ICYMI, Raleigh is getting its first social district (!). And Raleigh is super thrilled about it—a game-changer for the area and just the first step in making Fayetteville Street more attractive to bars, restaurants and consumers, and bringing more foot traffic to the area. The pilot program gives the city a chance to gather feedback and assess what is and isn’t working—and could lead to additional social districts throughout the city. But beyond all the brouhaha are a slew of lingering questions about the rules, what areas are included in the district, etc., so we talked to Raleigh City Council Member Jonathan Melton to get to the bottom of it all. Read on for what you need to know. Then, we’ll see you on the streets—designated to-go cup in hand, natch—starting Aug. 15!
What is a social district?
Specified areas where “people just walk around with a glass of wine or a beer, going into a store, sitting on a bench, etc.,” says Melton.
Where will Raleigh’s first social district be?
Fayetteville Street District—specifically Fayetteville Street from Capitol Building to Duke Energy Center, including Red Hat Amphitheater and City Market (borders = South, Blount, Morgan, Dawson), plus Warehouse District from Dawson to Union Station.
What are the rules?
The social district is effective seven days a week, from the hours of 11am–10pm.
You will only be able to carry a max 16 oz. designated cup (you cannot carry around a cup from home).
No glass is allowed.
You cannot bring a cup from one business to another.
Cups must be recycled upon exiting the district.
What’s included?
Several bars and restaurants are included in the designated social district, as well as Red Hat Amphitheater and Duke Energy Center. “An idea for the social district is that folks could go to dinner before a show, get a drink to go, and then walk down to the venue and finish the beverage before entering inside,” says Melton.
Why aren’t parks included?
Moore Square and Nash Square are NOT included in the social district at this time, based on city staff’s recommendation, says Melton. “I think they preferred we take an incremental approach to the social district and avoid areas that might be conducive to folks trying to bring their own alcohol into the social district, which isn’t allowed under the state law,” he expands. “Moore Square also already has its own ABC permit associated with the Square Burger on site. It’s a pilot program though, so we will continue to gather feedback and examine the boundaries over the next few months.” According to Melton, the city would have to construct a barrier to separate Square Burger from the rest of the park due to social district rules and the permit.
Buy a drink to help aid the crisis in Ukraine? Now that’s a happy hour we can get behind.
It’s been almost five months since Russia invaded Ukraine, but many local businesses are still doing what they can to provide aid to the country. Most recently, LM Restaurants (of Carolina Ale House, a’Verde and Vidrio fame, to name a few) committed to a companywide goal of raising $100,000 for World Central Kitchen by the end of July—and you can do your part in helping them reach that goal just by buying a drink!
Throughout the month, all 29 of the company’s restaurants will feature a special Ukraine cocktail made with with Ketel One Botanical Peach and Orange Blossom Vodka (P.S., It’s Dutch vodka, not Russian), peach liqueur, fresh lemon juice, housemade simple syrup and fresh mint. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to World Central Kitchen.
LM Restaurants’ fundraising efforts began after Vidrio Executive Chef Saif Rahman—who previously worked for World Central Kitchen—reached out to LM owners Lou and Joy Moshakos about hosting an event at Vidrio in June in which a portion of proceeds would go toward World Central Kitchen’s efforts to feed people displaced by the Russian war in Ukraine.
The Moshakos took the idea and ran with it, committing 100% of the event’s ticket sales to World Central Kitchen and expanding the program across the rest of their restaurants.
“LM Restaurants is a hospitality-focused family, and we work to nourish our community, day in and day out,” says Lou. “We are excited for all of our restaurants to come together in a companywide fundraising effort to support the people of Ukraine. We fully support and admire the work of World Central Kitchen, especially in Ukraine and the surrounding countries. Together, we can significantly impact our global community through food and hospitality.”
In addition to purchasing the Ukraine cocktail in July, diners can also add $5, $10 or $20 to their tab to be donated to World Central Kitchen. And if you’re heading to the coast, LM’s Oceanic is hosting a Sunset Soiree on July 21 with live music, hors d’oeuvres and a reception cocktail. Tickets are $45 and 100% of proceeds will be donated. Who says there can’t be fun in fundraising? Cheers!
It doesn’t get any cheddar than this—custom charcuterie board business Raleigh Cheesy just opened its second storefront in Raleigh, and while it may sound cheesy, we just know it’s gonna be gouda (had to). Started as a side hustle in 2019, Raleigh Cheesy was born from owner Courtney Bowman’s passion for living life to the fullest—and, obviously, cheese and charcuterie just make everything better. Hence their MO: “Our cheese boards are built out of an overflow of that feeling—the feeling of experiencing all that life has to offer to their fullest potential.” Beyond bountiful, beautiful boards (the ultimate centerpiece at your party table), Raleigh Cheesy offers both private and public classes dishing tips on how to make your own incredible charcuterie board. So, keepin’ Raleigh cheesy, indeed.
It is hot. Temperatures in Raleigh have officially reached triple digits, with humidity making it feel like a thousand degrees. … Basically, it’s been unbearable. At this time of year in North Carolina, the cure to cooling yourself down is some nice, cold ice cream—by a beach or the pool, if you’re lucky! Below, we rounded up a few of our favorite Raleigh ice cream spots to keep the heat at bay for National Ice Cream Day July 17—and throughout the summer.
Known for: Rotating monthly flavors that fit a festive theme. This month’s special flavors feature Two Roosters’ greatest hits—think Peanut Butter Brownie, Peach and Blue Corn Cookie, and Lemon Bar.
Known for: If you didn’t already love Videri for their amazing chocolates (we don’t know how you couldn’t…), here’s another reason to visit: its soft-serve window scoops up vanilla and chocolate soft serve with toppings galore!
Known for: Howling Cow is a Raleigh icon. The ice cream is made on NC State’s campus with milk and cream from more than 300 NC State cows on the veterinary school’s farm in Raleigh, with Wolf Tracks being a crowd favorite!
Known for: Premium ice cream made with rBST-free milk that comes from pasture-raised cows featured in monthly flavors, along with extravagant milkshakes, cookie sandwiches, sundaes and other ice cream creations.
Known for: Create-your-own rolled ice cream or specialty creations like Benelux Biscoffee, Chocolate Overload, Mixed Berry and S’mores. There’s only one way to find out if rolled ice cream is better…
Known for: It’s in the name—FRESH. has been creating innovative flavors of ice cream for 30 years using fresh ingredients from local farms for scoops, sundaes and ice cream cakes.
Known for: A plethora of homemade flavors, best served in a freshly made waffle cone. Fudge, caramel apples, brittles, truffles and other confections are also available.
Known for: All-natural frozen custard made with just milk, cream, eggs, pure cane sugar, honey and natural vanilla extract (in the vanilla flavor). Every day Goodberry’s features a different flavor, which we recommend blending into their famous Carolina Concrete with your choice of mix-ins.
Known for: Perhaps America’s most beloved ice cream chain, you can get Ben & Jerry’s famous pints in grocery stores or scooped at two Raleigh locations at North Hills or on Hillsborough Street. At the scoop shops, you’ll find all your favorite flavors and more, including milkshakes, sundaes and chocolate-dipped waffle cones.
GalaxyCon returns to Raleigh July 28–31 in full force.
GalaxyCon is orbiting back to Raleigh July 28–31 with a lineup that’s out of this world—from celebrities and creators to gamers and cosplayers to panelists and more (!).
The four-day celebration, held at the Raleigh Convention Center, will be a triumphant return to its full model of fan engagement circa 2019. And although GalaxyCon’s 2021 festival had to be scaled back in order to accommodate social distancing, the event contributed a $7.5 million+ annual economic impact for the area—with the hope of even more this year.
“GalaxyCon’s return in 2021 represented the biggest annual event to return to our city after the pandemic,” says Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin. “We are so thankful that this celebration of creativity and pop culture continues to call our city home and brings together local and far-flung fans to experience Raleigh.”
This year’s festival kicks off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 28, featuring Raleigh Mayor Pro Tem Nicole Stewart, celebrities Brian O’Halloran and Barry Bostwick, and GalaxyCon founder Mike Broder. Throughout the weekend, fan-fave stars from movies, television, comics, wrestling and gaming will be making an appearance—think The Mandalorian’s Katee Shackhoff, Succession’s Alan Ruck, Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Brad Spiner, and Schitt’s Creek’s Tim Rozon.
In addition to celebrity guests, GalaxyCon will also feature communal activities and spectacles like tabletop and video gaming tournaments; fantasy super cosplay wrestling; costume contests; photo ops; and a full exhibition of comic, merch and collective vendors.
“GalaxyCon’s resiliency over the past two years is a testament to the courage and commitment of our fans and their love for not only pop culture, but for celebrating it together,” says Broder. “While we counted 2021 as a successful return to in-person events, I am proud that we are bringing back all elements of GalaxyCon.” Get your game face on!
