The Downtown Raleigh After-Work Event Guide Thursday December 18th Edition

Looking for the best things to do after work in Downtown Raleigh? From happy hour drink specials and free wings to live music, improv, art walks, karaoke, and holiday pop-ups, Thursday, December 18 is packed with ways to unwind, connect, and celebrate the season downtown. Here’s your complete after-work event guide.

🍸 Happy Hour, Drinks & Social Meetups

Start the evening with drink specials and social vibes at some of downtown Raleigh’s favorite spots.

$10 Classic Cocktails All Day | Boatman Spirits Co. Enjoy expertly crafted classic cocktails at a special all-day price every Thursday. Singles Mingle 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Good Day Good Night Mix, mingle, and meet new people in a relaxed after-work social setting.

🎨 Arts, Creativity & Holiday Pop-Ups

Add some creativity and seasonal fun to your Thursday night.

Wrap It Up – Pop-Up Gift Wrapping 4:00–6:00 p.m. | Platform Get your holiday gifts professionally wrapped while supporting a downtown pop-up experience. Illuminate Art Walk Sip n’ Stroll Tour 5:45–6:45 p.m. | Raleigh Walking Tours Explore Downtown Raleigh’s Illuminate Art Walk with a guided sip-and-stroll tour featuring public art and holiday vibes. Pottery Painting Pop-Up: Holiday Edition 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Incendiary Brewing Taproom Sip craft beer while painting pottery in this festive, hands-on creative experience.

🎭 Comedy, Improv & Live Entertainment

Leela Improv Theatre: Drop-In Improv Class 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Leela Improv Theatre Jump into improv—no experience required—at this fun, interactive drop-in class. Frog Machine & Vitamin D (Live Music) 9:00–11:00 p.m. | Slim’s Downtown Catch live music late into the evening at one of downtown’s most iconic venues.

🏈 Sports, Wings & Late-Night Karaoke

Free Gussie’s Wings & Thursday Football 8:15 p.m. | Wolfe & Porter Watch Thursday Night Football and enjoy free wings while supplies last. Thursday Night Music Karaoke 8:00 p.m. | Wolfe & Porter Warm up your vocals and sing along to your favorite hits. Zenith Raleigh Downtown Karaoke 9:00 p.m. | Zenith Raleigh Keep the party going with late-night karaoke downtown.

Make the Most of Your Downtown Raleigh Evening

Whether you’re heading out straight from work or meeting friends later in the night, Downtown Raleigh offers something for everyone—from creative workshops and guided art walks to live music, football, and karaoke.

Check back daily on DoRaleigh.com for the latest after-work guides, weekend previews, and downtown happenings.

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The Downtown Raleigh After Work Guide Monday November 10th Edition

Clock out and dive in — your Monday night in downtown Raleigh is serving community, creativity, and craft cocktails. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual mingle, a sip of Scotch, or a live music set that rocks the night, there’s something waiting for you after work in the heart of the city.

Follow DoRaleigh.com for your daily after-work rundown of Raleigh’s best weeknight happenings.

🍻 “Meet Me at Slim’s” Monday Neighborhood Mingle

📍 Slim’s Downtown | ⏰ 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. | 💸 Free Entry

Kick off the week with a laid-back local favorite. Slim’s Monday Neighborhood Mingle brings together Raleigh regulars, newcomers, and creatives for a relaxed night of conversation, good tunes, and community vibes. Grab a drink, catch up with friends, and meet new ones — this is downtown done right.

🧠 Trivia Night at West Street Dog

📍 West Street Dog | ⏰ 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | 💸 Free

Pups and pints, anyone? Trivia Night at West Street Dog is the go-to after-work hangout for dog lovers with a competitive streak. Bring your best trivia team (and your furry friend) for a fun evening of brain-teasing questions, prizes, and plenty of tail wags.

🎸 Archaos, Persistent Itch & Trash Wizard — Live at Slim’s

📍 Slim’s Downtown | ⏰ 8:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. | 💸 Cover at Door

Stick around after the mingle because Slim’s turns it up to eleven with a killer local lineup. Enjoy a night of raw energy and live music from Archaos, Persistent Itch, and Trash Wizard — three Raleigh-area acts redefining the underground rock scene.

🥃 The Art & Science of Scotch Whisky

📍 Wolfe & Porter | ⏰ 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | 💸 Ticketed

Unwind and elevate your palate at Wolfe & Porter’s Scotch Whisky Tasting. Explore the craftsmanship behind Scotland’s most celebrated spirits — guided by experts who break down the blend, barrel, and balance that make each Scotch unique.

Sip, learn, and savor every note in this immersive after-work experience.

✍️ Writing Misery & Magic Through the Lens of Taylor Swift

📍 Redbud Writing Project | ⏰ 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | 💸 Registration Required

Calling all Swifties and storytellers! The Redbud Writing Project invites you to analyze storytelling, symbolism, and songwriting through the lyrical genius of Taylor Swift. Perfect for aspiring writers and fans alike, this creative class transforms heartbreak and magic into art.

🔗 Register at redbudwriting.org →

💡 Make Mondays Matter in Downtown Raleigh

From Scotch to songwriting, trivia to live music — Downtown Raleigh transforms Mondays into moments worth celebrating. Step out after work, support local spots, and soak in the culture that makes Raleigh buzz long after 5 p.m.

Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!

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Downtown Raleigh After Work Event Guide Thursday October 30th Edition

Celebrate Halloween Eve with Live Music, Cocktails, and Raleigh Nightlife 🎃

As the sun sets over downtown Raleigh, the city comes alive with after-work fun, live music, creative workshops, Halloween parties, and iconic performances. Whether you’re winding down the week with friends, discovering a new bar, or catching John Legend live, there’s something special for everyone this Thursday night.

Here’s your ultimate guide to what’s happening around downtown Raleigh on Thursday, October 30, 2025 — perfect for your post-work plans.

🥂 Happy Hour & After Work Specials

$10 Classic Cocktails

📍 Boatman Spirits Co.

🕓 All Day | Every Thursday

Sip your favorite handcrafted cocktails for just $10 all day long at Boatman Spirits Co., one of Raleigh’s trendiest craft distilleries.

Hone Sharpen Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening

📍 421 N Harrington St, Smoky Hollow

🕞 3:30 PM

Celebrate the grand opening of Hone Sharpen in Smoky Hollow! Join the ribbon cutting, meet local entrepreneurs, and enjoy refreshments in one of downtown’s newest creative spaces.

🎭 Creative Workshops, Tours & Culture

Fiction I – Redbud Writing Project

📍 Redbud Writing Project

🕕 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Writers unite for an inspiring session of storytelling and creative expression in the heart of downtown.

Curtain Call from Beyond: Theatre Haunts & History Tours

📍 Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

🕢 7:30 PM & 9:00 PM

Step into Raleigh’s haunted theatre past! Discover backstage stories, ghostly legends, and rich performance history on this unique tour.

Sip n’ Stroll Raleigh Ghost Tour

📍 Raleigh Walking Tours

🕖 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM

Enjoy a chilling evening walk through historic downtown as guides share Raleigh’s most spine-tingling tales.

Raleigh Bricks & Minifigs Halloween Treasure Hunt – Walking Scavenger Hunt!

📍 Sir Walter Coffee & Kitchen

🕕 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Join a playful, LEGO-themed treasure hunt through downtown — fun for families and fans of all ages.

🎨 Markets, Music & Halloween Parties

Moonlit Maker’s Market: Special Halloween Party

📍 Burial Beer Co. – The Exhibit at Transfer Co. Food Hall

🕕 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Shop handmade goods, enjoy craft beer, and dance under the moonlight during this festive Halloween maker’s market.

Halloween Tattoo Flash

📍 The Davie

🕗 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Get inked with spooky designs at this special flash tattoo event — first come, first served!

DJ Terminator X at Boatman Spirits Co.

📍 Boatman Spirits Co.

🕗 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Get your groove on as legendary DJ Terminator X spins funk, soul, and Halloween party beats all night long.

Cleophus James Live

📍 Slim’s Downtown

🕘 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Catch local favorite Cleophus James for a high-energy performance at one of Raleigh’s most iconic dive bars.

Zenith Raleigh Karaoke

📍 Zenith Raleigh

🕘 9:00 PM

Sing your heart out at one of downtown’s sleekest karaoke lounges. Perfect for group nights or spontaneous fun!

🎤 Trivia, Comedy & More

Leela Improv Theatre: Drop-In Improv Class

📍 Leela Improv Theatre

🕖 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Learn improv basics or just laugh along in this interactive, beginner-friendly workshop.

Trivia with the Professor

📍 Woody’s at City Market

🕖 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Gather your trivia crew and grab a pint for a classic Raleigh weeknight favorite.

Free Gussie’s Wings & Thursday Football

📍 Wolfe & Porter

🕗 8:15 PM

Enjoy complimentary wings while catching Thursday night football in one of Raleigh’s coziest spots.

Thursday Night Music Karaoke

📍 Wolfe & Porter

🕗 8:00 PM

After the game, the mic is yours — belt out your favorite tunes!

🎶 Big Stage Spotlight

John Legend – Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour

📍 Red Hat Amphitheater

🕗 8:00 PM

Experience the smooth, soulful voice of John Legend live in downtown Raleigh as he celebrates 20 years of his iconic debut album Get Lifted. This is the concert event of the week!

Sinners on IMAX

📍 Marbles IMAX Theater

Catch this visually stunning Halloween-season film on the largest screen in the Triangle — a must-see for horror fans.

From happy hours to haunted tours, maker markets to live music, downtown Raleigh offers the perfect blend of art, nightlife, and community spirit.

🧡 Make It a Downtown Night to Remember

Plan your evening, bring your friends, and experience why Raleigh is the Triangle’s go-to destination for after-work entertainment.

Discover more Raleigh nightlife and weekend guides at DoRaleigh.com – your home for everything Raleigh!

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