If you have driven down Hay Street in the Haymount area in the past two years, you know that a lot is changing at 1209 Hay Street, long-time home of Cape Fear Regional Theatre. The performance space itself underwent major renovations in 2020, when the pandemic closed the doors for more than a year.
Artistic Director Mary Kate Burke and her team then decided that the rest of the building needed attention as well. The theatre’s ever-popular education programming was consistently filling up and having to turn away interested young performers. Expanding classroom, office, storage, and public meeting space was a top priority.
As plans for a new and improved building came together, the team also envisioned something new for theatre: a dedicated food-service area. The idea of a rooftop bar took shape and was included in the earliest renderings of the newly renovated building. In the ensuing years, the vision has evolved and the business taking shape is Brava, a restaurant featuring small plates and craft cocktails; an upscale yet accessible dining destination in the heart of the Haymount neighborhood.
The culinary mind behind Brava is Brian Graybill. Brava will be Graybill’s third endeavor in the Fayetteville area. The chef’s work is well-known and loved by fans of Napkins-the restaurant at Dirtbag Ales and Taproom-and downtown Fayetteville’s favorite sandwich shop, Pan. According to Graybill: "I'm thrilled to be part of bringing Brava to life. Our roots in Fayetteville and at CFRT are so deep – this is truly a merging of our passions for food, art, and hospitality.”
While specific plans for Brava are still under construction, customers can expect the signature combination of fresh, local ingredients and innovative dishes to be center stage in Graybill’s menu. The restaurant will also feature beer and wine selections alongside craft cocktails. The bar menu will include signature cocktails that take inspiration from the current show running in the theatre downstairs.
The new restaurant is unique because it will be housed within the building that also houses the theatre. The building itself has been branded as 1209 Stages, though the theatre company housed there is still the Cape Fear Regional Theatre the Fayetteville community knows and loves.
Current plans are for Brava to be open consistently Thursdays through Sundays, whether a show is currently running on the stage below or not. Reservations will be available, and patrons can enjoy the food and beverages offered, with or without a ticket for the show. Patrons with tickets to a show can get a full evening under one roof: dinner and drinks followed by a high-quality theatre performance; you could even follow the show with a dessert, cocktail or glass of wine.
While food and beverages will certainly be the centerpiece of Brava, the intention behind the restaurant was always to provide an additional type of entertainment space. While the mainstage shows that CFRT is well-known for will still take place on the Bo and Herbert Thorpe stage, the rooftop lounge area will be able to accommodate smaller, cabaret-style performances. It will also hold special events, such as a pre-show pancake breakfast for little princesses before they see Frozen.
Long-term plans for the rooftop restaurant include opportunities for the space to be rented for events by people and groups in the community. Those looking to host meetings, parties, or any type of group event will soon have the unique, picturesque rooftop of 1209 Stages to choose from, beginning mid-April 2027.
The team at CFRT is looking for a couple of new team members to help manage the expanded offerings at 1209 Stages. They are currently seeking an Administrative Assistant/Company Manager and a Front of House Manager for Brava. Interested applicants can learn more and apply at cfrt.org/about-us.
According to Managing Director Ella Wren, the theatre’s “north star is always the work that is happening on the stage.” While the growth and expansion include a new business venture and increased opportunities off the stage, it will always be with an eye on telling great stories on the stage, making theatre accessible and exciting for the community, and improving the audience experience.
To keep up with the changes happening at 1209 Hay Street, including the opening events for Brava, follow Cape Fear Regional Theatre on Facebook and on their website, cfrt.org, and follow @bravarooftop on Instagram.

(Photo: This concept rendering shows what the rooftop of the new CFRT building will turn into: Brava, a restaurant owned by Brian Graybill. Photo courtesy of CFRT)