Foundation: Artfully crafted libations
If someone told you five years ago there would be a bar below street level downtown where you’d find a buzzing, contemporary, forward thinking social club of sorts where intellectuals, young professionals, and hipster types would all co-mingle while sipping classic cocktails, local craft drafts, and limited release whiskeys, you probably wouldn’t have given the concept much promise. But today, once you descend the concrete stairwell set in front of the multi-story building at 213 Fayetteville St. and enter what was originally the building’s crawl space, you’ll witness this reality in full.
Now just over 18 months old, Foundation has gained a following not only for its locally and regionally sourced liquid varieties, but also for its responsible architectural approach, highlighting sustainable design efforts within its interior.
Everything from the furniture you sit on to the drinks you consume is handcrafted. A cornerstone of Foundation’s philosophy is to always keep things fresh, which translates into a seasonally changing menu infusing local ingredients into their special concoctions wherever possible and introducing specialty brews on an ongoing basis.
Far more than your everyday bar, Foundation is a refuge for those who take their libations seriously. The four-page menu lists over 15 beverage categories ranging from cider, port and mead, to bourbon, moonshine, brandy and special-order whiskey.
If bourbon is your pour of choice, then Foundation will be like a kindred spirit. For the beer lover, eight taps are at the ready, offering area specialty and seasonal draft options from Aviator, Carolina Brewing Company, Fullsteam Brewery and Big Boss amongst others, serving 10 oz. glasses (starting at $3.50) to pitchers (starting at $16). If it’s an artful cocktail you want, take a look at their list of specialties like the classic “Slow” Gin Fizz ($9), the Mt. Olive Gimlet ($9), or the Tar Heel ($8) made with Cruzan Black Strap Rum and their own house-made ginger ale.
Foundation’s brick walled, dimly lit interior is cozy with limited seating and standing room on busy weekend nights, but the street level outdoor seating area offers an alternative during temperate evenings. Take in Foundation on a weeknight for a less crowded experience, and mark Sundays to take advantage of the special $5 cocktail menu.
HelloRaleigh Tip: Love the concept but not a drinker? It’s certainly worth noting that they make seven different house-made sodas worth a tasting, priced at $3 a glass.
Posted by Angela Risko
