Ready to drink your way through Charlotte? From the legendary, multi-story Charlotte Beer Garden in South End to the cozy, dimly lit bars of Plaza-Midwood, the Queen City blends world-class mixology with a booming craft beer culture. Grab a pint, order a craft cocktail, and see what the local mixology and brewing community has been shaking up. Let’s explore the best taps, rooftop bars and swanky lounges the Queen City has to offer.
Where to go for Craft Cocktails and Beer in Charlotte:
Aura Rooftop
JW Marriott Charlotte, 124 E Brooklyn Village Ave, Charlotte, NC 28202
Aura Rooftop is an award-winning, botanical-themed rooftop bar and lounge located on the 5th floor of the JW Marriott in Uptown. It is well-known for its lush greenery, stunning skyline views, botanical-inspired craft cocktails, and high-end VIP poolside cabanas.
Bubba’s Bunkhouse
4351 Main St #101; Harrisburg, NC 28075 | (704) 456-7327
Bubba’s Bunkhouse is a popular community-centric restaurant and bar in Harrisburg, NC known for its “blue collar gourmet” theme. The restaurant serves comfort food with a Southwestern flair and has a number of craft brews on tap.
Buho Bar
Grand Bohemian Charlotte, 201 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Buho Bar is an upscale rooftop lounge and cocktail bar, located on the 16th floor of the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Uptown named after the Spanish word for “owl.” It is known for its sultry ambiance, vintage-inspired South American décor, and elevated views of the city skyline.
The Cellar at Duckworth’s
330 N Tryon St; Charlotte, NC 28202 | (980) 349-4078
The Cellar at Duckworth’s is an underground prohibition-era speakeasy hidden beneath Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse in Uptown. Built in a 1912 basement, it offers an intimate, low-lit vibe featuring craft cocktails, curated beers and elevated gastropub fare, Renowned for its mixology, the bar specializes in hand-crafted cocktails (such as smoked old-fashioneds) alongside an obscure, hard-to-find beer list that is carefully poured at specific style-appropriate temperatures.
Charlotte Beer Garden
1300 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203
The Charlotte Beer Garden is a massive, multi-level venue in Charlotte’ South End neighborhood. It holds the Guinness World Record for the largest selection of draft beers under one roof, boasting 436 rotating taps.
Charlotte Brews Cruise
Various venues
Take educational taste tours of local craft breweries, wineries and distilleries with a Charlotte Brews Cruise and get behind-the-scenes access, beer tastings, and lessons on the brewing process from expert local guides.
Church & Union Charlotte
127 N Tryon St #8; Charlotte, NC 28202 | (704) 919-1322
Church and Union is an upscale and casual restaurant chain co-owned by Top Chef alum Jamie Lynch with a playful approach to Modern-American cuisine that is known for its vibrant atmosphere and hand-painted ceiling featuring text from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War.
City Lights Rooftop
Le Méridien Charlotte, 555 S McDowell St Tower, Charlotte, NC 28204
City Lights Rooftop is a popular, upscale rooftop bar located on the 18th floor of the Le Meridien Charlotte hotel in Uptown It is famous for its panoramic 360-degree views of the Queen City skyline and features a lively social atmosphere.
Coin Bar
Omni Charlotte Hotel, 132 E. Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Coin Bar is a resort-style rooftop pool and bar located at the Omni Charlotte Hotel in Uptown. It is known for its skyline views, lively gameday atmosphere, and massive double-sided LED screens.
The Conspiracy
412 W 5th St; Charlotte, NC 28202
The Conspiracy is an upscale, hidden speakeasy-style cocktail lounge in Uptown on the ground floor of the Vue apartment building. Hidden behind an unassuming storefront, the dimly lit bar offers a cozy, vintage atmosphere for date nights or afterwork drinks, featuring handcrafted specialty cocktails and small plates.
Cordial
AC Hotel Charlotte SouthPark, 1824 Roxborough Road, Charlotte, NC 28211
Cordial is a chic rooftop bar and lounge in SouthPark. Located atop the AC Hotel Charlotte SouthPark, it is well known for its craft cocktails, Spanish-inspired tapas and panoramic views of the Charlotte skyline.
The Crunkleton
1957 E 7th St; Charlotte, NC 28204 | (704) 919-0104
The Crunkleton is a highly-acclaimed, vintage-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant located in historic Elizabeth. Founded by renowned bartender Gary Crunkleton, it is famous for its massive collection of rare spirits, expertly crafted classed cocktails, and open-hearth cooking.
Dot Dot Dot
4237 Park Rd B; Charlotte, NC 28209 | (704) 817-3710
Dot Dot Dot is an upscale, prohibition-stye speakeasy and craft cocktail lounge located in the Park Road Shopping Center. Known for its dimly lit, vintage atmosphere and expert mixologists, it features a massive menu of over 700 spirits and a New American culinary menu.
Fahrenheit
222 S Caldwell St, Suite 2100; Charlotte, NC 28202
Known for its panoramic views of the Queen City, Fahrenheit features linear fire pits, lounge sofas, and inventive New American cuisine. Chic and upscale attire is required.
Hestia Rooftop
Ballantyne Village, 14819 Ballantyne Village Way, Charlotte, NC 28277
Hestia Rooftop is a sophisticated, modern Asian fusion restaurant and rooftop bar located in Ballantyne. It sits on the 16th floor of the Panorama Tower and is known for its sweeping, panoramic views of the Charlotte skyline.
Lorem Ipsum Listening Bar
1101 Central Ave Unit B; Charlotte, NC 28204 | (704) 774-6156
Lorem Ipsum is a “listening bar” hidden inside Hotel Refuge in Plaza Midwood. Created by Justin and Patrice Hazelton, it offers carefully curated cocktails, zero-proof drinks, and high-fidelity music, providing an intentional, intimate space to disconnect and listen.
Merchant & Trade
Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, 303 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Merchant and Trade is a renowned rooftop lounge and cocktail bar located on the 19th floor of the Kimpton Park Hotel in Uptown. It offers panoramic views and elevated bar bites. It specializes in curated craft cocktails using local spirits, craft beers, and American shareable plates like Wagyu burgers and truffle fries.
204 North Kitchen + Cocktails
204 N Tryon St; Charlotte, NC 28202 | (704) 333-3747
204 North Kitchen & Cocktails is a popular, rustic-chic restaurant in Uptown. Known for its chef-driven, Southern-inspired American fare and craft cocktails, it is a go-to spot for brunch, date nights, and private events. Set in a historic building on North Tryon Street, the restaurant features exposed brick and industrial-chic accents. It is designed to be an upscale yet cozy escape from the Uptown hustle.
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
4150 Yancey Rd; Charlotte, NC | (704) 459-8329
Percent Tap House
4250 Main St #109; Harrisburg, NC 28075 | (980) 258-8651
Percent Taphouse is a cozy small-batch brewery and craft beer bar with two locations in Harrisburg and Concord. Known for their rotating 32-tap system, they serve their own experimental brews alongside local guest taps, ciders, wines, and non-alcoholic drinks. The Harrisburg taproom, the flagship location, features a dog-friendly patio, regular food trucks and a relaxed community-focused vibe.
Pins Mechanical Co.
307 W Tremont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203
Pins Mechanical Co. is a popular “grown-up playground” and bar located in South End. It offers a nostalgic social experience with craft cocktails, local beers, and classic entertainment like pinball, retro arcade games, and duckpin bowling.
Resident Culture Brewing
2101 Central Ave; Charlotte, NC 28205 |
Resident Culture Brewing is a highly acclaimed, community-focused craft brewery. Famous for its hop-forward, hazy IPAs, crisp pilsners, and complex sours, the brewery features two locations – the original Plaza Midwood warehouse and a sprawling taproom in South End.
The Royal Tot
933 Louise Ave., Suite 350, Charlotte, NC 28204
The Royal Tot is a popular, two-story tropical-themed tiki bar and rooftop lounge. Known for its colorful ambiance and views of the city skyline, it features one of the largest rum selections in the city and frequently hosts immersive themed events like holiday pop-ups.
STK Steakhouse
201 S College St; Charlotte, NC | (980) 495-4425
STK Steakhouse offers a distinct, contemporary twist on the classic American steakhouse blending a traditional chophouse menu with the atmosphere of chic nightclub or lounge with touches like live DJs, sleek décor and upscale cocktails.
Uchiba
1720 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
Uchiba is an izakaya-inspired Japanese cocktail bar and restaurant located at the Commonwealth development in Plaza Midwood. Sitton on the rooftop, right above its fine-dining sister restaurant, Uchi, it offers a more relaxed, bar-focused atmosphere with street-food-style bites, extensive Japanese whiskies and skyline views.
Whiskey Warehouse
1221 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205
Whiskey Warehouse is a popular, two-story neighborhood pub and rooftop bar located in Plaza Midwood. It is a staple in the local nightlife scene, combining classic pub fare with a vast array of spirits. The ground floor features a rustic, industrial “warehouse” vibe with vintage chandeliers and reclaimed wood.
The Wooden Robot Brewery
1440 S Tryon St, Unit 110; Charlotte, NC 28203 | (980) 819-7875
The Wooden Robot Brewery is a popular urban farmhouse brewery known for its craft beers, including coffee and vanilla blonde ales, and its “Good Morning Vietnam” brew. It has two locations with the original South End spot with a kitchen and coffee bar and “The Chamber” in NoDa, which features a wood-aging program and rooftop bar.
Yunta Nikkei
2201 South Blvd Ste 130; Charlotte, NC | (980) 495-2253
Yunta is a highly-rated Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant located in South End. The menu features a mix of ceviches, tiraditos, sushi rolls (maki), nigiri, and traditional stir-fries or rice dishes like Lomo Saltado and Arroz con Mariscos. The bar is famous for its Pisco program, offering speciality cocktails made with Peru’s national liquor.
MODERN BELLE CLT 