by Leo Suarez

Support Your Local Music


Chris Suiter playing Sunday night at The Hibernian

Downtown weekend activity has been soaring. It feels like there are more events going on now that the weather has been playing nicely. It might be safe to say that we can expect a sizeable event every Saturday from here on out until the temperature starts going down this winter. This means more traffic and more people walking around. No doubt we all love the weekend, but there are also pockets of activity forming during the week. I think the music scene goes hand in hand with these weekday gatherings at the bar or at your local venue.

I want to ask the community what their favorite spot for weekday music is in downtown and get conversation going on the topic. Do you like seeing an acoustic cover act at the pub or a local band create chaos on stage? Is there not enough of it downtown?

Comment.

by Leo Suarez

BeerCon: Alibi Bar

Alibi is a cool, hidden spot that is truly just around the corner. The downstairs bar has set its ways underneath the future Martin St. Pizza and former Downtown Events Center. All the beverage essentials are served here so the party never stops. Alibi is a reliable bar and you can always count on them being open until 2 am. Stop by with a group and open ears because you’ll be sure to hear something new through the speakers when you go.

Pool table
Darts
No TV’s
No wifi
No BS

Website: http://www.myspace.com/alibibarraleigh

14 W Martin St
Raleigh, NC 27601

(919) 834-4792

by Leo Suarez

RBC Deck Update

While we’ve all been watching the crown and spire rise up on RBC Plaza, its parking deck accomplice has been slowly cleaning up. On Blount St., the sidewalk should open up soon as brick and concrete have been laid. There are still more touches needed to the façade but for the most part, we can see what this end will look like. The Wilmington St. side needs a little more work as the façade is still bare and the sidewalk is all clay with a huge hole in one area.

It looks like each side mirrors the other. There is space for one, maybe two retail spaces on each end. This is sandwiched in between the entrance/exit for cars and the stairwell/elevators.

Blount St.

Wilmington St.

by Leo Suarez

Living It Since 2008

The downtown condo supply has been slowly rising and we all have seen new buildings open up over the past few years. Help me out with the years if I’m off but

  • Palladium Plaza opened in 2007
  • The Quorum Center opened in 2006
  • The Dawson and The Paramount opened in 2005
  • The Hudson opened in 2005 (?)

There are other buildings that have been holding it down for longer then this but 2008 has to be exciting for the downtown condo scene as we welcome four newcomers to the party. As an extension to the WRAL article that touches this, here is the list.

RBC Condos

RBC is probably the most obvious and more unique of the group. It depends on your definition, but I think this is the first example of true high-rise living in Raleigh. Word is that all 139 condos have been sold.

Bloomsbury Estates

The seven story, 56 unit condo building is over half sold and should also open this year. Hopefully in the near future we will see the second phase of the project, which consists of the twin being built in the back.

222 Glenwood

The website is claiming that only nine units remain available in this building as of this writing. The location cannot get any better for fans of Glenwood South. The added retail presence along the street is a big welcome also. I heard from a friend that the views from the top are excellent.

West at North

This is a spacious building with a large footprint. The residents within the 170 condos will have a rooftop pool and easy access to Glenwood South. The ground floor retail will help West St. become Glenwood’s little brother.

by Leo Suarez

Martin Street Pizza

Have you peaked into Martin St. Pizza lately? The place looks like it should be opening soon and the new signs out front might be supporting my claim. There is also a huge sign inside waiting to be strung up. Will MSP finally satisfy our pizza cravings?

This is just one more spot to tack onto the Martin and Fayetteville St. intersection activity. Although the Downtown Events Center is closing down, there are more spaces coming. RBC Plaza will offer retail here as well as the renovated spaces next to Port City Java. Exciting things are a coming.