We all screw up. We’re human. Shit happens. Mistakes are made. But what’s freeing about failures? You can learn from them—no matter how bad you think the blunder (case in point: that time you got fired ending up being the best thing that ever happened to you). Celebrating that liberating truth is the newly launched Raleigh chapter of Fuckup Nights, which has coined the term “fuckupping,” aka a global movement that celebrates failure and uses it to encourage difficult, vulnerable and meaningful conversations. Formed in 2012 by a group of five friends over drinks (natch) who shared stories about their inspiring failed projects, Fuckup Nights has since grown its reach to 200+ cities the world over—now maintaining a presence on every continent save Antarctica. Each month, three or four brave local go-getters take to the mic to publicly share their fuckups in a room full of people—think stories of bankrupted business, collapsed business deals, forgetting the name of an important person at an event—all to challenge the status quo of success. After all, if you’ve never fucked up, have you even really lived? @fuckupnights_raleigh
Glenwood South has a slew of new concepts dropping.
Glenwood South is evolving … or devolving? (You be the judge.) Even before the district’s very first restaurant The Rockford shuttered in January, a tidal wave of new businesses was already swelling. See: the closure of other 20+YO business, C. Grace, and the block’s overhaul. The Rockford closing, though, was a defining moment in Glenwood South’s identity—as the strip either reinvents itself or loses its distinct character.
Riding that wave, Oak City Group’s Dan Lovenheim has leased The Rockford. We’re told the man behind Cornerstone, Alchemy, The Avenue, and Pearl & Peril plans to convert the upstairs space to an upscale extension of Pearl & Peril, with little renovation to the interiors and doing away with the food. Cue the debate.
Stretching his reach, Lovenheim is also reportedly opening a new concept at the Devolve space and is leading construction on the empty plot of land between Devolve and The Rockford, slated to take shape as a two-story bar with a rooftop. We also hear he has plans for a fourth new concept on the opposite side of Glenwood Avenue near the escape room.
Add Oak City Group’s holdings to concepts by Matt Kenner of Kenner Group—Dogwood Bar & Eatery, Milk Bar, Pine State Public House, Industry—and you now have almost half the bars on Glenwood South. Some would say the groups act like a panther waiting to pounce, seemingly snatching up every empty space on the street as it overturns.
“There’s some pros and cons to consolidated ownership,” says a city leader to whom we spoke on the subject. And you could say the same thing about Giorgios Bakatsias’ reach in North Hills, or Empire Eats’ Greg Hatem’s downtown. Some people say it’s great to keep business local, while others argue it would be nice to have fresh blood.
But, before you think the block’s bar scene is becoming cookie-cutter, Glenwood South king Niall Hanley of Hibernian Hospitality Group waves his scepter. The Hibernian Pub, Raleigh Beer Garden, Botanical Lounge trio and Ark Royal owner (the latter of which just reopened after a brief closure) exclusively revealed to Raleigh Magazine his plans to open Peggy’s Whiskey & Cocktails (run by local star mixologist Greg Ewan) in the lower corner of Hibernian Pub—formerly called the “green room”—this month.
Change, of course, is a natural part of city progress. Some crave it, while others loathe it. The rub, though, is what becomes of these spots once they close—and whose hands the future of the city rests in.
SPLIT DECISION Split, Glenwood South’s newest and only tequila-dedicated bar, located in the former C. Grace building, opened in March by Halcyon owner Adam Ajaj. The hip bar is divided—hence the name—into an upstairs and downstairs: the upstairs, a loungey bar specializing in tequila drinks; and the downstairs, a more energetic scene playing host to live music and DJs. Ajaj, a seasoned entrepreneur in the local hospitality sector who “back in the day” owned a handful of spots on Glenwood South (he’s since sold them all), also expanded the outdoor patio to wrap around the building. And keep your eyes peeled for another “local neighborhood bar” Ajaj plans to open across the street from Tin Roof in July.
Freshen up your patio for spring with these 6 must-haves.
Is it patio weather yet?! After a cold and gloomy winter, your outdoor space is no doubt ready to be dusted off and utilized for primo alfresco dinners; hangs in the sun; and, our fave, sipping on a nice cold bevvy in the breeze. A little TLC can go a long way to transforming your patio into an outdoor oasis worth practically living in all season long. Here are some patio must-haves—plus where to shop for them locally—that’ll guarantee fresh outdoor environs for spring.
Cozy Seating A cozy outdoor space starts with cozy outdoor seating! Spring for plush chairs and couches—and pillows (lots of pillows). Shop the Trend: Logan’s Garden Shop SEABOARD & PERSON STREET DISTRICT
Colorful Rug Tie your space together with an outdoor rug in a vibrant color or pattern. This’ll make your patio feel more welcoming and homey. Shop the Trend: At Home NORTHEAST RALEIGH
Terra Cotta Planters Both the terra cotta color and material are expected to have a moment this year—and both bring a Mediterranean flare to your outdoor space—no plane ticket required. Shop the Trend: The ZEN Succulent MOORE SQUARE DISTRICT
Lamp Moody outdoor lighting? Yes, please! An outdoor lamp creates a cozy ambience within your patio space without the need for harsh lighting. Shop the Trend: Viridien NORTHEAST RALEIGH
Fire Pit Since spring in NC is always unpredictable, a fire pit is great to have for those inevitable chilly nights. S’mores, anyone?! Shop the Trend: Cabana Coast NORTH RALEIGH
Vertical Gardens When you can’t build out, build up. Vertical gardens are great for smaller patios as they optimize space—and create an eye-catching focal point. Think of it like a natural art piece! Shop the Trend: State Farmers Market WEST RALEIGH
Local artist Tre. Charles’ new EP sparks timely convo around masculine vulnerability.
Durham-based singer-songwriter Tre. Charles isn’t afraid to be vulnerable. In fact, his new EP Currently., dropping April 26, is centered on bringing honesty and insight to the forefront of conversations around self-awareness, insecurity, mental health, masculine vulnerability and introspection—and challenging the status quo surrounding those topics.
Despite drifting through careers without a sense of true purpose, the high school chorus singer has always loved music—but never took it seriously. That was until an unfortunate car accident damaged his knee and forced him to think about the next bar—er, chapter—in his life.
“They said I wasn’t going to be able to walk again,” recalls Charles, who first picked up the guitar in college. “I wasn’t able to move; I had to do physical therapy. For the most part, I was just teaching myself guitar and trying to get better at it.”
Finding his forte, Charles dedicated himself to music full-time, releasing his first single, “Stressin.,” in 2021. Through simplistic yet powerful lyrics and emotive crooning, he reflects on the personal and social struggles he’s experienced throughout his life as a young Black man in America, as well as the isolation many felt during the pandemic.
“Lately.,” the first single off his new album, dives deeper into the realm of mental health by “addressing the overwhelmingness of today’s social media landscape and the constraints of overthinking,” he says. Relatable, indeed.
Those honest and powerful lyrics paired with Charles’ self-described alt indie soul sound—think Frank Ocean meets Hozier, he says—make Currently. a must-listen.
“I hope listeners can feel heard and seen—and [I hope to] challenge their perspective,” he says of experiencing the album—“kind of like continuing on with this new renaissance, specifically with Black men talking about their emotions and going to therapy and doing the work to try to be better.” trecharles.com
Just dill with it—pickleball isn’t going anywhere.
Court is officially in session. Back like it never left, pickleball season is in full swing again as temps begin to rise—and competition heats up. Since our last story on pickleball’s rise to fame, the sport has continued to rise in popularity in Raleigh, and remains the fastest-growing sport in America.
According to pickleball court data provider Pickleheads, Raleigh is the second-most popular city in North Carolina to play pickleball, a cross between tennis, badminton and pingpong that’s played with paddles and a Wiffle-like ball—and there are 17 pickleball courts in Raleigh and counting.
To wit, when Swing Racquet + Paddle—a first-of-its-kind highly anticipated multiracquet and paddle facility—opens in 2024, it will debut 24 pickleball courts, in addition to 29 tennis courts (clay and hard), 16 padel courts, 4 beach tennis/volleyball courts and pingpong tables.
If you’ve yet to jump on the pickleball bandwagon—have no fear. It’s easy to get in the swing of (had to), and anyone can play, no matter their age, station, etc. NTM playing a round or two is far more attractive than running on a treadmill like a hamster on a wheel to get in your daily 30 min of physical activity (!).
“The magic of pickleball is it’s easy to learn, but hard to master,” says Pickleheads Co-Founder Brandon Mackie, who started the free platform a year ago with his team out of their own challenges with finding courts and people to play with locally. “Beginners can go out their first time, learn the game, have fun and even win a few games. But advanced players stay challenged—and keep coming back for more. This dynamic is a big reason why pickleball continues to grow like crazy.”
Whether you’re looking to learn the ropes or engage in some friendly competition, there are a host of local pickleball communities, meet-ups and match-ups worth relishing (see Raleigh Pickleball Club; Raleigh Pickleball Advisory Group; and Pickleheads, which allows users to find a nearby court near and see weekly play times for popular times to play)—and see below for a list of popular courts to play throughout the city. Just remember to dink responsibly—and don’t get smashed.
