The Borough

The Borough should be the poster child for why NC needed the smoking ban. I still wonder why the owners didn't voluntarily go smoke-free from the beginning... were they brain-dead or just stuck in the 50s?? But thankfully, after January 2, 2010, I can start going back to this otherwise great bar and enjoy their fantastic drinks and food! Pros: urban feel, friendly crowd, nice food Cons: peak crowds more

The Borough is probably my favorite place in Raleigh. The bar is inviting and the food is delicious (although I'm sad that they got rid of the Vizzini, which was my favorite). Their drinks menu features kitschy drinks with out-there ingredients, and I've never met a person who hated the PomBR--but they also have an extensive beer and wine list. I've never had a bad experience here. Pros: Excellent drinks, friendly staff more

The Borough is a wonderful downtown urban pub. If ""Cheers"" could come to Raleigh then The Borough would be it. Always welcoming and inviting, the staff, was voted the best bar staff in Wake County by The Independent Weekly. The prices are really modest for this location for both food and drink. The Brute is a mouth watering hamburger which is marinated prior to grilling and served with crispy onions on a delicious bun. I love the ""Dizzy's Bent Trumpet"" which is a salad prepared with pears and pistachio nuts. Pros: Food and Drinks Are The Best more

plus: cheese sandwich, the Smattering appetizer, roast beef au jus.. all the food is great, can't go wrong probably with anything on food or drink menu. minus: smoke--- thankfully that won't be an issue as of jan 2/2009 . we'll get to gleefully watch the smokers freeze their a**es off as we sit comfortably inside, thanks to NC's new anti-smoking bill. minus: service.. there have been lightly-attended weeknights where I swear either we're sitting in a table that nobody realizes belongs to 'their' section, or we've done something to horribly upset one or more servers as everyone on staff blithely flits, desperate to not make eye contact with us Pros: good food!! Cons: smoke , service is spotty more

The Borough has a casual yet sophisticated atmosphere, and the clientele is a cross-section of eclectic Raleigh's hippest and funkiest . The small menu is surprisingly varied with several delicious vegetarian entrees. Pros: Funky, fun, small menu but lots of variety Cons: TOO MUCH CIGARETTE SMOKE! (cough cough cough) more

This is my new favorite hangout! They have a great menu that they serve all night - it is really reasonably priced & they have a good amount of vegetarian options - homemade veggieburger, vegetarian soup, grilled cheese & tomato sandwich (with the tomato bisque is awesome!), but my meat-eating friends are always happy with what they find too! And I?ve never had to wait to be seated. I?ve always found the staff fun and attentive (even when it?s busy). They have a full bar & PBR on tap for $2. I love hanging out there for dinner after work or a drink late at night. Pros: great food; great prices; attentive staff Cons: can be crowded late on weekend nights more

I have decided that I need to tell people in Raleigh about special finds. This, The Borough, is one of those special finds. The establishment now on its second year has proven its sustainability. As a matter of fact, finally after ten years of living in Raleigh, I have found a neighborhood bar where you can trust the food, the drinks, and the atmosphere. I feel safe and always welcome here. Consistency is a trademark for Liz, the bar?s owner. She is very good at ensuring there is always a new beer on tap, or the consistency of her staff and their product. I know exactly what I am going to get when I order it, and most of the time, the staff can even anticipate my order by suggesting the new hoppy beer added to the drink list. It is a fun neighborhood bar, where the staff is very aware of Raleigh happenings and tries to ensure their constituents are happily attended to. Just as Farther and Son has become a downtown Raleigh retail staple, The Borough is in it?s genesis of being tapped the Raleigh downtown eatery and neighborhood bar. Pros: Always a smile and warm welcome from the staff, accommodating to parties more

The Borough has that all around cool atmosphere that makes it perfect for an after-work drink, happy hour with friends, quick dinner, or late night hang-out on the weekends. The aesthetic is trendy yet warm and inviting. The food is solidly tasty. And, the wait staff is reliably great. I'm sure the staff has an occasional off night, but every time I've been there I've been impressed. The owner and her staff will often shout a greeting as you walk in the door, giving it an intimate quality that makes it an excellent candidate for your new ""regular"", neighborhood bar. more

I was reading reviews of downtown restaurants, I love the Borough but I know what you mean about the bartenders, I saw Shmitty chase down a customer one night, she literally ran down the street after them. I would have been so angry I would have thought about suing them. The customer had paid the other person at the bar. While I sat at the bar, they're so busy talking back and forth with people they don't know all of what's going on and it shows. Pros: See all of the above! Cons: Bartenders cursing and yelling at people more

I'm 36. I do look young but not under 21 young. Liz at The Borough does. She honestly thinks I have a fake ID. I would think after so many visits (I'm there at least every other week) she would finally know me. Last Sunday I was there with a friend, 10 years younger. He didn't get carded- I got quizzed. She also knows a lot of people I know. This past Sunday she pulled and tugged at the plastic. It's honestly getting frustrating; this last time I went I literally was embarrassed because of it. She could be more tactful. Instead I had other people sitting at the bar joking about it. It's a shame because it's a great place, the food is good and the atmosphere is great. I like The Borough but I'm going to have to think hard about going again since I'm tired of the inquisition and the lack of tact. Pros: Atmosphere, Boisterous, Fun, Good Food, Not too expensive Cons: Lack of tact Liz has and the schitzo bar tender Schmitty, she may chase you down the sidewalk if you pay another server so be careful more

I am new in town and I went here because of all the reviews that the bartenders are the best and I though it might bea good (not know anyone in town) place to go and strike up some conversation with some cool people. Well walked in and sat down it took a while for anyone to say hello to me and when they did they took my drink order. The four women behind the bar seemed very into what their conversation was about and did not look up to see if I needed anything else. They were vey attentive to the people that they knew. A group of women walked in and sat a a table and I watched how they smirked and made fun of these women. As a matter of fact one of the women order her drink and certain way and behind the bar one bartender said to the other that was making the drink to the order said ?f*#k that, just shake it around? ??.There was two very nice bartenders both with light brown or blonde short hair and the other two had brown hair one had it long and tied in a bun and the other had short brown hair ( this is the one that said F that ) and the shortest one behind the bar. When you go hope that you get the blond hair girls. I have a suggestion to the owner be as attentive as you are to your fiends that go to the bar , to all costumers and you have a gold mine. Continue the way you are going and you will have few repeat customers. You may get new customers but if they don?t come back than business looks bad. more

I go there b/c my buddies like the owner. Everyone I have met that works there has been really cool to me. The seats are not the most comfy, but it's a pretty well rounded new Raleigh type of bar. It's doesn't feel like a big city bar, but it's got enough charm to draw a steady crowd of people. It is smokey on occasion but thankfully the ceilings are high so if not too many people are smoking at once, it has relatively better air quality than most other bars. Pros: Nice staff Cons: They allow smokers more

The staff at The Borough is awesome, these ladies are fun while still having their act together and are capable of holding it together and getting drinks out quickly even when it is slammed. more

Open 7 days a week, so you never drive all the way there just to be let down. The bartenders are quick and creative, and the food.... let's just say.... try the filet, try the filet, try the filet!! I visit all the time, it is the perfect afternoon place to sip a martini and take advantage of their free wi fi!! They actually encourage me to bring my dog!! ( We sit on their patio and do some serious ""people watching"".) It's really just an all around great place! Pros: Full menu every day 4pm-2am more

My fiance and I go here at least once a week to wind down with a simple meal and beverage of choice. Good music and great service. I'll be there next week for sure. Pros: Half Price Appetizers before 7 PM Cons: Parking more

One of the most relaxed and hip places to hang out and enjoy the moment. Great for after work and even better on the weekend. The staff are wonderful and fun to be around. I am so glad to have found the place. Good food and drinks. You got to try it and you will always keep coming back for more. You will find a very diverse crowd and everyone has fun. Love it, Love it. Pros: Overall the whole place is great Cons: No Cons more