Guidebook for Charlotte
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a fantastic Irish pub that does everything well; service is unmatched in any bar in Charlotte, they do great with their food, and the atmosphere seems to perpetuate conversations with strangers. The fireplace in the back makes for an amazing date night when it gets cold.
80 locals recommend
Workman’s Friend
1531 Central AveThis is a fantastic Irish pub that does everything well; service is unmatched in any bar in Charlotte, they do great with their food, and the atmosphere seems to perpetuate conversations with strangers. The fireplace in the back makes for an amazing date night when it gets cold.
Legion Brewing
1906 Commonwealth AveStandard craft brewery, good beer and good service.
This bar opened in the mid 90's long before Plaza Midwood was what it is today. Their patio is unmatched to this day in the city with outdoor ping pong ("stadium seating"...no joke) and cornhole. The vibe is very chill and you'll see one of the most diverse crowds in the city.
48 locals recommend
Thomas Street Tavern
1218 Thomas AveThis bar opened in the mid 90's long before Plaza Midwood was what it is today. Their patio is unmatched to this day in the city with outdoor ping pong ("stadium seating"...no joke) and cornhole. The vibe is very chill and you'll see one of the most diverse crowds in the city.
Great place for a date or to get high end cocktails, the atmosphere is eclectic/chic/rustic all in one and the small plates focused menu is considered one of the best in Charlotte.
159 locals recommend
Soul Gastrolounge
1500 B Central AveGreat place for a date or to get high end cocktails, the atmosphere is eclectic/chic/rustic all in one and the small plates focused menu is considered one of the best in Charlotte.
Food is standard meh bar food, but the rooftop patio offers a stunning view of downtown, especially as the sun sets on the other side. If you want to watch a football or baseball game or whatever, this is the place to go.
67 locals recommend
Whiskey Warehouse
1221 The PlazaFood is standard meh bar food, but the rooftop patio offers a stunning view of downtown, especially as the sun sets on the other side. If you want to watch a football or baseball game or whatever, this is the place to go.
Elizabeth Billiards
1400 Central AveThis is a legit pool hall dive bar with four or five dartboards as well.
Small bar that pics up on the weekends and hosts small music acts; I've seen some very good local bands here.
18 locals recommend
Petra's
1919 Commonwealth AveSmall bar that pics up on the weekends and hosts small music acts; I've seen some very good local bands here.
"The Freaks Come Out at Night" would be a good theme song for this place, and I wouldn't have it any other way. If you're looking for a total departure from the generic Charlotte bar scene, go here. It's a total dive where you'll feel a little out of place without tattoo sleeves and piercings, but it's good to get out of your comfort zone...I do.
27 locals recommend
Snug Harbor
1228 Gordon St"The Freaks Come Out at Night" would be a good theme song for this place, and I wouldn't have it any other way. If you're looking for a total departure from the generic Charlotte bar scene, go here. It's a total dive where you'll feel a little out of place without tattoo sleeves and piercings, but it's good to get out of your comfort zone...I do.
The Fillmore Charlotte
820 Hamilton StNeighborhood Theatre
511 E 36th StVisulite Theatre
1615 Elizabeth AveFood Scene
You wouldn't expect to see what you will inside this restaurant on the end of an old brick strip mall; the ambiance is stunning, and the food never disappoints. Reasonably priced dinner menu for the quality you get. The brunch in particular is a standout in Charlotte but I will say, you can spend a pretty penny in the mornings here.
47 locals recommend
Bistro La Bon
1322 Central AveYou wouldn't expect to see what you will inside this restaurant on the end of an old brick strip mall; the ambiance is stunning, and the food never disappoints. Reasonably priced dinner menu for the quality you get. The brunch in particular is a standout in Charlotte but I will say, you can spend a pretty penny in the mornings here.
Midwood Smokehouse
1401 Central AveSouthern barbecue at its finest, all sauces made in house.
Authentic Mexican food in a bit of a dive, it's one of my favorite restaurants in the entire city...I recommend the Enchiladas Rojas.
22 locals recommend
Three Amigos Mexican Grill & Cantina
2917 Central AveAuthentic Mexican food in a bit of a dive, it's one of my favorite restaurants in the entire city...I recommend the Enchiladas Rojas.
Comfort food at its best, they were featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and are well known for their chicken n dumplings. I recommend the pot roast. Regardless of what you order, everything comes with a buttered biscuit and a deviled egg. You won't find more bang for your buck in the city than here.
39 locals recommend
dish
1220 Thomas AveComfort food at its best, they were featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and are well known for their chicken n dumplings. I recommend the pot roast. Regardless of what you order, everything comes with a buttered biscuit and a deviled egg. You won't find more bang for your buck in the city than here.
This building was four different restaurants in the time I've lived here until Moo & Brew opened up. The burger is one of the best in Charlotte and it's a good bar atmosphere as well.
40 locals recommend
Moo & Brew
1300 Central AveThis building was four different restaurants in the time I've lived here until Moo & Brew opened up. The burger is one of the best in Charlotte and it's a good bar atmosphere as well.
Their isn't a better burger joint in Charlotte, not a bar but more fast casual.
32 locals recommend
Bang Bang Burgers
2001 E 7th StTheir isn't a better burger joint in Charlotte, not a bar but more fast casual.
Small plates are expensive but very healthy and delicious, and the coffee outstanding.
30 locals recommend
Undercurrent Coffee
2012 Commonwealth AveSmall plates are expensive but very healthy and delicious, and the coffee outstanding.
This place opened in mid 2018 to rave reviews, I haven't been but I know they didn't spare a penny building the place out. High end cocktails and an expensive menu for a fancy date.
11 locals recommend
The Stanley
1961 E 7th StThis place opened in mid 2018 to rave reviews, I haven't been but I know they didn't spare a penny building the place out. High end cocktails and an expensive menu for a fancy date.
This bakery has been around for years now for good reason, I recommend the Morning Glory Muffin or a bacon egg and cheese cheddar biscuit.
55 locals recommend
Sunflour Baking Company
220 East BlvdThis bakery has been around for years now for good reason, I recommend the Morning Glory Muffin or a bacon egg and cheese cheddar biscuit.
Little Italian bakery at the end of my street opened in mid 2018, it'll definitely satisfy the sweet tooth and is open until 10:00 every night which makes for a great evening stroll for dessert.
19 locals recommend
Villani's Bakery
901 Pecan AveLittle Italian bakery at the end of my street opened in mid 2018, it'll definitely satisfy the sweet tooth and is open until 10:00 every night which makes for a great evening stroll for dessert.
Essentials
Harris Teeter
112 S Sharon Amity RdEntertainment & Activities
Okra
1912 Commonwealth AveSmall, intimate yoga classes...you'll get your breath fix here.
Classes can be up to 100 and you'll sweat your ass off. If you want a workout, go here. If you want actual yoga with meditation, it's not ideal.
12 locals recommend
Yoga One
1318 Central AveClasses can be up to 100 and you'll sweat your ass off. If you want a workout, go here. If you want actual yoga with meditation, it's not ideal.
Paddle, climb, zip line, paddle, canoe, run, mountain bike...or have a beer in the beer garden and maybe catch some outdoor tunes.
405 locals recommend
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center PkwyPaddle, climb, zip line, paddle, canoe, run, mountain bike...or have a beer in the beer garden and maybe catch some outdoor tunes.
Shopping
The girls seem to really like this one, I don't have much else to say about it...candles and soaps and stuff.
14 locals recommend
Moxie Mercantile
2008 Commonwealth AveThe girls seem to really like this one, I don't have much else to say about it...candles and soaps and stuff.
If you're a musician, you have GOT to go here...but don't expect to buy anything if you're budget conscious, the cheapest guitar might not even be $1000...it's like a museum, but so worth it.
Midwood Guitar Studio
1517 Central AveIf you're a musician, you have GOT to go here...but don't expect to buy anything if you're budget conscious, the cheapest guitar might not even be $1000...it's like a museum, but so worth it.
Buffalo Exchange
1521 Central AveVintage store packed out to the gills with other people's stuff.
Arts & Culture
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
420 S Tryon StThe Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
551 S Tryon StMint Museum Uptown
500 S Tryon StDiscovery Place Science
301 N Tryon StParks & Nature
Freedom Park
1908 East BlvdThis is more of a hump than a mountain, but if you need to get outside and exercise, the view from the top is pretty good.
63 locals recommend
Crowders Mountain State Park - Linwood Road Access
4611 Linwood RdThis is more of a hump than a mountain, but if you need to get outside and exercise, the view from the top is pretty good.