Tips and tricks to elevate your eclipse experience
Here comes the… moon? Keep your eyes on the skies Monday, April 8, as a total solar eclipse, aka when the moon covers the sun, slips over North America—marking the 17th of its kind in over 150 years. Although the City of Oaks won’t catch a full eclipse (head to cities such as Dallas or Cincinnati for total coverage!), the sun will still be shielded by ~82%—and Raleighites can still witness the Ring of Fire as the sun slightly says hello from behind the moon’s surface.
Wherever you are the afternoon of April 8, find a clear view of the sky and grab your pals and a pair of special shades. And no need for sunblock—the moon’s got that (mostly) covered. Here, a smattering of tips and takes to amp up your viewing experience. Here’s to a sun-forgettable day!
Make like Miley and get those shades on. Safety-tested solar eclipse glasses are crucial when watching even a partial eclipse (it’s never good for the eyes to look directly at the sun, obv), and there’s plenty of wallet-friendly ops to peruse a pair of shades—think spots such as Walmart and Lowe’s. Future’s so bright, we gotta wear shades!
Where to watch:
Whether you’re looking to celebrate with others or sightsee solo, the Triangle touts plenty of ops for spotting the spectacle. For primo viewing pleasure, find a spot with minimal light pollution (i.e. a park or the burbs). Or, feel over the moon amid community via a lineup of public watch parties on deck around Raleigh, including at NC State’s Witherspoon Student Center, Duraleigh Road Community Library and the Raleigh-Cary Jewish Community Center—all of which will be providing eclipse glasses on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Guess what Designed for Joy has in their pocket(book)? An upcoming second locale in North Hills Innovation District—slated to spread retail joy and keep women in crisis employed starting in April. Now that’s a good look. @designedforjoy
Dress your chickies head-to-toe in bright colors and not-so-basic basics from Pink Chicken, a vintage-meets-chic children’s boutique recently hatched in North Hills. Sounds im-peck-able.@pinkchickenny
HIIT the gym, not the snooze button! Coming to Seaboard Station is this Australia-based global fitness boutique Body Fit Training. Get your heart rate up via science- and technology-based techniques that are sure to *work out*! @bft_studios
The Flourish Market is now, ahem, flourishing at Raleigh Iron Works. Preach your girl power while shopping for gifts and boutique items catered toward the gals from impact-driven brands. We love to see it! @theflourishmarket
YoBa Studio is now stretching out its space and mixing up community at Raleigh Iron Works. The all-inclusive woman-owned exercise studio offers classes like Barre, strength, cardio and yoga. They’re flexible like that. @yobastudio
Crabtree is opening its doors to a trio of new spaces this year: uniquely curated Black- and woman-owned bridal store Runaway Brides; custom lip color biz Lip Print Beauty Bar; and savvy-slash-cutesy boutique Eloise Collections. @runawaybridalco; @lipprintbeautybar; @eloise_collections
Coming in steamy, SweatHouz is also sliding into Seaboard Station for an all-encompassing wellness experience feat. cold immersion, hydromassages, infrared saunas and vitamin C showers. The heat never bothered us anyway… @sweathouz
Where to get your beer, sweets and jazz fix this month
Courtesy of Pistachio Ice Cream
Pistachio Ice Cream DURHAM
Take it from Selena Gomez: “Baby, you deserve a treat!” Taking your dessert game to new heights (see ya, Ben & Jerry’s), this Persian-inspired ice cream shop sets itself apart with exotic flavors made from authentic recipes and fresh ingredients—think matcha green tea, lavender, sour cherry, ginger rosewater and saffron pistachio, natch—that will make your brain freeze beyond worth it. Choose from a variety of toppings (nuts, syrups, fresh fruit and more) for an unlimited number of mouthwatering flavor combos—best served on a homemade waffle cone with a cold brew or latte to boot. It’s ice cream chillin’ at its finest. pistachiodurham.com
Courtesy of Norse Brewing Longhouse
Norse Brewing Longhouse ZEBULON
Gather your tribe and put a brave face on for Norse Brewing’s second outpost, where good ole beer and comfort food with a Scandinavian/Southern twist collide within an apropos historic building dating back to the 1920s. Eat like a true Viking via Nordic-inspired cuisine like Frikadellar (housemade beef and pork meatballs), elk sausage, loaded pork belly and beer cheese tots, duck fat fries, and more. And, naturally, wash it all down with a perfectly paired brew, cocktail (The Old Norse with Elijah Craig, maple syrup, black walnut bitters, orange peel and cherry is calling our name) or wine on draft. Skål! norsebrewingco.com
Courtesy of Ay Por Dios
Ay Por Dios CHAPEL HILL
“Oh, my God” is right (!), as this elevated Mexican restaurant is sure to leave a lasting impression thanks to fresh, seasonal dishes honoring Mexican heritage and culinary techniques—not to mention its bar partnership with Clase Azul, statement ’tails (looking at you, black margarita!) and ’Grammable surrounds. Indulge in traditional dishes such as enchiladas, burritos, fajitas and tacos made from recipes passed down for generations, or branch out via eccentric dishes like the Langosta Rellena, aka lobster stuffed with marinated shrimp over pasta. There’s even a selection of handrolled sushi, birria dishes and brunch. Everybody wins! aypordiosnc.com
Photo by Chris Charles, Courtesy of Missy Lane’s Assembly Room
Missy Lane’s Assembly Room DURHAM
If you’re still looking to soften the sting after the closure of C. Grace (RIP), look no further. This coffee-by-day, cocktails-and-jazz-by-night establishment joins the few Black- and women-owned music venues in the Triangle. Stacked with performances from talented jazz artists every week, the space prides itself on expanding the local jazz audience and community by giving them a spot to perform, socialize and enjoy. Spring for the Club Deluxe Membership to reap exclusive benefits, and swing by every Tuesday for Eloquent Soul open mic night, or the last Wednesday of each month for Old Havana Nights. Let’s get saxy! missylanes.com
Photo by Adrian Etheridge, Courtesy of Soul Cups
Soul Cups CARY
Good for the soul, indeed! Transport overseas via authentic Korean desserts that “tell a delicious story” with every bite. Bingsoo, a traditional milk-based shaved ice dessert, is the star of the menu, with myriad flavor offerings available—think almond, fruit, black sesame and classic red bean, each topped with tasty toppings like mochi, fresh fruit, condensed milk, whipped cream and more. But the deliciousness doesn’t stop there. … Sweet tooths will also want to dig into mochi doughnuts and croffles (croissant dough pressed into a wafflemaker #genius), while savory lovers can get behind the trendy Korean hot dogs traditionally made with potatoes and cheese. It’s giving a whole new meaning to the term Seoul—er, soul—food. cafesoulcups.com
Bash and Lola’s vintage car upcycling picks up speed.
Out with the new, in with the old? Upcycling is in, with vintage clothes, furniture, fabric and other items that would otherwise be useless or trashed being repurposed, redesigned and re-loved like new. And leading the trend when it comes to vintage cars, meet Bash and Lola.
Started as a hobby in 2014 by “car-obsessed artists” Mark “Bash” and Lola Hill—who are especially drawn to the “timeless beauty” of vintage Porsches—the Apex-based biz approaches upcycling at a whole new speed, using re-tired (had to) vintage cars to create noteworthy furniture pieces, artwork and even jewelry. “We laugh that we can’t throw anything away!” jokes Lola.
Each product, whether commercial or residential, begins its journey as junk and is transformed to take on a new life: Tables and desks come together from hoods and headlights, and tiny in-house bars are born from truck beds. The duo even turned an old motorcycle into a vase for flowers—making for a ~wheely~ remarkable wall fixture.
“We believe great designs are born from authenticity and integrity, recognizing the uniqueness of every project,” says Lola. “Each piece of art deserves a customized approach, and within that concept, we aim to evoke a deep emotion and spark inspiration.”
You’ll recognize Bash and Lola’s pieces at Gonza, Laut Design and Apex’s TapStation, which they completely designed and built out with a variety of eccentric and distinctive functional pieces—think sinks from recycled beer kegs, booths made out of old trucks and gas pump bike racks. And for all you Sola Coffee fans—if you’ve ever wondered about the six-tap beer bus under the coffee bar, Bash and Lola fashioned that out of an old Chevy. Talk about some seriously van-tastic upcycling.
“Embarking on our artistic journey is a deeply personal and fulfilling experience that allows us to express ourselves in a meaningful way,” maintains Lola. Not to mention it allows old cars to take one more lap, giving them a chance to be cherished in a whole new way. Buckle up! @bashandlola
Charm yourself this St. Patrick’s Day with loads of (green) booze, Irish bites and shamrockin’ soirees around town.
Feeling lucky like a four-leaf clover this St. Paddy’s Day? Get ready to shamrock and roll and celebrate the classic Irish holiday with specials and parties around town that’ll definitely leave you feeling lucky and charmed (get it?). Here’s a pot full of ops to get your green on. Slainte!
Dram and Draught + The Dead Rabbit St. Patrick’s Day Celebration | March 14–17 It’s shaping up to be a long weekend of drinkin’—but we believe in brew. Known for its Irish-themed fare, NYC-based The Dead Rabbit is posting up in Raleigh to help pour on the fun for an unforgettable weekend at Dram. If you’re in need of a wake-up call, get to chuggin’ an Irish coffee, or spring for one of the many options from the wide selection of upscale whiskey and cocktails.
The Hibernian Pub Downtown’s 40th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade andSt. Paddy’s Block Party | March 16 Hip, hip, parade! Don yer finest green ’fit for the local St. Pat’s celebration of the season, now in its 40th year. Start the soiree with a stroll—er, march—through the streets of Downtown Raleigh; then enjoy performances at Hibernian from Irish-based Echo LIVE, Triangle Academy Irish Dancers and the Raleigh Pipe Band. It’s the best way to immerse yourself in a wee bit o’ Irish culture.
Killjoy Cocktail Paw-ty | March 16 Roll up to Killjoy for a barking-good event in partnership with Cause for Paws to bring home a pup or simply just pet the day away. Then, extend your lucky streak into the evening with a St. Pat’s-themed drag show. Sounds paws-itively pur-fect lineup, indeed.
Oak City Brewing Shamrock Shuck | March 16 Aww, shucks. Oysters and shamrocks—name a better duo, we’ll wait. Dig into a peck of roasted oysters while sippin’ on green brews—plus enjoy live music, bagpipes, food trucks and more. Sounds like a pearl of an afternoon.
Sports and Social Shamrocks & Shenanigans | March 16 Press your luck this St. Patrick’s Day with an extra special paddy. Sample a chilled green brew while being swept away by the Eireann’s Call and its Celtic tunes—and make sure to nab all the green outfit selfies so you’re guaranteed to not get pinched.
Tap Yard’s St. Paddy’s Day Weekend Extravaganza | March 16–17 Feel the luck of the Irish via an entire weekend of festivities at Raleigh’s Best New Bar. Kick off the fun with a Friyay bash feat. live tunes from MikeMickxer Duo. Then, sip, sip, away your Saturday via daylong drink specials (think green beers, Irish whiskeys and specialty cocktails galore!) and music from Vertigo into “the wee hours of the morning.” On Sunday, mellow out with a cold green brewski in the beer garden to the backdrop of live music and plenty o’ of activities. Be sure to bring your paddy—er, party—pants!
St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl With Bar Crawl Live! | March 16–17 Pro tip: Go crazy and blame it on the leprechauns. … In true Irish fashion, one pub is not enough. Follow the rainbow from bar to bar Downtown to find your pots of gold in the form of specialty shooters, bunches of beer and a smattering of Paddy’s Day swag.
