The Pasmore House at 307 South Academy Street in Cary has served many functions over the years–private residence, boarding house for students, and most recently, a brewery taproom on the edge of Downtown Cary Park.
Now, with the investment of some fresh paint and upgrades, a couple of longtime Caryites are bringing Vino & Tap into its next life, opening Thursday.
The father and son duo behind the new wine and craft beer bar are Drew Schenck, a hospitality veteran who also co-owns Dram & Draught locations, and Robbie Schenck, managing partner and general manager.
Vino & Tap will focus on champagne cocktails, a “well-curated tap program,” and an extensive wine by the bottle list. Six reds and six whites (one of those might be a rosé) will be by the glass.
The house backs up to Downtown Cary Park, and the business is built to work with the park’s social district. “Everything we sell here can go into the park,” Drew said. That means the champagne cocktails are made with wine-based liqueurs.
He envisions Vino & Tap as a bar that attracts regulars through its drinks, accessible price points, and open hours. That includes brunch, and they hope to have brunch-oriented food trucks on Saturdays and Sundays after opening.
Coffee will be available by the cup on weekends. French press coffee will be available anytime for those who prefer a cup of something caffeinated in the refreshed space.
For those who frequented Cotton House, a brewery tap room that closed in November 2025, you’ll notice a different theme.
Imagine a circa 1900s Craftsman-style house, but lived in a few years with Art Deco touches, sparkling chandeliers, and deep colors. The double-sided exposed brick fireplace is still there, and the footprint of the house hasn’t changed; it’s one of the buildings in the Cary Historic District recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.
They want to “harken back to the Victorian era with a 1920s vibe,” Drew said.
Three separate parlors, each with vignettes of new velvet chairs and couches, take up one side of the interiors. The other side is where future patrons will belly up to an updated bar, which includes high-tech wine chilling equipment.
The wine chilling system is important to Drew, who said the wine program will offer a variety of price points and that each bottle or glass of wine will be served at the correct temperature. Another update to the house includes adding a wine cellar upstairs.
An exterior change that prompted long threads of comments by Facebook group members involved the removal of an artistic column made from an old tree. Drew said that the base of the former tree had given out, and it was no longer viable to keep. It was returned to the artist. Another oak tree needed to be removed from the front of the house, as well.
However, the Schencks are working with Trees for the Triangle to install five new trees: two oak and three tulip poplar trees. The tree removal was of high interest in local Facebook groups.
Around back, the deck has been painted and updated with railings, overlooking the park. Drew and Robbie expect the foot traffic from Downtown Cary Park attendees. That includes families and people with dogs.
Vino & Tap is a bar, which means the business is for adults. But kids can come in with parents ordering a beverage or a packaged snack before going back outside to the backyard or park.
“We’ve done this for a long time; it’s about hospitality,” Drew said. “We want everyone to feel welcome.”
Drew’s background in hospitality began with the original Remington Grill in Cary, 30 years ago. Next, he founded RallyPoint Sports Grill in Cary. He sold both. Later, he co-founded Dram & Draught with Kevin Barrett, which has grown to seven locations in North Carolina.
Robbie worked in different roles in food and beverage, including at RallyPoint. Most recently, he worked as a river guide for three years and was a lead bartender. The timing worked out for the two to work together on launching this business.
“It was an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up,” said Robbie.
For Drew, it’s an opportunity to do something in Downtown Cary for the first time, and “it’s exciting to do something with Robbie,” he said.
Find it: Vino & Tap, 307 South Academy Street, Cary.
Hours: After its opening on April 2, hours will be 2-10 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 12-11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays.