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A new mini-gateway to DTR emerges.
New Bern Avenue’s star is on the rise as the first corridor for the City of Raleigh’s new Bus Rapid Transit system—and, now, it’s poised to shine even brighter thanks to the redevelopment of 1601 New Bern Avenue.
Already underway with an expected completion slated for this fall, the project—a joint venture among Capitol Commercial, Carroll Development and AB Capital Advisors—will boast 11,650 square feet of retail and restaurant space, plus a resurfaced parking lot and a 14-foot-wide sidewalk for outdoor seating at select spaces.
Poised to become a mini-gateway to Downtown Raleigh among a slew of other upcoming proximal redevelopments, the redesigned strip center also calls for a BRT station. And with it, the New Bern Avenue corridor is experiencing what some might call a dose of gentrification, as projects like these pave the way for new businesses and residents alike.
Case in point: The powerhouse duo behind craft brewery and brasserie Neuse River Brewing, Jennifer and Ryan Kolarov—alongside business partner Carl Boyajian—has inked a lease and will be introducing yet another crowd-pleaser to East Raleigh. Expanding their footprint literally and figuratively, their space bowing June 14 in the 1601 New Bern Avenue development is strictly a bar.
“We’ve had a lot of opportunities to do things in other places. This area specifically appealed to us because of the growth that’s happening.”
—Jennifer Kolarov, co-owner, Neuse River Brewing, Blotto
Dubbed Blotto, aka British slang for “tipsy,” the new drinkery is all about keeping things simple, approachable and appealing. “We’ve been talking about opening up a bar as a watering hole, not a restaurant and not another brewery,” maintains Ryan, nodding to Neuse River Brewing’s uberpopular brewed on-site craft brews and fantastic fare. “We just found a perfect spot in East Raleigh.”
But don’t expect any old dive. Designed to be a laid-back retreat—think tropical plants, dark wood accents and a Tiki-themed patio welcoming people and pets alike—Blotto is intended for every inch of its 2,500 square feet to feel like home, whether popping in for a quick drink or settling in for a hang sesh.
Like its decor, the bar’s menu is sure to suit myriad tastes—delivering drinks worth bellying up to the bar for, but without brain-bending cocktail names or breaking the bank. “We want Blotto to be a bar for everyone,” says Ryan of Raleigh’s newest upcoming third place. “We want to have fun [classic] cocktails with fresh-squeezed juices. We don’t want our mixers coming out of a bottle, but we also don’t want the drinks to be $25. Just simple and approachable.”
To wit, fam-friendly by day and 21+ by night—with diverse draws like trivia nights and live music—the bar “where everybody knows your name” answers the call for all Raleighites.
“We’ve had a lot of opportunities to do things in other places,” says Jennifer of the emerging district, where they hope to see other cool concepts—think cafe, vino, restaurant—join them a la Person Street or Gateway Plaza vibes.
“This area specifically appealed to us because of the growth that’s happening.” Looks like Blotto may just be the harbinger answering the call for the booming New Bern Avenue corridor. blottonc.com
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