New designation strengthens Hub RTP as a central gathering place, elevating amenities and enhancing the daily experience for RTP’s workforce and employers
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. [June 10, 2026] — Employees, residents and visitors of Hub RTP, Research Triangle Park (RTP)’s vibrant downtown district, can now enjoy wine, craft beer and cocktails while moving between participating retailers, restaurants and gathering spaces within the Park’s growing downtown.
The newly approved Hub RTP Social District, made possible through a Common Area Entertainment permit from the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission, marks another milestone in the Park’s evolution into a more connected, amenity-rich destination—enhancing the mix of nearby amenities available to employees and employers, while welcoming the Triangle community to engage in the district in new ways.
The program creates a more seamless downtown experience by allowing guests to shop, dine and unwind while responsibly enjoying beverages. With boundaries surrounding Horseshoe, the Hub RTP Stage and Burdens Creek boardwalk, guests can purchase beverages from ABC-permitted vendors to enjoy while exploring the east side of Hub RTP’s campus.
Whether stopping by after work, meeting colleagues outdoors, or returning on the weekend for live music, community events or a picnic in the courtyard, the district helps bring new energy and everyday activity to Hub RTP’s shared spaces. Current participating vendors within the Horseshoe development include Nanny Goat Market and Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, with additional businesses expected to join as they open, including Di Fara Pizza Tavern, High Horse and Prime STQ.
“This is a pivotal moment in RTP’s evolution as we continue to create a more welcoming, connected environment for how people gather and spend time here,” said Amanda Ronan, senior director of placemaking and programming, Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, the nonprofit that stewards RTP. “The Hub RTP Social District not only enhances the day-to-day experience for employees and tenants, but also helps open RTP in new ways—creating more accessible, everyday opportunities for the broader community to visit, explore and engage with the Park while supporting local businesses.”
Some of the first opportunities to experience the Hub RTP Social District include Concerts on the Creek featuring Lamont Landerson Saturday, June 13, and the Juneteenth at Hub RTP celebration on Friday, June 19.
Participating businesses will serve beverages in approved, clearly labeled cups. Guests must remain within district boundaries and dispose of containers before exiting. The Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina will manage the Hub RTP Social District, including signage, compliance, cleanliness and coordination with local safety officials and law enforcement partners.
Reflecting the RTP 3.0 vision plan, a long-term, partner-driven framework guiding the Park’s future growth, the Hub RTP Social District supports local businesses, promotes walkability and community gathering, activates public spaces and enhances Hub RTP’s dynamic programming.
The Hub RTP Social District operates from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. To learn more about the program and participating businesses, visit https://hub.rtp.org/socialdistrict.
About Hub RTP
Hub RTP, Research Triangle Park (RTP)’s new vibrant downtown, is a walkable urban district designed to bring people together to work, stay, shop, drink and dine in RTP for the first time in its history. Hub RTP’s current development phase will feature up to one million square feet of office and life sciences lab space, 50,000 square feet of experiential retail, 1,200 multifamily residential units and 279 hotel rooms. An impressive 16 acres of parks and greenspace includes the award-winning and eco-friendly Burdens Creek, which connects more than 20 miles of trails in RTP. Centrally located in the heart of the Research Triangle region, the 100-acre district includes Frontier RTP, an innovative startup community, Boxyard RTP, a unique food, retail and entertainment destination, and Horseshoe at Hub RTP, a Class A office-over-retail development. To learn more about Hub RTP, community programming and current leasing opportunities, visit https://hub.rtp.org.
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Media Contact
Kelly Propst
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Research Triangle Foundation of N.C.
propst@rtp.org