Strong Foundation

by Lauren Kruchten | Mar 28, 2024 | April 2024, Eat

As Foundation turns 15, we look back at how the DTR speakeasy has shaped Raleigh’s cocktail culture—and what’s next.

Before Foundation even opened its doors 15 years ago, co-owners Will Alphin and Vince Whitehurst saw it as a Raleigh institution. Fast-forward to today, and now truly ingrained in DTR’s identity, it will enter its next chapter as bartender/manager Kyle Hankin slowly takes over the reins.

From the jump, the OG duo—Whitehurst, an architect; and Alphin, a designer and builder—designed Foundation as a place “tied to the city, not to a person, that would be its own benevolent presence and have its own personality,” says Alphin—“so that every guest could have their experience at the bar on their own terms.”

Though it was the first “modern-day cocktail bar” in the city, it never had an arrogant air about it. Foundation’s original manager boasted a culinary school pedigree and a résumé that included exposure to New York City’s cocktail scene—and precisely where he garnered ideas for seasonal farm-to-table-esque cocktails made with locally sourced ingredients (also inspired in part by what Ashley Christensen was doing at Poole’s at the time). Not to mention the bar’s sustainable MO that remains to this day, making for the “goodliest drinks under the cope of heaven.”

But despite being at the forefront of avant-garde cocktail culture, the scene itself and guest experiences have always remained the focus, maintains Alphin. “Our landlord called it a lounge,” he says. “Some folks call it a whiskey bar, or a cocktail bar, or a speakeasy or their neighborhood bar. We always nod in agreement with anyone that has the courage to venture down the steps.”

Alphin stresses that’s not to say the folks behind the scenes were not an essential part of the, well, foundation. For its part, the drinking den has seen its fair share of brilliant individuals behind the stick, on the floor and in the pop-up kitchen, including Hankin (see right for more standouts), who Alphin says is a “true natural hospitalitarian, to borrow a term from restaurateur Danny Meyer.”

And, so, knowing they wouldn’t be the owners for as long as they hoped the bar would be around, Alphin and Whitehurst saw Hankin as a natural fit for the bar’s next phase—though they will remain involved in an advisory role for as long as needed, “and as bar customers until they put us in the ground,” Alphin emphasizes. 

“Ownership of the bar is a weird feeling—a very good one, but certainly strange,” Hankin admits. “Having the responsibility to continue the legacy is pretty big, but the last seven years behind the bar have prepared me for it. I’m excited for the new chapter.”

Regardless of the new ownership, Alphin hopes the space’s character will persevere, and will continue to serve the best Old-Fashioned in town. “Good bars, good restaurants and all small businesses need a healthy ecosystem to thrive,” he says. “I’m hoping we’ll remain reliable for folks who just like the same old thing, or folks who like the opportunity to try something new.” Cheers to the next 15+ more years.

Fave Memories
Kevin Barrett’s last day, the 10th Anniversary Party, Longleaf Swine cheeseburgers, when we realized Rumple Minze was made in the U.S., deep cleans, menu changes, watching storms out front, picking private barrels and so many more — Kyle Hankin, new Foundation owner

Foundation opened at the perfect time for the reemergence of Southern cuisine, pre-Prohibition cocktails and incorporating seasonality into the approach of a menu. All of this separated Foundation from some other cocktail bars that have come and gone that relied on trends instead of being built on something they actually believed in.”
—Andrew Shepherd, founding partner, Stanbury | Original manager/founder and creator of Foundation’s core beverage program

There were many a great night, but my favorite memory was the party they threw on my last day. We had past Foundation bartenders like Matt Bettinger and Alex Flynn guest bartend, as well as future Foundation bartenders like Garrett Waddell. There was an amazing crowd there that night. They even let me bring in some liquor made outside the U.S. It was a great way to transition from seven years at Foundation to my future at Dram & Draught.”
— Kevin Barrett, co-owner, Dram & Draught | Foundation opening employee, then later manager

One of my favorite memories was being greeted by Lucy (Garret’s dog) upon entry. Definitely made the butt-kicking we were going to get a lot better! Also being able to see those dudes come up with their mad scientist cocktails was really cool!”
— Marc Russell, co-owner, Longleaf Swine | Hosted pop-ups at Foundation

Nothing beats a night of tending bar, chatting up regulars (and those soon-to-be), then finishing it up with a session at Table 5 (if you know you know). Solving the big-picture stuff, or maybe scheming how to make a little trouble down the line. Either way, those late nights that ended as early mornings after a long day’s work—nothing beats it. Cheers, Foundation, and thanks for all the times.” 
— Matt Bettinger, co-owner, SideBar, Hank’s Downtown Dive, C. Grace (RIP) | Former Foundation bartender

My favorite memories were always the last shifts of any bartender (or server) that worked there. The energy in the room was never matched, and I was always impressed by how much the community showed up to say farewell to their neighborhood Foundation employee and friend. I remember coming back to Raleigh from DC when I lived there for Kevin Barrett’s last night in 2016, and it truly felt like a birthday party. Every regular customer was there all at the same time and it was an amazing night.”
— Alex Flynn, senior sales manager Northeast, Durham Distillery (also helped open Haymaker and The Green Light) | former Foundation bartender

Fun fact: Norton wandered in because his car broke down nearby and got offered a barback position that same day, then climbed the ranks to bartender, fell in love with a regular (Kim Hammer) and the pair opened two DTR bars. —Lewis Norton, co-owner, Bittersweet, Johnson Street Yacht Club | Former Foundation bartender