Ponysaurus Brewing debuts third iteration at Raleigh Iron Works.
Rawr. Galloping into Raleigh Iron Works, Ponysaurus Brewing’s third iteration is slinging bevs and 14-inch pizzas (compliments of a collab with Oakwood Pizza Box’s Anthony Guerra), plus a fleet of chef-driven droolworthy bar fare.
Leaning into a more museumesque ambiance, the watering hole/grub hub is set to stand out from its Wilmington– and Durham-based sister spots. Case in point: the one-of-a-kind lifesize ponysaurus statue shipped from Denmark and assembled by an archeologist from the Duke Lemur Center.
“We didn’t want to make a cookie-cutter repeat,” says owner Nick Hawthorne-Johnson of the recently debuted Raleigh locale. “There is a sour- and barrel-aging facility and the production space is very viewable.”
Beyond its curated environs, two-story barrel room and pizza program, the outpost touts a restaurant helmed by chef de cuisine Roxy Garza of Lily’s Pizza and Fiction Kitchen, and renowned executive chef Jeff Seizer of Royale fame (NTM his stint at NYC’s Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Park Hotel).
DINOMITE: Wondering what a “ponysaurus” even is? When the idea of opening a brewery was still simmering in the conceptual phase, Hawthorne-Johnson and his then-partner thought they’d be tasked with creating the brand art themselves. Armed only with the knowledge of how to draw a dino or a pony, they opted to merge the two—eventually bringing on third partner David Baldwin, formerly of Baldwin&, who created the branding for the biz. (Photo courtesy of Ponysaurus)
“We’ve gotten together over the years to celebrate and cry over beers,” reflects Hawthorne-Johnson of his longtime friendship with Seizer. “We always talked about how fun it would be to work together—and he’s done a great job of bringing the menu to life and putting his stamp on it.” Positioned to complement the ’za, the grub is, as the owner puts it, “awesome”—(s/o to the brewery’s Pilsner beer-braised mussels!).
As for its setup in Iron Works, Hawthorne-Johnson notes the mixed-use development calls to mind bustling big-city hubs such as New York’s Chelsea Market and Atlanta’s Ponce City Market. “I was impressed with the thoughtful curation of the retail space [in Iron Works],” he says.
The eatery/drinkery is already gaining popularity as a gathering space for Raleighites to grab a bite or a pint, catch a game, or simply kick their feet back and relax. “People can come to a place they think is cool and share it with others—and it’s exciting to be part of the food scene [at Raleigh Iron Works] and the city,” he says. Cheers to its T-rexcellent oasis! ponysaurusbrewing.com
The tea (rex): Dueling Dinosaurs now stomping into action
What’s the opposite of a dino-snore? A visit to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences for its highly anticipated (read: 67 million years in the making) exhibit, Dueling Dinosaurs—featuring The SECU DinoLab, a paramount fixture of the new exhibit and the sole paleontology lab across the globe regularly open for the public to visit.
“The Dueling Dinosaurs fossils are a scientific frontier,” says Head of Paleontology Lindsay Zanno. “The preservation is phenomenal, and we plan to use every technological innovation available to reveal new information on the biology of the world’s favorite dinosaurs: the tyrannosaurus and triceratops.”
Essentially, the fun (and learning!) will be anything but extinct via a front-row experience digging into the nitty-gritty of a couple prehistoric pals. Get ready to get your Ross Geller on—and turn the page for more May calendar selects. duelingdinosaurs.org
Dinner parties are the new “it” event. Here’s how to host one without breaking the bank.
Hungry but want to keep the party at home? Good news: 2024 has been dubbed “the year of the dinner party,” allowing hosts with the most to create a private ambiance feat. home-cooked—or catered—dishes and QT with family and friends sans the stress of navigating the hoopla of heading out for a meal (read: booking a rez, finding parking and changing out of your PJs).
Digging further into the trend, as the cost of eating out increases and the desire to imbibe decreases (hey, sober revolution!), many millennials and Gen Zers are opting to take hospitality into their own hands while simultaneously keeping costs low—and sharing on their social feeds, natch.
Clearly, the movement is sweeping society, with Evite data showing searches for “dinner parties” have boosted by 148% compared to last year. See also: local startup small biz Canary honing in on providing the resources for said stylish abode events—from originally decorated tablescapes and curated themes to an array of glassware and table rentals, Spotify playlists and place mats.
For the lowdown on how to throw down via your own foodie night in, we tapped event planning extraordinaire Catrina Vienrich of Vine Rich Events. Here, her tips and tricks to host a showstopping at-home supper soiree—without breaking the bank. Cheers to a house (dinner) party!
Shake It Up • For an elevated experience sans the upward of $20/cocktail price tag, stir up a fun welcome alcoholic or nonalcoholic bev with ingredients already in your pantry (mod cocktail database Make Me a Cocktail always has great ideas!). Or grab a cheap bottle of wine and mix with fruit on-hand and your fave juice for an easy and budget-friendly sangria.
Hey, Buds • Get guests in the dinner-party mood without shelling out Benjamins on pricey buds via a bouquet (or two!) of flowers for the table from the farmers market or grocery store.
On Theme • Pick a vibe—then go ham flexing those Pinterest skills to create your own decorative tablescape, invitations, dress code and ambiance. Pro tip: Cut costs further by repurposing what you already have or visiting a local craft store or thrift shop.
What’s Cooking • If you opt for full-fledged dishes over snacks and starters, prep your meal(s) ahead of time rather than calling in a caterer—and keep the dishes in a warming drawer if needed while you wait for your guests to arrive. Taste of Home has a smattering of tasty—and affordable!—recipes that promise to smack.
Familiar Fare • Instead of snagging fancy ingredients and products from the store, keep it simple and stick to your strengths. Think of emulating A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving—it doesn’t always matter what you’re eating… just who you’re with!
Keep It Sweet • Don’t forget dessert! Truly the inexpensive cherry on top of an appetizing evening, the most important part of the meal stays price effective with ops like a DIY ice cream bar or batch of brownies. Or for summer vibes, stay stacked with s’mores prepped in the oven or out on the bonfire
Part of The Complex, both bustling venues teamed up with Live Nation to host some of the top touring artists in the world (hey, Noah Kahan!), rocking out with 300,000+ fans across a combined 60 concerts during 2023.
“Over the years, the concerts have become much more diverse,” says The Complex Director and General Manager Kerry Painter. “It really has given us a great chance to show all kinds of talent coming up.”
Naturally, fans are flocking to partake in Raleigh’s vibrant music scene, fostering that record-breaking economic impact by booking local hotels, dining at some of the city’s best restaurants and bars, and funneling moolah toward transportation and retail.
“The restaurants will tell you they know there’s a Monday night concert just by the surge of people in the restaurant,” notes Painter.
Red Hat Amphitheater
And each venue boasts something special. Nestled in the heart of DTR, Red Hat offers that signature urban ambiance, stacked lineup, 6,000 open-air seats and a VIP Lounge—with concertgoers anticipating the likes of Queens of the Stone Age, Lainey Wilson, and Tate McCrae performing this season. Meanwhile, Coastal Credit Union Music Park stands as a staple amid the local music scene via the legends that have taken—and will take—its stage, from the Foo Fighters and HARDY to Hozier and Alanis Morissette.
“Red Hat has a lot of bands that are up-and-coming because it’s 6,000 seats,” elaborates Painter. “They get the chance to play there, and next thing you know, they’re at an 18,000-seat amp.”
What’s more, Raleigh’s amphitheaters have witnessed underground bands rise in popularity—with Painter nodding to the likes of Death Cab for Cutie playing at Red Hat the past few years and now moving on to perform at Walnut Creek.
“We’re so proud to be part of Raleigh’s incredible growth story and to play a vital role in the city’s dynamic entertainment scene,” says Live Nation’s Regional VP of Venue Operations Jeannine Beson. “We take pride in making these venues better each season and partnering with the city to make Raleigh a destination for live music fans.” So, go on and grab your tickets, music lovers… this year’s concerts are sure to be groovy!
We got the chance to sneak a peek (and taste!) of the delish seafoodcentric menu + coastally inspired libations (the leathered quartzite bar is an absolute beaut—and she’s got texture!) at Raleigh’s new Adriatic Sea-inspired sensation. Swipe to see a few of our faves—but be warned: It’ll make you hungry!
