6AM City In-house

Coming soon: An elevated mocktail bar 🍹

Meg Paradise is opening a dry bar in Raleigh
Meg Paradise in from of her Umbrella Dry Bar booth.
Umbrella Dry Bar is hosting pop up events leading up to its opening. | Photo provided by Meg Paradise
Are you sober, sober-curious, or taking a break from alcohol for Dry January? Well, Meg Paradise, owner and founder of Umbrella Dry Bar, has you covered. Meg is opening a safe space in Raleigh for people who enjoy the buzz of mingling without the temptation of alcohol. The dry bar will feature artfully-crafted zero-proof cocktails.

Meg’s alcohol-free journey was prompted after having her two active boys. She wanted to be more present for her family and was tired of feeling like she was missing out.

After reading the book “Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol” and trying to live sober, she loved the way it made her feel. “My body responded so well. I was like, OK, this actually isn’t that hard because I still am doing everything that I want to do... just without drinking,” Meg told RALtoday.

“I realized that there must be tons of adults who want to feel like an adult and still go out and be social without the drinking, especially as people get more into fitness and health-related goals,” Meg said. Enter Umbrella Dry Bar.

The main focus of Umbrella is to deliver an atmosphere that enhances social connection and elevates creative, high quality NA drinks that are packed with health benefits.

A bright pink mocktail.

Try That Silver Glow mocktail at Umbrella Dry Bars’ First Friday pop up.

Photo provided by Meg Paradise

Though Meg can’t disclose where the dry bar will be located just yet, the space will feature zero-proof wine and beer, bar classics like old fashioneds (hold the alc, add Spiritless 74 Kentucky Bourbon), premium one-of-a-kind mocktails like “I’m Cereal Milk Drunk,” a bottle shop, tasting bar, and event space for vendors and classes.

“We have had a really positive response in the community,” Meg said. She has gotten to work closely with community members and restaurateurs to help launch the brand. “Jacqueline from Zero-Proof Raleigh has been really great to work with. And Jon Seelbinder, owner of The Merchant, has been my mentor who’s helped me ease into this industry,” she said.

Meg hopes for a Q1 opening, but in the meantime, you can check out Umbrella Dry Bar’s curated online collection of zero-proof spirits, mixers, bitters, and non-alcoholic wine and beer or chat with Meg at one of these upcoming pop ups:
Lowes Foods

Click here to have your event featured.

Thursday, Jan. 5
Friday, Jan. 6
  • 23 Until Infinity - Vision Board Party & Mixer | Friday, Jan. 6 | 7-10 p.m. | Artspace, 201 E. Davie St., Raleigh | $0-$18 | Sip on complimentary champagne, network with like-minded people in the community, and map out a visual representation of your 2023 goals.
Saturday, Jan. 7
  • Shaken or Stirred? | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Current Wellness, 219 S. East St., Raleigh | $30 | Join this educational mocktail class to elevate your alcohol-free skills beyond juices and spritzers.
  • 7th Anniversary Party & Bonfire | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 12-8 p.m. | Oak City Brewing Company, 616 N. First Ave., Knightdale | Free | Celebrate the brewery with glassware giveaways, beer releases, a giant bonfire, live music, and food trucks.
Sunday, Jan. 8
  • Indoor Yoga at the Chapel | Sunday, Jan. 8 | The Chapel at Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Dr., Raleigh | Free | Practice your movements, breathing, and stillness during this yoga session.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
Fenton

3 ways bowling can help build company culture

3 ways bowling can help build company culture
Presented by a RALtoday Partner
A woman in a red sweater gets ready to throw a ball in a bowling alley
Businesses from as few as 8 employees to as many as 800 end up having so much fun at Strike & Barrel that they come back year after year. | Photo by Christobal Perez at Azul Photography
Goodbye, boring office parties. Hello, Strike & Barrel. Since opening in 2019 and undergoing an extensive expansion in 2022, the Wake Forest-based boutique bowling center has mastered the art of the out-of-the-office party, thanks to their impressive array of games (think: duckpin bowling, bocce, shuffleboard + more).

Not convinced? Here are 3 reasons why bowling with coworkers is the best:
  • Games are the great equalizer. It doesn’t matter if you’re a CEO or an intern — a good game puts everyone in the office on equal footing, which is when all the really great team-building happens.
  • A little competition never hurts. Good-natured competition can break down barriers between employees and build stronger, more collaborative bonds.
  • It keeps your spirits high — literally. In addition to an extensive bar with high-end liquor, Strike & Barrel also has a full menu, so no one’s going hungry.
Plus, it’s just good old-fashioned fun. Book your next office party on their website. 🎳 *
THROW SOME BALLS AROUND

Weather
  • 67Âş | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain 🌤️
Open
  • Dreaming of summertime? Raleigh Popsicle Co., a gourmet popsicle shop, is opening a downtown storefront at 119 E. Hargett St. The store will feature handmade, fresh fruit pops with flavors like kiwi strawberry, orange cream, and blackberry cheesecake. An opening date has not yet been announced.
Opening
  • Celebrate the grand opening of East Coast Electric Speed Shop on Saturday, Jan. 7. The shop at 418 W. Peace St. builds, repairs, and maintains electric bikes. Can’t make it? Join ECESS and Oaks and Spokes on Saturday, Jan. 21 to check out the space and volunteer to repair gently used children’s bikes. 🚲
Arts
  • Don’t miss the opening ceremony for The Voices of the Carolinas exhibition at Dix Park on Saturday, Jan. 7. The exhibit, curated by the Raleigh Film and Art Festival, features work by artists across NC. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, drinks, a panel discussion, and live jazz music at The Chapel from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. RSVP.
Shop
  • Earlier this week, Triangle Pop-Up reopened its Holiday Pop-up Shop in Crabtree Valley Mall as Curate Crabtree. The shop, located on the second floor near the Cheesecake Factory, features a wide selection of local and handmade goods. Own a small business? Apply to be a vendor. 🛍️
Try This
  • Starting Wed., Jan. 11, Moore Square is hosting a weekly S’Moore Square Social Hour from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Mingle during your lunch break and enjoy free s’mores, winter activities, and music every Wednesday until Feb. 22. 🍫
Cause
  • Activate Good is seeking volunteers for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Dignity Week (Friday, Jan. 13 through Sunday, Jan. 22). The extended week of service highlights ways for community members to make a difference through opportunities like participating in school makeovers and assisting with supply drives. Sign up.
Sports
  • Calling all soccer fans: Season tickets for the NC Courage’s 2023 season are now on sale. Fans who join or renew by Monday, Jan. 9 will be entered for an opportunity to join a road trip for two during the 2023 season. âš˝ *
Real Estate
  • When the dream job came knocking, the Abernethys needed to sell their house and move — quickly. See how they were able to sell in record time.*
Travel
  • How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to St. Croix). 🌴*
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Trinity Academy

Where to grab creative mocktails in Raleigh

Bars that serve creative mocktails in Raleigh
A bar with non-alcoholic options
Everything at Umbrella Dry Bar is non-alcoholic and filled with herbs and superfoods to enhance your health + connection. | Photo by Andrew Albright
Speaking of Dry January... check out these local bars with curated mocktails:

The Willard, 9 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
  • Everything Nice ($10) | Espresso, chai, cinnamon, clove, ginger, half & half
  • Pink Drink ($10) | grapefruit, pomegranate, cinnamon, clove, lemon, crushed cranberry rim
  • Bright Eyed & Mock-Tailed ($10) | Orange, cinnamon, clove, ginger
  • Lemon-Whey’d ($10) | Lemon, whey, butterfly pea flower, apple cider vinegar, honey
Watts & Ward, 200 S. Blount St., Raleigh
  • Espresso MartiNO ($10) | Seedlip Spice 94, cold brew, syrup, nutmeg
  • Garden Bubbles ($10) | Seedlip Grove 42, orange juice, soda
Junction West, 310 S. West St., Ste. 110, Raleigh
  • Forbin’s Ascent ($7) | Pomegranate, grapefruit, lime, agave
  • Famous Mockingbird ($7) | Lemon, lime, simple, bitters
  • Bonus: This modern bar also offers six varieties of kombucha, tea, and sparkling drinks.
FIVE MORE MOCKTAIL SPOTS
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Cat.

Editor’s pick: I consider myself a workout class hopper. Raleigh is filled with unique fitness studios and gyms and I want to try them all. Yesterday, Anne and I got our flow on at YogaSix. The next one on my list is Midtown Yoga. I’ll be joining one (or multiple) of the free classes they are offering all month. 💪

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Find out why 2023 is the Year of the Trail in NC.
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Editorial: Cat George, Anne Tate, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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