When the cocktail is good enough, it deserves a night of its own. Think dimly lit lounges, elevated bars, spirits distilled on-site and cocktails worth making plans around. As the evenings cool off, these five spots around Hickory make a pretty convincing case for putting the drinks first and seeing where the night takes you.
No Entry Cocktail Lounge
The name may say No Entry, but this hidden cocktail lounge inside City Walk Brewing & Distilling is one you will want to find. Moody green tones, copper accents and chandeliers give the room a little Gatsby energy, while the cocktails bring plenty of their own intrigue. City Walk distills its own vodka, gin and bourbon on site, with the distillery visible through the glass as you sip. Try a Negroni for a classic pour or order the Engine No. One, made with City Walk bourbon, Drambuie, St. Germain and smoke. The lounge fills up quickly, so arrive early and keep an eye on the calendar for its seasonal pop ups. Starting October 2, The Haunting on City Walk will bring Halloween decor and special cocktails to the lounge, while later in the year, Miracle on City Walk transforms the space again for the holiday season.
The Downbeat
Downtown Hickory has a new reason to stay out a little later. The Downbeat brings live jazz, vinyl, craft cocktails and chef-crafted small plates together in an intimate lounge that feels a world away from the street outside. Low lighting, an elevated bar and the warm hum of jazz give the space an effortlessly sophisticated feel, while the cocktail menu leans into the classics. Order a French 75 for something bright and sparkling, settle in with a Manhattan, or explore the lounge’s impressive bourbon selection. On select nights, prix fixe dining experiences are designed to complement the music and atmosphere, giving you another reason to settle in and enjoy the evening at its own pace.
Discretion Underground
At Discretion Underground, cocktail hour comes with a password. Located in downtown Newton, this speakeasy invites guests through a discreet green door and down a hallway to a second door, where you will knock and give the code word, “Swordfish.” Inside, the setting leans into its Prohibition-era inspiration with dim lighting, vintage details and an underground atmosphere that sets the mood for the evening. The espresso martini is the best seller and an easy recommendation, but the Banana Bread Old Fashioned is the one to order when you want something a little different. Made with bourbon, banana liqueur, brown sugar syrup, black walnut bitters and chocolate bitters, it is a rich, slightly sweet take on the classic that feels especially fitting as the evenings start to cool down. Discretion operates as a membership-based speakeasy, but visitors are always welcome to stop in and experience it for themselves.
North Hickory Market
At North Hickory Market, rum is very much having a moment. Set in a historic building in Hickory’s OLLE Arts District, the bar combines exposed brick and preserved character with a cocktail menu that brings plenty of color and personality to the evening. The Hickory-Daiquiri-Dock is a bright, citrusy blend of aged rum, lime juice and South Pacific syrup, while the Fish Bowl goes all in with coconut, dark and spiced rums, blood orange, lemon, lime, pineapple and thyme and rosemary simple syrup. The tiki-inspired drinks come in playful glassware, including a tiki pig, and the outdoor patio has its own walk-up window at the bar so you can grab another cocktail without heading inside. The patio is also dog-friendly, making this a particularly good spot to bring the whole crew. Add in weekly dinner specials built around locally sourced ingredients, and North Hickory Market is an easy pick for a fun, laid-back evening with a cocktail in hand.
Warehouse Distillery
In Newton, Warehouse Distillery is a family-owned distillery with an inviting cocktail lounge right on-site. The distillery produces award-winning rye whiskey, maple whiskey, bourbon and vodka, all of which make an appearance behind the bar. We recommend the Rosemary Fizz, made with rye whiskey, fresh rosemary simple syrup, lemon and ginger beer for a bright, herbal sip, or the Blush & Bashful, which pairs vodka with Aperol, grapefruit, lemon and simple syrup. The lounge has an eclectic atmosphere inspired by mid-century modern design, with live music, games and weekly food trucks adding to the lively setting. It is also pet-friendly, and the team creates the kind of warm, personal atmosphere where everyone is treated like a regular. Come in for a cocktail, settle in for the evening and you may just leave feeling like part of the family.
So, where will you start? A smoky cocktail under chandeliers, a Banana Bread Old Fashioned behind a speakeasy door, a tiki drink on the patio or a classic cocktail with a little live jazz? However you choose to spend the evening, there is a good drink waiting for you in Hickory. Come sip and see!
