A pedal-powered pub experience is making its way from larger cities like Wilmington, Raleigh and Charlotte, to Fayetteville. Business partners Darnisha James and Kevin Walker are set on “giving the community something unique to do,” and say that a trolley pub is just the kind of "exhilarating" evening downtown that Fayetteville residents need.
James first experienced a trolley pub in her hometown of Detroit, and after returning to Fayetteville, pitched the idea to her nephew, Walker. She and Walker have been business partners for 10 years, operating both RDL Therapeutic Adult Day Center and RDL Therapeutic Outpatient Therapy together. Walker says they share an entrepreneurial spirit, making a third business venture a natural fit. They researched options and landed on the Trolley Pub franchise headquartered in Raleigh.
Their Trolley Pub Fayetteville trial run on June 28 proved that the concept turned heads and even had community members chasing the trolley down the street, recording videos and asking if they could board. Walker says the percentage of people who are already familiar with the concept versus those unfamiliar is approximately 50/50, but the responses are unanimously excited and enthusiastic.
“It’s just a lot of fun,” Walker shared, “by the end of the evening, everyone is best friends.”
With 14 cycle stations and a driver, the trolley is powered 100% by its passengers, who start the evening with a complimentary drink and pedal their way through downtown, intermittently stopping at the area's best pubs and then rolling on.
It’s a combination of sensory experiences that Walker says are “totally unfamiliar to your psyche.” Music blaring, the open-air feel, and the physical activity required to propel the trolley forward make the experience unlike any other. For those concerned about the physical exertion, trollypub.com replies that they’ve seen senior groups take on the trolley with no trouble.
While a public tour offers a new way to experience downtown Fayetteville, the Trolley Pub can also be booked for private tours ranging from casual to formal events. From birthdays to graduations and bachelor/bachelorette parties to corporate team building, the pub promises an “unforgettable” way to celebrate or connect with friends old and new.
With the built-in Bluetooth sound system, private groups can set the tone by curating their own playlists, making the experience uniquely customizable. The minimum age for a private tour is 15, and the minimum age for public tours is 21.
Trolley Pub drivers are trained to “read the vibe” of the group, determining which and how many stops to make throughout the evening. Most groups opt for 2 stops, staying 15-20 min at each location, according to trolleypub.com/fayetteville/. They don’t require choices to be locked in before the tour, saying that “flexibility is part of the fun!” Route maps and potential destinations can be explored on their website.
Walker says they’re “looking forward to connecting” with the community as the Trolley Pub moves towards its grand opening. Stay informed by following Trolley Pub Fayetteville’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

(The Trolley Pub in Fayetteville offers a new experience for those looking to bar hop in a different way. Photo by Khalleef Harewood)