Foundation

I went here last Saturday night but never got through the front door. There was a line waiting outside the door for entry and the bar had changed to something new called «The Underground». Will consider trying it during the week sometime.

Favorite bar in downtown Raleigh. It’s a little small and the mixed drinks are complicated orders so it takes a while to get a drink, so I’d recommend going early in the night. Usually I start here with a craft cocktail or 2 and move along. Just tried their winter menu for the first time and loved the Land of the Pine. Wasn’t sure how pine would taste (I’m pretty sure there’s some sort of pine extract in there) but it was awesome if you have a major sweet tooth (very very very sweet). I’ve had a lot of their other classics and really like them all, there’s really something for anyone. Lots of sweet options as well as Manhattans/​Old Fashioned etc. All made craft cocktail style. Pretty good beer selection for a cocktail place as well. Really nice ambiance, always clean.

I completely agree with another reviewer who noted this as his go-​to place at the end of the night.
Almost a year has passed since my first visit here, and I still seem to stop by at some point over the weekend, every weekend. The cocktail menu alway seems to have some relatively exotic flavor to piqué my interest, or I can always go for the faithful company of an old friend like Four Roses, neat.

For the end result without drama, skip to the end…
NOVEMBER 2015: Came here for a cocktail like I have every time for the last 5 years when I am in town. Met at the door to pay a dollar «membership». Maybe I escaped this the last dozen times I’ve been here… Filled out a form and given a «membership». Required $ 1 cash. No cash, refused entry. Even offered to add onto my bill. Nope. Told I could walk two blocks to withdraw money. Disappointed because the drinks here are really good!
Have since spoken with the owner, he apologized for the over zealous doorman. Deal is this: a ridiculous government rule that a bar that doesn’t serve food MUST be classified as a «membership». Wish they had told me that before I stormed off in a huff.
Conclusion: great drinks, shitty government! Bring a dollar.

Cozy up at this tiny, underground bar for a nightcap and snacks. The dimly lit, industrial interior and ultra friendly bar staff will delight your inner, urban hipster while still managing to appeal to the mainstream speakeasy loving crowd. With plenty of beers on tap, a solid wine list, and an inventive cocktail menu to complement your evening’s activities, you won’t be disappointed. Foundation is lively and can get crowded, but the experience is well worth the effort. Thanks to its central location next to plenty of other great bars and restaurants, Foundation can be the launch pad or jumping off point for a night on the town. It’s one of those great bars that almost everyone can like, making it a perfect meeting spot to mix, mingle, see.

Beautiful dark whiskey bar. Staff is helpful for non whiskey drinks! Its kind of hidden and can be easy to miss so keep your eyes peeled on the building foundation for the glowing red sign.

I’m not that fancy about my drinks but I love the brick and Raleigh artist artwork in the background. Mellow and cool (literally, it was so warm outside but this basement was so refreshing). I am impressed at the passion the mixologists? (seem way more than bartenders) have for making something elevated out of your preference for drink.

Waaaaay overrated. We waited in line to pay our $ 1 membership that we’ll never use again. The place is too bright, plays bad music and is way too cramped. They sent us, a group of 5, downstairs to just stand in the middle of room because there was no seats available. Maybe my claustophobia kicked in, I don’t know but I felt like everyone was on top of me. The no signal on my phone turned me off as well. The only plus was that the shots were pretty cheap.
This place seems to have a reputation that exceeds it’s actual experience. I didn’t find anything special about this place and we left immediately after downing our shot.

If I lived in the area I’d give this place another go, because it has a lot of potential.
I’m not a big bourbon drinker and I really wanted to talk to the bartender and get a recommendation for one to try, but I just couldn’t deal with the bartender woman that was working that night. She was a little cold and not very attentive.
First, we got there before the crowd on a Saturday night so it wasn’t super packet yet, but it took forever for me to even get the bartender’s attention. Then when they didn’t have any cider options, that I asked for and I ordered a beer and a vodka soda I got a half eye roll.
When I went to the other guy bartending he was really nice and helpful for the second round. But by the time I went to close out I had to go back to the first woman and it took FOREVER. She was putting away dishes and arranging bottles, etc before she finally just printed out my receipt. I understand there’s a lot to do all at once, but don’t let me watch you do your side work for 10−15min.
Minus:
— Bad service
— Fart smells (srsly, someone had too many beans for dinner… it was almost enough to make us leave, not that it’s the bar’s fault)
— Super loud music
Plus:
— Cool vibe
— Loved the artwork (caricatures of movie leads holding their bev of choice with hints of other elements from the movie silhouetted in the background… really loved these!)
— Tons of gluten-​free drink options
**NOTE! If you’re not from NC then they will ask you to pay $ 1 to become a member to their club. I guess this is a state thing, where if you aren’t a restaurant and serve liquor you have to be a private club. Not a big deal at all, but FYI if you’re not local.

A good place to impress out of town visitors, with its downstairs industrial speak easy vibe and its various selection of hard liquors and handcrafted cocktails it’s a must visit (even if once). It can get a little pricey but it’s a good place to try something new.
[[TIPS]]:The nights during the weekend are rather busy but during the week especially after 5 o’clock or 7pm (when some parking spaces on the street don’t charge, unless otherwise posted) it’s a doable visit. Although I do recommend eating a very hearty meal beforehand. Also it’s is a holiday, or if it’s especially packed, it helps to have a member card.

Hands down the best cocktail bar in downtown Raleigh. Rotating seasonal cocktails as well as solid regulars. Sunday specials available as well. Favorites include the Basil Smash, Whiskey Sour, and French 75. They also have a solid selection of draft beers available of the local variety — a little something for everyone!

I was in Raleigh for one night with a friend, on a road trip from Charleston to DC, and we did some barhopping in Raleigh. Foundation was one of our later stops, and I’d say it was my favorite bar of the night. I had to pay $ 1 for both of us to get in, which is hilarious but I guess is due to some weird local laws. Nice bar staff, a cool bar setting, and affordable drinks. I had a $ 5 beer, and we tried some moonshine. They had a huge bourbon list, too. Everyone there was super friendly. If I was in Raleigh longer, I’d definitely come back here.

Definitely not what we were expecting when we walked downstairs on a Saturday early in the evening. The ambiance is awesome and the drinks are superb. Normally, we go for wine, beer, and sweet martinis, but decided to class it up– when in Rome…
We got two really impressive cocktails (I want to say one was a Spring Shandy, and the other was a Rum Weasley or something, but can’t remember the exact names) and enjoyed being the air conditioning downstairs (although we could’ve taken our drinks out to the seating on Fayetteville St), where there were lots of available seats and two bartenders who were very good.
With lots of cocktail bars in the area, this has got to be one of the better ones, especially due to location.

Great place for drinks! Cool atmosphere. Nice variety.
Try the plott hound… spicy!

Whiskey sour is legit here, and they have a really nice selection of bourbon. When in Rome. Surprising how busy it was on a Wednesday night. Raleigh likes to party!
Service is quick and knowledgeable. I liked the casual but underground cellar-​like ambiance. Good place to meet with a group or go on an intimate date.

This is my go to place at the end of the night. There’s something comforting about the smallness, the darkness, and the basement feel. After going to the packed clubs, coming here at the end of the night is a good way to wind down, relax, and actually have some good conversations with your friends. The drinks are a bit pricy, but amazing! The only negative thing I can say is that this place has gotten so popular there is sometimes a long wait to get in, but it is very much worth it!

Foundation is my go to bar in Raleigh. As I move into my mid-​thirties it’s a place that is just pricey enough to keep the unsavory people to a minimum for which I appreciate. The atmosphere is dark, low key and never reaches the threshold of hipster which I also appreciate. The drinks are good here and for $ 10-​$ 12 they should be. Their drinks are consistent regardless of who is bartending and the seasonal menu is delightful with the use of fresh herbs. They do not serve food which allows the bartenders time to focus on great service and making some solid drinks. Foundation can get busy which is amplified by its small size. I like to come here for a pre– dinner drink and avoid the late night drunk girl asking me if I’ve seen her purse.

Foundation has always had a special place in my heart (my favorite first date was here), so I am always bringing my Raleigh visitors to experience the delicious cocktails, bourbon, and the excellent atmosphere. I think I frequent this place once a month, and I’m always excited to go back.
I love that the menu changes seasonally, so I can always try new and unique concoctions, and I’m always impressed. Their bourbon selection is huge, and there is always a special going on to try something different.
My favorite cocktail by far has been the Corrected Cocktail, made with bourbon, honey, port, lemon, and cold brew coffee. While it’s no longer on the menu, the bartenders have still accommodated me when I’ve requested the drink.
I recently tried their housemade ginger ale, and I think it’s going to be one of my new regulars – I am a sucker for anything super spicy and gingery, and this hit the spot! It’s been a week and I’m still craving it.
Thank you, Foundation, for providing me with delicious alcoholic and non-​alcoholic beverages!

As one grows and matures, one has certainly change in taste. I certainly has grown to the quirky charm of Foundation.
Question: Can we call it a Speakeasy if it’s so hard to speak to my friends on a crowded Friday night?
Things that I have tackled since last review:
— I have found a consistent right time/​date of week to visit that barely has a crowd. I would love to share, but that would defeat the purpose, wouldn’t it?
— Foundation turned into PHO-​dation last week, and I liked pairing my broth-​cooked rare flank steak slices with a sip of Woodford Reserve.
— Getting to order all/​most of the Bourbon listed in the book. *raise two fingers* «neat, please!»
— It’s not highly advertised, but sometimes there are some good beers on draft. Pay attention to the chalkboard, which also show you bourbon special of the week.
— Flip a few pages, and you’ll find ‘CatDaddy Spiced Moonshine.’ Order it, one rock. It’s like liquid birthday cake and marshmallow. You’ll thank me later.
— No cell signal? Good! Put that phone away and enjoy the good drink and good company in front and around you. That’s what this place is about.

Foundation bring such a classy feeling when you walk in the door. The basement brick walls, and just the way they’ve decorated the place is incredible. I felt like I was sitting in history when I was there. The lighting was nice, perfect for nighttime drinking but not that you’d stumble on anyone. There are steps doing down to enter this place so certainly not for those needing assistance up and down stairs — just be aware of that.
The drinks are not for the faint of heart. They are individually prepared with fresh and (and organic if applicable) ingredients. Obviously if you like Whiskey, this is the place for you. They’ve got so many incredible choices, I don’t see how you couldn’t enjoy this place. I ordered a glass of wine but my friend ordered the Basil Crush and it was seriously the best drink I’ve ever tried in my entire life. So awesome! They’ve also got a strong tie to historic Baseball players as there were paintings all over the walls (and not for sale — you can tell they are truly there for the purpose of enjoying them). If you want to try a great place in Downtown Raleigh — go to the Fountain. You won’t be disappointed.