Only In Raleigh - Solas… revisted!
Okay… well Saturday night a group of us met up at Havanah’s to throw some darts with the “common” folk of Raleigh. Havanah’s is a great spot to sit back relax, have a great drink, and enjoy the excellent service… We’re all fans of Team Marsha… best cocktail waitress in town!
We decided we wanted to go somewhere a little more loud and listen to some music so we decided to go check out The Pourch. On our way there… we noticed that Solas had absolutely nobody in line and we decided to stop and check it out so that I could hopefully write them a better review.
“Full Capacity” blurts out the bouncer on our way up to the door. ”Wow! Really?” I ask… I guess I’ll have to find out where they sell invicible clothing because that must be what folks are wearing these days! Their clothes must supernaturally turn them transparent because their patio remained absolutely empty. We stepped back… looked up and both patios looked sparse at best. I love how they run their business… it seems to make a lot of sense… Sink millions into a bar in Raleigh, turn all your business away at the door, allow the place to stay empty, not play nice with the Raleigh bar crawlers, and expect the 200 people in your 800 person capacity building to pay your tab to recoup your investment. That seems to make a lot of sense on a business plan you submit to a bank for financing.
Let me know if you know where they sell these invisible clothes… I’m truly interested.
By the way… and not get snooty… but the below dress does not seem to get you in the door at Solas:
White cotton knit Ralph Lauren Purple Label shirt = $400
Custom fit Earl Jeans = $300
Cashmere socks from Barney’s = $45
Ben Sherman Leather Wallet = $350
Cole Haan Collection shoes = $600
Wearing $1695 worth of threads and still not getting into an empty bar in Raleigh = PRICELESS
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Comments
Wow - all I have to say is - Really? This is Raleigh and even in NYC I know who was out and you guys are good looking people (not to mention the snooty clothes:)! Who are they waiting for Sarah Jessica Parker? Oh and by the way Solas - Never. Gonna. Happen. So I guess we can see the inside of that place when it switches ownership?
WOW…it stinks you have such a bad taste in your mouth from there already. I went with a group of friends on Friday and really enjoyed it. The crowd was very polished, the music was so so but overall it was for sure not a typical Raleigh spot. Very NYC/MIAMI for sure but in my opinion that’s a good thing!! I will for sure visit again and again.
I like trendy new places as much as anyone else, but this sounds way over the top…particularly for Raleigh. I don’t think we have enough exclusive wealthy trend-setters here to keep this place afloat for long if this is how they treat potential customers.
I’m already reading about how the Mint is struggling to get enough rich customers to keep them out of the red…I won’t be surprised to read something similar about Solas, unless they get over themselves soon.
Solas has a snobbery right out of the gate. It’s fake flash is going to be short lived. Sounds like a fast food owner wants a taste of the fine dining life. THE owners of Hybernia. This is so plastic! most people cannot see through this place? I was there and told to wait in line? why when you built a 600 person club? Really now? And the owner needed to take on the Chef and GM from Sullivans just to try to make this work. They cant come up with their own people? I will tell you this Sullivans doesnt charge you to get in and doent make you wait in line to spend your money. Sullivans made glenwood south what it is today!!! Sorry solas you suck ass!
Not saying Solas is on my list of places I’ll spend much time. And the Mougar (male cougar) and courgar count was high the night we went… but the downstairs is the restaurant so I bet you went after dinner was done being served. The main bar is on the third floor outside and the second floor balcony is small, not a place a bunch of people are hanging out, but there’s a good bar inside w/ plenty of room to lounch in air conditioning. One funny note to mention, uping the cheese factor of this place significantly, the dance floor on the second floor is glass… I didn’t venture out on it so I’m not sure if diners below can really see much if they look up but why take the chance to show your undies to a bunch of people trying to eat a “fancy” meal below ;).
Dancing doesn’t start till after dinner is over. So no panty shot….Sorry. But good analogy on the dinner not serving anymore. I think everybody loves to hate. Especially when they can’t get in!
When you open a place, do you not take the best people you can find? So the GM and chef from Sullivan’s seems like a good choice. And talking to their bartenders, I know a bunch of them are the best of the best from around town and some are even from New York and Chicago - don’t know if Solas recruited them or not. But, the staff is great. I have lived here for a few years and have waited for a place like this, where my girlfriends can go out, get dressed, have some good food and great cocktails and not be bothered by the typical, trashy Raleigh. New Solas regular here!!
I’m pretty sure we were too young for this club based on the cougars piling out of the place at 2am