50 Best Bars in Charlotte

“We decided to have a pre-dinner cocktail at Aura and it was amazing. The staff was very attentive, they gave wine suggestions and my cocktail was very good. It was a fun way to start the evening. Thanks to the Aura staff for a relaxing and fun time.“

“Love Para! Great staff and Menu!!“

“I’m super late to this review, but we saw Chris Staples perform here about a month back, and Humbug is the PERFECT place for intimate, live shows with your favorite artists. The mixed drinks are strong without tasting strong (the best win in my book), and they feel very much worth the price because of the punch they pack. The staff are crazy accommodating (they initially forgot my order of a Klondike bar and brought me a free extra as an apology, which was so kind but unnecessary!), and they’re great at pointing you to a drink based on vibes. The menu changes often, and parking is ample.“

“#1 place in clt. be there or be a ken main“

“We visited Charlotte for the Nascar Roval race and we were lucky enough to find this bar. We flew over from Dublin, and believe me Dublin has some good bars however this was one of the top bars I ever visited. Great value beer, full of friendly folk, great music and brilliant atmosphere. You guys from Charlotte are blessed to have this bar and a great backstory.“

“We had the best experience with your great bartender Emmet . He was so fun and helpful. Food and drinks did not disappoint!“

“Love the Ginger Ale I bought at Publix in Alabama!“

“All was beyond expectations, from the service to the dessert.“

“Flowers, plants and beer/wine! What more to life could you want?!“

“This is a first class joint! I love to come to here to have a great time. It is clean and everyone is super respectful ! Drinks are excellent .“

“The Ugly isn't ugly, it's quite beautiful.

This is a neat bar near the tracks & Chamber by Wooden Robot. If you aren't looking for it, it's actually quite easy to miss.

Inside, there's old time bar mirrors & decor which fit the bar perfectly. The bartenders are quick & do a solid job.

There's option of different types of ugly cocktails but let's be honest, the $2 Narragansett is the best deal in Charlotte. The cocktails are affordable for Charlotte which gives them an edge over many other options nearby.

I'd recommend coming down, getting a gansett & a shot, & enjoy your time chatting with the locals.

PS: The Charlotte map on the wall is really neat.“

“Absolutely awesome place, possibly the best nachos in ballantyne if not all of Charlotte. Also, it is one of the best places to watch the Commanders. Great atmosphere, awesome specials…..Go Commanders!“

“We needed a Gluten Free option and the usuals are getting old! The Steak sandwich on a GF bun was delicious! It fit the bill perfectly for what we were seeking. The Parmesan potato’s pancake was cooked to perfection. The only adjustments I would make was (when the steak was after the server asked and the steak was ordered medium, that it should have at least some pink), but it was tender and flavorful. The multi-server thing got confusing. One person took drink order, another delivered (1 was incorrect), another ran the food and we were not told of the multi-layered service). Everyone was nice, it was just a little confusing and no one ever asked about drink refills and when the coffee cup was empty there was no one around for a long time. But… we still like the food, prices, atmosphere, options, and consistency.“

“Tyler took care of us. My Celiac situation was handled with attention. The food came out fast and hot, and my husband and granddaughter loved the Keylime pie. Very much recommended and we will certainly go back.“

“Amazing customer service and suburb organic quality drinks beyond expectations. Highly recommend. Thank you!!“

“Full disclosure, I have not been here yet, however with David running the show over there I'm sure he's crushing it like everywhere he goes, I was fortunate to be his boss at Whiskey Tango years ago. One of the best bartenders I have worked with ( in all my years and that's a lot) With David though, as a bartender you're never really his boss, not that he doesn't listen he just really doesnt need direction. IHes that good. Keep on rocking it there sir.“

“Really nice outdoor fun with good drinks“

“Great casual place. Service is awesome. Locally owned Bartender Joe is fabulous“

“Love the 80s arcade games …MTV generation playground!!! Great cocktails!“

“We stopped for dinner with 4 young kids after traveling in the car all day. They were fantastic and accommodating even though most people wouldn't bring their kids! The food was phenomenal and prices were great. Thank you for a great experience!“

“We wanted to write the very best review about our experience with you on Sat. 2/15/25. I accidently left my credit card at your wonderful restaurant. From my first call, your staff was amazing and helpful. First to answer was our server :Jose,' passed on the message to staff: Bar Manager ,Edward, took down my information and Vishal gathered it all & I received my card (Fed-Ex) in two days from the east to the mid-west and I could track it all the way! Way to go ! I am so happy. I am very thankful and appreciative. You have really great food and it's presentation is especially creative. D.Janzen“

“Quick lunch bite… Friendly and attentive bartender… Great environment… Might just end up back there tonight.“

“Michelle is the absolute best. I love this woman. All though I don't get out no more, she always make it her business to share her events with me.THATS A REAL BOSS. IM COMING SIS����#ImHer#1Fan4Li“

“I went to the restaurant for the first time and the waiter who served me very well was Gustavo, he is very friendly and attentive. I felt like it was the first time eating Brazilian food. He gave me great recommendations. I really liked his service and whenever I go back I want to be served by him. Thank you very much. It is because of employees like him that the company moves forward.“

“Great local music. Eclectic group“

“Dram & Draught is a hidden gem for cocktail enthusiasts and anyone seeking a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Located in the heart of the city, this craft cocktail bar excels in creating imaginative drinks that showcase the artistry of mixology. The moment you step inside, you are greeted by a warm ambiance characterized by soft lighting, comfortable seating, and an inviting vibe that encourages conversation and camaraderie.

The cocktail menu at Dram & Draught is nothing short of impressive. Each drink is thoughtfully crafted using high-quality spirits, fresh ingredients, and house-made syrups. The bartenders are knowledgeable and passionate, eager to share their expertise and recommend drinks based on your personal preferences. Whether you’re in the mood for something classic like an Old Fashioned or want to try one of their unique seasonal concoctions, there’s something for everyone.

One standout cocktail that I highly recommend is the “Smoked Rosemary Gimlet,” which strikes a perfect balance between the refreshing citrus notes and the rich, smoky undertones. It’s a delightful experience that engages all the senses.

In addition to the incredible cocktails, Dram & Draught often features tastings and events that celebrate local distilleries, further enhancing their commitment to the craft. The friendly staff and community-oriented atmosphere make it a fantastic spot to unwind after a long day or to kick off a night out with friends. If you’re a fan of craft cocktails, Dram & Draught is definitely worth a visit!“

“Great place for cigar smokers“

“Great hangout location! They have a wide selection of beers/wines on draft, craft beers, and ciders. Based on the bartenders recommendation, I ordered the Prosciutto flatbread which was delicious. I loved the pickled chillies!

Next time, I'll have try their charcuterie and cheese boards“

“Love this place! Great staff and fun atmosphere.“

“Hard working people who want to make Gamecock fans happy!“

“Sadly, the pretzel was OVERly salty.“

“Great place! Great staff!“

“The best coffee I had in Charlotte!!!!!“

“Food & cocktails were amazing. Once we received service, the staff was great, but we waited 30 minutes for our first drink. Our reservation was meaningless. They were crazy busy when we arrived & we were parked in a side lounge and ignored until we moved to empty bar seats. Again the food & cocktails were great & the staff very friendly & professional. If we had walked in I probably wouldn't have minded the wait, but the reservation set up an expectation that wasn't matched.“

“Fun club in Charlotte with outside areas to hang out and a cool room to see bands.“

“Excellent location, with a nice vibe. Ian was a heck of a host that made me feel welcomed.“

“Food and service amazing However : Server totally ignored me and only talked to my daughter. Also we were asked to leave when they started to get busy. Music was loud and even my twenty something old daughter thought it was awful. Those things would prevent me from going back or recommending it to anyone else“

“This place was pretty cool. It was quiet and had free pool. Not too many people but the one's there we're obviously regulars. The people were friendly and the staff was on point with drinks. Never knew this place existed, and I grew up around that area. The location alone is worth going. This is one of them in the cut kind of of bars you have to know somebody to know about it“

“Food - small menu but good food!
Drinks- larger menu for drinks and super friendly bar staff.
Atmosphere- it’s a smaller room but cozy and comfortable. TVs and light background music to keep the environment nice. If you’re looking for something small and not as busy.

The only con is parking. But that’s to be expected in downtown. I’d suggest taking an Uber or something so you don’t have to spend as much parking as you would on a few drinks.

Otherwise really liked this place and will visit again!“

“Been going here for LSU football watch parties this season. Lots of TVs so good view from almost any seat. Restaurant is pretty new i think. Bar is very clean, accommodating, & good Bar staff. Good food & drinks as well. I'll continue being a patron“

“We had lunch there today for the first time. The service was outstanding. Our server was so friendly and informative about the menu. We sat on the inside but the outdoor patio looked like a great option as well. Everything was very clean. We had the ribeye sandwich and the jalapeño popper bacon grilled cheese sandwich. They were both excellent but… That grilled cheese! If you go there, you’ve got to order that. It was out of this world good and just the right amount of spicy.“

“Great food & fun!! Highly recommend 🧡💜“

“kitchen and bar open till 2 am“

“Stopped in Sunday at 9am as we heard this was a place to watch Formula One and I was visiting my son at UNCC and we needed to good place to watch. The atmosphere was great, the local F1 fan group (where were heard about Dom's) was there and it was fun to be among other fans. The server and bartender were pleasant and very responsive and once they could legally serve me a beer, the did right after 10 am. Overall had a nice time there, exactly what we were hoping for. I hope Dom's does well.“

“Great place to chill and play pool. No food service, but they don't say no if you want to have something to eat from a restaurant while you drink and play pool.
They do have a poil league and run tournaments. Would like to see a karaoke, band, bingo and maybe a Canvas with Cocktails night.“

“Great dive bar, great bartender, Marg!! Great hidden outdoor space!“

“We decided to try this place based on a recommendation & it didn’t disappoint. We had different types of phos & were very flavorful in their own way. There were many other dishes that looked appetizing & we’ll be coming back to try them. Saigon Night definitely isn’t just a karaoke bar anymore. It’s also a great place for authentic Vietnamese cuisine. I wish I had discovered this place sooner so don’t miss out like I did & give this place a shot. You’re welcome in advance.“

“A rare gem in Charlotte yes it can be found in a strip mall like so many spots here. Your not coming for the location. Your coming for some of the best food made in Charlotte. One of the best restaurants in my humble opinion. A must if your a foodie do people still use that term?. I was even able to get a sneak preview of a sticky rib dish with some rice cakes. I make a point to come here often.“

“The vibe was everything, music and drinks was Awesome! I think we have found a spot that we will be visiting often. The owner was beautiful and nice! Bartender was 🔥🔥🔥. Keep up the Great Work!“