60 Ways to Go Out in Charlotte
Get ready for a night out on the town in the Queen City.
by Dean McCain
Charlotte’s constantly expanding nightlife scene means new hotspots to discover and love. From theaters to speakeasies and wine bars to social houses, these locales are some of the best entertainment venues Charlotte has to offer.
Cocktail Bars
1. Let an expert mixologist create something special for you at Idlewild, a menu-less, cozy and casual environment “well suited for a bit of escapism.”
2. Take your sweet time at Crave Dessert Bar, whether you’re getting your night started or heading in for a nightcap.
3. Have a posh nightcap perched atop vintage velvet sofas at Sophia’s Lounge.
4. Raise a toast at the end of the day with refreshing local cocktails and a plate of Irish nosh on the garden terrace at The Workman’s Friend.
5. Enjoy premium spirits and shisha at Members Only Tasting Room & Social. The chic decor and wide range of music make this laidback cocktail bar welcoming and comfortable to all.
6. Pair a cocktail with seafood from the raw bar at Sea Level in the heart of Uptown. Catch a sunset with a view from one of Charlotte’s rooftop bars. Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo, Buho Bar, Fahrenheit, Aura Rooftop and Merchant & Trade offer modern and fashionable atmospheres to see and be seen.
7. Indulge in an extensive menu of American fare as you sip and socialize at Uptown’s Ink N Ivy, offering a patio view of Romare Bearden Park
8. Find a spot at Church and Union’s oversized bar, then order from an array of creative cocktails and take in the intriguing modern decor.
9. The Public House is an unassuming bar and restaurant featuring outstanding selections of foods and spirits, with big emphasis on quality
10. Broken Promises mixes up swanky cocktails with clever names for guests 25 and older. Ages 21-24 can check out its sister concept, Lost & Found.
11. Pair a cocktail with seafood from the raw bar at Sea Level in the heart of Uptown.
12. Swap a cocktail for a mocktail at Sugar Lounge, Uptown’s first bar dedicated to serving non-alcoholic drinks. This late-night spot and hookah bar is open until 4 a.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
Speakeasies
13. Find the hidden entrance to Dot Dot Dot behind Park Road Shopping Center and order a cocktail with serious character. Dress to impress because there is a dress code.
14. Indulge in classic cocktails and a seasonal dinner menu at The Cellar at Duckworth's. Perfect for intimate conversations and close company.
15. Try The Cotton Room, a southern-style speakeasy hidden above the fray at Latta Arcade. Local ingredients take the spotlight in this warmly historic atmosphere.
16. Make reservations for a “spirit experience” at Supperland’s hidden speakeasy. Guests are treated to a selection of specialty crafted cocktails and small bites that change at the whims of the mixology and kitchen teams.
17. Pick up the phone and say the secret word of the week for entry to BackStage Lounge, located behind SouthBound and Mac’s Speed Shop in South End.
Wine Bars
18. Pick your own bottle from Cicchetti’s formidable-yet-approachable selection of fine wines. Order bites to share at this comfortable and accessible Uptown wine bar.
19. Enjoy the atmosphere and decor of Poplar, situated in Morrison House, a strikingly beautiful Victorian-style property built in 1885. The wine and tapas offerings pair perfectly with garden seating on warm nights.
20. Find a cadre of crave-worthy wines at Vin Master in Atherton Mill, Barcelona Wine Bar in South End or The Bohemian in Plaza Midwood, where you can uncork a bottle and enjoy it with great company.
21. Browse a selection of artisanal, small-production and naturally-made wines to find your next favorite at Foxcroft Wine Co.
22. Try any of the 70 wines by the glass or 100 by the bottle at The Wine Loft, pairing them perfectly with tasty tapas.
23. Saving feels like a splurge thanks to weekly wine specials and scrumptious charcuterie boards at Dilworth Tasting Room.
Dance Clubs
24. Discover what’s waiting around the corner at Tequila House, a large and winding Latin nightclub. Shake your hips all night on the fiery dance floor or find the large patio area for a more relaxed vibe.
25. Throw on your cowboy boots and bring your line dancing skills for an evening of boot-scooting at Coyote Joe’s.
26. Groove to your favorite EDM beats at World Nightclub located in AvidXchange Music Factory.
27. Hit the dance floor as a DJ spins high-energy mixes at RSVP. When you need to rest your feet, take a seat on the semi-outdoor terrace, cozy lounge or at the rooftop bar.
28. If bass-thumping EDM and laser lights are your vibe, Trio in South End is the place to be Thursday through Saturday.
Live Music Lairs
29. Live music, good food and cold drinks are always on the menu at Goldie’s. Hear a mix of local and regional acts for free, with larger ticketed shows every month.
30. Discover local artists of all genres, from up-and-comers to headliners, at live music hub Neighborhood Theatre.
31. Hear your favorite songs and rock out to some of Charlotte’s best cover bands at The Gin Mill.
32. Discover a new roots musician, or an oldies-inspired band, at mid-sized music hall, Visulite Theatre.
33. Catch an intimate show at The Evening Muse and discover performing artists and songwriters before they hit it big.
34. Check concert listings for your favorite band or artist at any of the three major venues at the AvidXchange Music Factory: The Underground, The Fillmore and Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre.
35. See a performance at one of Blumenthal Performing Arts’ beautiful venues, like Belk Theater, Knight Theater, or Booth Playhouse. Blumenthal offers a wide range of cultural arts including symphony performances, Broadway musicals, opera, public speakers and comedians.
Local Bars
36. Taglined as “the spot before the spot," 1501 S. Mint offers classic cocktails and casual American food in a breezy indoor/outdoor environment. Check for special events like cigar and whiskey pairings and after-work networking events.
37. A place for friends new and old, Ed’s Tavern is a busy neighborhood joint tucked away in quiet Dilworth. Bring quarters for the arcade games and your smart friends for trivia night.
38. Look for a spot on the sprawling patio at Brazwells Premium Pub – the best spot in the house for sipping suds.
39. Take a seat at either of the Dandelion Market’s long and friendly bars. The Dandy is a lively spot for casual weeknights and gets rowdy on weekends.
40. Take a beer, on the honor system, from the bartender on duty at Brawley’s Beverage and find a spot on the patio. Family and dog friendly, Brawley’s is the neighborhood spot you wish was yours.
41. Have a night out at Angry Ale’s for that home-from-college party feel. A rowdy anchor to Montford Drive, Angry Ale’s is a guaranteed good time.
42. Stop for a pint at HopFly Brewing Co. and enjoy the city view from the front porch or open-air second story.
43. Self-serve your own brews at Hoppin’, which offers drafts in a soda fountain-style setup.
44. Pick from the expansive draft list at Craft Tasting Room with help from knowledgeable staff, share small plates with friends and browse the bottle and can selection for carry out. If you want a snack while you wait for your food, ask about the boiled peanuts.
Dive Bars
45. Order a burger and a round of brews at the king of Dilworth dive bars, Comet Grill, where bands play nightly.
46. Order a PBR or Bud heavy and rock the jukebox during an unforgettable night at the no-frills Thirsty Beaver Saloon.
47. Quench your thirst at Park Road Shopping Center’s famously casual watering hole, Sir Edmond Halley’s.
LGBTQ+ Favorites
48. Find drag shows, dancing and wild weekend nights at The Scorpio, Charlotte’s oldest gay bar.
49. Grab a drink from the bar at Chasers, where you can find drink specials Wednesday through Sunday.
50. Explore the artsy corners of Petra’s Bar, hear singer-songwriters and spoken-word artists on a small stage, or attend Hazy Sundays and daytrip through an afternoon of deep house cuts.
51. Dance along with your favorite music videos at Bar Argon, Charlotte’s only gay video lounge and dance bar. Attend a themed party, sing karaoke, learn to line dance or party with a guest DJ, all regular events on the Argon calendar.
52. Hit leather bar, The Woodshed Lounge, and chill out on the outdoor patio. While you’re there stop in and buy some gear at the in-house leather shop.
Karaoke
53. Belt out your favorite throwbacks at casual and comfortable NoDa 101, a bare-bones karaoke bar.
54. Take a dive down to Jeff’s Bucket Shop on Montford and sing with the weekly regulars.
55. Reserve a private session in one of Seoul Food Meat Company's themed karaoke rooms.
Social Hubs
56. Bag some strikes, dominate the shuffleboard table, play ping-pong and jam to live music at Queen Park Social in LoSo.
57. Hit up Slingshot Social Game Club in South End for an upgrade on classic social games like Extreme Duckpin bowling and SuperSkee skeeball, or find old friends Ms. Pacman, Donkey Kong and the Street Fighters at arcade bars like Super Abari Game Bar and The Blind Pig.
58. Pursue your professional mini-golf aspirations at South End’s Puttery or Plaza Midwood’s Stroke for a whimsical adult putt-putt experience.
59. Bowl a few games with friends and sample local Charlotte brews at the retro-chic 10 Park Lanes on Montford.
60. Get your toes in the sand at VBGB’s outdoor volleyball courts, or test your pop-culture knowledge at one of the unique and challenging trivia nights.
Article originally written by Dean McCain. Updates made by Arielle Patterson in June 2023.
