The Bangkok Lounge

Recovery Room Owner Purchases Former Upper Deck Tavern Space | Eater Carolinas

"Purchased by local owner Chris “Boston” DiMattia from Brian Wolter, this King Street bar will be rebranded as a seven-nights-a-week karaoke lounge with different nightly themes — think country western, ’80s, and show tunes — and a small back room for private karaoke groups. The owner plans to invite local drag queens to MC several nights with opportunities for duets, and has enlisted bartenders Matt Lane (Dudley’s) and Cullen Baney (formerly of Upper Deck) along with Recovery Room staff to run the bar. The concept will include four frozen drink machines, a signature punch on tap, and a simple hot-dog-focused menu, all designed to create a fun, safe, and inclusive spot for birthdays, bachelorettes, and other celebrations; opening is slated for October. The new venture replaces an earlier attempt at 353 King St. that never fully recaptured the former dive bar’s crowd." - Erin Perkins