Village District Is Getting a Cocktail Bar

Village District is becoming an 18-hour destination.

There’s little Village District doesn’t offer—from boutiques and grocers to eateries and gyms. Even a handful of restaurant bars serving cocktails—but not a full-fledged bar; no food, just drinks. Until now.

Come early summer, that vacancy will be filled with the addition of Matt Bettinger’s Mr. Henry, set to bow in the former Which Wich space. A legend in the market, Bettinger is the brains behind DTR’s now-closed highly favored C. Grace and Empress Room.

His new concept is a straight-up game changer—marking a significant shift in a 75-year-old iconic retail complex that takes a massive leap toward the district’s longtime goal of becoming  an “18-hour destination.” Think everything one could possibly need from 6am till midnight—“whether it’s coffee, clothing and accessories, health and beauty, groceries, meals, or entertainment,” says Brooke Conn, general manager for Regency Centers, which owns and operates Village District.

“Village District has long struggled to create an evening environment that caters to our daytime visitors,” she adds, “and we’re proud the recent additions of Goodnights Comedy Club and Postino WineCafe have brought a positive shift.” 

The dedicated cocktail bar will differentiate VD from such hot in-market competitors (think Fenton, North Hills) that have yet to open a sole bar of their own. Regency Centers has long recognized that need—but it wasn’t until Conn listened to RM’s podcast on the matter that it was really set into motion.

“The day after the podcast aired, I was listening and I picked up the phone and called [RM Publisher] Gina [Stephens] and I was like, ‘I completely agree,’” recalls Conn. A serendipitous partnership, Stephens introduced Conn to Bettinger, who also owns SideBar and Hank’s Downtown Dive in Cary and has been on the hunt for a new project for over a year. 

“We definitely saw a vacancy in that market,” reiterates Bettinger of the opportunity to bring the first full-on bar to the burgeoning Downtown district. “Outside of the last few business cycles, [VD] has always had nightlife of some sort. So it felt like a logical move to be part of putting that back together.”

Conn nods to VD’s emphasis on walkability, while stressing that Regency Centers didn’t want to just bring any ole bar operator into the space, but a local one. “We think by adding a cocktail bar—especially one operated locally and through a solid concept and price point—will only encourage that synergy and flow throughout the shopping center,” she muses.

With Bettinger and his wife Catherine’s Raleigh roots and experience opening up other beloved bars in the area, they were a perfect fit. “We wanted to drive the right kind of traffic and the right kind of operator that understands what Village District is,” explains Conn.  

Co-owner Jeff Kinard—who also worked with Bettinger to open SideBar and Hank’s—agrees. An NC State alum who frequents the area, he recognizes VD as a bona fide Raleigh institution whose success will in turn help the bar do well. “We’ve been excited about all the changes happening over there and the opportunity to be a part of that is great,” he says. “It’s a perfect location.”

To wit, Village District continues to expand and evolve with the upcoming Oberlin Hotel and ample new apartment buildings in the area. Its evolution has certainly shifted the outside view of others, including Bettinger.

“Had you asked me 15 years ago if I thought I’d open a bar in a shopping center, I’d say no,” he proclaims. “But after spending the last year looking for another place and seeing a lot of the same things, when we were [presented this opportunity] and I talked to my wife about it, we said definitely. It’s got history; it’s got character. And living as close as I do, it’s super exciting to be back in the neighborhood.” 

Who Is Mr. Henry?

As for the bar itself, Mr. Henry will boast a similar vibe to Bettinger’s SideBar, with a touch of “country core” as inspired by Ralph Lauren’s NYC The Polo Bar. A straightforward shotgun bar designed
by Catherine, the elevated interior will feature ample finished hardwood, brass details, mirrors, banquette seating and overall rich aesthetics—setting the stage for Bettinger’s signature high-caliber classic-cocktail focus at the hands of master mixologist Skyler Spaulding. Essentially, the perfect post-work martini, espresso- or gin-based—just pick your poison. 

“There will be some creativity as well, but we’re not looking to reinvent the wheel here,” Bettinger maintains. “We really want to make sure we’re being consistent and efficient and putting our best foot forward for those drinks that are classic for a reason.”  

And to capitalize on the swaths of people frequenting the center on weekend days, Mr. Henry will open by at least noon Fri.–Sun., and aims to eventually pour seven days a week. Combined with a shared patio between neighboring Winestore backdropped by new funky murals at the hands of local artist Sean Kernick, the once-underutilized pocket will undoubtedly morph into a destination.

Staying Social

In an effort to attract even more visitors to Village District—while further building on its goal of providing a fun and dynamic destination—the center is pursuing a common area entertainment permit that will allow alcohol consumption in designated indoor/outdoor confines (think like a small-scale social district). “This will give us the opportunity to promote connectivity,” says Regency Centers GM Brooke Conn, “and encourage visitors to not only choose Village District as their primary location, but also to stay longer, which will help attract and keep the best businesses.”