Steph and Ayesha Curry opening Uptown bar and cafe at The Ritz-Carlton
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Sweet July Cafe. Credit: AvroKO
Steph Curry and his wife, Ayesha Curry, are opening a snazzy cocktail lounge and cafe at The Ritz-Carlton in Uptown Charlotte.
Why it matters: Few celebrities resonate in Charlotte like Steph Curry. His star power gives The Ritz-Carlton a visibility boost as the hotel renovates and refreshes its image as a luxury Uptown destination.
Driving the news: Steph's bar, The Eighth Rule, is described as "bourbon-forward" with "craft cocktails, rare pours, and innovative bites," per a press release. It is targeting a late winter opening.
- Ayesha's Sweet July Cafe opens fittingly in July and will serve coffee, baked goods, smoothies and more.
What they're saying: "Expanding to Charlotte is especially exciting because it's a city that not only holds a special place in my and my family's heart, but it's filled with incredible energy and culture," Steph said in a press release.
Between the lines: The couple met as teens at a church in Charlotte. Although they now live in Alamo, CA, their ties here run deep.
- Steph is the honorary assistant general manager at his alma mater, Davidson College.
- He holds a ceremonial key to the city of Charlotte and has an I-77 exit named for him.
The intrigue: Celebrities, especially athletes, love to put their names on restaurants. We're seeing Charlotte's famous do it more and more.
- Former Panthers player Thomas Davis owns Ten58 sports bar in Charlotte.
- Cam Newton owns a cigar lounge called Fellaship in Atlanta.
- The Eighth Rule has another location at the Westin hotel in San Francisco and Sweet July Cafe first opened at the Regent hotel in Santa Monica in 2024.
Yes, but: Famous people rarely operate the ventures they stamp their names on. Celebrities' involvement typically ranges from silent investors to helping develop the branding and menu, as Eater reported.
- In Curry's case, James Beard Award-winning MINA Group is partnering on the new businesses at The Ritz-Carlton. Chef Michael Mina and his restaurant group are also behind Bourbon Steak, a previously announced restaurant coming to the hotel this winter.
- The Currys worked with the MINA Group on menu development, design and "overall ideology," a spokesperson told Axios.
- Ayesha, a Food Network personality and cookbook author, says Sweet July Cafe's menu will reflect her Jamaican heritage.
The bottom line: The Curry name will likely drive fans to the hotel, but don't expect to see the couple at the table next to you.
Go deeper: The most anticipated new restaurants and bars in Charlotte