In search of a new ~space~ to kick back, relax and enjoy vibey tunes while sipping on stellar ’tails? Enter Moon Room, a revamp of popular Smoky HollowNeighborhood bar. The celestial go-to kicked off 2025 with “new year, new me” jazz + vinyl vibes—thus filling the much decried gap left in the wake of C. Grace. Think Wednesday jazz jam sessions and weekend jazz, with vinyl DJs spinning throughout the week. “We tried a couple of jazz nights [at Neighborhood] and the community responded really well and wanted more,” says co-owner Tyler Helikson of the change. In addition to the stellar moniker and events, Moon Room’s spirits program supplements its signature draft cocktails with full-bar “shaken and stirred” sips that promise to launch you over the moon. @m_o_o_n_r_o_o_m
Village District could be getting a little more, ahem, social. Aiming to add to the roster of approved social districts in the Triangle, the proposal first came before Raleigh City Council in mid-October, but was tabled to gather more resident feedback. Many people who live nearby have expressed concerns over security, strewn garbage and fear that “bad behavior” could spill over into the surrounding neighborhoods.
As of press time, a public hearing is being held Thursday, Nov. 14, and the issue is not expected to go before council again until January—with the hope that the social district will go into effect early 2025. Though some Village Districters are opposed to the social district, several businesses already plan to participate, including Postino, Cantina 18, Tazza Kitchen, Goodnights Comedy Club and Flying Biscuit Cafe—to name just a few.
“By designating Village District as a Sip n’ Stroll social district, we’d be able to increase pedestrian activity throughout the entire center to create a more connected and dynamic experience for shoppers,” emphasizes Regency Centers GM Brooke Conn.
Once (or if) the district earns social status, Village frequenters’ll will be able to sip, stroll and shop among the area’s participating establishments—plus in public gathering spaces within the proposed boundaries of Clark Avenue, Daniels Street, Smallwood Drive, Woodburn Road and Cameron Street—making your 2025 Village hangs more spirited and bright, indeed. shopvillagedistrict.com
Prepare to tap in, Raleigh. Highly anticipated sports hub The Brass Tap is opening its first NC location on the ground floor of 400H in Nov. 11. Not your typical sports bar or college bar, owner Niraj Bidari sees it as a mod community-based watering hole catering to all walks of life—a “one-stop shop for all groups of people,” he maintains. And adding yet another true DTR sports and sips destination serving TVs both inside on the patio.
To wit, ahem, tapping into the local beer scene (NC recently ranked No. 1 in the nation for loving craft beer), The Brass Tap will feature 45 taps of local, national and global craft brews, not to mention a full bar boasting wine, spirits, mocktails and classic ’tails—think martinis, margaritas and old-fashioneds.
Add to that ample food ops sure to sate any hankering, from burgers (including an Impossible Burger), handbreaded chicken tenders and wings to pizzas to tacos, quesadillas and wraps. And perf for noon kickoffs and weekend brunch.
“Based on our location [and offerings], we’re very confident in having a variety of people coming to the bar,” emphasizes Bidari. “Raleigh is big right now in terms of growth, and the beer scene is pretty big here.”
Emphasizing community even further—and leaning into that one-stop shop—The Brass Tap will also be very big on activities. Think live music, trivia, cornhole tourneys, DJ nights and watch parties. Bidari says they’ll also aim to go big on celebrating holidays like Cinco de Mayo, Halloween and the Fourth of July with special drinks and decor. And despite NC’s ban on happy hour, expect various specials for teachers, hospitality industry folks and the like.
“We want to support local businesses as well,” adds Bidari, “and focus on helping the community. I’m a big-time local guy.” Cheers to that! brasstapbeerbar.com
From rock bottom (“Holy crap was I broke,” she jokes) to rocks queen, meet your 2023 Best Bartender. Coming down to the wire—and a literal handful of votes—Watts & Ward bar wizard Kelly Lynch steals the coveted crown from last year’s winning mixologist Colby Kress. Whether whipping up White Negronis or slinging Miller Lites, the Connecticut native cut her teeth on the Charleston bar circuit at 18 (“so, to my previous employers in Charleston, who are definitely going to read this, yes… I was underage”—sounds like an SC problem) and joined the Watts crew in March 2018. “I took a few-year hiatus to explore other bartending opportunities and also decided to finally use my degrees,” she says of her record run. “Turns out law is not for me, so I came back to Watts in May 2023.” Clearly, Raleigh supports this choice. We’ll have what she’s pouring.
Fave drink to make? A Miller Lite (joking… sort of). Since participating in The Cocktail Classic, I now have a newfound love for making White Negronis.
Least fave to make?Tiki drinks (I’m allergic to pineapple.)
Your go-to drink order? A boilermaker
Your bartending backstory: I moved from New York to Charleston at 18. I was completely on my own—and holy crap was I broke. The only jobs I was able to get were hosting at a restaurant or fast food (you know—what 18YOs usually do for work). But, I had rent and a ton of new bills, and I knew from working in restaurants in New York just how much bartenders walk home with. So I walked into a dive bar in Charleston where I knew money was under the table, filled out an application and got a job as a bartender.
18?!: Confidence is key—and I have literally lived by the phrase ‘Fake it till you make it.’ I wish I could describe every bouncer’s face when I wore a 21st birthday sash on my 21st birthday walking into all the bars I had been going to for years (and some of them I even worked at).
When you’re not behind the bar? I write/produce my own music, and I’m a DJ! I’ve played at some of the more popular bars on Glenwood, and I’m known for DJing a lot of Taylor Swift-themed events.
Show you’re currently bingeing? Anything with Gordon Ramsay
In a past life? I was actually going to school for law. I did my undergraduate in San Diego and graduated with a major in psychology and a minor in cultural anthropology.
Advice to current/future bartenders? Don’t put ‘No No’ spicy bitters in a spray bottle. You will end up macing yourself and the entire bar.
Brighten your winter with vibrant clothing, great reads and more.
Bookend your weekend—literally—with a great read and a brewski at Beow’s Books and Brews, a bar/independent bookstore combo inspired by great conversation and The Inklings, aka CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, Dorothy Sayers and more. Happy reading! @beowsbooks
Photo by Chris Blakenship
If your abode’s in need of some rejuvenation, look no further than Fenton’s recently bowed Rejuvenation, offering heirloom-quality lighting, sleek furniture and spunky rugs bright enough to beat the winter blues—plus a focus on superior craftsmanship that’ll class up any home aesthetic. @rejuvenation
Pardon our French (bulldog merch). If you’re a fan of Frenchies, stop byJ & J Frenchies to stock up on bulldog-themed candles and wax melts to bring some puppy love (and a sweet aroma!) into your home. No bull! @jandjfrenchies
You can never have too many bags. Crabtree Valley Mall’s forthcoming Brahmin takes luxury leather goods to the next level via an array of totes that’ll elevate any outfit—from trendy metallic mini bags to timeless black totes. Time to purse shop till you drop!@brahmin
Built for bookworms on a budget, North Raleigh’s new bookstore, Wanderlust Books, marks all its used reads for a mere $5, so guests can dive into untapped tales and knowledge without breaking the bank—NTM stock up on local art and goods. How lit. @wanderlustbooksnc
Picture this: Caitlin Cary’s curated and constantly changing selection of art Pocket Gallery is sliding over to City Market to continue to display local Raleigh artists and artisans. Talk about a perfect image! @pocketgallery_raleigh
Photo by Caitlin Cary
The ’70s are so back. Dress to the nines—and feel like a dancing queen!—in Fenton’s recently opened Johnny Was’ bold and chic boho floral-inspired ’fits perfect for the “sophisticated and free-spirited.” Free and fashionable, indeed! @johnnywas
