Bespoke, the beloved neighborhood coffee shop at the corner of Second and Princess streets, has been transformed into a groundbreaking all-day café and aperitivo bar under the vision of owner Robby Dow, North Carolina native and former beverage director of Brooklyn’s acclaimed Grand Army Bar. Now Wilmingtonians can experience cocktails like the Amaro Shakerato he became known for at Grand Army. The newly renovated space seamlessly marries Italian aperitivo culture with exceptional coffee service, creating a unique destination that transitions from morning espresso to evening cocktails.
In celebration of the opening, Dow will introduce Bespoke at a dedicated pop up during Negroni Week in collaboration with Campari at Grand Army September 23rd. Look for a full menu take-over, and don’t miss his Night Nurse – a Negroni featuring Jamaican Rum, Cynar, Campari, Punt e Mes, banana and coffee.
Dow, who spent four years at Grand Army working his way from bartender to beverage director, purchased the iconic Wilmington spot in March 2024 and completed a renovation in partnership with Atlanta-based designer Patrick Di Rito of Chuck Marie Studios (formerly of Smith Hanes Studio) and Old School Rebuilders, who has brought some of Wilmington’s most notable restaurants to life. The redesigned space maintains the neighborhood warmth that locals have cherished since Bespoke’s original 2015 opening while introducing a sophisticated beverage program that rivals New York’s finest establishments.
“I saw Bespoke as an opportunity to rebrand as an American bar that focuses on bitter and Italian drinking culture,” says Dow. “The concept was ultimately to bridge coffee culture and Italian bitter drinking culture – creating an all-day café where you could come in when the doors open and have a Negroni and premium espresso.”
Drawing inspiration from acclaimed NYC establishments Bar Pisellino and Dante, Dow wanted to retain the beloved aspects of Bespoke’s coffee program while introducing the aperitivo bar culture that defines Italian social drinking.
A World-Class Program Anticipating Industry Trends
Bespoke’s standout feature is its robust draft cocktail program, offering some of the best cocktails on tap in the country– available all day starting at 7 AM with Negronis, Spritzes, and Nitro Carajillos. The approach represents what Dow sees as an emerging trend in cocktail culture: experiences that are approachable, light, and fun on the surface while maintaining serious technical excellence behind the scenes.
The bar operates with a distinctive neighborhood-style service model that pays homage to dive bar culture: no reservations, no table service, just expert bartenders and guests choosing their own seating. “You grab your drink and sit where you want,” Dow explains. “It’s bar service – a nod to the dive bar culture that people love, but with world-class cocktails.”
The program showcases what may be North Carolina’s largest vintage amaro collection, featuring legally-sourced bottles from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, all available for purchase. This focus on amaro – Italian bitter liqueurs – reflects Dow’s deep expertise in the category and his vision for bridging Italian aperitivo bar culture with American bar traditions. His meticulous attention to detail extends to an impressive ice program, with every cocktail glass served from the freezer and clear ice hand-cut in house with a bandsaw.
“Behind the scenes, we’re incredibly serious and technical, but the experience is approachable and light,” Dow explains. “You can get a vintage Fernet-Branca alongside the coldest Budweiser in town – it’s about being a neighborhood bar that also happens to be world-class.”
Seamless Day-to-Night Transition
The space operates seven days a week, transitioning naturally from coffee culture to cocktail service. Mornings feature exceptional espresso and aperitivo cocktails on tap while around 4 PM, the lights dim slightly, music increases, and full bar service begins. The Italian-inspired drinks – characterized by their lighter, citrusy, and juicy profiles – perfectly complement the all-day accessibility.