It’s not surprising that a place as unique as Graffiti — a street art-inspired cocktail bar in downtown Cary — is the brainchild of more than just one person. With their creative juices combined, partners Jeffrey Kaune, Adam Eshbaugh, and Wayne Holt have created an innovative and interactive space unlike anything the town has seen before.
Holt, founder of Reward Builders and NextHome Reward, has been an entrepreneur and a small-business owner for 31 years. Holt’s other business ventures include 919 Beer, where he’s a co-host of the 919 Beer podcast and a promoter of the Beericana Craft Beer and Music Festival in Holly Springs. With family roots in Cary dating back to the late 1800s, Holt is a local in the truest sense of the word.
Operating Partner Jeffrey Kaune poses next to Graffiti’s always-changing street art.
Eshbaugh, Holt’s partner at 919 Beer and former general manager of The Mason Jar Lager Company, brings a wealth of experience in the beer industry to the table. Kaune, a native to the Pacific Northwest, blesses Graffiti with his years of experience in the downtown Seattle bar scene.
In an effort to bring “disruption” to downtown Cary by doing things a little differently, Graffiti’s walls are covered in a variety of graffiti and street art murals, thanks to partnerships with local artists.
“Street art is open to everyone and always changing, so our art is constantly changing,” said Kaune. “We bring in a local artist every month to do a piece, and we don’t tell them what to paint. All of it will eventually be painted over.”
In addition to art, Graffiti also offers 19 65” flatscreen TVs, six axe-throwing lanes, a seasonal cocktail menu, a wide variety of spirits, a thoughtfully selected wine list, domestic cans and bottles, and a rotating draft and package list of craft beers. Whew. In other words, if you’re looking for a good time, you’re going to find it here.
We recently spoke with Kaune to learn more about their eccentric (and fun) space.
When did Graffiti open, and what was the inspiration for the space?
We opened December 30, 2022. We wanted to bring an exciting activity and a bigger focus on art to downtown Cary, along with a wacky cocktail program to match the art.
Who are the artists?
All locals — some are art students, some are artists trying to make a name, others are just passionate about creating art in addition to a primary occupation. We rely heavily on referrals and word of mouth.
What kind of impact do you hope this art has on the community?
Creativity is contagious, and we hope it spreads. Cary is becoming more vibrant every day, and we want to be a part of that.
Graffiti is known for their “wacky” seasonal featured cocktails that match the art.
Aside from art, what experiences do you offer your customers?
We offer amazing cocktails, great music, tons of beer options, and, of course, axe-throwing.
Each of the six axe lanes have targets that are projected, so you can play multiple different games while you’re there (from basic target bullseyes to killing zombies to tic-tac-toe). Axe lanes are rented by the hour ($25 per person) and can be reserved online at graffiticary.com. Walk-ins are welcome as well! Happy hour lane specials, tournaments, and leagues are some things that Graffiti looks forward to adding.
How old do you need to be for axe-throwing?
Graffiti is 21+. We are considering adding hours that are 16+, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet! Follow us on social media @graffiticary for updates.
What kind of cocktails do you offer? What’s your favorite?
Our cocktails are definitely unique — we wanted to focus on cocktails that you can’t get at home. My personal favorite is the Yabba Dabba Doo with Fruity Pebbles-infused gin, Aperol, a house rhubarb syrup, and fresh lemon. Runner-up is the Nitro Espresso Martini. We keg it and pour with nitrogen gas, then top with a vanilla bean cold foam. But every single one of our cocktails changes seasonally, so we tell people not to get attached.
What sets Graffiti apart from other businesses in the area?
We focus very heavily on two things that stand above all others: incredible service and creativity/expression.
What has been the best aspect of owning/managing a local business?
Honestly, the Town of Cary and the entire downtown community has been amazing throughout the whole process. Opening a bar is not easy, but we’ve had a great time. My favorite part personally has been teaming up with our neighboring local businesses, like Scratch, Di Fara, and Bond Brothers to really elevate the downtown experience for everyone.
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