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.
Botiwalla officially landed in Raleigh June 2, spicing up Iron Works with its fresh take on Indian street food. The brainchild of acclaimed chef Meherwan Irani (of Asheville’s Chai Pani fame), the fast-casual sup spot is serving up chaat, rice bowls, skewers and housemade drinks. Catch a glimpse of the spicy goodness here.
Birds of a feather flock to… Village District. Wren Rooftop plans to debut this fall atop the new Oberlin Hotel, promising cocktails, skyline views and a little extra possibility after dark.
Adding to the mix in West Raleigh, permits for a new pizzeria and bar have been filed to take over TheMixx space at Duraleigh Corners, near Glenwood Avenue, joining go-to’s Che Empanadas and Sharky’s.
Botiwalla | Photo by Tim Robinson
Taste—and believe. Botiwallahas officially landed at Raleigh Iron Works. The fast-casual concept from Chai Pani founder Meherwan Irani serves up a fresh take on Indian street food, from chaat and rice bowls to skewers and housemade drinks. Consider it your next Iron Works lunch run.
To market we go! Casa Nama is assuming the former Giorgios Epicurean Market (GEM) space at East End Market, delivering sushi and Asian comfort food and a warm, social aesthetic from the team behind Yatai Market, Chido Taco and La Buena Vida, among others.
Airport cocktails? Cleared for takeoff. RDU has voted to permanently allow post-security to-go drinks, letting travelers sip beer, wine and cocktails all the way to their gate. Just don’t try bringing them onto the plane.
On cloud nine—Clouds Brewing is taking over Tobacco Road’s longtime Glenwood South home, returning the brewery to its original DTR stomping grounds, slated for an early July reopening under the Clouds banner.
The wait is almost over. Dix Park’s refreshed Flowers Cottagedebuts this summer with Cottage Coffee and Park Bar—both operated by the Raleigh hospitality duo behind Person Street Bar and Locals Seafood.
Pour one out for Mordecai Beverage Co. After more than six years, Raleigh’s beloved brewery, taproom and bottle shop announced its closure, marking the end of an era for Oakwood brew lovers.
Sing us a song. Songbird is officially open on Whitaker Mill at East End Market, bringing a daylight-to-dusk concept built around seasonality, locality and rhythm to Raleigh’s dining scene.
The former Mandolin space is getting new life. Also from the Chido team, a second La Victoria is headed to Five Points, dishing tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, margaritas and more to one of Raleigh’s most-watched restaurant addresses.
Bagel lovers, this one’s for you. Jeff’s Bagel Run is officially open at Glenlake, while New York institution H&H Bagels appears to be eyeing Waverly Place for its second NC effort.
Curtain up, cocktails out. Theatre Raleigh’sGreen Room is shaking things up with a refreshed beverage program, giving Northeast Raleigh diners another reason to stop by before—or after—the show.
Drift Coffee + Kitchen
Drift Coffee + Kitchen is, ahem, drifting into Raleigh Iron Works with yet another Triangle location, joining its Ridgewood Shopping Center and RTP locales—plus another upcoming spot at The Weld.
Shift happens. Athletic Brewing has brought back Aftershift. Created in collaboration with culinary stars Chris Cosentino, Chris Shepherd, David Chang, Ashley Christensen and Sarah Grueneberg, the nonalcoholic brew is designed for post-work hangs without tomorrow morning’s regrets.
What a burger, indeed. Cult Texas classic Whataburger is eyeing another Triangle outpost, this time in North Raleigh, as the chain continues its local burger blitz.
Peru, meet Japan. IKÁ Nikkei Kitchen + Bar is now open in Glenwood South in the former Wonderland space, introducing Raleigh to Nikkei cuisine—the wildly delicious marriage of Japanese technique and Peruvian flavor.
Daughter’s Soft Serve
Randy’s is rolling into Cary. According to ELM Partners, the longtime local pizza chain is preparing a new joint at Parkside Town Commons, expanding its footprint in western Wake County.
From butcher to butter pecan. The couple behind Bellow Butcher Co. is getting into the dessert game with new concept Daughter’s Soft Serve, now serving traditional and dairy-free soft serve with creative dips, cores and toppings in downtown Wendell.
JoCo’s chicken wars continue. Slim Chickens has opened a new Clayton locale, adding another chick to one of the Triangle’s fastest-growing fast-casual categories.
The Triangle is dining among the stars. Forbes Travel Guide recently recognized Herons, Fearrington House Restaurant and Fairview Dining Room. Cheers to another round of accolades for three local standouts.
The Buc starts here. Buc-ee’s officially broke ground on its first North Carolina location in June, putting Beaver Nuggets, brisket sandwiches and famously spotless bathrooms one step closer to reality.
Find us pie-eyed. Winston-Salem’s Mission Pizza Napoletana was recently named among the top 20 best pizzerias in the U.S. by Italian Top 50 Pizza, while Durham’s Pizzeria Toro landed on a new national list highlighting excellent pizza destinations across the country.
The Raleigh Iron Works mainstay is decked out with four of Camp’s original works—Zzz, On Foe Nem, Uncovering a Path Once Hidden, and Untitled—alongside a print of her piece Unequivocal through June 11, bringing a thought-provoking and vibrant backdrop to your next wine excursion.
Camp’s work is more than just eye candy: She paints a picture of the American South invoking questions—and possibly answers if you look—about her experience growing up as a seventh generation Black American. Works in the exhibition touch on past and present and the relationship between Black people and leisure—with sci-fi elements etched in.
“Being able to represent my lineage as an artistic people and show forth my heritage is really cool—it’s one of the things that impacts my artist statement,” Camp told RM. We chatted the Tennessee artist up on her inspo, DVD collection and celebrity recognition.
Your overarching mission? My goal is to enlighten the world with color and my sense of spirituality. I really feel like art is a church. Art is like a spiritual place that I go to, and I feel like it’s my purpose to share that feeling with the world.
Telltale sign a painting is complete? I paint the eyes last. When the eyes are looking at me and it makes me feel something, then I can put my brush down. It just depends how I’m feeling—I can do a painting in an hour and one in six months. I’ve even taken breaks from paintings and then came back to them three years later.
Any artist or medium with heavy influence on your work? I have about 300 or 400 DVDs I watch. My favorite right now is Toys with Robin Williams. I watch while I work, and I usually watch them with the sound off. I’ll play some music, and then there’s even days where I work in silence, truth be told.
Is a wine bar showcase a norm? Not really. This is actually my first time doing it at a wine bar; other than that, I mostly show in art spaces. Right now, I have an exhibition coming up at the Frist Art Museum in Nashville, so that’s most of my artwork. I’m an artist for the people, I really show my artwork anywhere. There’s no bounds where I’ll show my artwork—I’ll show my art in a Walmart.
Tell me about your recognition from Tyler, the Creator and SZA. I received recognition from them and a few others. Tyler, the Creator reached out to me, gave me props and told me I’m on the right track. It was really special, because I’m not really a clout chaser, but Tyler was nice. I do like his music and I grew up listening to him, so that’s really cool. Through June 11, @stpierrewine
Stretching its way across the Triangle, JETSET Pilates just opened a new studio in North Hills—and has another planned for Horseshoe at Hub RTP come spring. Jet over for full-body reformer classes set to DJ-curated jams. @jetsetpilates
Set to reform Raleigh fashion—and the convo around closet-conscious consumption—is sustainable womenswear brand Reformation, opening in North Hills in the first half of 2026 with trendy, eco-minded apparel. @reformation
Changing the tile game in Village District from the ground up, TileBar has officially bowed with a Gensler-designed showroom packed with interactive displays, design consultations and the latest product lines—promising to leave you absolutely floored. @tilebar
All that glitters is, in fact, in the display case. Sparkle on at Wilmington-founded REEDS Jewelers’ new Fenton locale, accessorizing the area with a 7,800-square-foot showroom feat. diamonds, fine jewelry and watches. @reedsjewelers
Get ready to serve face. Sephora’s North Hills outpost is set to open in February with its popular lineup of makeup, skincare, haircare and fragrances from a slew of fan-fave brands. @sephora
Things are heating up in Boylan Heights. … Enter mod Nordic spa Sauna House, whose second Triangle space is poised to redefine recovery with warm and cold pools, saunas, and massage services. Ready, set, steam! @saunahouseraleigh
