3 Raleigh restaurants and bars are closing. Here’s why & when to visit
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- Plus Dueling Piano Bar's last night is March 14; space will open for private events.
- Darden is closing Bahama Breeze chain; Raleigh location to close by April 5.
- Giorgios Epicurean Market temporarily closed for a transformation.
Several restaurants have already opened in the Triangle this year, and there are plenty more to come.
But residents will soon have to say goodbye to a few restaurants and bars in Raleigh.
Here’s what to know about the businesses that are closing.
Glenwood Avenue bar closing soon
After seven years, Plus Dueling Piano Bar in downtown Raleigh will close.
The Glenwood Avenue bar, which has a center stage with two opposing pianos, and the occasional guitar or drum kit, is open Friday and Saturday nights through March 14, its last day.
Owner Tony Basford and Plus did not say in the closing announcement a reason for the decision, and did not immediately respond to The News & Observer’s request for more information.
However, while the bar will close, the space at 510 Glenwood Ave. will remain open for private events, Plus said in its closing announcement.
Bahama Breeze closing Raleigh restaurant
The Caribbean-themed restaurant Bahama Breeze is closing all of its restaurants, including the one in Raleigh.
Parent company Darden will convert some Bahama Breeze locations into other concepts it operates, such as Olive Garden, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Chuy’s.
The Raleigh location, however, is expected to shut down by Sunday, April 5. It and 13 other Bahama Breeze restaurants will not be converted into other concepts.
Fayetteville’s restaurant is among those that will transition into different Darden brands. Those conversions should be completed within the next 12-18 months.
Giorgios Epicurean Market closes, at least for now
Local restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias has temporarily closed Raleigh’s Giorgios Epicurean Market.
Offering a retail market, full bar, coffee program, butcher, bakery and rotating selection of ready-to-eat foods, plus meals made to order, the concept served its last customers — for the time being — on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Now, GEM, as it’s known, will be transformed.
When customers return to the establishment at 2020 Progress Court, they’ll find a similar breakfast and lunch program, but the restaurant will be different in the evenings.
Bakatsias is drawing from one of his Greek concepts, Kipos, and will turn dinner service at GEM into Kipos Gardens. Diners should expect dishes such as skewers, salads, mezze, slow-cooked meats and pizza.
Expect a return of GEM and welcome Kipos Gardens this spring.
Drew Jackson contributed reporting. Portions of this story were previously published in The News & Observer.
This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 4:20 PM with the headline "3 Raleigh restaurants and bars are closing. Here’s why & when to visit."
