We love the vibes + spacious patio at Barcelona Wine Bar. | Photo provided by Barcelona Wine Bar
Today is National Wine and Cheese Day, and I want to help you celebrate this sophisticated occasion with the some of my favorite wine and cheese offerings in the 919. Skipping the dairy? No worries — check out our comprehensive list of wine bars + shops around town, too.
Wedgewood Cheese Bar | This innovative cheese bar offers an extensive menu fit for sharing. Grab some friends, pick a curated bottle, and choose from the a la carte menu — or have a cheesemonger pick for you.
Raleigh Wine Shop | It’s a classic for a reason. In addition to hundreds of wines, order a cheese and charcuterie board from this spot that’ll be filled with cornichons, Benchwarmers bagel chips, Marcona almonds, and spicy mustard.
Postino Wine Bar | Pair the table cheese or a bruschetta board with your vino — or a hummus board if you’re dairy-free. Plus, if you come in before 5 p.m., all glasses are $6 every day. Allie here — don’t miss the sweet potato wedges.
Psst... there are even more tasty bites along Hillsborough Street during the annual Food Walk. Keep reading to learn more and grab your food passport.
Asked
Asked
GalaxyCon continues this weekend with a street festival. What is the convention for?
A. Astrology B. Astronomy C. Pop culture and fandom D. Samsung’s annual tech presentation
PITCH IT! PowerPoint Night | 7 p.m. | Raleigh Brewing Company | Bring your hot takes and passion projects to this slideshow night, and send in your PowerPoint in advance for consideration.
RLT’s “Hadestown: Teen Edition” | 8 p.m. | Raleigh Little Theater | $9+ | Watch the tragic story of Orpheus and Eurydice performed by the Triangle’s best and brightest young actors.
Raleigh True Crime Tour | 8 p.m. | Moore Square Visitor Center | $15 | Oak City is brimming with tales of crime and intrigue — learn more about all things true crime in Raleigh.
Saturday, July 26
Wild Mushroom Expedition: Unearth Nature’s Hidden Treasures | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Falls Lake Boat Ramp | $90 | This all-day mushroom trek will make you a pro at recognizing common edible mushrooms native to NC — bring your own lunch, water, and fungi-gathering tools.
Night Market | 4-9 p.m. | Midtown Park at North Hills | Free | Shop from over 30 local businesses and stroll under the stars while enjoying drinks + food truck bites.
Outlaw Music Festival | 3:45 p.m. | Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek | $70+ | See Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, the Turnpike Troubadours and more living legends at this can’t-miss music event.
A new exhibit is coming to the North Carolina Museum of Art, and it’s centered around the biblical story of Queen Esther. “The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt” will feature over 120 objects and was co-curated by the Jewish Museum’s curator. The exhibition opens Sept. 20 and closes March 6, 2026.
Read
Did you know North Carolina is home to peat bogs? According to the New York Times, bogs in NC + across the world could be a climate solution thanks to their high carbon content. Learn more about what’s great about peat and what NC is doing to improve its bogs.
Sports
UNC has sold out all of its home football games for the 2025-2026 season, but there are still ways to see Bill Belichick’s team in action. The best way to find resale tickets, according to UNC, is via SeatGeek — the cheapest tickets we’re seeing for the Sept. 1 home opener against TCU are still over $100. (The News & Observer)
Community
A new “low barrier” shelter for residents in need is coming to Second Street called Second Street Place. Second Street will not require those in need to prove sobriety or share their background. The shelter is currently being upgraded and will reopen in November 2026. (INDY Week)
Open
Wawa, an East Coast gas station + convenience store famed for its quick-service foods, is now open in Garner right off Interstate 42. The store is now the closest to Raleigh, dethroning the Kitty Hawk Wawa that opened in 2023. Sounds like it’s time for a Wawa run. (WRAL)
Holiday
We’re celebrating Summerween, a franken-holiday to celebrate all the fun of Halloween in July. On Instagram, @raleighwanderlust shared a “Stranger Things"-themed haunted house in Greensboro that has us ready to book a quick trip. Woods of Terror opens in September — we’ll share more local haunted experiences closer to October.
Beauty
If you left your flip phone and low-rise jeans in 2008, why not upgrade your spray tan too? Book a mobile spray tan appointment with Oak City Sunless for a natural, sun-kissed glow.*
Announced
Congrats to Shanel B., winner of our Symphony Season Tickets for Two Giveaway in partnership with the North Carolina Symphony. Enjoy all 14 classical concerts, and thank you to everyone who entered.*
Read
Tangle is a rare political newsletter that doesn’t take sides — it lays them out. Every day, it delivers balanced reporting on major political stories, minus the bias. Subscribe for free.*
Fact or Fiction
The color of your car impacts your car insurance rate. Fact or fiction? Luckily for Nicki Minaj, this is fiction. Still, rates can change for other reasons, so experts advise shopping around regularly. See if you could save with this quick questionnaire.*
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Plan Ahead
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Wake County Animal Center’s Clear the Shelter Extravaganza is still on, and the organization has introduced a few furry friends on Instagram, including Scooby and Kai. During the event, all pet fees will be waived now through Aug. 31. Plus, each week of the extravaganza will have a different theme with costumes, treats, and more encouraging pet adoptions. Look for your new furry friend in the adoption gallery.
Amazon’s deals are still rolling, and we’re here for it. Shop more picks while the sales last:
📱 Shop 15% off a MagSafe portable charger that’s sleek, slim, and comes in light pink and lavender.
🍚 If you cook rice, oatmeal, or quinoa almost daily, Cosori’s 4.8-star rated grains cooker is 10% off for a limited time.
💺 Upgrade your home office chair for a high-back leather version while it’s 38% off.
📹 Snag 44% off a like-new Ring stick-up camera that can be installed inside or out.
📚 Get a like-new version of Kindle’s latest model, the Paperwhite, for 26% off.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Hopscotch is in 41 days — not that anyone’s counting. I’ll be sharing my must-see acts soon, but for now, I’m sharing the Canes x Hopscotch beanies I got for buying my tickets back in February. And if anyone has the baseball hat from last year, let’s set up a trade.
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