Clockwork

Well, Unilocal strikes again! Due to the reviews had to experiment for my GF and I. It’s a Thursday night and kinda quiet around 9:30pm. The music there playing has an excellent vibe, the food is excellent and extremely fresh. The service is on par and we ordered the LI ice tea and they made it with a really good kick to it. My Girls Moscow mule was good also. This place does NOT disappoint at all. I do know on the w/​ends this place packs and rightfully so. Well another great place downtown raleigh has to offer! Ps: we ordered the Carnitas sandwich and also the mahi mahi taco’s which i must say is a must order, very fresh, tasty and at a good price!

Love the place and the atmosphere, Matt can make some delicious drinks!
DJ automatic is there on Sat night, great vibe.
T

Danny made the best Moscow Mule I’ve had from here.
She rocks! Great service, great drinks! Definitely a stop to check out while In Raleigh.

The cocktails are as fabulous as the amazing staff. If you want Raleigh’s greatest old fashioned, this is the place to go. The food is great, I was surprised because I thought it would be more like «bar food» but it’s comparable to fine dining. Definitely a go to spot in downtown Raleigh!

This place was full of wannabe’s. The thirst was real when we walked in on Saturday night. PACKED. TO. THE. GILLS. Strike 1. We normally would turn right around and walk out but I had heard how cool this place was so I remained open minded. It had all your usual, thirsty types: girls in hooker boots and mini skirts on a freezing Saturday night, ugly guys with money blowing cash on glasses of champs for girls who will never sleep with them, and, without sounding crass, lots of foreigners. I don’t know how else to say that, really.
We ordered a couple vodka sodas and the bartender measured my bf’s vodka and shorted him pretty majorly. Strike 2. At this point, we decided this isn’t our scene. Maybe it’s because we were here so late and all the class had left the building, I don’t know, but it just seemed lame. We waited and waited and waited for the bartender to close us out but he was so swamped and uninterested, we just left. Strike 3.
Not our scene. Pass.

I’ve been here once and probably won’t return. The night I was there they were celebrating a coworkers birthday and the staff was completely obnoxious! They were too worried about getting their drunk friend wasted and it was difficult to even get my dirty martini properly made! The music was so loud I couldn’t think straight and most definitely couldn’t talk to the people I was with! The décor is funky and fun but that’s the only positive I took away from the experience.

Love this swanky little place on Glenwood! The interior of Clockwork is a wonderful mix of eccentric décor, bold colors and posh vibes. The bartenders here really know how to make their cocktails, the same which can’t be said of many other places in the area. This seems to be a great date spot as I’ve seen numerous couples here and one of my friends has personally taken a date here as well.
The music can be very clubby and loud on when I’ve been on weekends, though there isn’t really a dance floor or area, which is a bit of a shame. Also, the front section of this bar also pulls up like a garage, so it’s great for some fresh air on those cool autumn days and gives this place a little bit of fresh air. I wish they did a chiller jazz night, I feel like this would be the perfect venue for that.

Loved the casual laid back feel and the food was really good. Had the pesto gnocchi appetizer. Just a smaller version of the main entrée. The sauce, I wanted to scoop up on a spoon it was so good. The gnocchi were really light and tasty. I had a side salad with blue cheese that was so fresh and full of blue cheese chunks. Drinks were fairly priced. And they had a fun selection of canned beers like Schlitz and PBR. While I find them disgusting, it’s a fun throwback. My friend had the Hawaii 5-​O pizza. I had a bite. The crust was super yummy. Definitely enjoy this tiny little place. We left before 10. Which is when I understand the music changes and it gets really crowded.

Guys, to be honest, I’m not really sure what I walked into. But I liked it a lot. I’d definitely call this a lounge, and a modern eclectic one at that. I wonder if they were trying to model it after one of the Clockwork Orange clubs…
Anyways, even though they were a bit short staffed, the bartenders were attentive, and the music wasn’t blaring. Whichever model chair you decided to sit in, whether it be the studded black chair shaped like a hammerhead shark, or the grandmothers pink micro suede chair, they were hella comfortable. That in itself is a great conversation starter with anybody.
The drinks were great, BIG wine pours and well mixed cocktails. I also loved that they had their bay door open, very inviting and made the space cool and well ventilated. I definitely want to come back for their food!
Gotta give a shoutout to the DJ for the night; they had a pretty weird mix of music from Eurythmics to Christina Aguilera to EDM music… their music choice was as eclectic and unique as their décor. And you know it’s a good night when all the guys start singing and dancing to T-​Swift.

While its website gives me a headache and does it no justice, Clockwork is a nicely decorated, comfortable lounge that serves some awesome food. Why has nobody told me about this place? I had the Fresh House Handmade Gnocchi topped with a basil pesto cream sauce and served with fresh, local tomatoes and basil toast delizioso; and The Triple Dip which included white bean hummus, Kalamata olive tapenade, Ajvar (Roasted red peppers, eggplant, garlic & olive oil) and was served with Pita bread.
The handmade gnocchi were delicious. Not too firm, not mushy. Just right. The basil pesto cream sauce was fantastic. It had an unmistakable nutty undercurrent that went perfectly with the cheese/​cream/​basil base. It was served with fresh tomatoes and basil that sat atop little toasted ovals, not unlike bruschetta. I ate it all.
The triple dip was a flavor party! The white bean hummus was some of the best I have had. Creamy and tasteful, just the right amount of oil. The Kalamata olive tapenade, although meant to be consumed as a dip, was eaten with a spoon from my plate. And the Ajvar was superb. The peppers were roasted perfectly so that the flavor was meaningful and present but not overbearing.
This was an incredibly pleasant surprise. I thought I was going to a funky bar to have bar food, and I was served locally sourced, fresh, handmade cuisine. I love it when this happens!

Great place to grab a drink! When it comes to drinks, consistency is a must/​key! Clockwork delivers as I’ve been to this establishment several occasions. The vibe is great and the DJ’s selection of music greatly matches the overall vibe and atmosphere of the place. More importantly, the bartenders «understood» what the customer specifically ordered/​wanted and they delivered (Yes, it’s a difficult skill to master as bartender).
Drink consistency tends to be more important for me than the overall atmosphere/​vibe of the place. Hence, clockwork has delivered both, I will be returning soon, thanks!

I love this place – It has such a nice vibe. The décor is nice and the drinks are amazing. Depending on the night and DJ the tunes appeal to all age ranges. Whenever we want to hang out and just chill this is the place.
The music isn’t blaring so you can have a conversation which makes it even better if you’re on a date. They serve food but I haven’t tried it yet, when I do I will update this review.

Went here randomly because c Grace (a block up and over) was closed. Never knew Clockwork was there!!! Love the décor instantly. The music seemed to be controlled from the bartender’s cell phone. And his taste in music is AWESOME! Lots of songs you’d expect, given the mid-century/70’s vibe of the place. I didn’t catch his name before we left, but he was awesome. Great energy, music selections (he played House of the rising sun and hotel California and I was hooked on clockwork after that.), super knowledgeable on the bar, and mixed our drinks with finesse. The Bliss o Bliss was my fav drink! It tastes like a vacation. He made mine with a little simple syrup and it was delicious.
We also tried some of the food. TRY the Tri Me pizza. It sounds weird, but it’s so good! We tried the fried ravioli too– it was good, but I wouldn’t get it again. Too many different textures going on at once for me.

We’d heard about Clockwork as an awesome cocktail bar, but got super excited when we looked at their food menu shortly after they went on OpenTable. We definitely didn’t need our reservation at 6 on a Saturday, as we were the only people not at the bar (maybe 3 other people just getting drinks). Maybe it was because of this, but the service was fantastic.
They recommended Last Tango in Paris as a sweeter cocktail and they came through– delicious! We got a number of small plates, starting with homemade cheese with honey and pita points, which was cold, but very good. The Spinach Salad was excellent, as was the Pimento Cheese Sandwich (with fries, of course). The Fried Cheese balls were just okay, but overall, we were not disappointed in the least!
The only semi-​off thing we could find was the prices we were charged were just slightly different than the prices on the menu (just a few cents here and there, but still odd…).

Chic, cool, hip, epic vibe with incredible music and the nicest owner you will ever meet! Don’t miss this bar if you are visiting Raleigh! It’s on the top bars to see before you die list!

Right off Glenwood, good drink selection, great atmosphere and refreshing different look. Lounge meets bar? If that’s a description.

Randomly came here with a big group for somewhat of a late-​ish dinner, and was really pleasantly surprised. We were able to be seated right away and right in a primo spot by the window. I had the carnitas sandwich and that bad boy was absolutely delicious. Big olé portion with lots of tasty fixins. There are of course also lots of good beers, and I assume good cocktails, to choose from as you’d expect and hope, and as others have said the décor (especially the hall to the bathroom) is trippy. Cool place though. I didn’t expect the food to be as good as it was, given the vibe and the time we rolled up, but it was. I’ll keep it on my radar.

Oh my! How have I never been here before?
And how do I begin to describe the décor? «Mad Men» meets «Alice in Wonderland» meets Acid Trip, perhaps.
A friend of mine and I were planning to go somewhere else, but it was closed for a private event. It was cold. We were starving. We didn’t want to walk far. Enter Clockwork.
Just everything here was top-​notch: the service, the food, the drinks, the ambiance, the music. It was a Monday night, so it wasn’t crowded at all, and I enjoyed having some breathing room at this venue.
Let me start by talking about our server. She was the cutest little thing and I am embarrassed to say I don’t even know her name. Sweet, personable, and cute as a button. She was learning how to concoct some of the cocktails and let me just say– whomever was teaching her was simply flawless. I had an Old Fashioned to start. Perfect ingredients. A little on the strong side, but that didn’t overpower the flavor of the cocktail. Immensely enjoyed. Then with my dinner I changed gears and tried a Moscow Mule. (I usually enjoy brown liquors, but I am really just intrigued by those tin glasses in which Mosow Mules are served). Once again: perfection in a glass.
I wasn’t too sure about the food– I had never really heard anything about this place, so I wasn’t certain what to expect. What I ended up experiencing was perfection. I had the steak sandwich. It was juicy, delicious, and hearty. I opted for a salad instead of fries (go me!) and it was served with an orange vinaigrette. Yummy. My friend had the crab ravioli and she loved it. I tried a bite and found it to be quite satisfying, as well. We shared a slice of cheesecake for dessert. Creamy and delicious, it was just the perfect way to end our meal.
We took photos in front of the big drippy wax candles. So dramatic looking! They were beautiful, gothic, and photo-​worthy. I love the lamps, the various wall papers, the chairs… everything.
The only question I am left with is: When can I venture back down this rabbit hole, into this unique venue again?

You can’t ask for a more unique bar. It’s vibrant wallpapers, statues, furniture, and lighting make this bar one of a kind. The atmosphere is just one of the great things here.
The drinks and food are amazing too. The bartenders don’t just «pour» drinks… they do it well. You will get a good, strong, well made drink. And let me tell you about the massive nachos… please order when hungry! The tacos and meatloaf sandwiches are to die for too!
The only downfall is the waitresses are sometimes not very attentive, its been hit or miss.
Go and check it out!

I fell in with Clockwork. One of the best bars I have found yet! Great atmosphere, decorative creativity, yummy drinks and they offer food as well!
First off, the location is perfect off Glenwood avenue. I was already in the area finishing up dinner when I see Clockwork and it’s beautifulness, just walking distance for some post-​dinner cocktails! I ordered myself a delicious Bliss O’ Bliss, which contains: Bacardi Select Rum, Guava Juice, Muddled lime and a hint of Mazaher (Orange blossom water) — definitely recommend it. I later had a couple more drinks (why not) like a mule and a gin and tonic and found that my bill was better priced than I had expected.
The décor and general atmosphere of the bar is my favorite part of Clockwork. The different mismatched chairs and tables from different eras of life and fashion, melted candle displays, the eccentric wallpaper (walls and ceiling) and the bar chandeliers. Hell, they even have built in speakers and recessed lighting — that’s a rarity in The South if you ask me!
I definitely recommend it to anyone, and I will be back again to try the food next time. Clockwork is a must!