In search of a new ~space~ to kick back, relax and enjoy vibey tunes while sipping on stellar ’tails? Enter Moon Room, a revamp of popular Smoky Hollow Neighborhood bar. The celestial go-to kicked off 2025 with “new year, new me” jazz + vinyl vibes—thus filling the much decried gap left in the wake of C. Grace. Think Wednesday jazz jam sessions and weekend jazz, with vinyl DJs spinning throughout the week. “We tried a couple of jazz nights [at Neighborhood] and the community responded really well and wanted more,” says co-owner Tyler Helikson of the change. In addition to the stellar moniker and events, Moon Room’s spirits program supplements its signature draft cocktails with full-bar “shaken and stirred” sips that promise to launch you over the moon. @m_o_o_n_r_o_o_m
In search of a new ~space~ to kick back, relax and enjoy vibey tunes while sipping on stellar ’tails? Enter Moon Room, a revamp of popular Smoky HollowNeighborhood bar. The celestial go-to kicked off 2025 with “new year, new me” jazz + vinyl vibes—thus filling the much decried gap left in the wake of C. Grace. Think Wednesday jazz jam sessions and weekend jazz, with vinyl DJs spinning throughout the week. “We tried a couple of jazz nights [at Neighborhood] and the community responded really well and wanted more,” says co-owner Tyler Helikson of the change. In addition to the stellar moniker and events, Moon Room’s spirits program supplements its signature draft cocktails with full-bar “shaken and stirred” sips that promise to launch you over the moon. @m_o_o_n_r_o_o_m
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
Sparking curiosity is new Hillsborough Street bar The Rabbit Hole.
The White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland called—and he wants you to venture down The Rabbit Hole for a drink—literally. Less a mysterious fantasy world and more cozy escape—but with all the character of a friendly tea time—the new bar by co-owners Jonny Ennis and Voltaire Council will open late summer in the former Green Monkey space on Hillsborough Street.
“For us, it’s more than a place to go drinking—we want to be kind of like a home away from home [for patrons].”
Voltaire Council
Lounge seating and a fresh coat’ll give the space a vibey refresh, while dartboards and TVs promise to foster an all-around friendly neighborhood bar that intentionally leans into camaraderie. “There’s some bars where there’s a very clear disconnect between the customers and bartenders,” says Council. “Then you have ones where the owner comes in and drinks; the customers are best friends with the bartenders; and everybody’s like a family”—which is precisely what you’ll find down The Rabbit Hole.
That approachable MO will be mirrored in the drinks—think beer and a small, simplified cocktail menu.
Anyone around in the ’80s may remember a rumpled-trench-coated dog whose business it was to remind us that crime is everyone’s business—and that police can’t fight crime alone. Now, with the marked decline in Downtown crime as the result of a vast community effort, McGruff’s message is more prescient than ever.
In November, we reported DTR crime had increased 60% over the previous eight months as compared to the year prior. Now, incidents running the gamut from aggravated assault to lesser (albeit annoying) evils like harassing phone calls, are improving across many categories. From September to February, drug violations—which accounted for a whopping 30% of all crimes reported—saw a steady decline, ultimately down 55% over the six-month span.
Thanks to extensive unified community efforts, weapons violations also declined a mammoth 73%. And, ultimately, total February crime incidents were almost half of those in September Downtown—including in the “disorderly” dubbed Glenwood South District, where RPD has been focusing much of its enforcement and prevention efforts.
While RPD’s response has been swift and effective, the department credits business and residential partners with whom they work closely for the cooling crime. “Our numbers continue to trend in the right direction thanks to the partnerships made with Downtown Raleigh Alliance and others,” maintains RPD Public Information Officer Lt. Jason Borneo.
For its part, DRA worked to provide private security services, as well as advocate for increased RPD presence and for the City to hire private security in the transit center, says DRA President and CEO Bill King. “All of these efforts have had a meaningful impact as evidenced by the crime data,” he adds. “Having said that, we cannot take our foot off the gas or let the City do so, as there is still a lot of work to be done to fortify these improvements in safety and make even more.”
RPD also worked with local businesses to roll out the CONNECTRALEIGH public safety program in an effort to enable Raleighites to help protect the community by increasing real-time data for guided emergency responses via fususCORE cameras.
Ultimately, Downtown safety is the most vital element to keep businesses progressing—which is why many local owners are happy to be involved in the conversation and efforts, including owner Matt Coleman of popular Blount Street bar The Davie.
“RPD has made tremendous efforts to help solve the growing issue of crime in the Fayetteville Street/Moore Square District after hearing our concerns last September,” says Coleman. “The numbers definitely show a decrease in crime, and we are seeing an increased police presence since then. My only hope is [RPD] continues to apply pressure, as crime tends to escalate during warmer weather, and summer is rapidly approaching.”
Borneo agrees, but ensures RPD is ready. “As the warmer months approach, we anticipate changes in crime trends,” he says. “RPD is always prepared to respond regardless of season—and we are prepared to respond accordingly to those trends. … We rely on our community to actively contribute to public safety, and we are fortunate that so many people have embraced the ‘it takes a village’ approach.”
Fortune no doubt favors the brave—and these efforts are no doubt valiant—but we can’t rest on our laurels. There is still work to be done, and we have to remain diligent and keep our communal foot on the gas. We’ll circle back after the thaw with what we hope is more good news for DTR.
