No summertime sadness here. If you miss the frozen poolside slushies, ice cream cones and shakes of your childhood (ah, the memories!), harken back to the glory days with an added adult spin via these booze-forward bevs and desserts that’ll have you feeling cool in the best way.
These spirited shakes will definitely bring all the boys (and girls!) to the yard—from the coffee liqueur and Irish cream-fused Mudslide to the Reese’s Skrewball Shake’s star-studded blend of Skrewball whiskey and Reese’s to the orange and whipped vodka-based Orange Creamsicle sipper—all of which have us chanting “damn right, it’s better than yours.” mojoesburgerjoint.com
Boozy Slushies | Standard Beer + Food
One frozen sip on Standard’s sun-drenched backyard patio and you’ll forget you’re not at the beach. Pick your potion from the vibey tropical painkiller (Goslings dark rum, orange, pineapple, coconut and fresh nutmeg) or the frosty dry-hopped twist on the classic G&T.standardbeerandfood.com
Frozen Frog | Wolfe & Porter
A swig of this frozen elderflower French 75 and you’ll be channeling Kristen Wiig’s iconic “oh, that’s fresh” (Bridesmaids fans know). Sweet, vibrant and screaming summertime, the sipper is just 8 bucks on Fridays—weekending for the win! wolfeandporter.com
Spiked Shakes | The Cowfish
Fusion isn’t just for the food—and it’s in full force with these seriously craveable boozy shakes. Savor summer with the Smirnoff vanilla vodka-spiked Peanut Butter Nana Time or go all in with the No Sleep Til Brooklyn—basically an espresso tini on steroids with Myers’s dark rum, Kahlua, malt, concentrated coffee and chocolate espresso beans.thecowfish.com
Frosé all day is back via Trophy’s fan-fave frosé at its Morgan Street and Maywood stomping grounds—just begging to be matched with a must-have ’za for a lingering alfresco hang. Not in the, ahem, spirit? Soak up some summer on Morgan Street with a Starry Eyes THC seltzer-based frozen paloma. trophybrewing.com
Boozy Shakes | Alamo Drafthouse
Ditch the popcorn (or go all out with both) for the too-cool-for-school movie theater’s spiked milkshakes, from The Grasshopper’s blend of Arrow crème de menthe and crème de cacao to the Whiskey Banana Split’s boozy-meets-fruity concoction of Wild Turkey Longbranch bourbon, Liber & Co. pineapple, dark chocolate, roasted banana and strawberry purée. So chill, indeed.drafthouse.com
How to brighten your winter blues now that daylight saving time is over
We know, we know… nobody likes a 5pm sunset. Now that daylight saving time is over (*patiently waits for the Sunshine Protection Act to pass*), many Raleighites might feel tempted to hunker down at home during those extra hours of darkness. But let’s look on the bright side—the sun setting before dinnertime doesn’t have to put a damper on your fun. Here, five fab ways to spend your winter evenings out and about in the city, no daylight required.
Comedy Show Good news: Daylight doesn’t go underground anyway. Spend a night or two at Goodnights Comedy chuckling at the sillies of stand-up comics bringing tons of talent from all over into an intimate setting. Sounds cozy and comical, no?
Trivia If your brain functions better at night, find a lineup of trivia challenges all over town—from adult trivia (*wink, wink*) at Flying Saucer to oodles of other bars and restos offering weekly trivia nights. Think Raleigh Beer Garden, Brookside Bodega and My Way Tavern, to name a few.
Wine Night Wine all you want this winter with the pals or your boo at such sophisticated and sleek spots as Vita Vite or Barcelona Wine Bar. Sips after sundown? Yes, please!
Game Night Got game? Bring your competitive spirit to Boxcar for a night of arcade classics (a round of Pac-Man, anyone?), Skee Ball, air hockey and more. Level up, indeed!
If you’re a last-minute kinda guy or gal—don’t fret, there’s still time to impress bae this Valentine’s Day. Peep our roundup of romantic specials and activities from some of our fave spots around town—and, best part, it’ll look like you put a lot of time and thought into it. You’re welcome.
Send you and la petite amito Paris (metaphorically) with these Euro-inspired to-go cocktails from Coquette Brasserie, paired with one of the resto’s famous quiches. Choose from four cocktail ops (sold in the cutest little bottles)–just in time for cheersing your Valentine on Valentine’s. P.S. Bring the glass containers back to get $2 off your next to-go cocktail purchase!
This virtual craft beer fest celebrating the craft beer communities of both North Carolina and New York runs all weekend long. A $15 online registration gets you unlimited access to festival content and performances. Or, upgrade to VIP status to score the ultimate Valentine’s Day weekend package, including a 12-pack of NC craft beer, a box of locally made chocolates and a customized festival beer glass.
Let us upgrade ya. Elevate date night by bringing the Alamo Drafthouse experience home for the perfect Valentine’s—think dinner and a movie, plus a bottle of wine, two commemorative Champagne glasses and a movie poster puzzle to boot. And if you’d rather go out—consider renting a private theater for you Valentine, galentines and your palentines!
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! Let the good times roll, indeed, with Stanbury’s Mardi Gras-themed Cajun-inspired takeout (Sunday through Tuesday, Feb. 14–16). Preorder your pick for the perfect upscale-comfort food combination feast that we promise your boo will be eager to thank you for.
“It may be normal, darling; but I’d rather be natural.” Take in a matinee of the classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s ($5 per ticket)at Raleigh’s famed Rialto over some Champs (or beer, wine, cider—whatever speaks to you)—and, afterward, extend the date at one of Five Points’ cherished restaurants for dinner.
For a more casual (but supremely delish) night in, order takeout or delivery from Oakwood Pizza Box, arguably the best (and biggest) pizza in town. Pizzas up to 18 inches pizzas will easily satisfy your appetite. And don’t forget to add the bottle of wine or brews.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is coming to Raleigh’s Longview Shopping Center at 2026 New Bern Ave.The 11-screen theater, bar and restaurant will have 660 seats and a beer hall with 36 local beers on tap. Alamo Drafthouse was started in Austin by film fans for film fans, and they say the Raleigh location will be the same way, introducing new films, directors and genres that would never play in the Triangle. The theater is expected to open by the end of 2017.
taste now has a second location in the Five Points neighborhood in the former Cave 1912 location in High Park Village.Taste is part of the JMR Kitchens group, whichowns the Oak on Lake Boone Trail, more on N. West St. and taste on Medlin Drive.
Mellow Mushroom will open another Raleigh location at Brier Creek. The 6,400-plus-square-foot restaurant will be near the Meadows at Brier Creek apartments. No opening date yet.
House of Hops, a bottle shop and Shuckin’ Shack, an oyster bar, will be part of a new development at McNeill St. and Wake Forest Rd. near Mami Nora’s Rotisserie Chicken.
Posh Nosh Catering owner Coleen Speaks is opening Whitaker & Atlantic and Hummingbird at Dock 1053 at the corner of Whitaker Mill Road and Atlantic Ave. Whitaker & Atlantic will be a large private event space. Hummingbird will be a café and cocktail bar. Opening this fall.
Tyler Watt, the owner of Pharmacy Bottle & Beverage in Cary is planning to open Postmaster Restaurant & Bar at the corner of E. Cedar St. and North Walker St. this fall.He describes it as “modern Southern American food”.
St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar is now open on S. Wilmington St. in the former Joule Coffee space. The new restaurant offers oysters, clams and Carolina seafood with a New Orleans flair.
There’s a change with Dos Taquitos Xoco on Glenwood South; it’s not the food just the name and ownership. It will now be call Xoco with Niall Hanley as the sole owner
Bocci Trattoria & Pizzeria will open this month in the old Porter’s and McDaid’s space on Hillsborough St. The menu isclassic Italian fare with favorites such as Pork Saltimbocca, Risotto di Mare’ & Salmon Monaco with three styles ofpizza – New York style, Chicago Deep Dish & their very own Nonna’s Pizza. The space is redesigned to reflect an Old World ambiance reminiscent of the many trattorias throughout Tuscany. Bocci will be open seven day s a weekfor lunch and dinner.
