Eatertainment is making its way back to Raleigh Iron Works thanks to Punch Bowl Social. Originally founded in Denver, the brand—now with 11 locations across the country—is anticipated to open its first NC outpost in Q1 2027 in the former Jaguar Bolera spot, which closed in the spring.
“We have no current or prior relationship [with Jaguar Bolera],” asserts Punch Bowl Social CEO Robert Cornog. “The only overlap is the same space.”
Much of that interior will stay more or less the same—but the biggest change, says Cornog, is the addition of an expansive standalone bar, which will serve as the foundation for a service-based model. Read: No more heading to the counter to request a snack or flagging someone down to pour a bev from the “self-pour” wall.
Instead, Punch Bowl will have servers and bartenders, “allowing us to deliver the hospitality that patrons of Punch Bowl Social have come to expect,” emphasizes Cornog. “There will still be games, there will still be fun, there will still be bowling—there will be both more games and more variety of games.”
Read: The duckpin bowling lanes and karaoke room will stay—with the addition of arcade games and a more enhanced game-ified darts experience (read traditional darts + a variety of other games). “It’s all supposed to be fun,” says Cornog.
New City Design Group
When hunger strikes, Punch Bowl Raleigh will deliver the same robust menu as the other locations. Think a chicken and waffles platter to feed a crowd and shareables ranging bang bang shrimp, mozz sticks, elote dip, wings and charcuterie for easy grazing—even salads, burgers, tacos and protein-heavy mains.
“We’re not shooting for Michelin stars—that’s not where we’re at,” says Cornog. “But we do deliver high-end quality food and beverage products. We want our F&B offerings to support the way our guests engage with the building.”
On the bev side, signature punches are perfect for keeping the party going, while craft and classic cocktails, spiked dirty sodas, wine, beer, and NA ops offer enough choice for everyone. And during holidays and seasonal events, expect a smattering of special limited-edition ’tails.
Besides the former Jaguar Bolera space being a good fit for all Punch Bowl Social has in store, Cornog stresses Raleigh Iron Works—and Raleigh as a whole—is a great fit. “The audience that seeks out Punch Bowl Social is in Raleigh and goes to Raleigh Iron Works,” he adds. “RIW has that great gravity associated with things to do—and there’s further development underway.”
And trust—Punch Bowl Social will pack its own, well, punch of activities, sips and snacks come early next year.
Famed nationwide entrepreneur announces first “eatertainment” concept for Raleigh Iron Works.
“A ‘deconstructed Southern grandma on her way to the social club,’”—that’s how 25-year restaurant and hospitality industry vet Robert Thompson describes his new “eatertainment” concept slated to open at Raleigh Iron Works next year.
To bring you up to speed, we first broke the news of the highly anticipated Iron Works development across from Dock 1053 in 2019, with the exclusive update and renderings in our fall 2021 cover story. Now we’re here to tell you about the latest “social destination” to join the project.
Robert Thompson
The first nationwide location for the “eatertainment” spot—think like Thompson’s Punch Bowl Social (nee 2012), aka social gaming meets top-notch dishes and drinks—Jaguar Bolera (“bolera” translates to bowling alley) will merge craveable dishes, an inventive bar program, social activities (think duckpin bowling, karaoke, darts) and “makertainment” activations like naughty needlepoint (!) and jewelry-making classes—all with a drink and snacks in hand, natch.
Thompson says the concept is perfect for the highly anticipated Raleigh Iron Works development—and a natural fit for the first location, which “is the most important we ever do because so much of the brand becomes embodied in that first location.” He adds: “It’s fortunate for us that we were able to find this particular project in a market we really wanted to be in. I just really like the way [the developers] are bringing this project to life. It feels very authentic.”
And, for its part, Jaguar Bolera is sure to deliver on authenticity—a place “where green chorizo meets biscuits and gravy, and where red eye-gravy meets tortillas.” In other words, the concept will marry Southern and Mexican cuisine together in “a tapestry of Southern and Mexican [food],” says Thompson. Even the name, Jaguar Bolera, is a nod—derived from the American South and Mexico, territories that inspired the menu and where the jaguar historically inhabited.
Naturally, you can expect to see some innovative taco dishes on the menu, as well as things you might recognize as purely Southern, but prepared with Mexican influences. And the wood-fired techniques on full display are a nod to the “City of Oaks.” “That’s where I hope the magic all comes together,” says Thompson. That—and his award-winning craft beverage program. Um, cheers to that!
Beyond the food and bev program, the vibe will be just as high-energy on a Monday night as on a Saturday. And Thompson emphasizes that the massive space (21,000 square feet!) will be compartmentalized and feel “as warm as possible,” adding: “We endeavored to make sure you never walk into the room and feel like you’re in a cavern.”
With Raleigh relatively lacking in the “eatertainment” department to date, Thompson is seizing the opportunity in what is certainly an up-and-coming market that’s no doubt going to be a grand slam. “Jaguar Bolera was really inspired a lot by Raleigh—the DNA here, the city, the roots here in the South,” he says, “and this connection to what we’re doing from a culinary side, with Southern and Mexican. It’s just an exciting time to be around and certainly one of the best places to live in the country.” Let the good times roll…
