NC Dems and GOP reach across the aisle to find common ground on alcohol & football.
Intoxicating news that deserves a cheers: Gov. Roy Cooper recently signed House Bill 890 into a law, which loosens a number of regulations covering the sale and consumption of alcohol in North Carolina (hint: open container may be in Raleigh’s future…). Effective Oct. 1, the bill allows cities and counties to create social districts—aka areas where it’s legal to mill around with a drink. (The social districts will be ordained and created on a city-by-city basis.) The bill also permits individuals to order liquor from ABC stores online (!) for in-person pickup. And—Wolfpack fans, this one’s for you—HB 890 also allows fans at college sporting events to buy two drinks at a time—so now your whole crew doesn’t have to leave the stands (Doeren will be so thrilled) to get a brew. It’s sure to be a game-changer. Pour one out for your liver…
The in-person routes begin and end at Campbell Law School and all ride levels are welcome to participate. There are even rest stops along the routes, as well as SAG vehicles and rider sweeps courtesy of TREK Bikes.
Upon registration, all riders will receive a limited-edition 2021 Campbell Law Bike Ride T-shirt and other co-branded swag, plus be entered into a drawing for great prizes like a one-on-one coffee with Campbell Law School Dean Rich Leonard at A Place at the Table, a $100 gift card for Crabtree Valley Mall, an $80 bike tune-up and more.
Following the ride, participants will be able to rest up and throw back a beer from Trophy Brewing Co. while jamming out to live music—because you’ll deserve it. Register for the bike ride now here.
WEB EXCLUSIVE The Connells’ eighth studio album, Steadman’s Wake, is the band’s first in more than 20 years.
Raleighites may remember The Connells from their hits “’74-’75” or “Stone Cold Yesterday.” Now, the Raleigh-based alternative band is back with a new album—their first in over 20 years—called Steadman’s Wake, which drops on Sept. 24.
Steadman’s Wake is the first Connells’ album to feature their two newest members, guitarist Mike Ayers and drummer Rob Ladd (who have been in the group since 2002 and 2012, respectively). Frontman Doug MacMillan says the new album features slightly different lyrical content, with the record made up of songs contributed solely by vocalist Mike Connell.
“Mike has a sardonic, dark humor,” MacMillian says. “The songs aren’t quite as perky,” with references to war, the opioid crisis and the white-supremacist rioting in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.
However, MacMillian says a lot of people don’t think it’s that much of a departure from the band’s other albums. They’ve previously shared the songs “Really Great” and the album’s title track, “Steadman’s Wake,” on Stereogum, who wrote: “the track will surely appeal to fans of The Connells’ fellow Southern jangle-rockers R.E.M., and you might hear some Drive By Truckers in the sauce when they launch into the chorus…”
So why wait 20 years to release a new album? Well, MacMillian says the album was actually finished right before COVID hit, and so they waited to release it. They recorded most of the album in Durham, and “made an effort to take our time and record it the way that we wanted to,” adds MacMillian.
And, now, you might be wondering if this is The Connells last album. “It seems like every record we make is our last,” jokes MacMillian. So, only time will tell, but we surely hope there’s more to come. PreorderSteadman’s Wakehere.
Landmark Tavern—sold to Empire Eats earlier this year—is reopening on Sept. 9.
DTR’s beloved Landmark Tavern will remain, well, a Raleigh landmark thanks to Empire Eats, who bought the bar from the previous owner, Linda O’Reilly, in January, and is reopening the bar on Thursday, Sept. 9 after 18 months of being closed (so, um, cancel your plans and belly up to the Landmark bar!).
O’Reilly, along with now-late husband Brendan, opened Landmark Tavern in 2007 on a then-sleepy Hargett Street, only to have Landmark become a fixture in Downtown Raleigh for Raleighites from all walks of life. After Brendan passed away three years ago, Linda found it hard to keep up with the space herself, especially during the pandemic, and so, she decided she would sell it to Empire Eats (Empire Eats’ sister company, Empire Properties, owns and operates the Hargett Street building Landmark is located in), in order to preserve the iconic bar’s repin the community.
“I wanted to make sure the character of the bar would be preserved and it would be managed with the care and respect it deserves; for our patrons, our family, our friends and our community,” says O’Reilly. “It is home to many people, including myself. It pains me to have had to sell; however, because we were closed due to the pandemic, it just felt like the right time.”
Empire’s construction team, Empire Hardhat, has spent the last few months refreshing the Landmark space. Have no fear—renovations only involved redoing the floors and refreshing some stuff behind the bar—nothing that anyone else would notice, says Empire’s Greg Hatem. And don’t be surprised if you recognize a friendly face or two—Empire will have some of Landmark’s pre-closure employees return as well.
“Landmark is a perfect fit for what we do on Hargett Street,” Hatem adds. “I think Landmark was pretty perfect as it was, and we’re going to keep it as is—that little neighborhood bar. It’s gonna be great to see it back to life again.” As Landmark lovers long mourning it’s closure, we agree. See you at the bar.
They don’t call it the “Darling District” for nothing. Trust us—DC deserves to be your next getaway.
Fun facts: I grew up in Northern Virginia (aka spitting distance from DC). And while our EIC grew up in Raleigh, she took a hiatus to DC 10 years ago—living in Georgetown and cutting her teeth at DC magazine. So we know DC is so much more than the text-book version and decided it was time to return to the cap city to bring back the deets on what’s hot right now.
Sure, your perception of DC may not vary much from my middle-schooler POV—the epicenter of our nation’s government, filled with colossal monuments, museums, politics and an uber-diverse population. You’re not wrong—but there’s so much more to it than that. It’s also a lively adult playground with waterfront (and rooftop!) views aplenty, countless greenspaces and parks, some of the nation’s best chefs and bartenders (and food and cocktail concepts), cultural experiences, and more.
Not to mention the distinct DC neighborhoods—from the cobblestone streets (reminiscent of Charleston) and riverside eats in charming Georgetown to Dupont Circle’s super-walkable dining and nightlife vibes, DC is a city worth experiencing (again and again). But with so much to do, it’s hard to know where to start—so we did the hard work (ha) for you. Here’s your dreamy DC to-do list. And if you’re looking for an excuse to book that 45-minute flight (!) or make the quick drive up I95 sooner rather than later, DC Beer Week is Sept. 19–26.
DO
The REACH at the Kennedy Centerfor the Performing Arts
Playing off of DC’s playground identity is The REACH, the Kennedy Center’s first expansion since its opening in 1971. Strolling through the green spaces (pro tip: pack a picnic) was a sweet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, while glass-windowed rehearsal spaces allowed us to peep various artists in action. kennedy-center.org
ARTECHOUSE
ARTECHOUSE Renewal 2121
Art + tech (hence, ARTECHOUSE) collide at this buzzy boundary-pushing cultural playground. Upon entry into Renewal 2121 (on view through Sept. 6), we were immediately transported into an overdeveloped Tokyo 100 years in the future rocked by climate change (sound familiar?)—prompting us to think about our choices… and ideally take action. Next up, Life of a Neuron (Sept. 27–Nov. 28)—a must-do. artechouse.com
The Wharf
City life meets boardwalk thrills at waterfront The Wharf, which boasts a plethora of excellent restaurants, shops, hotels and happenings. Our top recs? Margs at Mi Vida, concerts at The Anthem, an Italian dinner at Officina (more info to the right) and, um, more drinks at Cantina Bambina (overlooking the river!). wharfdc.com
EAT
CUT by Wolfgang PuckWe have just one piece of advice for you: Order the wagyu. As a matter of fact, order all three of the wagyus (but especially the 2-oz. Japanese wagyu New York sirloin—arguably the best melt-in-your-mouth bite of meat we’ve ever taken)… because when else are you going to be able to eat steak at a Wolfgang Puck restaurant? wolfgangpuck.com
Officina
Our last meal in DC consisted of pasta and pizza (balanced with fresh salads and possibly one last glass of prosecco—because when in DC…) at Officina’s Georgetown location, the upscale casual and cozy sister location to the bustling three-story restaurant, market and rooftop bar at The Wharf. We can attest that Nicholas Stefanelli’s tried-and-true Italian dishes are the best way to fuel up for a flight. officinadc.com
Clyde’s
After walking several miles around Georgetown in the hot summer heat, local-fave Clyde’s offered the perfect perch for grabbing a quick drink and a snack. It’s just the type of neighborhood-friendly watering hole you’d want to stumble upon as a tourist—the affable service, food and drinks beg you to get another round (or two). clydes.com
DRINK
Baked & Wired
It took everything in us not to ruin our lunch with a cupcake, cookie or bar (or literally anything else) from this national treasure (aka hip family-owned coffee shop and bakery in Georgetown)—but we’re going to insist that you do. And you can’t beat a latte made with handcrafted coffee to jump-start a day spent adventuring the cap city. bakedandwired.com
POV Rooftop at W Washington DC
POV: You’re sipping a specialty cocktail (with names taking inspiration from political history, famous rumors and presidential quotes, naturally) high above the nation’s capital, overlooking the White House—not to mention such splendid sights as the U.S. Treasury Department building, the Washington Monument and more. Clearly, one of the best points of view (and rooftop bars!) DC has to offer. *Swoon.* povrooftop.com
Riverfront Drinks at Washington Harbour
We could’ve spent the whole day throwing back blended drinks at the Washington Harbour while taking in views of the Potomac River, Key Bridge, Kennedy Center and Roosevelt Island—but alas, there’s so much else to see and do! Still, while you’re there, go for a round at Nick’s Riverside Grill, Sequoia, or Tony and Joe’s. thewashingtonharbour.com
STAY
Lyle Washington DC
The plethora of Dupont Circle shops, restaurants and attractions at the hotel’s doorstep may tempt—but were a tough match for the opulent comfort of our calming neutral- and art deco-appointed rooms. Luckily, the unparalleled breakfast (also serving lunch, dinner and cocktails) at casually sophisticated Lyle’s is easily worth leaving the room for (how is an egg sandwich that good?). lyledc.com
Rosewood Washington DC
Tucked between M and K streets, Rosewood recently added and reno’d several adjacent townhouses—delivering guests the luxuries of a hotel with the privacy of an Airbnb. Our luxe stay in the serene, modern split-level townhouse, complete with posh furnishings, cozy breakfast nook, private patio and futuristic toilet (seriously, it knows when you are entering the room and self-cleans)—all in the oasis that is Georgetown (just steps from riverfront bevs or endless primo retail and restos)—made us never want to leave. rosewoodhotels.com
Riggs Washington DC
Riggs’ Ida McKinley-Inspired First Lady Suite
Set in the former home of the Riggs National Bank in Penn Quarter, the ever-opulent Riggs is a must-stay. (And spring for one of the four First Lady suites! Our pick: the pretty-in-pink Ida McKinley version.) Besides being the ideal atmosphere for popping bottles, you’d be remiss not to toast your trip in the super-hip subterranean cocktail bar (Silver Lyan) before a fab dinner at Café Riggs. riggsdc.com
