first time i've ever agreed with rally 100%

8/26/2008 9:52:05 AM

ohhh...thought it was more of a club

[Edited on August 26, 2008 at 9:53 AM. Reason : more of]

8/26/2008 9:53:12 AM

it's got three different levels of an identity crisis...

8/26/2008 6:52:19 PM

Quote :

"Good morning. I have been told by a number of people lately that Raleigh has a new restaurant and nightclub that is like no other in the area and it apparently is doing very well. Some of you, such as Vimal, are probably very aware of it and have already been there a number of times. The name is Solas located in Glenwood South at 419 Glenwood Avenue. I checked out their website this morning. It is pretty cool. Please make sure we have it listed on our website. "

email i got earlier today

8/27/2008 9:39:20 AM

The restaurant part hasn't hit where they want it yet, but it's definitely getting there. The service is excellent for this part and the food is even better so I have no doubt it will take off once word of mouth gets around.

The lounge/roof/bar is an acquired taste though. They're going for hip/modern/upscale and I don't think it's quite hit it's groove yet. But the venue is awesome and a lot of people seem to like it.

8/27/2008 10:03:48 AM

i was there on monday and was so disappointing that they didn't have desert on their late night menu

the champagne shortcake, want

8/27/2008 11:08:43 AM

Quote :

"late night menu"

This isn't Wendy's dammit!

JK. But I think there is some sort of desert you can order on the lounge menu.

[Edited on August 27, 2008 at 11:13 AM. Reason : space]

8/27/2008 11:13:20 AM

talk to the bartender. He said "late night menu"

8/27/2008 11:52:14 AM

CliffyB was up on the rooftop tonight. Looked like he was alone.

Quote :

"The restaurant part hasn't hit where they want it yet, but it's definitely getting there. The service is excellent for this part and the food is even better so I have no doubt it will take off once word of mouth gets around. "

Friday and Saturday nights are usually completely booked, and this weekend is looking to be the same. Week day buisness is slower, but thats true of every restaurant in the world who's buisness isnt 95% retirees. The food is fucking awesome, and its the first place ive worked at in a long time where i can proudly stand behind every dish.

Quote :

"The lounge/roof/bar is an acquired taste though. They're going for hip/modern/upscale and I don't think it's quite hit it's groove yet. But the venue is awesome and a lot of people seem to like it."

I agree. Right now its a lot of rich stuck up people and mid-thirties women looking to find a sugardaddy and/or young piece of ass. The clientelle will evolve over time.

Quote :

"talk to the bartender. He said "late night menu""

Jen, let me know when you're there next time. Ill hook it up

[Edited on August 29, 2008 at 1:29 AM. Reason : ]

8/29/2008 1:29:06 AM

Where are all these rich, stuck-up people?

I mean, in the pictures, I saw some older women.

And then I saw some bald heads. Also, a couple of world-class soul patches. And a great collection of unremarkable dresses and cheap shoes. And I don't mean cheap like Nine West. I mean cheap like they were purchased from Journey's eight years ago.


Furthermore, I'm disturbed by how excited so many people are to toss around this owner guy's name with such admiration. Restaurant money is easy come, easy go. Anybody who eats out regularly has watched some really good people go belly up. Over and over again.


Don't get uppity in Raleigh. Shit, don't get uppity in North Carolina. Some of the best restaurant food I've ever enjoyed came out a double-wide in West Jefferson. And this Solas place...it doesn't look silly at all.

8/29/2008 2:23:53 AM

Quote :

"I mean, in the pictures, I saw some older women. And then I saw some bald heads. Also, a couple of world-class soul patches. And a great collection of unremarkable dresses and cheap shoes. And I don't mean cheap like Nine West. I mean cheap like they were purchased from Journey's eight years ago. "

Believe it or not, they were the rich stuck up people.

Quote :

"Don't get uppity in Raleigh. Shit, don't get uppity in North Carolina. "

So people are dying for Raleigh to grow up and into a real city. It has to start somewhere.

Can you just go be a cynical bitch in another thread, please?



[Edited on August 29, 2008 at 3:23 AM. Reason : ]

8/29/2008 3:20:37 AM

Goddamn it was so hot up on the roof tonight.

Just got off. Got class in less than 4 hours. Go back into work at 6. Tomorrow is gonna fucking suck... I guess that would be today.

[Edited on August 29, 2008 at 4:16 AM. Reason : ]

8/29/2008 4:15:23 AM

Quote :

"I agree. Right now its a lot of rich stuck up people and mid-thirties women looking to find a sugardaddy and/or young piece of ass. The clientelle will evolve over time."

Signed. It's a cool atmosphere, but right now most of the customers take themselves way too seriously.

8/29/2008 9:56:58 AM

Quote :

"mid-thirties women looking to find a sugardaddy and/or young piece of ass"

sounds like my kind of place

8/29/2008 9:57:49 AM

look...you can get the same thing at my house for free

8/29/2008 10:02:11 AM

oh hell yea

8/29/2008 10:04:37 AM

ehehehe

8/29/2008 10:05:16 AM

so....can you make a reservation to access the 3rd floor? Does it cost extra? What level is the dance floor on, 2nd? Erm...how is it ("it" meaning music, crowd, likelihood of getting up to that damn 3rd floor, etc) on Friday vs. Saturday night?

9/6/2008 4:16:42 AM

No cover before 10. Don't need a reservation before 10. Dance floor is on 2nd floor. If you want to reserve a table it'll cost you a decent amount. I'm not sure how much because that information does not really pertain to me. You can decide for yourself what the crowd is like. To me it's mostly a bunch of drunk people who won't get out of my way while I'm trying to pick shit up.

9/6/2008 4:29:37 AM

So if I want to reserve a spot for two on the top level for some dinner and drinks on, let's say a tuesday night, what would be the best way to go about it? Money's not an issue, I'm just wanting to get a good spot and a good vibe for the evening


I've heard they've got the best chefs in Raleigh

9/6/2008 6:12:24 AM

Solas

9/6/2008 11:03:01 AM

^^ Call up there and inquire. I don't imagine it would be extremely expensive for a Tuesday. But the full menu isn't served on the roof. You could eat dinner downstairs and then move up afterwards for some drinks but I don't think you could eat a full dinner on the roof.

9/6/2008 11:17:06 AM

this may have been answered elsewhere in this thread, but it's a big fucking thread so....

what kinda music is played up in this piece?

9/6/2008 12:42:12 PM

went last night.

overall it is a decently classy establishment. the talent level was solid, the (20 something) chicks averaged about a 7. there were some gelled-out, wanna-be ballers about, but they weren't overly obnoxious. drinks were very moderately priced ($3 Bud, $4 Heiny) considering what some places on glenwood will try to rape you with. I got their 419 Mojito which was expensive but a damn good Mojito.

we chilled on the second floor balcony, which imo, is the best spot in the whole place. the roof was hot, mad crowded and dominated by their cabana tables. the second floor was equally packed but with serious oonzt-ooznt music blasting. the balcony was great because you look out to Glenwood and if you can get a table, you are in the prime location for people watching.

[Edited on September 7, 2008 at 11:21 AM. Reason : .]

9/7/2008 11:20:25 AM

i was there last night too. i'd say on average the girls on the roof would be rated higher than on the second floor. both of which were pretty crowded to begin with. Johnny's mojito was really good. he used a different vodka for it. it kinda sucks that if you are on the roof and go to the second floor you are basically stuck on the second floor though. especially since i was not feeling the techno music at all.

oh and yea NO WHERE at all to sit. i mean unless you were lucky enough to get a table or loaded enough to reserve an area you were basically standing the entire time.

overall... nice place. very good looking. i probably won't go again unless invited.

9/7/2008 12:02:21 PM

Johnny's probably the best bartender.

9/7/2008 3:04:17 PM

Quote :

"I've heard they've got the best chefs in Raleigh "

I love you, Dave

Quote :

"But the full menu isn't served on the roof. You could eat dinner downstairs and then move up afterwards for some drinks but I don't think you could eat a full dinner on the roof. "

We dont hand the full menu out on the 2nd floor, or roof, but if you ask you can order anything you want. We arent going to deny someone a 20-something dollar entree just because they're on a different floor.

PS: If you order the mussels after 10pm, i'll hate you.

9/12/2008 12:04:36 AM

I hate the mussels. They're the messiest item on the menu by far.

9/12/2008 12:26:22 AM

I really like that bartender Jonn, funny guy. Can the people on the first floor really see anything if your dancing though??

9/12/2008 3:12:08 PM

I went to check it out last week.

Very nice, would go again! I felt like I was in Miami again. Fun times!

Ian I will have to come sometime you're working so you can cook me something yummy!

9/12/2008 3:17:02 PM

I believe this should be the location for the December festivities

[Edited on September 12, 2008 at 3:32 PM. Reason : asdf]

9/12/2008 3:32:05 PM

I'll be yo date (that helps you find quality ass).

9/12/2008 3:33:45 PM

it's a deal

9/12/2008 3:35:51 PM

Vodka in a mojito??? wtf???

9/12/2008 3:39:12 PM

^lol wut?

I missed that one. I love me a good mojito (but with vodka?!?!? )

9/12/2008 3:41:28 PM

hey ~E didn't we run into each other last saturday at Solas? My memory is a bit hazy...lol

9/12/2008 3:48:37 PM

Quote :

"i was there on monday and was so disappointing that they didn't have desert on their late night menu "

like a picture of a desert or actual sand or what?

i have never thought of the day a bar would sell desert sand....

9/12/2008 4:50:09 PM

Quote :

"Can the people on the first floor really see anything if your dancing though?? "

For the last goddamned time...NO YOU CANT SEE A THING FROM THE FIRST FLOOR!

9/14/2008 1:29:13 AM

I Regularly go to Miami, San Diego, Chicago... etc... so I see what they are going for here.

This club resembles more of a so cal club (Like the firehouse in Pacific Beach)

The difference with a club like this and one in a larger city is that there are simply MORE upscale regulars whom consistently generate revenue for the club. These regulars come because there's always a popular DJ being flown in, there's usually a few B-List celebrities hanging out.. etc. The architecture and environment alone wont keep this place from becoming the office. And it WILL become the office, because when the books are down... the standards are lowered and the lean-wit-it Rock-wit it begins..'

And to be honest with you I walked down there with an D&G T shirt, Guess Jeans and Aldo shoes.. and they turned me away. 3 weeks before I walked into Singatree in San Diego with the same gear and was complimented on the same shirt. (oh not to mention the place was swarming with B list celebs) The bouncers here need an education on clothing brands and what is "Classy & or stylish" i mean seriously they need to be forced to sit through few GQ magazines before telling someone "Oh there's no collar" I'm going to buy some blue jeans from wall mart and a $2 sports jacket from goodwill.. put on my old worn out prom shoes and walk right in the door just to proove the point.
They need to be turning away every dushebag with a Christain Audgier or Ed Hardy shirt because that shit died 2 years ago.

I suggest the owner take a trip to LA or San Diego and do a case study on successful clubs before loosing another mil.

Book BIG NAME DJs, Call every C list celeb in the Raleigh area (Hockey players, Athletes, actors(whom have actually been on TV) offer them free drinks to hang out there regularly.. and that will continue to draw the type of crowd they are looking for. otherwise this place will be sold off and renamed in less than a year.

If you're going to make something "Different" for Raleigh Nightlife scene.. then do that.. Make it DIFFERENT, make it Better. If you cant crush ESS lounge with a building like that, then you deserve to loose your money.

9/25/2008 3:10:33 PM

Quote :

"3 weeks before I walked into Singatree in San Diego with the same gear and was complimented on the same shirt."

maybe they knew you were recycling the outfit

9/25/2008 3:17:08 PM

Quote :

"loose your money"

yeah, i hate it when my money becomes loose

i keep it in elastic so it will stay tight and not all stretched out

9/25/2008 3:17:26 PM

my money does kegals

9/25/2008 3:20:24 PM

I'm sure it was more because there was no collar on it..

in fact I'll pop the collar on the Goodwill foundation sports jacket when I go in.
thaet Clubz will Loose their monies.
the porch will last longer.

These clubs regularly fail and sell off because of the lack of real market intelligence. Its like the only thing these owners know how to do is to keep the ghetto heads out as long as possible... and water down their drinks.

Here's a model that will work for that club (In Raleigh) High NRG Techno and electro on the rooftop, radio friendly hip hop on the second floor, and chill lounge/bar on the first that transitions to a restaurant during the day.


[Edited on September 25, 2008 at 3:29 PM. Reason : .]

9/25/2008 3:21:56 PM

I went to this place for the first time last weekend. The rooftop was packed to its fire code limit and they wouldn't let anyone else up by about 10:30 or so. You definitely want to get there early if you plan to go up top and grab a table. You can get a small lounge area on the roof for your party, but they carry a $500 minimum on your purchases. The other floors all seemed very full as well and there was a healthy crowd of people going in and out all night. Our server was very good. Overall it wasn't bad and I'll probably go back.

10/28/2008 6:08:37 PM

New pics of Solas. I was there for Halloween night covering a portion of their party. I was also treated to a complimentary dinner and boy was it delicious.

11/4/2008 1:57:14 AM

i see friends in these fotos . . .

11/4/2008 2:45:20 AM

so how is this place doing now. i still haven't found the time to go to it.

11/26/2008 9:34:01 AM

gonna hit this place up I think, whenever I go to raleigh to see Slumdog Millionaire again(and hopefully The Wrestler.....)

12/20/2008 5:22:15 AM

still havent been there

12/20/2008 8:54:33 AM

set em up

12/20/2008 9:27:27 AM