Eighty Eights is opening at the end of the month at 4237 Raleigh St. The concept will serve as a coffee shop by day and a jazz lounge and cocktail bar by night, and it already has an expansion of the concept in the works.
Eighty Eights will have an intimate jazz club-speakeasy feel, with room for about 85 people across its indoor and patio seating. The team plans to have live jazz performances with a focus on local artists, and it will have a beverage program of 12 signature cocktails and some classic cocktail options for guests to enjoy. Some wines and beer options will also be available.
“88’s is designed to capture the essence of timeless elegance and warm hospitality,” the Eighty Eights website reads.
During the day, the spot will serve espresso beverages and pastries, and is tailored to act as a destination for remote workers.
Dan Fulco, the owner of local spot Rosie’s Wine Garden, is heading up the concept alongside Nathan Ogorek, Justin Dehart and Kurt Sowers. Rosie’s also follows a bar-meets-coffee-shop model, as Eighty Eights will.
“We’re interested to see how the community receives another music or jazz lounge,” Fulco told What Now Charlotte. “Everyone who we have talked to is really excited about the concept and says Charlotte needs more jazz. We’re really looking forward to seeing what we can do with that.”
Fulco views Eighty Eights as a good potential date night spot, especially because of its proximity to the Independent Picture House.
Though Eighty Eights is opening soon, additional expansions stemming from the location are expected in the near future. Fulco said that he and the team are planning to build out an additional concept next door to the cocktail bar in the coming months, with plans to add a wine bar and kitchen beside the current Eighty Eights spread. The additions would focus on a more extensive wine list, and they would allow the team to serve a food menu in addition to beverages.
