2 days ago
Raleigh's Boatman Spirits Co. Is More Than Just a Distillery
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Along with unique liquors, find za'atar chicken wings, beef shawarma, and lamb kofta at Boatman Spirits Co. Jun 11, 2025, 7:25 PM UTC
Raleigh newcomer Boatman Spirits Co. will add a bit of drama to the distillery scene when it opens on Friday, June 13. Located in downtown's Seaboard Station, the 7,000-square-foot space is impressive with its sweeping archways, old-world tiles, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The space sets the stage for craft spirits, creative cocktails, and Mediterranean fare.
Boatman Spirits Co. is the cumulative efforts of Aaron Lambert, George Ghneim, Zack Thomas, and Geremy Prichard. Lambert, who managed Transfer Co. Food Hall, is the director of operations. Ghneim, who previously ran Riviera Mediterranean Resto & Lounge in downtown Raleigh, is a co-owner, and his Palestinian heritage influenced the menu. Thomas, a bartender with experience at Foundation and the Crunkleton, heads up the beverage program. Prichard, a former winemaker, is the spirits production manager.
'We want the space, menus, and execution to be a departure from the expected. We want the atmosphere to capture your attention and your senses and whisk you away to some new far-off place,' says Lambert.
Once the stills are up and running, Boatman Spirits Co. plans to produce vodka, gin, single malt whiskey, rye whiskey, fruit brandies, and arak, a traditional Mediterranean spirit. The team expects it will be approximately two months before they see bottles of their own products. 'The one spirit that inspired George and Jeremy to start working together was a single malt,' says Lambert, 'So we are going to be aging some single malts in barrels in our brick house. One spirit that I've been working on, that I'm very stoked about, is an acorn amaro.' Basically, expect the unexpected at Boathouse Spirits Co.
While waiting for those in-house alcohols to come to fruition, visitors to Boatman Spirits Co. will be able to choose from a variety of exciting cocktails created under the classic format categories of Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, Sours, and Spritzes. One example is the West Side Garden, made with Scotch, apricot, tahini, and cucumber, to follow the flavors of the cuisine. 'The menu is both familiar and surprising,' says Thomas. 'We wanted to honor cocktail history while exploring new, unexpected flavor combinations.'
On the food menu, diners will find za'atar chicken wings, beef shawarma, a lamb kofta burger, tallow fries, fattoush salad, tahini ice cream, and more. 'The cocktail experience is a lot more complete when you have food to pair with it,' says Lambert, 'It's a wonderful tool to express the brand.'
Boatman Spirits Co. will open 4 p.m. to midnight, Wednesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday through Saturday; and 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday. See More: Raleigh
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