won second place for at the Dram & Draught location in Raleigh. Customers are welcome to come and watch, but the point is for competitors to educate each other.

“Don’t come expecting to win,” says Pettigrew. “Come expecting to learn.”

Check out the full article online and make sure you visit the guys at Dram & Draught Greensboro soon!

Raleigh: Featured Distillery Events

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Dram & Draught has reopened in Downtown Raleigh at our new space – 1 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 101. We’re so excited to be back open that we’ve planned several distillery events over the next few months to celebrate. Please join us for trying the wide variety of spirits that will be passing though!

Next week, join us to visit with representatives from Hennessy on Thursday, September 5, 2019, from 6-8 p.m.

If you’ve never ventured into this 254-year old spirit before, this is the event for you! Our trusted barkeeps will be crafting classic cocktails featuring the world’s most popular cognac, an oak-aged spirit distilled from grapes.

The Hennessy brand features six regularly-available variations with special collections available periodically. Learn more and come prepared to work your way through the options available at Dram on Thursday, September 5!

Hennessy Event at Dram & Draught in Raleigh

Up next, we’ll have New Holland Brewing’s Dragon’s Milk.

Did you know that Dragon’s Milk started out as one of the first bourbon barrel-aged stouts in America and has evolved into a line of expertly crafted beers? Learn more about their beer here. Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 12 from 7-9 p.m.

Follow us on Facebook or check out our events page to stay in the loop on upcoming events. You won’t want to miss out!

We’re Open at Our New One Glenwood Location in Raleigh

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The wait is finally over! The NEW Dram & Draught Raleigh is now open for business and we cannot wait to see your thirsty faces walk through these doors!

We’re opening Friday, August 16 at 6 p.m. (remaining open until 2 a.m.) and will open on Saturday and Sunday at 12 p.m. until 2 a.m.

We're Open at One Glenwood

We are excited to be in the beautiful One Glenwood building. Our new address is One Glenwood Avenue, Suite 101 Raleigh, NC, 27603.

Updated Hours

In addition to having new digs, we have new hours so we can spend even more time with our old and new patrons.

Monday through Friday: 3 p.m. until 2 a.m.
Saturday: 12 p.m. (noon) until 2 a.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. (noon) until 2 a.m.

Please note that Dram & Draught is a private club for members and their guests, 21+. You can become a member by filling out our online form here. 

Four-Legged Friends Are Welcome on the Patio

Dogs are not permitted inside the new space but well-behaved dogs are always welcome (and encouraged) to join us on our outdoor patio.

Where to Park

As always, we suggest taking advantage of Uber and Lyft so you can enjoy our libations without worry. If you are driving, please drink responsibly. The parking deck below the forthcoming “Origin” hotel on Morgan Street currently offers monthly and hourly rates. There is street parking on Hillsborough Street as well.

Interested in Hosting an Event at Our New Location?

We have lots of exciting new opportunities and space to host more private events and tastings. We are working on an updated event package but in the meantime, fill out the form below to get your date on the calendar. We are filling up quickly – especially for holiday events.

Come See Us

Be one of the first to check out the new space before we host our grand reopening party! We can’t wait to make new memories here with all of you. Make sure you are following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with the latest developments and events.

GSO: One Year Anniversary + Social House Cornhole Tournament

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A year has flown by and we cannot wait to celebrate with all of you on Saturday, September 21, 2019. In addition to throwing an all-day party full of live music, drinks, and food, we have teamed up with local vodka distillery Social House to host a cornhole tournament from noon until 6 p.m.

A year has flown by and we cannot wait to celebrate with all of you on Saturday, September 21, 2019. In addition to throwing an all-day party full of live music, drinks, and food, we have teamed up with local vodka distillery Social House to host a cornhole tournament from noon until 6 p.m.

Keep reading for the day’s lineup and register now to compete in the cornhole tournament. There is only room for 16 teams to compete, and we have a great grand prize you are not going to want to miss out on – think dream day in Kinston, NC, complete with a one-night stay at the Mother Earth Motor Lodge!

Social House Cornhole Tournament: Noon Until 6 p.m.

Social House Cornhole Tournament in GSORegistration is $20 per team. Must be 21 years or older to participate. Check-in is at noon. The tournament starts at 1 p.m.

The pair of winners will receive a tour of Social House Vodka (each player gets one guest), a tour of Mother Earth Brewing (each player gets one guest), one-night stay at Mother Earth Motor Lodge (each player gets one guest), and dinner at Chef & The Farmer (each player gets one guest).

The second-place team will be taking home a $100 Dram & Draught gift card while the third-place team will receive a $50 gift card to Dram & Draught.

**Must be 21 or older to attend and participate. Please note that Dram & Draught is a private club for members and their guests, 21+ only. We appreciate in advance your adherence to this policy. Become a member instantly at https://www.dramanddraught.com/greensboro/.

GreenHill Benefitting GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art

We are excited to support GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art. All of the money collected from registration for cornhole will go directly to their efforts.

GreenHill, located in Downtown Greensboro, is a nonprofit visual art center with the vital mission to support and advocate for the art and artists of our home state, North Carolina. At Greenhill professional artists have meaningful opportunities throughout their careers to participate in a wide range of exhibitions. They provide economic support to artists through the sale of their art in their world-class galleries.

Drinks: Noon Until 2 a.m.

Social House will have pop-up bars outside for you to enjoy cocktails while you play and watch the cornhole tournament. They will also be bringing some of their new cocktail pouches!

From 3 until 6 p.m., we will have a whiskey tasting from Heaven Hill.

At 6 p.m. enjoy a tap takeover by Heist Brewery!

Food: 3 Until 6 p.m.

One of our favorite food trucks and a Monday staple at Dram & Draught, Ssandy’s Grill, will be serving up their delicious Mexican favorites from 3 until 6 p.m.

Live Music

What’s a party without live music? Hunter McBride will be here from noon until 3 p.m. and Autumn Nicholas will be playing from 8 until 11 p.m.

A Look at Our Last Weekend at 623 Hillsborough

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To celebrate the three fantastic years we had at 623 Hillsborough Street, we through a goodbye party for the books! Check out the recap of our last weekend at our old spot and keep reading for more details about our new location at One Glenwood, Suite 101.

We started off the weekend a little early with “A Thursday Night Toast” that included $5 Boilermakers with Coors Banquest and Ezra Brooks. On Friday, we invited patrons to help us bottom out our barrel of Elijah Craig Bourbon. A one-ounce pour was just $4. We also donated $1 for each cocktail sold from that night to the Spina Bifida Association. Saturday’s party started at noon with one dollar from each cocktail going to the Spina Bifida Association. At 6 p.m. the real fun began when we lit up our “Dram & Draught” liquor luge. Our friends at Deep Eddy provided their vodkas which were perfect for chilled shots on the liquor luge.

Toasting to Our Time at 623 Hillsborough Street

Our “Sunday Sign-Off” was a day we will definitely never forget. All of our beer and wine selections were half off and we donated $1 from each cocktail purchased to the Spina Bifida Association. That afternoon, we broke out the monster Sharpies and had patrons scribble their messages of love and great whiskey on our walls for one final tribute to our first drinking establishment.

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As Fun as Our Send-Off Weekend Was…

We cannot wait to welcome you to our new spot at One Glenwood and we have a few exciting details to share with you before we open. First thing first, we are hoping to open the doors to the new space on Saturday, July 27. Make sure you are following us Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with the latest developments. Second, we will be opening at 3:30 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. on weekdays. Lastly, we will have more room to host special events and tastings. Cheers to continuing the fun a few blocks down the road!