Get to know Serena Thurston, the mixologist shaking things up behind the Dram bar.
Raised in Fayetteville, Serena Thurston now tends bar at uberpopular DTR neighborhood bar Dram & Draught. Coming up under the wing of current Bartender of the Year Colby Kress (also a Dram mixologist), she’s set to keep spirits high. Cast your ballot for the master cocktailier via our Best Bartender voting, open now through Dec. 15. And don’t miss Thurston shaking things up at our inaugural Cocktail Classic, presented by The Exchange Raleigh, Nov. 18. … Be sure to nab those tix before they sell out!
Could Thurston defend this DTR watering hole’s Bartender of the Year title? Your spirited vote could decide…
Fave drink to make? Amaretto sour
Least fave to make? Any type of fizz
Your go-to drink order? Aperol and soda with a lemon
Meet the timeless ’tender shakin’ up bevs behind the Clockwork bar.
Hailing from New York, find Best Bartender nominee Connor Cooke from Clockwork spinnin’ up takes on the classics for patrons venturing into the stylish and swanky DTR watering hole. If you’re a fan of his liquid creations, cast your ballot for Cooke via our Best Bartender voting, open now through Dec. 15. And witness a taste of his talent at our inaugural Cocktail Classic, presented by The Exchange Raleigh, Nov. 18—so be sure to nab those tix before early bird pricing ends at midnight on Oct. 20!
If you thought “pivoting” died with the pandemic, think again. The latest Raleigh biz to announce a shift is Junction West—which, fun fact, was voted one of our Best New Bars of 2018 and also where we held our first-annual Best Bars Awards Party (!). The popular Warehouse District gathering space—loved for its chic atmosphere, casual vibe, delicious cocktails and fab patio—is transitioning to a full-time event venue in September (*cue the sobs*).
Co-owner Gabie Frantz says the transition comes after seeing firsthand how “consumer’s habits have changed in this ‘post-pandemic time,’” along with the high demand for events in the area.
“Our model has always been to be a gathering space for the community, and, up until this point, that has been in the form of an event venue and bar,” she reiterates. “Now, the future of Junction West is still a community gathering space, but with a priority focus on events.”
Sept. 10 will be the last day the public can snag a drink at The Bar at Junction West—but fear not, events like The Day Party, live music, yoga, comedy nights, markets and food events will still be kept in rotation. And Frantz promises occasional pop-ups of The Bar on a gorgeous sunny day or in conjunction with a public event. See, it’s not goodbye, just see ya later!
“Our hope is that by transitioning to a full-time venue, it will give us the opportunity to partner with even more organizations and support local causes that are important to us,” Frantz maintains. Groups and individuals can also book private events through the space—from corporate meetings and nonprofit fundraisers to weddings and everything in between.
“We have loved getting to know the Raleigh community through bar service at Junction West over the past five years,” says Frantz. “While we are sad to close this chapter, we are excited and optimistic at the possibilities ahead.” Better go wish your bittersweet goodbyes before it’s too late!
Mixing up drinks, making music and meeting people is the MO of this Little City Brewing barman.
A well-written lyric and a melody should transport you—as should a good cocktail, according to Little City Brewing crackerjack bartender, manager and musician Reginald (Regi) Wilson Jr.
“There’s always a mood set by the music that’s happening,” says Wilson. “And cocktailing is a lot like music.” Putting his knack for cocktailing and tunes together, Wilson creatively concocts drinks and names them after song lyrics—think Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar High” (natch), “Run and Tell That” (of Hairspray fame) and Notorious B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa” (the latter two of which he created)—and, trust us, the drinks are as good as the songs.
A veteran mixologist now in the game for eight-plus years, Wilson cut his teeth as a busser in a NYC resto before working his way up to bartender, then moved to Manhattan’s Garfunkel’s Speakeasy to learn mixology.
“At my first job, we would have sit-downs and everyone would make a cocktail on the spot so we could decide which ones might go on the menu,” explains Wilson. “I learned a lot from the people there. They set the standard for what service should be like.”
Wilson moved from the Big Apple to Raleigh—when his fiancee got accepted to Duke University—and, a few months after wandering into the fateful bar on NYE, joined the Little City team in April 2021… and hasn’t looked back since.
The popular industrial-chic brewery and taproom—part of the ever-popular Local Icon Hospitality portfolio—attracts locals and visitors alike And, call it old-fashioned, but one of Wilson’s favorite aspects of bartending is the people. During his years behind the bar, he’s met folks on vacation, fellow service professionals, young adults celebrating 21st birthdays, his now fiancee and even Cyndi Lauper (!).
“Bartending is a good way to talk to people,” says Wilson. “It gives you a way to have conversations and create connections.” And when drinks and music are involved, connections are bound to happen.
When he’s not behind the bar at Little City, you can find the self-proclaimed creative strumming the guitar, playing the alto saxophone and singing. He adds he’s often been inspired to pen lyrics about his patrons, their stories and the things he’s observed while he’s working. So, who knows… he may just have a song about you!
As Wilson looks ahead, he wants to deepen his savvy in the realm of service—whether its music, cocktailing or culinary school—and one day he dreams of opening a restaurant and high-end cocktail bar that doubles as a live music venue. We’ll cheers to that!littlecitybrewing.com
Run & Tell That
2 blackberries, muddled + 1 blackberry for garnish
1/2 oz. demerara sugar
2 oz. bourbon
2 dashes Angostura
1 dash Peychaud’s
Lemon wheel
Absente
Stir all ingredients except the blackberry, lemon wheel and Absente together, then strain into a rocks glass over a big cube. Douse a lemon wheel in Absente and place atop a large rock. Place blackberry atop lemon wheel. Flame garnish and serve.
… for a “house party” at DTR’s new “interactive social museum”—aka the House of Art pop-up bar that promises to be your new fave drinks (and art + music!) destination.
There’s a new pop-up bar near Moore Square hosting an adult “house party” every weekend—and everybody’s invited. Formerly known as The Outpost, House of Art puts unity, diversity, art and music at the forefront—along with fair-priced drinks, natch, that all mix to make for a killer-good time.
“The No. 1 thing we’re trying to do is create a space where everyone’s comfortable, whether you’re Black, white, gay, straight, old, young, male, female. … it doesn’t matter,” says owner Mikhail Wright. “We just want everyone to come in and feel comfortable, so that’s why we put so much work into the interior design.”
The “interactive social museum” features incredibly ’Grammable rooms designed by interior designer Brittany Singer—think colorful neon lights, balloons, vibrant art, walls made of cloud material and even a room designed to look like an igloo (and it’s either actually colder in there or your mind is playing tricks on you…).
Dante Jones Photography
And in an effort to help bring more culture into the city, House of Art hosts a variety of local music artists every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Additionally on Sundays, they’re teaching the “art of yes” through different experiences like BYOI (bring your own instrument), local vendors and more. “We let artists do whatever they want,” says Saul Parada, who helps book entertainment for House of Art (as well as for Watts & Ward). “There are so many young, talented artists in this town… we want them to be able to have a space and give power back to the people.”
You can expect House of Art to keep it fresh—along with rotating entertainment, the spot will change up its decor and name (you might’ve known it as St. Nick’s Christmas House during the holiday season). But the one thing that won’t change is its dedication to the community. Says Wright, “We’re just trying to figure out a way to make Raleigh the ‘City of Art.’” @housofartnc
