Popular Raleigh cocktail bar opening first Charlotte location
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Raleigh’s popular neighborhood bar Dram & Draught is making its way to Charlotte with a range of drink options — from craft beer to mocktails.
Dram & Draught will open in South End on Tuesday, June 27, at 3pm.
Context: Co-owners Kevin Barrett and Drew Schenck opened the first location in Raleigh in 2016 with local draft beer and more than 300 whiskeys from around the world.
- Over the past few years, Barrett and Schenck expanded to Greensboro, Durham, Cary and now Charlotte.
Details: Dram & Draught Charlotte is located at 1220 S. Tryon St. That’s across from Charlotte Beer Garden in the new Vantage South End building, which is also home to GoodWurst and Waterbean Coffee.
- Its hours of operation will be Tuesday-Friday 3pm-2am and Saturday-Sunday 12pm-2am.
- Of note: Dram & Draught will eventually extend its hours of operation to Mondays after the first few weeks.
The menu: The upscale neighborhood bar features a “badass whisky selection, craft cocktails and a small wine list,” Barrett tells Axios.
- Seasonal cocktails are created by bartenders from each location. For example, The Lima Y Limon was created by a bartender in Durham and features Cazadores Silver tequila, coconut mix, lemon, lime and sugar.
- 14 taps of craft beer from Charlotte and across North Carolina will also be available.
- Part of the menu also includes creative spirit-free cocktails.
- Barrett says he wanted drink options for everyone in the friend group to enjoy.
- “The percentage of alcohol is listed next to drink options to help people extend their night,” Barrett says.
The vibe: The interiors of all the locations differ, each reflecting the personality of the city they’re in.
- The new Charlotte bar will have a modern ambiance.
- Barrett says he realized South End is the place to be after he made several visits to Charlotte.
- “We are a true neighborhood bar where people go to meet old friends or make new friends,” Barrett says.
What’s next: Dram & Draught is hosting a two-day grand opening celebration Friday and Saturday, July 14-15.
- Friday will feature a ribbon cutting and “lots of drinks,” according to the owners.
- Saturday’s festivities will have live music and prizes.
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Editor’s note: We first published this story in August 2022. We updated it in June 2023 with fresh details.