A different niche

When Samad Hachby decided to open a bar in Glenwood South, he wanted to make a statement. "We're trying to create our own niche on Glenwood South," Hachby says. "We want it to be something different, something beautiful and real."

And when he opened Mosaic, a Moroccan-themed bar across the street from 518 West, it immediately stood out from most of its Glenwood South neighbors for one important reason: The bar is smoke-free.

"First of all, no smoking allows people to have conversations," Hachby says. "It's healthier for our employees, it makes the place look better, and drinks and cigarettes don't go together. It's just cleaner."

Keeping the interior clean is important since the owners went to great lengths to create an exotic, colorful space. Seven artists and designers were brought in to create the bar's look.

Plush couches and banquette seats line the earth-tone walls, and an assortment of jewel-tone throw pillows and cushions add color. A large bar sits in the center of the space, and the walls are adorned with provocative art, which will rotate periodically.

"The theme has references to Morocco, but with a modern perspective, like the very high-end clubs," Hachby says. "It has that Casablancan feel, a little Manhattan meets Casablanca."

The crowd is also a bit different.

"The clientele has a huge international presence," Hachby says. "A lot of people from out of town and mostly people who are at least 24 and up."

The bar has a fairly impressive wine list, and a cocktail list is in the works. The bar will also offer a large selection of sangrias.

But even with the fancy drinks and exotic interior, Hachby just hopes Mosaic will be a place where people can hang out and have fun.

"I think we are basically looking to have an environment where people can have a good time, feel good about themselves, with good service and good drinks."

Other bar news

Sadlack's Heroes, the beloved dive on Raleigh's Hillsborough Street, is still under construction. The interior has been gutted and major construction, which includes a new kitchen and multiple-stall bathrooms, is to begin soon. Want to keep tabs on how the reconstruction is going? Check out the progress at www.myspace.com/sadlacksheroes.

Riviera, a Mediterranean restaurant and bar, is open in downtown Raleigh on Wilmington Street. An open, airy space, Riviera has a full bar and seating indoors and outdoors. An upstairs lounge with a DJ is slated to open in a couple of months, and a basement wine room and private dining area should be open in the coming weeks.

Raleigh has a new wine bar. The Grape, a Southeast wine bar/retail chain has opened in Cameron Village between Bailey's and Cafe Carolina. The wine bar offers more than 120 wines by the bottle and glass as well as gourmet small plates. Details: 833-2669, www.yourgrape.com.

South End Brewery, on West Jones Street in downtown Raleigh, has closed. According to a representative from the Charlotte location of the bar, the owner was offered a deal too good to pass up and sold the restaurant to a buyer who plans to convert it to a steak and sushi restaurant. No word yet on when the new restaurant will open, but the Charlotte and Charleston locations of South End are still up and running.

And there's another spot to have a drink without choking on smoke. The Carolina Inn and its Carolina Crossroads Restaurant and Bar in Chapel Hill are now smoke-free.