April & George   

Is it an art gallery or a wine bar? Its both. When April & George opened in Raleigh's trendy Glenwood South district in December 2002, it started out as a quiet spot that didn't make a dent in the area's bustling nightlife scene. Three years later, things have drastically changed. These days it's undoubtedly one of the hippest gathering places around. Upon entering, you'll walk into a long narrow space with a bar along the right side, sporadically placed tables, artworks and display cases that showcase local jewelry. Sidle up to the bar to order one of their 35 reasonably priced wines by the glass and pair it with a light bite. An evening menu encourages you to build your own plate from a selection of 10 meats ($3) and 15 cheeses ($4), or you can choose from an array of tapas such as spicy Asian tuna tartare, scallop ceviche or prosciutto wrapped stuffed figs. Live music and DJs are also featured on weekends, as well as the occasional wine tasting. Visit their web site for a current list of events.