Five cocktail bars, chosen on the record: one Spirited Awards nominee.
Merchant & Trade describes itself as a rooftop lounge high above Uptown Charlotte on the nineteenth floor of the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, a retreat of sleek modern furnishings, lush foliage and soft lighting, with custom playlists, expertly crafted cocktails and bar snacks, and a covered terrace that keeps the view open in any weather. It is 21 and over at all times, seats first come first served, and closes the elevator half an hour before the bar. The 2020 Spirited Awards placed it in the U.S. top ten for Best American Hotel Bar.
Blue Door describes itself as an intimate cocktail bar and social lounge in Charlotte's South End, promising expertly crafted cocktails and a luxurious ambiance behind the blue door on South Mint Street. It opens at five, Wednesday to Sunday, and runs until one.
Humbug's philosophy for its beverage programme is printed on the front page: always delicious, never pretentious. It is a newer bar concept on The Plaza in Villa Heights, open from four midweek and from two on Sunday, closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Idlewild calls itself a little cocktail bar, a small room in NoDa serving, in its words, excellent drinks in a moody setting. There is no menu: guests name a spirit and a palate and the bartender builds the drink. Walk-ins are welcome, no children, no parties larger than six, and the bar opens at six every evening.
The Conspiracy calls itself Uptown Charlotte's best-kept secret, a speakeasy on West Fifth Street with a selection of light bites, craft cocktails, fine wines and refreshing beers, weekly specials and live music. It opens at four, Tuesday to Saturday, and closes at midnight.
These are the cocktail bars specifically. The full Charlotte guide ranks the best bars of every style, and the directory lists all 5 with a map and filters.
Best bars in Charlotte