A major nightlife player has closed in Raleigh after 13 years. What’s next for the space
A cocktail bar shake-up is in the works as a nightlife pioneer has shuttered in downtown Raleigh.
The Architect Bar & Social House announced this week that it had quietly closed after 13 years in business. In its decade-long run, the Hargett Street bar played host to countless bustling weekend nights, bluegrass concerts, election night parties and hangs.
“The Architect had an incredible run,” said owner Jon Seelbinder of Local Icon Hospitality. “The neighborhood is not really conducive for bar hopping right now. What continues to work is fancy restaurants and fancy cocktail bars.”
Seelbinder said the tucked-away speakeasy The Green Light, hidden behind a bookshelf in The Architect, will remain open and unchanged by the closing.
The closing was announced on The Architect’s social media accounts.
“From the classic sing-a-longs and new school bangers that pushed out of the DJ booth to the memories of countless celebrations, this space was more than just a bar—it was a social movement,” reads the farewell post. “We were honored to be the soundtrack to your nights, from wild weekend sets that kept the energy high to the intimate special events, weddings, and parties that turned moments into memories.”
In place of The Architect, Seelbinder is relocating his Salisbury Street bar The Merchant, a mid-century ode to cocktails and conviviality. The current Merchant space will be used for catering and private events.
“The new Merchant will have 50 percent more seating,” Seelbinder said. “It will kind of make The Green Light even more tucked away and offer more of a vibe change.”
The Architect opened in 2012 as Seelbinder’s first bar, joining a downtown Raleigh nightlife scene then centered on Fayetteville Street.
“The Architect had a great run, but all good things come to an end eventually,” Seelbinder said. “We’re excited about (moving The Merchant). It’s not always you get to plug and play something great with the next great.”
This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM with the headline "A major nightlife player has closed in Raleigh after 13 years. What’s next for the space."
