Discover Uptown’s 5th Street District
Discover Uptown’s hottest, hippest, ever-growing entertainment and dining strip.
Welcome to 5th Street District, one of Uptown’s hottest, hippest ever-growing entertainment and dining strips. From sunup to sundown, 5th Street District offers diverse ways to eat, stay, sip and play no matter what vibe you’re looking for. Whether you’re going out for a weekend brunch, a date night with your partner or a bachelorette party, here’s your guide to planning your next adventure along 5th Street.
BY DAY
Charlotte’s a foodie city with a brunch obsession, and 5th Street is where it’s at when you’re craving creative takes on an egg Benedict or chicken and waffles and free-flowing mimosas and bloody Marys for the group. Take your pick from brunch hot spots (which also double as popular dinner locales), like 204 North Kitchen & Cocktails, Church and Union, or Dandelion Market.
If a quick, casual lunch is more your speed, grab a burger from Cowbell Burger & Whiskey Bar, fish and chips from Rí Rá Irish Pub, or a Mexican bowl or burrito from Qdoba.
After filling up, head to a matinee performance at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center on the corner of 5th and Tryon streets. You’ll find everything from Broadway and dance to intimate live concerts and comedy shows. An annual favorite is Charlotte Squawks: think off-Broadway meets Charlotte-centric “Saturday Night Live.”
Round out the day by exploring local street art along the Mad About Murals art walk that starts at 5th and Tryon streets. Discover the powerful stories behind more than a dozen murals within walking distance.
If you’re visiting from out of town, take an afternoon break and check in at one of the hotels in the district before getting ready to paint the town red. Situated directly across the street from Spectrum Center and right on the LYNX Blue Line light rail line, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Charlotte Uptown is an all-suites hotel with all the modern comforts. Grab a drink and light appetizer from 3 Eleven Bar & Lounge in the lobby before heading out. Or if ritzy and luxurious are more your style, make a reservation at The Ivey’s Hotel at the intersection of 5th and Tryon streets. The reimagined Parisian-style boutique hotel that was once home to the popular Ivey’s Department Store now features 47 luxuriously designed rooms. Start your evening or end it at the swanky Sophia’s Lounge, an upscale cocktail bar named after Queen Sophia Charlotte, the city’s namesake.
BY NIGHT
From laid-back and informal to ritzy and refined, no matter what your evening plans entail, there’s a restaurant around 5th street calling your name. If you’re heading to a Hornets game or concert at Spectrum Center, stop by The Local for fast, no-frills eats and a pint or Mert’s Heart and Soul for Lowcountry Southern soul food. If you have a little extra time to kill before a show or dancing, make reservations at Sea Level NC (don’t miss Oyster Happy Hour Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m), 5Church, The Capital Grille, Basil Thai, Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen orSaku Yakitori & Sushi Bar.
If low-key is more your style, order a pint of Guinness or an Irish whiskey at Connolly’s on Fifth. But if you want to keep the top-shelf theme going for your evening, enjoy after-dinner drinks at Dahlia's or a high-quality cigar and night cap at Havana Smoke and Reserve.
If the night’s still young and you’re not quite ready for a night cap, plan your club crawl along 5th Street for the hottest dancing in Uptown. Get your Latin groove on at Tequila House, dance to top DJs at SIP (be sure to check out the VIP Cellar), Prohibition and on the second floor of Dandelion Market; and enjoy the open-air dance floor at Novelty House Rooftop in the statement-making Binaco Tower, aka BTower.
As you walk to each dance spot, don’t forget to look up at the Truist Building and Bank of America Corporate Center directly above to experience the buildings’ ever-changing colorful light displays, a welcome reminder that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be in the Queen City.
Get more ideas for your next 5th Street District adventure by following @5thStreetDistrict on Instagram and share pictures from your 5th Street District experience using the hashtags #Uptown, #Charlotte and #5thStreet.