Promising a cafe-by-day, bar-by-night vibe,The Solo Club is now open on the corner of NW 21 and Raleigh, right next door to 113-year-old sister-restaurant Besaw's. As the above photos show, The Solo Club takes inspiration from all over the world, with Japanese maneki-neko figurines, verdigris pots and vases, and entire columns wrapped in pink salt blocks—not to mention that towering bar filled with expert amaro and bitters picks by barman Mark Bitterman.
The space also gives a nod to the history of Besaw's, featuring the stools, lighting, and taps from the former location (historical note: back during prohibition, Besaw's & Liberty saloon was renamed The Solo Club).
Owner Cana Flug says the design of The Solo Club is a "crossroads of Southeast Asia and Europe" and the concept had been brewing since she and executive chef Dustin Clark closed Wildwood in 2014. You'll find small plates and focused cocktails driven by the spirit, the amaro, or the vermouth.
The Solo Club is currently only open afternoons and evenings, but when fully up and running, the eclectic menu will span breakfast pastries and coffee in the morning and session cocktails and $3-4 snacks at night. Small plates include goat curry, deep-fried frog leg "chicken wings," and tuna carpaccio.
In total, The Solo Club seats 65, with 30 seats on a semi-private mezzanine, which is available for private event and business meeting rentals. The restaurant and bar is currently open from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. until September 3. From that date on, it'll operate daily from to 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
