The Black Flower Bar Coming to Glenwood South

Black Flower is a new Raleigh establishment, from Paul Lewis of Brooklyn Heights Bar, with the motto La Vie Boheme. As the replacement to the Double Down, the Black Flower sits in a location that is as consistent in failure. If anything that space offers challenges to foot traffic and parking, sitting Immediately beside MoJoes on Peace Street. While not much is known about the establishment, it certainly has a heavy aesthetic take on things. Raleigh’s Beloved Adam Peele is responsible for the the rich floral theme on the awning outside of the restaurant as well as several interior walls. Peele has worked on other interiors including Amores Pizza which we covered last summer. The motto translates to The Bohemian Life. Bohemians on Glenwood South? I’ll believe it when I see it.

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what gives08/21 07:48 PM

Bohemians? Yeah, you’ll see a few checking the ATMS to make sure their parents rent check cleared.

We'll see08/21 09:01 PM

I guess we will have to wait and see if something finally works in this space. It’s risky since nothing has lasted really long..

lunarvision08/22 12:46 AM

go AdAm!!!!!

(I’ve been wondering if that awning is yr creation as I drive by everyday - good work).

dt08/22 01:00 AM

I hope this place has a dress code as idiotic as the one at Brooklyn Heights, the other night, one of our friends was denied enterence because he was wearing a polo shirt that was “more light blue than is allowed”. I kind of figured Brooklyn Heights wouldn’t last too long as is, through this location in and you can see that Paul Lewis (who i don’t know from Adam) has quite the business sense.

Amy G.08/22 09:28 AM

I’m rooting for this place. I’d like to see something finally work in that location.

We'll see08/22 01:36 PM

Brooklyn Heights has a dress code? What in the world for? I don’t get that- especially somewhere that is truly, just a bar.

Amy same here. I would love to see something survive there.

dt08/22 01:50 PM

Here is the Dress Code:
No pastel Polos
No whale attire
No sunglasses at night
No fish belts
No Sperrys/docksiders

I guess they are trying to keep so called “frat boys” out of the bar, but seems a tad ridiculous

Ashley08/22 02:17 PM

Not to continue the comments on Brooklyn Heights, but don’t forget the “age limit” of 25 or older…apparently to keep out the college kids, though the usual age at graduation is 22. Guess they don’t want professional grad students either? Interesting…my 24 year old friends who’ve been working for 2 years were quite intrigued by this last Saturday night.

dt08/22 05:02 PM

I give that place less than a year, though I would like to thank Paul for renvoating the space, hopefully someone else comes in and makes good use of it next summer

carolinablue2208/22 05:23 PM

I think the theme is really beautiful and Adam does such beautiful work. I hope the place does well, it’s a bold move and it takes hard work. Two things to note: 1) Paul worked at Brooklyn Heights but he doesn’t own it, the wording could easily be misconstrued, 2) when you run a business on Glenwood you can do what you want. If you want to wear your pink shirt, go to Solas. If you want to wear jeans and a tee, go to a bar or pub. If you want to wear sperrys/docksiders, fish belts, or whale attire, you best be on yo daddy’s boat, not on dry land.

Ryan08/22 08:47 PM

No matter what crowd Brooklyn Heights is trying to keep out, the exclusive attitude just contributes to the ongoing snobbery surrounding Glenwood South. I am sad to see our laid back city being taken over with places like Brooklyn Heights and Solas (Souless?).

Little Billy08/22 10:54 PM

I like the idea of a bar that doesn’t allow carolina blue. I’ll spend some money there.

big billy08/23 05:32 AM

little billy, this is your father - go to your room! What did I tell you about hating on people that actually have an opinion that differs from yours!? Your mother and I have spoken about your egomania, and we do not approve…if you continue down this path we will take away all of your GI Joe action figures and the barbies you beheaded.

Carolina Blue, way to do your due diligence.

dt - you sound bitter and as if you have an agenda, it kills your cred.

me? I’m looking forward to seeing the black flower open - it’s nice to have options on glenwood that have their own character - otherwise it’s just the same bar as any old town. oh, but I guess you guys don’t want people to have their own flavor - sorry, cookie cutter fox and the hound it is then, my apologies. commie bastards.

Gina08/23 11:26 AM

OK, maybe I’m showing my age, but what is “whale attire” and “fish belts”? And what would wearing a pale polo or docksiders indicate? To me the indicate golfers or country club people.

gooie08/23 12:07 PM

ummm..flowers on an awning for a bar that has to describe itself as being ‘bohemian’ is anything but…too bad..I would like to see something work in that space, too

but then again, go to Sullivans on a Wednesday or Thursday night and see who is in there…perhaps the same crowd are attracted to the “idea” of a bohemian life and will flock to the place…go figure…

eddie bigfoot08/23 04:14 PM

oh cool a new hangout for the vain ass,metrosexual shithead yuppie scum of glenwood south, bohemians in limos awsome! eat poop and die assholes! do’nt you fuckers have enough culturless meatmarkets already. thank you have a nice day.

dt08/23 07:19 PM

don’t mean to sound bitter big billy, just don’t understand the point of the dress code.

Gina- “Whale Attire” is anything made by Vineyard Vines, a company from Martha’s Vinyard who makes polo shirts among other things.

JD08/24 04:51 PM

Wow… An article about a new bar and all people can talk about is Brooklyn Heights? There are waaay more people involved in the opening of the Black Flower than just the bartender from Brooklyn. We shouldn’t make the mistake of judging a new business based on what only ONE of the people involved has done in the past. I say, the more bars we can pack into this town, the better! I hate waiting in lines and paying cover. Encourage free market! Yay America! F#ck yeah!!

Ben08/24 05:15 PM

I’m involved in the Black Flower project as well. I just wanted to say hi to everybody! When it opens, I think the place will be a lot of fun. See you soon!

dt08/24 09:53 PM

Good point JD, couldn’t agree more, the more bars around here the better

Brooklyn08/24 10:28 PM

Good Luck to Paul and all of the people involved in the Black Flower. There is not a dress code at Brooklyn Heights. There is not an age limit either. You have to be 25 to become a member, not to get in. Even if there was, who cares! Oh, I guess all of you people bitching about it love to hang out with those that have forgotten that they graduated from college. I’m so sorry that I am not in love with the smell of puke laden carpet, ping-pong balls and premature ejaculation. Please forgive me beloved Raleigh.

MMI08/25 02:22 AM

Man, you guys stink at reading through coded language. Personally, whether Black Flower is aimed at me or not, I’ll welcome any establishment that tries to mix things up a bit downtown—particularly on G’wood.

As for the BH tangent, no one really likes rules, but anything that prevents another frat-tastic takeover will be personally welcomed by yours truly.

new in town08/25 05:11 PM

I’m new in town and live near the mellow mushroom - I’ve been all around, trying different bars and hangouts so that I get a feel for this town. Coming from a big city (Philadelphia), I must say that variety is not good, it’s GREAT - the people on this blog that are displaying anger towards someone trying to do something different are very ignorant, and probably are just upset because they are not getting to follow their dreams. That’s quite sad (eddie bigfoot in particular). If you want to judge a place by it’s awning (you close minded embarassment of a person) and description according to a misinformed blog (according to revisions I have read) then feel free to be a jackass. I’m gonna go check this place out because I have no idea what was there before, and walking by it today it seems as if many people are working hard to get a cool place open…I think they deserve a few visits from me - I hope to see some interesting people there, then I will make my judgement.

Til then, feel free to bash on me for my open mind.

GD08/25 06:21 PM

New in Town: its great to hear your perspective coming from a larger city. I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks raleigh has a diverse/good amount of nightlife to offer..

BP08/26 01:42 AM

In the last several years I’ve seen Downtown Raleigh become increasingly homogenized as pressure from the downtown yuppie crowd has forced out almost every independent venue and event in and around Glenwood. And all you’ll find on Hillsborough Street seems to fit quite nicely in to the rather apt description that Brooklyn described- anyone got a mop?

Or how about a bar that wasn’t a corporate-megaclub-entertainment-complex. Now the only thing that’s left is the same Top 40 schlock presented in six different packages. I don’t know about you, but I can skip out on the same 20 song set from the Buckhead cover band of the week while I wait 30 minutes for a drink and pay 4.50 for a Corona. And I’ll just as happily dodge past the overproduced radio rap spun by a mediocre DJ at Hi-5, and end up somewhere that didn’t cater to kids with bad fake ids or purported “adults” with even worse cases of “thirty-thousand dollar millionaire syndrome”.

Really kids- Raleigh’s fallen into a slump, despite what seems like a boom- I for one am glad to see that someone’s presenting another option.

Elliot08/26 10:51 AM

When you base Downtown Raleigh off of Hi-5 and Buckhead, of course your outlook is going to be doomed.

GB08/26 11:43 AM

BP - You, sir, have just given the most spot-on account of the “thirty-thousand dollar millionaire syndrome”(brilliant…) Raleigh bar scene I have ever had the pleasure to read.

Bravo, sir!

SMF08/26 02:03 PM

I’m originally from just outside NYC. I have been here just over 16 years now and downtown Raleigh has changed huge. There use to be no bars on Glenwood. Downtown should be an urban enviornment, but what I noticed about this place is anytime something new comes around, there are a ton of people complaining about it before it even had a chance. Its not green, I don’t like the building, it doesn’t make a statement. What about just a regular bar? Its just a place to drink. It doesn’t need to be anything more than that. It looks like Raleigh is trying to hard to be a “big city”. The great thing about Raleigh to me is that it isn’t a big city. It shouldn’t lose the feel of being laid back. Thats what makes this place nice. Don’t try to compete with large cities. Bars with dress codes and ridiculious rules are a joke. Everyone pretending to be some kind of big shot, like money is no object. They can have that. Neighborhood bars are always the better places. Glenwood South looks like a small town fooling itself.

Christopher Triplett08/26 03:26 PM

From a true Southerner:
- Come as you are.
- -CJT

dt08/26 05:50 PM

I’m with Elliot on this one, basing your opinion of Downtown Raleigh off of Hi-5 and Buckhead Saloon is not really fair. I don’t know anyone that wants another corporate megaclub or entertainment complex. Hell, I don’t even know anyone that wants another (or even the original) Haven, Mosquito or Brooklyn Heights, what me and my yuppie, pink shirt wearing friends, and additionally, most other people that I talk to want, are more normal bars where you can actually have a conversation with the person next to you. Much like SMF was saying, what Raleigh needs is more neighborhood bars, holes in the wall and pubs, so if anyone out there is listening, Raleigh is a simple town, give us some more simple bars, think Rockford, Jackpot, Havana’s, Landmark NOT another Haven or the Velvet Lounge.

That said, i’m excited to try out the Black Flower when it does open. While I was initially worried that it would be infested by the same kids that are all over Brooklyn Heights (think those same kids with “thirty-thousand dollar millionaire syndrome” that BP was talking about) hopefully the Black Flower will be different, I wish them the best of luck.

Al08/26 06:00 PM

The city of Raleigh is not friendly to small business. That’s why there are hardly any independently owned restaurants or bars.

I have learned this fact the hard way. I’m trying to open a bar downtown and it has been one GIANT HASSLE after another.

Did you know,that in order to open a bar or restuarant that Raleigh makes you:
1) hire an architect
2) hire engineers
3)apply for permits (that could take weeks to get)

Even if you don’t need an architect you have hire one. I’m moving into a space that was already the same type of business. Nothing is being altered. But, I still have to shell out thousands for plans to be drawn up. There is nothing to plan. The old plans from the previous venue would work just fine..but that’s not acceptable.

Futhermore, if you want to speed up the permit process (which could take up to 8 weeks—all the while you are paying rent on a space you can’t open up or even begin construction in) you can pay the city $1000 an HOUR and they will schedule you right away for an “Express Review.” $1000 an hour is a mighty high fee, especially if you aren’t Rocky Top Hospitality or Empire Properties.

So there—that’s why everything in this town sucks.

WiseOne08/31 01:13 PM

Yeah the bars known as ‘cool’ are the ones opened up on a limited (low) budget…which leaves creativity and eagerness to fill in the holes. Unfortunately with Raleigh now, is that you have to be padded to get anything off the ground…you can’t do it like we used to ten years ago. So, i think maybe the BF has some of this going for it, creativity and eagerness that is. Who knows? They should be happy that the tools of the internet at least get word out (good or bad.)

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John11/05 03:20 AM

This bar has been open for a month. Seriously, it has one of the coolest vibes I’ve ever experienced. If there were more bars like this in Raleigh, the downtown area would be much cooler than it is right now. Seriously, check it out and let these people surprise you.

katie11/24 06:49 AM

the black flower is an amazing bar. during my first experience I made a bunch of new aquaintances, and everyone was so nice and welcoming. I had a great time there because the dj played songs everyone could sing to, and the bartenders were so fast and observent that I never had to wait for a drink! Glenwood is so cliche, and the black flower is a breath of fresh air…thank GOD finally, something real!!!

SMF01/10 04:41 PM

Hey, Saturday the 17th, Jan, 2009, 10 pm. Theres a band called 96 Comas playing there Check them out, there worth seeing.

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David Thursday, August 21, 2008