A framed photo of two smiling men greets visitors as they enter Cork in Southern Pines. The vintage photo feels right at home among the exposed brick and native clay walls in this century-old theater building that owners Patrick McKee and Janeen Driscoll transformed into a wine and cocktail bar.
“When people hear the name ‘Cork,’ they think we’re all about wine,” Driscoll says. However, her family’s Irish homeland actually inspired the name. Driscoll nods to the photo. “My grandfather and great uncle, with their arms around each other, holding hands — that was the spirit we wanted to bring to Cork.”
Cork’s cozy atmosphere and selection of wines, cocktails, and even mocktails draw a cross section of Moore County’s drink-loving clientele. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
McKee believes the space itself is a big part of the draw. Then there’s the vibe: no TVs, no live music. “This historic building in the middle of downtown is beloved; it has a unique sense of place and feels really special,” he says.
“From the very beginning, when we named it Cork Community Spirits, it was about trying to get people to have conversations,” Driscoll says. “The other night we had an older couple who came in, the man in a black tie and tux, and they had just gone to the symphony. They wanted a special place to have a cocktail. And they were sitting next to 30-year-olds. People don’t have their phones on; they’re just connecting and talking. That’s what we truly believe is the magic.”
Moore County, known for its award-winning golf and small-town charm, creates a perfect holiday backdrop. Whether you’re hunting for great gifts, visiting friends and family or seeking a holiday getaway filled with magical memories, the Pinehurst area has something for everyone!
Choose a bottle from Standing Room Only’s pint-sized shop and share it with friends at the outdoor bistro tables. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
Driscoll and McKee’s history with Moore County dates back to 2008, when Driscoll headed up the Wine Festival for Pinehurst Resort. “I came down from Durham to be a judge at the blind tastings,” McKee says. “Here we are, 17 years later, as a married couple.”
In 2023, they opened North Carolina’s smallest wine shop — Standing Room Only, a charming, 75-square-foot store in downtown Southern Pines. The couple no longer owns it, but they still love to peruse the well-curated selection, buy a bottle, and take it to one of the cheerful bistro tables that pepper the sidewalk. “It’s the best people-watching experience; you feel like you’re in Europe,” Driscoll says.
Always up for a good glass of wine, cocktail, and conversation, Driscoll and McKee are in the know when it comes to where to go — and what to sip — at Moore County’s watering holes. Read on for how to spend a few days exploring some of their favorites.
Settle in with a cocktail or cold one at O’Donnell’s outdoor patio or venture inside for live music. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
After sipping one of Cork’s Apricot Vodka Sours (made with Madam Colonel Vodka from BHAWK Distillery in Southern Pines), walk a block away to O’Donnell’s Pub for dinner. “It is a true local hangout, and they serve the best ‘proper pint’ of Guinness,” McKee says. And, in case you’re planning ahead, “they also make a fantastic Bloody Mary when you need one on a Sunday afternoon.”
Continue on foot to the 1901 Lounge at The Jefferson Inn, a historic landmark in Southern Pines that perfectly positions you to settle into bed after your nightcap.
Start the day inside the Carolina Hotel’s sunny Coffee House or swing by for an afternoon boost — it stays open until 9 p.m. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
Wake up and decide whether your day’s adventure should take you to Pinehurst or Southern Pines. If you came to Moore County for its renowned golfing, start your morning with a cappuccino and light breakfast at The Coffee House at the Carolina Hotel and then get to the course for your tee time. When lunchtime rolls around, golfers and their friends love Station 21, located just south of the resort at the new Pinehurst Sandmines development in Aberdeen. There, the drinks (if you’re golfing, you can get them to go!) complement Southwestern-style dishes like stuffed poblano peppers and carne asada. Try the Ranch Water, made with Maestro Dobel, peach nectar, lime juice, and Topo-Chico sparkling water.
Gather for tamales, taco salads, tostadas, and more inside Station 21’s modern ranch house setting. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
Spend the afternoon practicing your swing at Pinehurst Resort’s casual nine-hole, par three Cradle course. McKee can’t speak highly enough of Cradle Crossing, a pavilion and open-air bar that overlooks what the resort calls “the most fun 10 acres in golf.”
“If you want to go drink some beer and watch people hit balls as the sun sets, this is a fun spot. The Transfusion is great — I like to get it with cranberry juice instead of grape,” he says.
Order the pimento cheese and fried green tomato burger and a cocktail at Drum & Quill. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
When it’s time for dinner, Drum & Quill, named for the owner’s famous golf writer father (Bob Drum) and his pen, is an institution for golfers who return to Pinehurst year after year. “It’s a small, intimate spot that has the charm of any pub you’d visit across the pond,” Driscoll says. “They also have a great bourbon selection and cocktails.”
Looking for a nightcap to end the evening? “Augie’s bartenders are great,” Driscoll says of the Pinehurst establishment. “I love going there for gin and tonics, and they make a great lemon drop.”
After touring BHAWK’s distillery, swing by the giftshop to pick up one of their signature Madam Colonel or Sergeant’s Valor spirits. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
Not one for golf? Explore and shop around Southern Pines. Start the day with a tour of BHAWK Distillery. Owned by Jess and Brad Halling, who served in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu and whose service inspired the film Black Hawk Down, BHAWK serves delicious spirits in their restaurant/bar space. After the tour, pick up a bottle of Sergeant’s Valor Select Bourbon, a blend of bourbon whiskeys that won a gold medal at the 2024 USA Spirits Rating, or the Madam Colonel Pistachio Bourbon Cream — the only one of its kind in the United States — to take home as a souvenir.
From sunny days to crisp evenings, it’s always a good time for a bite and brew at Red’s Corner. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
Next stop: lunch. “If I want a beer on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, I’m probably going to Red’s Corner,” McKee says. This beer garden and food truck park has become one of Southern Pines’ most lively gathering spaces.
Spend the afternoon roaming between the shops in downtown Southern Pines. Shop the curated bottle selection at the Wine Cellar & Tasting Room on Broad Street, one of Driscoll’s favorite places to have a glass of wine and listen to live music, or pop in for a pint at Southern Pines Brewing Company’s location on Pennsylvania Avenue. “I like Tuesday Trivia night at this location,” Driscoll says. “We also love to sit out on their outdoor patio.”
Browse the shelves at the Wine Cellar & Tasting Room for a bottle to take home … or enjoy right there. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
When it’s time for dinner, The Workshop Tavern in nearby Aberdeen specializes in elevated bar bites, like gourmet mac ‘n’ cheese bowls and tacos. It also carries one of the county’s largest bourbon selections. As such, you can’t go wrong with a craft cocktail. “I had a blackberry mule over the summer,” Driscoll says. “They muddle their own fruit and mint — those are the kinds of things we really appreciate. The attention to detail matters.”
Wake up with an iced coffee and one of the homemade macarons at Buggy Town Coffee. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
Get a caffeine boost to start your day at Buggy Town Coffee in Carthage. “I love their different flavors of iced coffee,” Driscoll says. The baristas are known for their ability to listen to customers’ preferences and concoct the perfect wakeup call. “Their pastries are great, too,” she adds. Whether it’s for a French macaron or croissant, a visit offers a sweet start to the day.
If you want to sleep in, plan on an early lunch at The Buggy Factory, tucked inside the restored 1906 Tyson & Buggy Company building, also in Carthage. This location is the third and newest space for Southern Pines Brewing Company’s operations. Order the smashburger, topped with sharp Cheddar, tomato jam, and beer mustard mayo, or build your own pizza creation — a filling send-off to cap your trip.
What’ll you have? Whether you want a cold refreshment, cuppa joe, or the strong stuff, you’ll find tipples and tonics across the Sandhills to satisfy your thirst. And if you want to experience even more of the area’s culinary side, click here to check out our Moore County dining guide.
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