Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor Set to Open in NoDa
Bob Peters pays tribute to parents, childhood home
Built on Hospitality (The Goodyear House, Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails, Folia) announced Thursday that the anticipated new Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor in NoDa will open on Saturday, Jan. 4. The concept is a passion project from renowned Charlotte mixologist Bob Peters, who named the business after his late father.
The cocktail bar will be an ode to Chief, which was how Peters’ father was known to his grandchildren, as well as Peters’ late mother, Marmee, both of whom were known as sensational entertainers and hosts.
“My parents taught me everything I know about hospitality. I’m grateful to Built On Hospitality for the opportunity to create Chief’s in their memory, and I can’t wait to share this special place with everyone,” Peters stated in a release on Thursday. “Not everyone had the honor of knowing Chief and Marmee while they were with us, but we’ve worked really hard to share their legacy and spirit at Chief’s.”
Peters has crafted a cocktail menu that will include Clarified Malted Milk Punch: Southern Star Bourbon, apple-spiced tea, winter spices, orange, lemon, and malted milk; Rise & Grind: an elevated espresso martini with espresso-washed Southern Star white whiskey, sherry, and simple syrup; and Tasty Mez-calculations: Banhez mezcal, orange, shiso syrup, apple juice, and hop foam.
Read more: Bob Peters Builds Up Garage Bar at Home While the Industry Idles (2021)
In September 2024, BOH announced that renowned mixologist Kayleigh Williams-Brown would be leading the bar program at Chief’s with direction from Peters, recognized in Queen City Nerve’s 2024 Best in the Nest issue as the Best Hire in Food & Drink.
Williams-Brown built a name for herself at El Thrifty as well as former jobs as bar manager at the critically acclaimed Leah & Louise, Uptown Yolk and The Royal Tot. She was recognized as Best Mixologist in our 2022 Best in the Nest issue.
BOH partner and executive chef Chris Coleman curated the Snacks menu, which will include marinated olives, Churched Up Chex Mix, tinned oysters Rockefeller, and Marmee’s Popcorn with Tickle Your Throat BBQ seasoning.
Goodyear House pastry chef Becca Rankin has also crafted a dessert menu that plays on the comfort theme: warm cookies; Chief’s root beer float; and homemade fudge tossed in espresso, cinnamon, and sugar.
“We think Chief’s will be a welcome and needed addition to NoDa — an elevated yet comfortable space to experience Peters’ delightful cocktails paired with playful small plates, with the charm and history that a restored mill house brings,” says Coleman.
Upfitting the 124-year-old mill home in which Chief’s is located next to The Goodyear House on North Davidson Street was a process, as the concept was first announced in August 2023, but the team behind it hopes all the work that went into it shows during Saturday’s opening and beyond.
The interior design of Chief’s was made to be reminiscent of Peters’ parents’ home, as Built on Hospitality (BOH) brought on Delgar Interior Design to create a comforting and warm space with modern touches.
As the namesake Chief was an architect by trade, BOH and Delgar worked to pay tribute to his craftsmanship installing hardwood floors, wood trim, and millwork mixed with a combination of upholstered and leather seating, marble-top tables, and table lamps.
The opening of Goodyear House in 2020 marked the launch of Built on Hospitality, which came after Coleman built a name in the local culinary scene as head chef at McNinch House Restaurant in Fourth Ward and helped to open The Asbury at The Dunhill Hotel and Stoke at Marriot City Center.
The Goodyear House opening was followed by Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails in Rock Hill in 2021 and the “hidden cocktail lounge” Folia in South End in October 2024. BOH took over the existing Uptown restaurant Haymaker in 2023 but closed its doors at the end of 2024.
Chief’s will be open Monday-Wednesday, 5 p.m.-1 a.m.; Thursday-Friday 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, noon-2 a.m., and Sunday, noon-1 a.m. (Chief’s will be closed Sunday, Jan. 5). The parlor will offer indoor seating for 36 guests plus a patio called “Marmee’s Garden” that will be open when the weather allows.
Reservations are not required; seats at the bar will be held for walk-in guests. To learn more or to make reservations, visit the website and/or follow Chief’s on Instagram.
