2 Best Bars in Central North Carolina, North Carolina

This quirky hangout has quickly won loyal fans for its cheeky cocktails (including the Sazerac-like All Hat, No Cattle, and the strawberry milk–washed daiquiri Yachts on the Reg) and food specials like Chicago hot dogs and Sunday gravy with spaghetti. Families with dogs spread out on the patio in the afternoon, and order from the bartender-owners inside the retro space that feels like your cool uncle's basement bar.

With a vibe that borrows from Day of the Dead and New Orleans voodoo without looking like a theme bar, WillCo is known for their chalkboard menu of seasonal cocktail features, hidden back mezcal bar, and laid-back bartenders. Dried flowers and green plants hang from the ceiling, a neon flamingo skeleton lights up the wall, and the outdoor tables are often filled with locals waiting for a pizza from Oakwood Pizza Box next door.