— Kingfisher, an intimate cocktail bar, will be opening in Durham later this year, owners announced Thursday.

The bar, which is named for the unique birds that live along the banks of North Carolina's rivers, will be located next to The Durham Hotel at 321 E. Chapel Hill St.

It is a joint venture for Sean Umstead and his wife, Durham based ceramic artist Michelle Vanderwalker.

Umstead designed and managed the bar program at The Counting House at 21c Museum Hotel and currently serves at the general manager at St. Roch Fine Oysters in downtown Raleigh. He also manages the bar program at St. Roch.

Kingfisher will highlight preserved fruits and produce from North Carolina farms in its craft cocktails and small plates. Look for some skilled and inventive cocktails as Umstead has previously won the regional Copper & Kings’ “Mixt8pe Cocktail Competition” with his Carrot and Fennel Sazerac.

He will be competing this month for the national title and he’ll compete for the national title in Louisville, Kentucky this July.

For Kingfisher, Umstead is working with 75 pounds of strawberries from Lil' Farm. He plans to use the fruit year-round in items like daiquiris.

Vanderwalker's ceramic dishes will be used at the location, but also look for her artistic expression to be evident in the custom tiled bar. Also look for handcrafted leather menu covers from local maker Margaret Hennessey.