Local Playlists

WEB EXCLUSIVE Bring the vibes of some of your favorite Raleigh businesses into your own home! These specially curated playlists bumped from the speakers of some of our favorite local spots before COVID-19 forced them to shut their doors.

Transfer Co. Food Hall

Transfer Co.‘s general manager Nick Neptune DJs occasionally, so you can trust him to deliver all the feel-good tunes. Neptune debuted a Transfer Co. playlist—titled “Tunes with Neptune”—on Spotify last week; it includes an initial selection of albums you may have had occasion to hear while drinking and dining at the food hall, including Al Green’s “Call Me,” Vanilla’s “Sweet Talk” and The Rolling Stones’ “In Concert (40th Anniversary Edition)” from Madison Square Garden. Every Wednesday at 5 p.m., Neptune will update the playlist with a variety of genres—from jazz to disco to electro pop—along with pairing notes for food, drink and atmosphere. Wes Montgomery with Bul Box, anyone? transfercofoodhall.com/now-playing

Lady Luck

Although Lady Luck was only open for a few days before COVID-19 forced its owners to close their dining room, the restaurant quickly made its mark on Glenwood South for its laid back vibe, delicious food and drinks and a killer DJ—Rodney Goodword (also known as Oak City Slums)—who spun tunes into the wee hours of the night. Goodword has created a variety of public playlists on Spotify that Lady Luck’s employees are currently bumping to while maintaining takeout and delivery services, ranging from funky pop to chill beats to hip-hop and rap. Play the one that fits your mood best and recreate Lady Luck’s vibrant energy at home. open.spotify.com/playlist/6IoJM0XsuoqA2jyZD9dErV; open.spotify.com/playlist/1Sw0ZfEMyF2duiZjjnARLX; open.spotify.com/playlist/13p0spucnqJeuLn9DXaPBr; open.spotify.com/playlist/0n8OlJpk3FxSQWVVDjsUNQ

Taverna Agora

Whip up some hummus and a refreshing Greek lemonade, then play Taverna Agora’s preferred Pandora playlist—Nicos radio—on a sun-soaked patio to try to recreate the restaurant’s rooftop vibes. Nicos Xatzopoulos is an Athens-born violinist who specializes in traditional Mediterranean music and is one of the most popular musicians in Greece. “Since we are an authentic Greek restaurant, our music has to be the real deal, too,” says Katherine Costa Goldfaden, the senior director of brands for LM Restaurants. pandora.com/station/play/4480430204710445533

Brewery Bhavana

A delightfully well-crafted playlist sets the mood for one of the most gorgeous restaurants in Raleigh—and, arguably, the country. Complementing Bhavana’s beloved dim sum are classic tunes from Isaac Hayes, Al Green, James Brown, Stevie Wonder and more. Until Bhavana opens again, let this playlist remind you of nights spent downing delicious dumplings and beer. spotify.com/playlist/4LTgMauvW8ipF1XiTZK44q

Plates Neighborhood Kitchen

A diverse playlist of alt-country, folk, indie, soul and bluegrass music accompanies Plates’ eclectic dinner menu. The source? Pandora’s My Morning Jacket radio. “We think it fits our well-traveled-Southern vibe as a modern mix of different genres, without sounding pretentious,” says owner Justin Gallus. For brunch, Gallus switches to Tears for Fears radio, a mix of New Wave 80’s jams which includes artists such as Duran Duran, The Cure and A Flock of Seagulls. pandora.com/station/4479455083888555158; pandora.com/station/4479455938587047062

CycleBar

Amp up your workout with CycleBar‘s playlist of motivating tunes, ranging from electronic beat-filled remixes to trending pop songs to old school rap. Whether your at-home workout consists of running, biking, strength training or a hardcore ab routine, this playlist will push you to go for that extra mile or rep. open.spotify.com/playlist/5ghlgcU1Zlysld6DmWcKlE