The Joy! Meeting artist Frank Hurricane at Kings
Hi {{ first name | Raleigh Lover}}!
What a week, Raleigh! Hopscotch Music Festival was everything I hoped for and more, not so much because of the big music acts (some were great, some… not so much). Honestly, we found the real magic in the smaller shows tucked into the indoor venues. But here’s the thing: Hopscotch isn’t just about the music.
It’s about the atmosphere — the way this festival weaves our city together. I loved seeing people spilling out of local establishments, sharing their gig schedules over lunch, coffee, or cocktails, swapping tips on bands they’d just discovered, running into old friends, and making new ones. Day parties helped fuel us for the evening’s events and gave us an opportunity to explore and support local businesses. It felt less like a lineup of concerts and more like Raleigh itself was the stage. With comedy acts, panels, and even whispers of a South by Southwest-style vibe, you can’t help but wonder, could Raleigh take Hopscotch to that level one day? I sure hope so.
Speaking of connection, last night my friend Cary Heise (former executive director of Designed for Joy) introduced me to a whole new community pastime … Mahjong! Picture me going from total confusion (it felt like deciphering a complex algorithm!) to nearly shouting out Mahjong by the end of the night. What a blast. I’m hooked and ready for another round. Do you play? Know anywhere in Raleigh to join a game?
Between this and my neighborhood book club and bunco crew, I’m realizing that community is everywhere, you just have to seek it.
Here’s to more music, more games, and more connection in Raleigh. 🥂
Have a great weekend! As always, we’ll be out exploring!
Caroline
💖 FAVORITE FINDS
Lucky Tree at Moore Square: They have the most delicious gluten free muffins and it’s just a lovely spot.
Flying Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich at The Raleigh Times is sensational, but what was even better were their fries.
Neptunes: What a fun underground music venue
Kings: Cannot wait to check out more gigs in this awesome music venue above Neptunes
Wolfe & Porter have a great outdoor stage for live music!
Local band Jack the Radio were one of our favorites at Hopscotch. Enjoyed at a day party in Slims.
Raleigh Wine Shop - our first visit to this neighborhood wine bar in the East Raleigh district around the corner from Moore Square
Neptunes
Flying Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich
Wolfe & Porter
Raleigh Wine Shop
⭐DID YOU HEAR?
Capulet Cocktail Club, the first cocktail bar in Midtown, will open in The Exchange in the Fall. The same owners as Peregrine and Watts & Ward.
One of our favorites, Foxcroft Wine Co has rebranded to Foxcroft Food & Wine. A little birdie told us coming soon will be brunch and a craft cocktail menu!
Speaking of wine, Raleigh has another new wine bar. St. Pierre Wine Shop + Bar has opened at Raleigh Iron Works (1101 E. Whitaker Mill Road) with an emphasis on small-producer wines
Fenton has announced its new seven-story, 186-key hotel will be called Pagemore, which will include Eastern Mediterranean restaurant called Barouk with terrace dining. But don’t get too excited, we have to wait until 2027! We’re still waiting for decent coffee there!
The NC Museum of History may be closed for renovations, but they have opened a museum gift shop is open on Glenwood Ave next to The Cupcake Shoppe!
🖋 ON THE BLOG
📆THIS WEEKEND
You may like…
Fri - Sun: Juniper Level Botanic Gardens Fall Showing. They really are quite beautiful with a 28-acre campus showcasing more than 27,000 different kinds of plants. Read our guide to the gardens.
Sat: Whiskey Wine & Fire at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Quite the elegant evening among the pine trees with whiskey bars and intimate firepits
Sat: The Dreamland Carolina Circus Festival is in Downtown Cary Park Should be a fun one especially for kids with circus performers, acrobatics, fire shows, and lots of interactive activities.
Fri: If you're looking for a party with a community, feel and great live music, head to downtown Wake Forest tonight for their last Friday Night on White for the season with music act Liquid Pleasure.
Sat: Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo on Fayetteville St. From savory flavors to sweet treats, there’s something to satisfy every craving and cuisine curiosity
More ideas 👇
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