25-04-2025
Orosoko Sound Bar and Oaklore Distilling owners to open new South End bar and bottle shop
A new bottle shop and bar by the owners of Orosoko Sound Bar and Matthews-based distillery Oaklore Distilling will open in South End this summer.
Why it matters: Located across the street from Orosoko, Oaklore Bottle Shop & Bar will sell Oaklore Spirits exclusively, and it'll serve as a waiting room space for those on the Orosoko waitlist.
"The new space will complement Orosoko's operations, offering patrons a stylish, comfortable venue they can visit while they wait for dinner," an Orosoko representative tells Axios.
The vibe: A large bar will be the centerpiece of the 900-square-foot space at 1425 Winnifred St.
It will seat approximately 30 people at the bar, with additional lounge seating.
Bar patrons will face two roll-up doors that open to the sidewalk for "people-watching," its owners tell Axios.
What to expect: Its menu will feature signature cocktails made with Oaklore Spirits (and other premium spirits), crafted by beverage director Bryant York.
The bottle shop will exclusively sell Oaklore Spirits.
Once it opens, Oaklore Bottle Shop & Bar will operate seven days a week.
Orosoko is a relatively new upscale restaurant with shareable plates and top-notch acoustics. Owners Greg and Lisa Pappanastos opened it last year with partners Nick Spain and Jay Pound.
Driving the news: This weekend, Orosoko is celebrating its first anniversary with a four-day celebration.
It'll have a pop-up outdoor cabana cocktail bar outside, plus a ticketed dinner party on Friday, brunch on Sunday and other weekend events.
Oaklore Distilling opened in 2022, co-founded by Matt Simpkins and Tom Bogan. Its most popular spirits, Four Grain Bourbon and North Carolina Straight Rye Whiskey, are available in more than 60 bars and restaurants, as well as in more than 50 ABC stores across the state.
Last summer, to meet demand, its owners purchased a new 6,000-square-foot building, along with a bottling line that increased its production capabilities from 100 cases a week to 280 cases in 1.5 days, or by 250%.
