# @chapelboronews on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DEijLyMvK21
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/25990998-chapelboronews-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/c11f5803f5.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-01-07T21:41:54.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Chapelboro.com (@chapelboronews) — https://gondola.cc/chapelboronews

## Caption

Hillsborough welcomed a new bar to its community over the weekend — as it formally started operations in the prominent former home of another popular bar.

The Rookery at 115 West Margaret Lane is the latest business venture of B.J. Patel, alongside his wife Smita and other business partners. The group swooped in to lease the space last July, after the Hot Tin Roof permanently closed in April following a decade of business. In a conversation with 97.9 The Hill, Patel described the opportunity to lease the space as good timing for him and his partners — and an opportunity to continue adding to the downtown business scene after seeing spots like Hot Tin Roof shut down and other places weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To be able to be part of the Hillsborough community… I’ve lived here for the past five or six years now and we just love it,” he said. “The fact that we’re able to invest into our own community, it’s what we’re here for.”

Aiming to create “a place to nest” with loved ones, The Rookery brings a lighter atmosphere as a garden bar and gathering space with a focus on its cocktail menu. The business’ website also promotes it as an event space that patrons can reserve, while also featuring more outdoor seating for fire pits and plants. Some groups have already used The Rookery for events during the bar’s soft opening, and the business hopes to take advantage of Hillsborough’s growing reputation as a destination for weddings and receptions.

Patel describing the bar’s interior as “about 80-85%” finished based on his vision for the space. The building’s exterior and outdoor seating, though, has many additions to come, with Patel saying the garden portion of the bar will begin to take shape in March. For now, the venue is not serving food and has limited kitchen space — but the proximity to its sister restaurant Nomad means guests can scan QR codes around the bar and have meals delivered to Margaret Lane. Patel added that, eventually, The Rookery may have its own bar bites to offer, while offering their own “international flair.”

Tap the link in our bio to learn more about The Rookery.

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#hillsborough #hillsboroughnc #nightlife #cocktails

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## Tags

cocktails, hillsboroughnc, nightlife, hillsborough

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