As the Oak City continues to grow, new districts and developments continue to expand and fill out over time. Take Seaboard Station for example! This old school Raleigh neighborhood is unrecognizable to me, given all the construction over the past 5 years. What was once a sleepy plaza with old-school businesses has been transformed into luxury apartments and higher-end offerings to reflect the new clientele. One of the more interesting options is Boatman Spirits Co. Brought to you by a trio of longtime Raleigh industry folks, the Boatman offers spirits, cocktails, live music, Mediterranean fare and more. It’s a pretty unique destination and experience, here’s what to expect when you visit!
Boatman Spirits Co, Raleigh – Location, Interior
First of all the name Boatman Spirits is derived from Greek mythology where Charon the ferryman, takes souls of the dead across the river Styx to the underworld. It all sounds a bit dark but Boatman Spirits is anything but! If you’re heading over to Boatman Spirits, you’ll need to find parking first. Street parking has always been tight in this plaza but thankfully a couple of new parking structures have been added for all the new apartment buildings. There’s also usually street parking over on Halifax Street next to William Peace University.
Boatman sits in the main corridor of the new Seaboard Station development. Head on past the new K38 Baja Grill and you’ll find it on the left fronted by a large, heavy, wooden door! Pull it open (creeeak!) and you’ll find yourself at a terracotta tiled hostess area up front. Both the bar and main dining area are to the right with the kitchen area to the back and left. Take a look around and take some time to absorb the decor and unique architecture here. The polished concrete floor contrasts with the plastered arched ceilings giving the whole space a Mediterranean and Arabic feel. Modern lighting fixtures and fans contrast with the antique feel of the space, it’s all good fun and different for the area!
I’ve sat at both the bar and in the dining room and one thing to be aware of is that the place can get loud when it’s busy. With all the hard, bare, reflective surfaces here, it can become a very noisy space at times so I prefer to visit during quiet periods. Or maybe a seat out front in the courtyard would work better. And if you do want to come when it’s busy, you may want to make a reservation since it’s also not a huge space inside.
Boatman Spirits Co, Raleigh – Menu, Food
Given its namesake, Boatman Spirits has an extensive and detailed cocktail menu and I highly recommend giving one a try. The cocktail menu is very detailed in terms of ingredients and even tells you what glassware to expect with your drink. Try a classic Sazerac made with rye, bitters and sugar, a good apertif to get your meal started. Or how about a watermelon highball? Think club soda, whiskey and some watermelon juice, perfect for warmer weather. The cocktail menu at Boatman’s Spirits is broad and covers all the major liquors so I’m pretty sure you’ll find something you like!
Boatman also offers a smallish menu of Mediterranean bites, plates and sandwiches (between $3 and $20) that are lighter but full of taste and flavor. Start out with some creamy hummus and toasted pita points. Or how about some crispy fried halloumi cheese or beef tallow fries? Two substantial snacks with with a lot of texture and flavor. The Zaatar wings at Boatman’s are also excellent, offering wings done with a more Mediterranean flair and spicy flavor profile.
Beef tallow french fries at Boatman Spirits Co. in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
And while the food menu is focused on small plates (13 or so), Boatman has a short list (5) of entrees if you want a full meal. For mains, try the lamb burger, perfectly perched atop a grilled brioche bun, creamy tzatziki sauce, tomato and greens, a healthier alternative to your classic beef burger. Or how about a gyro plate on top of rice pilaf and served up with a side salad? I do enjoy the fact that the menu at Boatman’s is healthier but still delicious and a step up from the usual bar food.
Boatman Spirits Co, Raleigh – Service, Conclusion
Service during my multiple visits at Boatman Spirits has been quite good. The staff is formally dressed in crisp black shirts and leather aprons. They are great answering questions and check in on you frequently. There is also often live music at Boatman Spirits, they’ve got a side room with a small stage which also overlooks the distilling warehouse at the end. The music schedule often includes live jazz and DJ music for entertainment.
Overall I’ve been pretty happy with my visits to Boatman although it’s hard to pin down exactly what it is. Part restaurant, part bar, part lounge, I imagine it will settle into a rhythm over time and I do hope they expand the menu a bit for slightly more food options. Here’s to the future of Boatman Spirits, they are off to a great start and I look forward to seeing where their journey takes them!
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