Empanadas Done Right!

Now, I know I only like to blog positive reviews on places in downtown Raleigh but I swear I'm telling you the truth! That being said, I will inform you on one of my favorite places downtown. There is not a night that goes by while I am working and someone asks, "Where is a good place where we can get food this late?" My response is always the same, Calavera.

Calavera Empanada and Tequila Bar located on the corner of S. Blount and Davie Street provides you with unique, mouth watering empanadas and very tasty alcoholic beverages. After traveling in Central America over the summer, I was skeptical on trying an empanada made in America. I thought that it could never relate to "the real thing", I was very wrong.


Not only did it compare but it was better than an actual Costa Rican empanada. I have had all of the empanadas on the menu and there is not one that I did not like. The meat is flavorful and the crust is baked to perfection. Not to mention my favorite of all, The King of Kong. The King of Kong is a dessert empanada made with bananas and Nutella. It is the best combination of taste I have ever experienced. The empanadas are very well complimented by a cold refreshing Margarita or Mojito made by the very friendly bartender. The authentic atmosphere is fantastic along with an amazing staff. The whole staff is extremely helpful and will guarantee your visit to be a positive one. 

I will also recommend you checking out Salsa night which is held on Sunday nights. There is a professional instructor to get you on your feet and find the Latin within you. It is also okay if you are not into dancing, because the Salsa dancing makes for a great atmosphere while your enjoying your meal and beverages.

 Calavera is not only a great place to grab some awesome food and drinks late night, but they have an incredible patio where you are able to enjoy the beautiful Raleigh weather during the day. Check out Calavera Empanada and Tequila Bar at http://www.calaveraraleigh.com/ or follow them on twitter @calaveraraleigh

Wait, you said shopping and drinking?

What if there was a place that you could shop while sipping on a cocktail? Good news, there is. Dapper Style house is a unique clothing store that also is a bar. Or is it a Bar with a clothing store? Either way it is the best way to shop or drink. Dapper Style house is located on W. Morgan Street in the one and only down town Raleigh.

Dapper provides top of line clothing and accessories for men and women. The fashion line is unique, stylish, and the drinks are amazing. It is the only place in Raleigh where your bartender is also your personal stylist. The staff is extremely helpful and enthusiastic, making it quite difficult not to leave with a few items and a buzz.

They always have amazing specials going on every day. Thursday's you can sip and shop on $3 mimosas and $3 well drinks, which is a deal hard to find anywhere else. This place makes the ideal girls outing or the perfect place to sucker your boyfriend in to shopping after a few drinks. NC State student, Austen Oats says, "This place is like every girls dream, sipping on a cocktail and shopping! My friends and I love it, even my friends boyfriend enjoys coming here."



Fellas if you need a little more convincing, every Saturday night is $3 beer night. All draughts and bottles are just $3. With a beer in your hand, it makes everything manly, right?

If you don't feel like drinking and shopping is the best idea then at least check this place out for one or the other, you will not be disappointed. For hours of operation and more details on Dapper Style House check them out at http://www.dapperstylehouse.com/

Painting DOWN town Raleigh Green.

This Saturday is the O' so famous St. Patrick's Day. This is one of the wildest and greenest days of the year. Down town Raleigh will be turning on the green early Saturday. Bars will be opening early and people will be drunkenly roaming the streets decked out in their green Irish gear.

Of course most people feel the need to hang around Irish pubs to be festive, but there are many options of events on this day. My best advice.... do the hop around. You should not spend this day in one place! Every bar in downtown Raleigh plans for this day months and months ahead, trying to offer the best St.Patty's day festivities. If all of bars are going over and beyond then why not check them all out? Get a ride down town, hop out and then start walking to bar to bar. The streets will be filled with fun festivities and plenty of people in green. Start at one end of down town and make you way to the other.

 One place for sure to put in your route is Spy Bar located on W. Davie street, beside the Pit.  Spy is opening their doors at 2pm and will be swarmed with an attractive staff decked out in the wildest St. Patty's day costumes. They will be giving out prizes to the best dressed St. Patty's day patrons and not to mention awesome Irish drink specials. The party will go on until 2 am so you have all day to pop in and check out the awesome party. http://www.goliveworkplay.com/raleigh/downtown/events/9599-lingerie-leprechauns