Goodnight Raleigh - a look at the art, architecture, history, and people of the city at night

Open Mic Night @ The Berkeley Cafe




One of the greatest treasures of Raleigh’s night life is Open Mic Night at the Berkeley Cafe. I’ve covered the Berkeley before back in September but open mic night is something truly special. Just as you may imagine, it’s a night in which musicians of all varieties can perform for a rather large audience simply by signing up. It is usually an eclectic mix of music of several stripes, not music limited to one specific genre.
If you ever find yourself bored on a Wednesday night, I highly recommend checking it out. You won’t be disappointed.

217 W Martin St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 821-0777
Get directions

White Collar Crime – Part 2


Kelly



Sean



Wes



Mike


Of all the bars/clubs in Raleigh, the bartenders at White Collar Crime are definitely the most talented. I tended bar for more than two years, and I was no where close to where these folks are in terms of talent and experience. Even though every spot of the bar was filled with people, they don’t keep you waiting long for your next drink.
In addition to being extremely attentive, they are also skilled at flair, meaning they are good at juggling/balancing/flipping liquor bottles, bar tools, etc. during the course of preparing a cocktail for a guest. There aren’t many of these in Raleigh, but White Collar Crime has almost an entire staff skilled at this art.
The bartenders here are more than service workers tending guests, they are a performance that blended in seamlessly with the DJ and the crowd. While in sync with various buildups/breakdowns of dance tracks, they will throw a stack of napkins in to the air, or blow fireballs against the wall. It is really quite a performance.

319 W Davie St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 828-0055
Get directions

White Collar Crime


Kelly

Sean


Wes


Mike

Of all the bars/clubs in Raleigh, the bartenders at White Collar Crime are definitely some of the most talented. Even though every spot of the bar was filled with people, they don’t keep you waiting long for your next drink.

In addition to being extremely attentive, they are also skilled at flair, meaning they are good at juggling/balancing/flipping liquor bottles, bar tools, etc. during the course of preparing a cocktail for a guest. There aren’t many of these in Raleigh, but White Collar Crime has almost an entire staff skilled at this art.

The bartenders here are more than service workers tending guests, they are a performance that blended in seamlessly with the DJ and the crowd. While in sync with various buildups/breakdowns of dance tracks, they will throw a stack of napkins in to the air, or blow fireballs against the wall. It is really quite a performance.





This was the first time I’d ever been to white collar crime, and I must say I sorely regret not having been sooner.  The building itself has always intrigued me, as it has served as something else long ago, and you can see the history in the walls and windows. Outside is the unique identifier–the unmistakable blue thumbprint (sadly not pictured).

From the permorming artist bartenders on staff, to random bursts of napkins exploding in the air, a consistently packed crowd, to outdoor seating, and great DJs–this place has a lot going for it. This was probably one of the most memorable spots covered for this blog.

Every Wednesday you get to be the DJ–bring in your iPod with 5 tracks ready or use theirs loaded with 30,000.

319 W Davie St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 828-0055
Get directions


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