by Anna Beth Adcock | Mar 21, 2024 | Do, February 2022
Got a hankering for some hooch? These speakeasies within five hours of Raleigh are worth the drive.
Here to add a little more je ne sais quoi to your nightlife routine are six more juice joints worth daytripping for. Offering a change of scenery, a little mystery (secret entrances and passwords, oh my!) and some serious booze-forward libations, these blind pig picks also promise to be the bee’s knees for back-alley boozehounds. Pro tip: Grab a hotel and turn your speakeasy sesh into a weekend stay. Or make a 2024 bucket list to try them all. Cheers!
DC | 4.5-hour drive
Mirror, mirror, what are you hiding behind that wall? Located only three blocks from The White House, The Mirror is accessible by heading down some concrete stairs next to an empty office building and pulling back a mirror (pretty on brand, right?). Over 100 years after Prohibition, the intimate speakeasy keeps the party going with drinking, dancing and breaking the rules.
Belmont, NC | 2.5-hour drive
We’ll have some Jailhouse… on the rocks! This historic 1960s era bar and cigar lounge is located within the cells of downtown Belmont’s former jail—so criminal. So if you’re into whiskey business, steal around to the back of the building for entry. Once inside, explore the concrete-covered rooms with snaps from the past; then snag a seat at the steel-top bar or puff on a cigar in the downstairs lounge. And don’t worry: Here, you’re only potential crime is ordering too many cocktails. But, hey, when in jail…
Charlottesville, VA | 3.5-hour drive
Once a grocery (hence the name), this circa 1820 building now houses restaurant Tavern & Grocery… but creep down the back staircase and you’ll find cellar cocktail bar Lost Saint, which boasts a relaxed and friendly yet sophisticated vintage atmosphere and an impressive wine and cocktail menu totes worth descending for.
Roanoke, VA | 3-hour drive
Craving a post-pizza dinner adventure? Head to the unmarked entrance next door to Italian restaurant Fortunato and find yourself in this cozy speakeasy serving up classic and craft cocktails (set to reopen soon!). There’s no better way to lift your spirits.
Wilmington, NC | 2-hour drive
If you’re into socializing and a smidge of tomfoolery, this small members-only speakeasy is for you. Known for its thoughtful cocktails (plus interesting wines and local and regional beers), Earnest Money & Sons is the captivating combination of your friendly neighborhood bar and the thrilling mystery of an old-time speakeasy.
Charleston, SC | 4-hour drive
Je ne regrette rien. No regrets indeed as you slip down the original historic staircase at this French Brasserie la Banque, where you’ll be instantly transported back in time (and across the Atlantic) via art deco-inspired furnishings and an intimate bar. Pop a squat and indulge in Parisian eats like French onion soup, steak frites, and duck leg while sipping on creative cocktails. Ooh, la, la!
by Lauren Kruchten | Oct 29, 2018 | Do, October 2018
Charlottesville is a city with a rich past and a dynamic present.
From its involvement in the Revolutionary and Civil wars, to Jim Crow Law hardships, to the “Unite the Right” white supremacist rally in August of last year, Charlottesville is a hotspot for events that, for better or worse, have long held a mirror up to the nation’s political and social conflicts. But, for visitors and residents, what’s good about the area decidedly outweighs the bad.
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is surrounded by rolling hills brimming with vineyards and wineries, orchards and hiking trails including the nearby Shenandoah National Park. It’s a dream destination for foodies, history buffs and nature lovers.
Rural attractions complement a vibrant urban center. Restaurants, bars, shops and cultural activities flourish within the Downtown Mall, a brick-lined pedestrian area in historic downtown Charlottesville. The mall hosts eclectic music and arts events throughout the year, making it a perpetually popular hangout spot.
Charlottesville’s diverse cultural scene is the product of a storied history, one you can learn about at any of its many museums, on walking tours and at historic sites. Perhaps the most noteworthy of these is Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, a founding father, author of the Declaration of Independence and the nation’s third president.
Old world meets new in Charlottesville’s top-notch public college, the University of Virginia, founded in 1819 by Jefferson himself. The university proffers its own air of youthful spirit, as well as graduates who make a difference in many fields.
Get to know the history of a charming, picturesque city with prominence in political and cultural spheres while sampling some of the state’s best food and wine. You’ll find that Charlottesville’s brimming with adventure.
EAT
Commonwealth Restaurant and Skybar
With a menu comprised of local, seasonal ingredients in dishes curated by a team of talented chefs, Commonwealth offers a modern space for customers to enjoy lunch, dinner and brunch. Dine at the Library Bar, in the dining room, or on the rooftop Skybar, with views of the Downtown Mall. Top dishes include Cider Braised Littleneck Clams, Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio, Pimento Cheese Pork Rinds, and Chicken and Waffles served with Sausage Gravy and Fried Potatoes. commonwealthskybar.com
Sultan Kebab
For authentic Turkish cuisine, Sultan Kebab’s menu takes inspiration from the historic kitchens of the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Traditional fare includes Grilled Halloumi Cheese, grilled and served with seasonal greens; the Adana Kebab Sandwich, filled with skewered, grilled, Turkish-spiced ground beef on Lavash bread with lettuce, tomato and onion, and Kuzu Pirzola, which consists of grilled lamb chops over a bulgur wheat pilaf. Don’t forget to pair your meal with a Turkish wine. sultankebabcville.com
Splendora’s Gelato
For dessert, stop into Splendora’s Gelato, a popular cafe on the Downtown Mall that offers
artisanal Italian gelato and espresso drinks and other dessert specialties. Splendora’s Gelato combines milk and cream from a Virginia dairy with ingredients such as ground nuts, cocoa powder, pure vanilla and fresh fruit purees, omitting any artificial flavors or food colorings. Rotating popular flavors include Milk and Cherry, Dulce de Leche, Cookies & Cream and Stracciatella, a traditional Italian flavor made made of a milk-based gelato and chocolate shavings. splendoras.com
DRINK
Barboursville Vineyards
Located a half hour outside of Charlottesville, the Barboursville Vineyards and estate date back to the 18th century. Owned by the Zonin family from Veneto, Italy, the vineyards feature Old World wines as well as historic ruins on picturesque grounds. Wine connoisseurs celebrate the vineyard’s renowned blends, including the flagship Octagon Red Bordeaux and the Paxxito, reflecting centuries of the Virginia Piedmont’s climate. bbvwine.com
Castle Hill Cider
Castle Hill Cider is home to award-winning ciders crafted from apple trees on 600 acres in the Charlottesville countryside. The cidery combines new and old techniques, including pressing apples on an American-made press, to produce a variety of seasonal offerings, including Terrestrial 2016, a crisp blend of Winesap and Albemarle Pippin apples, and the Library Selection Celestial, which combines Pippin, Winesap, Grimes Golden, Ashmead’s Kernel and English Bittersweet apples for a spicy, citrusy cider. castlehillcider.com
Lost Saint
Lost Saint is a basement speakeasy known for its creative, humorously named cocktails. The intimate bar is renowned for special drinks created for holidays and events and it maintains an ever-changing drinks menu. Try the Filibutter Old Fashioned, concocted with peanut butter and raspberry-infused bourbon; The Underwood Solution, a smoked whiskey cocktail reminiscent of a Manhattan, and The Undaunted, a combination of Ketel One vodka, Plymouth gin, Bacardi Ocho, demerara syrup, lemon juice and Averna soda. lostsaintbar.com
DO
Carter Mountain Orchard
October is peak apple-picking season, and Carter Mountain Orchard is a favorite destination. You’re free to pick your own apples from the seemingly endless acres of fruit trees, amid awe-inspiring views. The Bold Rock Cellar onsite offers hard cider, crafted using Carter Mountain apples, to sample and purchase. chilesfamilyorchards.com/orchards/carter-mountain-orchard
Monticello
Thomas Jefferson’s estate gives a glimpse into the former president’s home life, with tours of the house and its surrounding gardens available several times a day. Visitors can learn about the nation’s history of slavery on a tour focused on the experiences of the enslaved people who lived and worked on Monticello’s plantation home. monticello.org
Skyline Drive
The 150-mile Skyline Drive, a National Scenic Byway, traverses Shenandoah National Park, with astounding views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains—especially during fall, when the leaves change from golden yellows to burnt oranges and vibrant reds. Take in the Virginia mountains’ beauty at 75 scenic overlooks located along the route. visitskylinedrive.org
STAY
Oakhurst Inn
A boutique hotel in the heart of historic Charlottesville, the Oakhurst is quaint and elegant, with 27 modern guest rooms, five furnished apartments and a gourmet cafe only steps from where the town and university meet. The inn provides a complimentary trolley ride to transport guests to the historic Downtown Mall. oakhurstinn.com
Boar’s Head Resort
Southern elegance and modern luxury combine in this award-winning retreat, with 175 rooms and suites, a restaurant, luxury spa, swimming pool, golf course, trail system, and sports club. The resort sits atop the Blue Ridge Mountains, with gorgeous views to wake up to. boarsheadresort.com
The Inn at 400 West High
This cozy bed and breakfast, just a short walk from downtown Charlottesville, offers unique, individually-decorated rooms with welcoming, whimsical bedspreads and plush pillows. The inn provides a freshly prepared breakfast daily, served with a local Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters blend. 400westhigh.com
by Jane Porter | Sep 1, 2017 | Buzz, September 2017
Like many Southern cities, Raleigh has a Civil War legacy to grapple with.
It wasn’t long before shockwaves from the violence that erupted in Charlottesville last month were felt here in the Triangle. A day after white supremacists—protesting the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee—clashed with counter-protestors, activists took to the streets and toppled a bronze statue that has stood before Durham’s courthouse since 1924.
Governor Roy Cooper condemned the Charlottesville violence but, regarding Durham, said there’s “a better way” to get rid of Confederate monuments on public property.
“Conversations about race and our past are never easy,” Cooper said in a statement. “But we must do what we know is right, and we must do it the right way.”
In Raleigh, there are six statues and monuments memorializing the Confederacy. Three, including a 75-foot-tall monument to fallen Confederate soldiers, are located on the State Capitol grounds and three are located in the Historic Oakwood Cemetery, privately held land where more than 1,000 Confederate soldiers are buried. Monuments at both locations have been vandalized recently.
Though the controversy over Confederate monuments has re-emerged in a highly polarized national political climate, leaders at the state and local levels are increasingly getting involved, removing monuments and banning the Confederate flag in their cities and states—or steadfastly refusing to.
In Raleigh, attorney Charles Francis, the Democratic candidate for mayor, seems to agree with Cooper’s call for removal.
“Now is the time for all southerners and all Americans to speak and act forcefully against monuments to terror…,” Francis wrote in a statement on his campaign website. “Raleigh must lead in diversity and inclusion and standing against hate…Tweet. Write. Attack the disparities the Confederate monuments represent…Organize. Mentor a child. Vote. As a city and nation, we are better, and we can do better.”
The Republican contender in the three-way race for mayor, Paul Fitts, doesn’t agree with removing the statues, though he says that, if elected, he would never allow “two frothing groups of people that close to each other.”
In an email, Fitts said he agrees with the slippery slope argument President Trump made to reporters.
“Where does this end?,” Fitts wrote. “Do we just remove Civil War monuments or do we go after all slave owners…George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both slave owners…When do we remove them from Mount Rushmore…When do we change the names of cities, towns, counties and states that bear the names of these people?”
Mayor Nancy McFarlane has not addressed Confederate monuments specifically and her office did not respond to multiple inquiries about whether she agrees with Gov. Cooper’s call to remove Confederate monuments before our deadline.
On her official Facebook page, however, the mayor also condemned the violence in Charlottesville.
“…let this tragedy be a defining moment in this tumultuous time in our history,” McFarlane wrote. “Past Americans fought Nazism, white supremacy, and the hate and violence that both embody. Many of our parents were part of that fight and we must be as well. It would dishonor their sacrifice to not stand up and take this moment to let future generations know that ‘enough is enough.’”
Gov. Cooper called on the legislature to repeal a 2015 law that prohibits removal or relocation of Confederate monuments. He directed his Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to study the cost and logistics of removing monuments from public property, statewide, and to look at replacing them in museums and at historical sites.
But with Republicans in gerrymandered districts controlling both chambers of the General Assembly—Senate leader Phil Berger called removing Confederate statues a “fool’s errand” that “erases history—” it seems unlikely that North Carolina’s leaders, or its people, will agree on “a better way” to address the monuments any time soon.
by Alexandra Drosu | Oct 24, 2016 | Do, October 2016
Just three hours north of Raleigh, you’ll find Charlottesville, Virginia, a charming Colonial town founded in 1762 that offers a historic destination with a gorgeous backdrop of vineyards and orchards. The area has housed three presidents—Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe—and is home to the University of Virginia, chartered in 1819.
Charlottesville’s heritage, however, is just one small part of what it has to offer visitors. The small city is becoming a big culinary destination, which isn’t completely surprising since Thomas Jefferson was one of the first real “foodies,” bringing back European recipes to Virginia in the late 1700s. The temperate weather gives local chefs access to fresh products year round, producing tasty farm-to-table menus and award-winning dishes. Plus, there are more than 30 wineries and five breweries in the area, and it’s grown into the artisanal epicenter of cider.
Visitors can also participate in plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy the crisp weather and beautifully colored foliage. It’s less than a half an hour’s drive to the James River and Shenandoah National Park, or you can stay closer to town. Take advantage of the miles of trails that run through Charlottesville, stroll the university’s breathtaking grounds or go apple picking at one of the nearby orchards.
STAY
Keswick Hall Resort and Hotel located just outside Charlottesville in Keswick, Virginia. Photo/Andrew Shurtleff
Keswick Hall This stately mansion was built in 1912 and transformed into a luxury resort in the 90s. Today, guests feel like they are visiting a country estate rather than a hotel with a spa, tennis courts and a world-class golf course. keswick.com
Oakhurst Inn Near the University of Virginia, this boutique hotel blends Craftsman-era architecture with modern comforts. Instead of a lobby, guest rooms are nestled around a cozy library complete with fireplace and complimentary espresso. oakhurstinn.com
Foxfield Inn This charming bed and breakfast is located in horse country just outside of the city. Owners Dan and Kathryn Bundy pamper guests with a gourmet, three-course breakfast and afternoon refreshments. And with only five rooms available, you better book fast. foxfield-inn.com
EAT
Alley Light This 2015 James Beard Award semi-finalist is tucked away on a side street without any signage announcing it. Offering a classic French menu of shared plates, enjoy craft cocktails in the intimate, living room setting. alleylight.com
Clifton Inn This upscale restaurant celebrates the historic setting of the inn through its intimate dining room. The chef includes ingredients from the organic garden in his daily menu to create a diverse selection of seasonal dishes. clifton-inn.com
The Whiskey Jar Right on Main Street, this casual eatery prides itself on locally sourcing every item on a menu that includes fried chicken, grilled pork chops and broiled trout. Plus, the bar features more than 125 varieties of whiskey, rye, bourbon and scotch. thewhiskeyjarcville.com
DRINK
South Street Brewery The city’s longest running brewery and pub has blended venerated originals with ne
w experimental beers that reflect craft brewing trends. Located downtown, the pub offers an extensive menu to pair with one of its 12 brews. southstreetbrewery.com
Jefferson Vineyard This award-winning winery located less than two miles from Monticello pays homage to Jefferson’s desire to cultivate wine in the region. Sip a glass in the large tasting room or outdoors on the garden patio. jeffersonvineyards.com
Castle Hill Cider This gorgeous cidery, once a historic plantation, offers an escape from city life as you meander across the grounds or taste the seven artisanal ciders. Check out the calendar ahead of time for special events. castlehillcider.com
Pit Stop Worthy
Downtown Mall
The historic pedestrian mall offers a wonderful sampling of restored buildings, restaurants and cafes, shops and art galleries; the juxtaposition of history with modern life makes for a charming visit. Catch a concert at the Jefferson Theater (jeffersontheater.com), take the kids to the Virginia Discovery Museum (vadm.org), and don’t miss the Freedom of Expression wall just in front of City Hall. This 54-foot slate wall offers locals and visitors alike an opportunity to exercise their First Amendment rights.
Apple Picking
Autumn is the perfect season to visit and take part in the timeless tradition of apple picking. Carter Mountain Orchard has been tended by the Chiles family for over a hundred years, and visitors can come and pick their own while enjoying the breathtaking views. Pick up apple butter, jams, hot apple cider donuts and more at the Country Store and Bakery. chilesfamilyorchards.com
University of Virginia
You don’t need to be a student to enjoy the university experience. The campus offers many attractions for visitors, such as the Fralin Museum of Art. The permanent collection houses about 13,000 objects, including paintings, photography, artifacts, etchings and more—from Rembrandt to Warhol. Plan in advance, and attend one of more than 200 musical, dance and theater performances each year. Or simply wander the grounds and enjoy the opportunity to reflect in a beautiful setting. virginia.edu
Monticello
No trip to Charlottesville is complete without a visit to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home, which he once called as “essay in architecture.” Now a UNESCO World Heritage site (along with the University of Virginia), the historical destination allows visitors to explore the house and gardens and also addresses slavery on the former working plantation through several guided tours. monticello.org
