As we near the end of 2021, there has been a burst of restaurant openings and building activity! One very, interesting and new addition to the bar and lounge scene in Raleigh is over at 419 Glenwood Avenue. Formerly known as Solas, this multi-level venue had lain dormant for a long time given the pandemic. But with the overall economy improving, the space has been renovated and re-opened as three new concepts: Botanical Lounge (Bar and lounge), The Sage (Private events), and HighGarden (Rooftop lounge and events). I’m going to focus on the 1st floor Botanical Lounge in this post and review.
If you visit the Botanical Lounge during the day, it comes across as a posh and green space with plenty of open-air, sunlight, and outdoor space. There’s a great mix of rich colors, organic textures, and dark woods at Botanical, making for a fun ambiance. Lit rattan lamps overhead, couches in mint and pinks, along with deep browns in the wood paneling and patio furniture. Botanical is also a large lounging space with lots of seating options indoors or on the wrap-around patio.
But at night, Botanical Lounge takes on a much more sultry with its dim lighting and music. Candle lighting behind the bar highlights the space, along with the glimmering lamps overhead. I’d have to say it’s a great spot for a date but I’m guessing it can get super busy on the weekends and a bit noisy. So your mileage may vary!
Botanical Lounge offers a smallish menu of small plates along with its drinks and cocktails, I’ve had a chance to try out the steak tartare and tuna tartare, served on small phyllo cups, tasty little bites. The presentation of the plates is solid at Botanical Lounge with eggs capping the steak tartare and a smear of wasabi sauce for the tuna tartare.
The croquettes are quite good, crispy, hot, and stuffed with potato, jamon, and manchego cheese! And the corn-dogs are a fun and casual option served with ketchup, mustard, and cornichon pickles for fun. Overall the food at Botanical Lounge is in the “good enough” range and a way to soak up and alcohol while you cocktail.
And up on the rooftop you’ve still got HighGarden, an airy and green space that will be used for events and lounging with a great view of Glenwood South (Picture album below)! Overall I’m pretty happy with what the Hibernian Group has done here. Botanical Lounge and HighGarden are lovely bars and a nice reprieve from the craziness on Glenwood South. And while I probably wouldn’t come here for the food, there’s enough to keep you happy and nibble off the menu. Let’s hear it for the end of 2021 and getting back to normality, next year. New bars and lounges like Botanical will be a big part of that rebirth for the City of Oaks moving forward…
Botanical Lounge, The Sage Room and HighGarden
419 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27603
919.322.4515
Location on Google maps
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