On a Saturday afternoon in downtown Selma, Quantum Toad already has a steady stream of patrons settling in for a cocktail. Some have been out for a day of antiques shopping; others are kicking off date night. All have come for a big-city experience they know their small town will deliver.
“We’ve proven that you don’t have to drive to Raleigh to get that high-end, New York City feel,” co-owner Rob Russotti says. He and Emeric Harney would know, as they met while working in the city. One of the three generations of the Harney & Sons Fine Teas company, Harney opened a Harney & Sons retail store in SoHo.
Quantum Toad’s sleek and inviting aesthetic invites guests to linger over drinks, whether catching up with an old friend or meeting a new one. Photography courtesy of Johnston County Visitors Bureau
Now, Harney and Russotti’s restored circa-1910 building holds an intimate Roaring 20s-style cocktail bar in the heart of Selma. Their mission is to bring people together in a warm and welcoming environment while preserving the community’s spirit and sense of place.
“The biggest compliment we get is when people say, ‘thank you for choosing Selma. Thank you for being here and creating this space for us to socialize and gather,’” Russotti says.
Across Johnston County, others are similarly using artful drinks as a vessel for creating connections. With a vision to keep the focus on community and conversation, these restaurateurs, bartenders, and baristas are reshaping how neighbors gather, one drink at a time.
At Revival 1869, cocktails are tailored to each guest. Trust the bartenders as they put a twist on your order, crafting something even tastier than you could imagine. Photography courtesy of Johnston County Visitors Bureau
On Saturday nights, live jazz riffs and laughter spill onto Clayton’s Main Street each time the doors to Revival 1869 open. With every person who enters, a Cheers-like greeting rings out from behind the bar, which has been a community hub since it opened nine years ago.
“If you look back 10, 15 years ago, a lot of bars were dives that centered around TVs, and we were getting frustrated with the loss of hospitality,” Mike Stojic says, who, along with co-owner Maleah Christie, named Revival 1869 bar to reflect their dream for the future — a throwback to pre-prohibition cocktails that celebrate artful mixology.
Watch as Revival 1869 bartenders creatively mix your cocktail. Photography courtesy of Johnston County Visitors Bureau
When Revival 1869 dropped into Clayton’s bar scene, Stojic embraced the opportunity to expose the clientele to something new. “In the beginning, people might come in asking for a drink we didn’t have, but we would say, ‘let us make something we think you’ll like based on what you ask for — and if you don’t like it, we’ll take it back and you don’t have to pay for it.’ But 99.9 percent of the time, they love the drink because it’s authentic and made with real ingredients. People come in now, and they can’ t wait to see what we’ve cooked up.”
Christie takes mixology seriously, especially as she challenges her staff to change the menu every few months. “Our team gets really excited and works their creative muscles to constantly try new recipes and come up with drinks nobody else is doing,” Maleah says. “Some drinks are bright and refreshing, and some are deep and dark, with ingredients from the mountains all the way to the sea,” such as a pine cordial made out of pine needles, which was featured on the winter menu.
Even the classic drinks taste different, thanks to old-school recipes and methods, like the classic whiskey sour, which is made with an egg white — just as it would have been in the late-19th century.
Choose from elixirs, potions, or spells at Elixir VI, where each drink features fresh, house-crafted ingredients. Photography courtesy of Johnston County Visitors Bureau
Also in Clayton, Elixir VI’s eclectic decor feels reminiscent of the inviting nostalgia of grandma’s house. Vintage furniture invites patrons to sit back and stay a while, with books tucked about, waiting to inspire. “I like our witchy, mystical feel,” co-owner Suzanne Sweeney says.
She believes the art of making a cocktail is a lot like the art of baking. “It’s very Martha Stewart-esque,” she says. “Everything is so precise, and the flavors complement each other.”
From the espresso martinis mixed with a freshly brewed Dominican coffee to the Clara Bow, an elegant bourbon drink with hints of fresh mint, lemon, and elderflower, every handcrafted elixir is made with care.
Just as time slows down while the bartender creates each specialty ingredient by hand — fresh-squeezed juices, house-made syrups — the world pauses while the cocktail is sipped and savored.
Sweeney’s favorite part: adding the final ingredient in front of a patron and seeing their face as the cocktail comes together. “Sometimes the drink will change color in the process, and the customer’s face lights up. I just love that so much,” she says.
Unwind with a cocktail in a cozy rustic atmosphere at The Letterman. Photography courtesy of Johnston County Visitors Bureau
In downtown Benson, The Letterman opened in early 2026 as the town’s first beer, wine, and cocktail lounge. Owners focus on hospitality first, greeting newcomers like old friends and curating a menu of riffs on classic cocktails that rotate with the seasons. In a space that balances rustic charm with classic sports nostalgia, patrons can sip creative interpretations of whiskey highballs and Tom Collins, catch the game on television, or test their knowledge in weekly trivia.
Settle in with a cup of coffee under warm lights and soaring ceilings at the Gilded Pear. Photography courtesy of Johnston County Visitors Bureau
For mornings or mid-afternoon breaks, Johnston County’s craft scene extends beyond cocktails to a rising culture of gourmet coffee.
At Clayton’s Aaktun Coffee + Bar, the coffee program reigns supreme by day, before the restaurant transitions into a Tulum-inspired restaurant each evening. The vision of two-time James Beard semifinalist and Top Chef contestant Oscar Diaz, beans at Aaktun are roasted in small batches in house, and baristas prepare pour-overs and espresso drinks that highlight subtle floral and chocolate notes. You can order traditional espresso drinks from cortados to cappuccinos, but for a sweet treat, we recommend exploring the latte menu. Try the horchata latte or the strawberry matcha.
In Smithfield, The Gilded Pear on East Market Street combines specialty coffee with a cozy café ambience. Step inside and you’re met with the aroma of freshly ground beans mingling with pastries baked in-house. In addition to coffee, they sell tea, beer, and wine. Owner Green Chaikavin, who is originally from Bangkok, fell in love with Smithfield when she was living in Raleigh. “It looked so cute and welcoming,” she says. “It felt like destiny. Smithfield found me.”
Chaikavin’s childhood best friend, Nara, leads the barista program at Gilded Pear and brings more than a decade of experience to the brew house. Chaikavin recommends ordering the iced bonfire latte with whole milk, plus a Nutella and strawberry crêpe.
So, what’ll ya have? From elevated caffeine kicks and classic cocktails to shaken creations adorned with whimsical garnishes, get ready to sip and socialize around Johnston County. Click here to plan your visit.
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