by Lauren Kruchten | Oct 24, 2024 | Eat, November 2024
Stella’s is officially opening in a revamped space on North West Street on Oct. 26.
If a dive bar were a girl, it would be Stella’s. The ’80s/’90s-inspired “trailer trash-chic” watering hole is opening in the former Devereux location on North West Street—and it’s already a total vibe for girls, guys and everyone in between.
In standard fashion, the space received a colorful makeover in the months leading up to its opening. Stripping the space of its former Devereux life, owner Lena Ali and a gaggle of community members cultivated Stella’s personality with retro photos of Raleigh residents, parents and friends epoxied on the bar top; local art; wood paneling; disco balls; Christmas lights; thrifted/upcycled fixtures; and more—including the famous cow couch that once called Pink Boot home (!).
“The primary focus of the bar is that it is a community space,” emphasizes Ali. “The process of building the bar itself has been more or less of a community art project, which has been so fun and incredible to be a part of that we want to cultivate that in the bar’s daily operations as much as possible.”
As far as drinks go, Stella’s sticks to the basics with staple beer and seltzer options—plus a handful of seasonal cocktails designed and named by local guest bartenders. “I also want to put more of an emphasis on NA and THC options,” says Ali—“and lean a tad farther into wine than your standard dive bar—because, you know, girl.”
With that said, Ali’s goal “within this weird little 900-square-foot space” is for everyone to be “involved, welcomed and included,” she adds. “At Stella’s, the goal is to make everyone feel like a regular—even if it’s their first time in.” @stellasonwest
by Lauren Kruchten | Jan 19, 2024 | Eat, February 2024
The Devereux is your new go-to third place.
A bar can be more than just a place to pop in for a drink. It can serve as a second home—and partners Alex Ricci and Justin Tatnell hope their newly bowed watering hole, the Devereux, is just that. Think of it as a spirited “third place,” aka your home away from home and work.
“Everybody has their bar and that’s their place… and that’s the whole point,” emphasizes Ricci. “That’s actually why they call it bartending—because you’re tending to people’s needs.”
Situated in the now-defunct Pink Boot space on North West Street and trading the tiny weird honky-tonk aesthetic for inspo from the Rainforest Cafe (a vibe, honestly), the duo stripped the space of its kitschy decor, Raleigh relics and pink disco ball-lit bathroom (RIP) and replaced them with red tiles, teal walls, greenery and various pop art.
Nevertheless, Ricci maintains Pink Boot was “our go-to bar,” adding… “One could say we loved Pink Boot and Rainbow Luncheonette so much we bought them,” he says with a laugh. Now, the duo see the newfound space as a chill neighborhood drinking den driven by community. A place that’s “comfortable for everybody,” says Ricci, where regulars can repeatedly return no matter the occasion, and where the bartenders know your name and order. (It’s giving Cheers—and we’re here for it.)
Beyond approachable ’tails, Devereux drinkers can sample fare from adjacent sister restaurant Prospects, NTM a late-night menu—starting at 10pm—of mac and cheeses, burgers, sandwiches, and the like.
“Every single one of our friends and peers has shown up and given influence and helped cultivate this thing along the way,” maintains Ricci. “Justin and I weren’t the only ones who helped create this vision.” And, now, Raleighites can see that vision through. @devereuxbarnc
