Live Music: illoh
📅 Saturday, November 21, 2026; Friday, December 11, 2026
🕐 7:00pm – 9:00pm
📍 House of Hops – Glenwood North
Happens on the following Dates:
Nov 21, 2026, 7:00pm to 9:00pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Dec 11, 2026, 7:00pm to 9:00pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
By Lauren Kruchten and Peyton Masilun
1. The Beach House by Tiki Brewing | Cary
Tropical ’tails—no plane ticket required. Yes, please! Sip away your responsibilities among The Beach House’s apropos beachy vibes—where every hour is happy hour, especially with a Blue Hawaiian (coconut rum, blue Curaçao, pineapple, agave), pineapple daiquiri or Tiki IPA in hand. Splayed out in a lawn chair on the patio promises to bring the salt-air-don’t-care energy—made all the more groovy with the hot spot’s regular bonfires and rotating on-site food trucks. Surf’s up! tikibrewing.com
2. Flight Tea Bar & Lounge | Carrboro
Tea flights and Zen feelings—found. Owner and lifelong tea connoisseur Jarrah Passanisi has personally sourced artisan teas from farms and companies all over the globe, with each sip transporting you to the tranquil gardens of Japan or the misty mountains of Taiwan. The serene weekend lounge located within the My Muses Card Shop doubles as a cozy spot to dish tea with your pals, or take part in one of the ongoing events and workshops (tea sampling, dried flower arranging, etc.). So, double the tea if you will (!). flightteabarandlounge.com
3. Urban Turban Indian Grill and Bar | Durham
This ain’t your standard Indian restaurant—in the best way. Bold flavors and energetic atmosphere sprinkled with cheeky Desi humor collide at this vibrant gem putting a fun modern spin on tradition—and serving up a mix of classic favorites and tantalizing contemporary takes that’ll take your senses on an adventure. Think rich Punjabi chicken curry, sizzling tandoori fish tikka and succulent lamb seekh kababs. An ample bar touting a lineup of colorful cocktails rounds out the experience—from a spicy Indian mojito to a tamarind margarita—altogether making for one spicy evening in stylish digs. urbanturbannc.com
4. Aaktun Coffee + Bar | Durham
Two-time James Beard semifinalist Oscar Diaz’s day-to-night dual-concept is a vibe—period. From the modern daytime cafe selects to the Tulum- and Tiki-inspired evening dining experience to an all-day Sunday “drunch” remix that “hits harder than your Saturday night” (!), the sip and sup destination delivers a full-court-press of fun flavors, high-energy ambiance, and oh-so-’Grammable eats and drinks. Pro tip: Get the viral BEC brekky sando and pork belly adobo—plus a colorful cocktail, natch. aaktun.info
5. The Flying Pierogi Delicatessen | Carroboro
If you’ve yet to experience the delight that is a Polish kielbasa, you’re in for a real treat. Inspired by street food the world over—from Chicago to New York to Poland and Germany—this European-inspired bistro/deli serves up bona fide classics that instantly elicit feelings of home. Go “on a roll” with a traditional Chicago hot dog (no ketchup!), bratwurst or Red Hot Carolina, or eat your fill of pierogies, stuffed with rotating flavors like potato mushroom, potato cheddar, or kraut and mushroom. A cold beer to pair is a borderline necessity. flyingpierogi.com
Raleigh, meet Trophy Five Points. Few F&B announcements have yielded the fanfare of Trophy’s blue Electric Supply Co. building takeover.
A Five Points East icon embedded in Raleigh’s history, Trophy’s foothold on the mammoth ~22K-square-foot iconic now-defunct blue warehouse at once sates Raleigh’s thirst while tapping into the collective cry for outposts that retain her unique Southern charm and herald her into her fortuitous future.
The brewer behemoth’s eighth outpost—first dubbed “Trophy Brewing Outpost” in its fledgling conceptual days—is slated to tap the keg on its highly anticipated dual taproom and restaurant early 2026 after breaking ground as soon as early this year.
Transforming the space, the taproom will be stocked with 10+ taps sporting Trophy’s prized brews and out-of-state collabs, with cocktails and vino to boot, not to mention a full restaurant that promises to live in your mind rent-free long after the last bite. While bevs won’t be brewed on-site, barrel-aging Trophy products in the famed blue building is in the cards.
Ample outdoor seating a la the Trophy way will accommodate hungry Raleighites via the “front porch”—as Trophy co-owner Chris Powers calls the outpost’s huge front patio—in the back greenspace with bonus room to let the kids roam, as well as in a large indoor dining area. Feeding the frenzy will be a menu akin to the Trophy Brewing & Pizza on Morgan—except more extensive. Think pizzas, natch, and other fan faves from the F&B kings.
For those further looking to relish in the vibe, there’s a flexible 9K-square-foot space for events and community-building, says Powers—as is also the Trophy team way via such concepts as Maywood Hall & Garden. (Um, who’s ready to party?!)
And, altogether, what the concept really brings is community—and a welcome addition to a now burgeoning walkable Five Points East district already boasting the likes of Ajja, Bright Spot Donuts and Tap Yard—not to mention a host of existing breweries: Neuse River Brewing & Brasserie, Lynnwood Brewing Concern and Nickelpoint Brewing Company. So, perhaps a draw the likes of Asheville’s Brewery District emerging?
“We are excited to become a part of the Five Points neighborhood, and to be making such an iconic building our home,” muses Powers. “Five Points presents such a great opportunity to be a part of a vibrant neighborhood.” And Raleigh is clearly here for it. @trophyfivepoints
A feast for the eyes and the senses, the crown jewel of Raleigh’s retail market is officially unearthing at East End via Giorgios Hospitality Group’s latest “GEM.”
Answering the call for an approachable and highly curated shopping and dining experience, the aptly dubbed Giorgios Epicurean Market is at once a European sojourn and one-stop shop for whatever you bloody well fancy—including even a bloody (or freshly squeezed OJ or coffee…).
From first entry, aromas, visuals (and for the samplers, scores of tastes) overcome the senses as you’re met with an abundance of lush flora and fauna—inviting you to check your real-world worries at the door and succumb to a Zen-induced haze of indulgence highlighted by a verdant design that’s “vibrant and alive with the fresh energy of a modern European market,” says Giorgios Bakatsias. Sommelier selects? Check. Olive oils, jams and spices? Yup. Plants and potables for the hostess, office or “oh-yeah-it’s-my-anniversary” gift? Count on it.
Playing on herbaceous hues, every detail is intentional—from the mod white, olive and rusty subway tile sections that merge with natural wood and concrete to the gentle botanical brushstrokes by artist Arianne Hemlein seamlessly blending the seasons across the length of the market to even the authentic “boulanger” sign Bakatsias procured from a flea market to add a little “spice.”
At the root of it all, a massive full-sight breakfast-lunch-dinner kitchen production helmed by Managing Partner/executive chef William D’Auvray promises to tempt the palate with fresh butcher cuts and made-in-house bakery selects, salads, grilled goodies and beyond—whether to grab a pastry, sandwich to savor on the piazza or steaks for tonight’s dinner.
Vinos for pairing are intentionally selected by sommelier Scott Hardiman to complement the cafe menu and prepared foods, says Bakatsias, “so guests can easily curate a gourmet meal to enjoy at home.” Essentially, they thought of everything so you don’t have to—the “simple things in life people want—executed at the highest level,” he adds.
And not to confuse elevated with unapproachable, this isn’t some stuffy, unaffordable pinkies-up place. Instead, at its very core is an MO of utter simplicity and approachability. “We’re not boxing somebody in to spend a certain amount to have this experience,” says Bakatsias. “You can come in and spend $10 for lunch or whatever you wish.”
Further delving into the Euro-ness of it all, docents are at the ready as you shop and savor to proffer wine, party platter or gift picks. And in line with that Old World vibe, no, they won’t pounce you like a SNL Sur La Table skit. But, so new age, they will provide a pay-where-you-are option sans the line.
Ambling past the abundant product—which D’Auvray, who also helms East End Bistrot, spotlights in the market menu—quaint alfresco-esque indoor seating gives way to a day-to-night indoor cafe and bar set off by rollup garage door. And, outside, a botanically-driven “relaxing playground for eating and drinking” awaits via covered terrace and lush piazza dotted with mixed seating—and primed for pop-up farmers markets.
Both masterful and masterpiece, it’s got Bakatsias’ fingerprints all over it. As the ultimate gardener (see flourishing East End Bistrot, Rosewater, etc.), the market extends that signature vibe. And like all gems, she’ll get better with age. … Stay tuned for catering, and wine and cooking classes—even visiting chefs—to come.
Until then, “I’m excited to start baking and cooking food Giorgios and I both love and live by,” muses D’Auvray. So are we. Tue.-Sat., 8am–9pm, gemraleigh.com
Fun fact: Postino is Italian for postman—which is fitting, given upcoming Postino WineCafé promises to absolutely deliver. If your mind goes to brunching and lunching around some intermittent retail therapy when you think of Village District—think again. Beyond the uproarious addition of Goodnights that catapulted the destination for shoppers and diners into a good-night-out spot, the DTR-adjacent district continues to elevate its nighttime appeal.
Now, the Arizona-born dynamic, market-first “industrial winecafé” we first teased last spring is set to uncork in the former Cafe Carolina space this spring—and promises to serve as a welcoming respite for Raleighites frequenting the neighborhood, which is celebrating 75 years of “tradition and taste” this month.
“We take a lot of pride in this property,” says Regency VP/Market Office Nate Smith, “and being able to bring fresh experiences to the market reflects our team’s passion. Postino is one of the most sought-after restaurant concepts in the country, and we’re thrilled they’ll be joining our fantastic tenant mix at Village District”—NTM bringing VD to 99% leased.
With an MO of “making people feel good” and intentionally built as a space for connection, the WineCafé’s iterations serve as odes to the communities that house them—its welcoming vibes synonymous with the go-to spot for happy hour, date night, GNO and beyond.
Midcentury-mod furnishings sourced from local vintage shops and alluring art installations invite, while custom walnut wine walls, rollup garage doors and vibey playlists serve up a kicked-back spot to sip back and relax. Meanwhile, palate-pleasing potables and pairings promise to keep you sated across an ever-changing cast of boutique wines, craft brews and specialty cocktails, alongside a decked-out menu of bruschetta, panini, salads and a lineup of craveworthy charcuterie boards and shareables. Sharing is caring, after all.
Ultimately answering the call for innumerable requests to pull Postino to NC, “when we found this location in Village District that’s been somewhat of a historic landmark in the community, we had to jump,” says Lauren Bailey, CEO and co-founder of Upward Projects. “We can’t wait to join the Raleigh community.”
Echoes Village District GM Brooke Conn: “Postino is in the perfect location to accommodate our community’s desire for a brunch and daytime spot that effortlessly becomes a nighttime destination.” So, clearly, the whole package.