Looking for a bar in Apex, NC? Ten years ago the answer was a sports pub or a drive to Raleigh. Today Apex has a genuinely good spread: neighbourhood taverns with pool tables and food trucks, a brewery taproom, and a proper craft cocktail and whiskey bar. Here is an honest local guide to the best bars in Apex, what each one does well, and which night to go.
The best bars in Apex, NC at a glance
- Aqua Vitae – craft cocktails, whiskey library, wine, live jazz. Best for date night and an elevated evening out.
- The Backyard Bar – laid-back local, pool table, live music and rotating food trucks. Best for a casual weekend.
- Southern Peak Brewery Taproom & Pizzeria – house-brewed beer and pizza. Best for families and beer lovers.
- The Local Apex – neighbourhood beer bar with food trucks. Best for a quick pint.
- The Dugout Tavern & Grill – sports on the screens and pub food. Best for game day.
1. Aqua Vitae – the cocktail and whiskey bar in Apex
Tucked into 2701 Lawnview Lane, Suite 108, Aqua Vitae is the bar Apex did not have until recently: a dim, gold-and-green lounge built around handcrafted cocktails and a whiskey list that runs from Kentucky bourbon and rye through Scotch single malts to Japanese, Irish and Indian drams. Signature drinks like the Dalgona Old Fashioned and the Caprese Martini sit next to a serious zero-proof programme, so sober-curious friends are not stuck with soda water.
Small plates (charcuterie, crab cake bites, spinach and artichoke dip) are made to share, and the room hosts regular live jazz and acoustic nights. Hours: Monday to Wednesday 4–11 pm, Thursday 4 pm–midnight, Friday and Saturday noon–midnight, Sunday noon–11 pm – open seven days a week. Reserve a table or browse the full menu.
Go for: date night, a proper Old Fashioned, whiskey flights, private events and group bookings.
2. The Backyard Bar – Apex’s easy-going local
Out on US-64, The Backyard Bar is exactly what the name promises: a relaxed, come-as-you-are spot with a pool table, live music on weekends and a rotating line-up of food trucks parked outside. It is the highest-reviewed bar in town for good reason – friendly staff and no pretension. Expect beer, well drinks and a crowd that knows each other.
Go for: a casual Saturday, live bands, shooting pool with friends.
3. Southern Peak Brewery Taproom & Pizzeria
Southern Peak on Richardson Road is a brewery first and a bar second, which is precisely why beer drinkers love it. House-brewed IPAs, lagers and seasonals pour alongside wood-fired pizza, and the taproom is family-friendly in the early evening. It is more restaurant than nightlife, but for a pint brewed on-site it is the best in Apex.
Go for: craft beer, pizza night, an early-evening stop with kids in tow.
4. The Local Apex
A neighbourhood beer bar on Old US 1 Highway with a rotating draft list and food trucks most nights. Small, unfussy and good for a quick pint after work.
5. The Dugout Tavern & Grill
When there is a game on, The Dugout is where Apex watches it: plenty of screens, pub food and cold domestic beer. Not the place for a cocktail, but the right call for kickoff.
Which Apex bar is right for your night?
For a casual beer and live music, The Backyard Bar or Southern Peak. For the game, The Dugout. For a date, a celebration, a whiskey you have never tried or a cocktail made with actual care, Aqua Vitae is the only bar in Apex built for that evening – and it is ten minutes from Cary, Holly Springs and Beaver Creek Commons.
Frequently asked questions about bars in Apex
What is the best cocktail bar in Apex, NC?
Aqua Vitae at 2701 Lawnview Ln is Apex’s dedicated craft cocktail and whiskey bar, with signature cocktails, a whiskey library and a full zero-proof menu.
Which bars in Apex have live music?
Aqua Vitae hosts live jazz and acoustic nights (see the events calendar), and The Backyard Bar books bands most weekends.
Are there bars in Apex open on Sunday?
Yes. Aqua Vitae is open Sundays from noon to 11 pm (and every other day of the week), and most of the taverns above keep Sunday hours too.
Where can I book a private event at a bar in Apex?
Aqua Vitae takes private evenings and group bookings for birthdays, corporate gatherings and celebrations. Get in touch to plan yours.