• Banner 1
  • Banner 2
  • Banner 3

Welcome to Death and Taxes

At Death and Taxes in Raleigh, NC, the culinary experience marries innovation with tradition. This cocktail lounge artfully embraces the elemental dance of fire and flavor, integrating embered techniques into their thoughtfully curated menu. Signature dishes like the Twice-Cooked Pork Shoulder and Embered Vegetable Bolognese evoke nostalgia while pushing culinary boundaries. Patrons are invited to savor expertly crafted cocktails that evolve with every sip, complemented by intimate yet vibrant atmospheres. The attentive service enhances the dining experience, making every visit memorable. Death and Taxes promises a distinctive blend of comfort and sophistication, beckoning enthusiasts of both food and drink alike.

LOCATIONS

Welcome to the captivating world of Death and Taxes, an exquisite cocktail lounge nestled at 105 W Hargett St, Raleigh, NC. This unique venue transcends the ordinary cocktail bar experience, enveloping you in a dark, moody atmosphere that draws you in while offering an array of meticulously crafted drinks and delicious bites. With a focus on innovative craft cocktails and a menu that reflects seasonality and locality, Death and Taxes sets a high bar for cocktail culture.

As you enter, you will be greeted by a warm ambiance accentuated with plush furnishings and an inviting vibe. The bartenders here are not just drink makers; they are artists, blending flavors and techniques to create cocktails that enchant and surprise. Prepare to embark on a sensory journey with drinks like the Hanoi Cafe, an espresso martini that has garnered praise for its delightful complexity, or sip on the Serenity Now, a soothing hot drink that balances creamy oolong with Japanese whiskey.

The food selection is equally impressive, offering a tantalizing array of small plates designed to complement the drinks. Some highlights include:

  • Embered Golden Beets - A stunning dish featuring roasted beet puree and dill cream, beautifully paired with fennel and rye croutons, priced at $15.00.
  • Grilled Octopus - Tender octopus accompanied by a harmonious mix of rice peas, parsley, and pine nuts enveloped in a delightful piquillo pepper sauce for $18.00.
  • Twice-Cooked Pork Shoulder - This rich main dish, served with braised gigante beans, bacon, and pickled mustard seeds, is a hearty choice at $37.00.

Dining here feels like a celebration of vibrant flavors, with each dish thoughtfully curated to enhance your overall experience. Enthusiastic reviews praise the extensive drink menu that rotates frequently, ensuring there’s always something new to explore. Whether it’s a cozy date night or a night out with friends, Death and Taxes offers an intimate setting that effortlessly facilitates connection and good conversation.

With its inventive mixology and deliciously crafted menu, Death and Taxes is more than just a cocktail bar; it's a haven for those who appreciate the artistry of food and drink. As patrons have noted, a reservation is highly recommended as it maintains a lively atmosphere while also ensuring you don't miss out on any delightful culinary experiences.

Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or simply looking for a memorable night out, look no further than Death and Taxes. Make sure to embrace the adventure of flavors as you dive into this unique culinary oasis in Raleigh!

START YOUR REVIEW OF Death and Taxes
Jason D.
Jason D.

Death & Co Visited again for a friend's birthday, and they were accommodating even though we were 25 minutes late (past the 15-minute grace period). I appreciate the courtesy, especially since they weren't busy at the time. Unfortunately, groups of 4 can't sit at the bar. I prefer the bar for its bright lighting, bartender visibility, and quieter atmosphere, but the booths are more intimate despite the noise from patrons and music. Drinks: * Royal Fortune 8.5/10: Initially good, but as I drank more, the flavor evolved and became better--left me craving more. * Short Change Hero 8/10: Tasted good at first, but evolved with dilution, and the more I drank, the more I enjoyed it. * Emerald Grove 9/10: A great starter drink, light on the alcohol flavor, perfect for those who prefer drinks that don't taste overly boozy. * Green Tengu 8/10: I'm not big on tequila, but this one had a nice spice and subtle tequila taste, plus the matcha salt on the glass was a nice touch. * Hanoi Cafe 9.5/10: One of the best espresso martinis I've had, and my friend agreed. A definite standout. * Midnight Haze 7.5/10: Not my favorite, but I can appreciate its complexity--if you like chocolatey drinks, you'll enjoy this. * Kanzen 8/10: A spirit-forward drink that requires a second sip to appreciate; complex and intriguing. * Serenity Now 10/10: A perfect hot drink--pleasant, soothing, and balanced. The flavors were muted when served over ice, so best enjoyed hot. Food: * Delicata Squash 8/10: The squash wasn't fully caramelized, but the accompanying sauce was a great balance of spicy, sweet, and savory. The sauce on its own is spicy, but it complements the squash perfectly.

Hannah C.
Hannah C.

I had my first Death & Co experience at the original NYC location, so I was excited to check out the LA outpost. The vibes here are definitely different--more spacious, a bit sleeker, and a livelier crowd compared to the cozy, intimate feel of the New York spot. I came on a Thursday around 7 PM, and it was packed, but I was lucky enough to snag a seat at the bar. Service was great--attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. However, the drinks just didn't hit the same way they did in New York. They were well-crafted but lacked the same depth and balance I remembered. Maybe it was the atmosphere, maybe just a difference in execution, but something was missing. Overall, it's a solid cocktail bar with great service, but if you're expecting the same magic as the NYC location, you might walk away feeling like something got lost in translation. Would I come back? Maybe, but I'd probably explore other LA cocktail spots first.

Jamie M.
Jamie M.

Drinks are amazing. Service is great, the crowd was great vibes too. Perfect little spot to enjoy really good cocktails! I noticed they rotate their drink menu often. What you got last time might not be on the menu when you come back!

Jason K.
Jason K.

On our second visit, we went for Valentine's Day and made reservations for 6pm. Over the course of the evening, we ordered the Kanzen, Jailbreak, Short Change Hero, Midnight Haze, Buko Gimlet, and Serenity Now, all of which were very good. The food was excellent, as were our servers Izzy and Jeremy. It was a fun way to celebrate a birthday evening.

Raymond V.
Raymond V.

Great cocktails. Dark, moody, elegant east coast vibes, excellent service; shoutout to Bailey who recommended the headhunter for a fun mezcal drink (the guava flavors were great, too). He also recommended the Serenity Now which was a drink served hot and a perfect blend of creamy milky oolong and Japanese whiskey (and I don't even like whiskey much!). Very subtle and sophisticated notes. Need to come back and try the food, but so far so great.

Christopher T.
Christopher T.

We stopped by here after a concert downtown for late drinks and snacks. The drinks are fantastic and snacks are good &,nothing special (just the names on the menu). It's abit dark but that is aok with us cause we don't want too see what we or others look like with several drinks . The services are great and fast plus the music is loud but not too loud and perfect for midnight mood. Will definitely stop by again whenever we can.

Jocelyn K.
Jocelyn K.

My friends have had this spot on their radar for some time and it worked out that we were in the area right before they opened, so we tried our luck at getting a table upon walk-in. We lined up outside the door about 30 minutes before they opened and were the 4th party in line. In just a few minutes after, we had multiple parties line up after us. Our party of 8 was sat in a booth toward the back half of the space. We had to squeeze a bit but honestly it let us hear each other better haha. I can also see this being a great date spot. The range of drinks was wide and every bartender/staff member was extremely knowledgeable. Our waitress gave us solid recommendations for each question or vibe we threw out - super grateful! Their cookie was also delicious.

Roger P.
Roger P.

I've always wanted to try the cocktails at Death & Co ever since receiving their cocktail receipt book as a gift. They have multiple locations across the nation and I think the NYC is the original. It's a great place to start your night with some craft cocktails and light bites. The main area is located underground and it's a pretty small space. Reservations are a must but they do take walk-ins. Just be prepared to wait a bit. Cell service is a little weak but I still had some, which is surprising for being underground. It's super dark inside and kind of loud so I don't think it's really the right environment for an intimate event. We were using our phone brightness to read the menu and often had to yell across the table. Their menu is divided into different flavor profiles, which is really helpful when you don't really know what you want. I'm sure they can make the typical well drinks but you should definitely try something new here and I think they've done a very good job at crafting interesting things. It doesn't seem like they have vodka cocktails and focus more on tequila or gin. Prices are a little high but it's to be expected being in Little Tokyo. Glad I got to try this place at least once! I don't think it's worth waiting as a walk-in though so plan ahead and make a reservation. It would be interesting to see if they do any holiday cocktail specials.

Karen C.
Karen C.

Fancy schmancy craft cocktail bar, never been and went with a fancier friend that has been meaning to try this place. We went early so was able to score seats at the bar which is the way to go. The atmosphere is super dark and cozy with heavy velvet curtains to set the mood as you enter the bar area downstairs. It's also candle lamplit so adds to the dark romantic mood, but even thought the bathrooms are right before the bar area it's easy for me to miss since it was just so dark. I was served by Edwin, Joe, Michelle and Zack for the night, every single one of them was on point with their craft; from enduring my obnoxious small talk, me ordering a custom drink based around a cherry flavor profile, refilling my water cup endlessly and being well versed in the many drinks on their menu in answering my endless questions about ingredients. As I was driving I only could get a couple drinks, it is LA pricing so expect to shell out at least $20 per drink, but unlike other bars drinks were well thought out. From the initial sip to how it lingers on your palate after you've swallowed. Buko Gimlet; Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin, Novo Fogo Cachaça, Pandan, Coconut Water, Finger Lime. So refreshing and easy to drink, I could have had several of these if I was there all night. If you're a moscow mule lover you need to try this one. Dreamsong; Courvoisier VSOP Cognac, Freimeister Hazelnut Gin, Strawberry, Cacao, Heavy Cream. Sweet and creamy, the hazelnut flavors really shines and it warms you up with each sip like a dessert. If you like white russians you need to try this one. My custom cherry drink: Basically a singapore sling, fruity delicious and delightful. It was so good that a neighboring bar buddy decided to order it too. That is what's good about this place, strangers at the bar each passing the vibe check. Though boozy these aren't cocktails aren't going to make you wince at the harshness of the alcohol, but make you ponder the ingredients and some are hard to find in stores or more obscure so even if you're a bartender like the guy to the left of me you'd still find something you'd like. Original location is from New York, I've never been so it's good to have a LA location to experience. Death and Co. also makes cocktails menu books that are perfect for gift giving. Parking is a mission in the Arts district so I just parked farther away and just hoofed it for about 5 minutes. Maybe the parking gods smile upon you and give you favor!