Uptown’s Nightlife Navigator
No matter what your preferred vibe for a night out, Uptown’s got you covered. From speakeasies to sports bars and pubs to clubs, discover Uptown’s vibrant nightlife scene with our nightlife navigator guide.
Low-Key Bars
If casual and laid back are your thing, then make plans to belly up to the bar at one of these local watering holes. Or better yet, pick a few and create your own bar crawl through Uptown. As Uptown’s only brewery, D9 Brewing Uptown Charlotte is a must to add to the list. Brevard Court across the street from Romare Bearden Park is home to both French Quarter and Valhalla Pub & Eatery, both restaurants/bars serve pub food and drinks. In the 5th Street District, Cowbell Burger & Whiskey Bar and The Local serve up American fare and cocktails. And the taps are always flowing at intimate and easy-going neighborhood bars like Corner Pub, Infused, Tilt on Trade and Taproom Social.
Classy Cocktails
For an unhurried and upscale evening full of good conversation and premium craft cocktails, make one of these locales your main event of the night or stop by before or after for pre-outing drinks or a nightcap. 204 North Kitchen & Cocktails serves up modern American cuisine plus inventive cocktails, beers and wines in a rustic-chic setting, while Crave Dessert Bar and Sophia’s Lounge feature small plates, decadent desserts and carefully curated cocktails in a cozy and classy atmosphere.
Dinner & A DJ
These high-energy eateries are restaurants by day and transform into popular nightlife spots by night. Dandelion Market features globally inspired fare along with beer, wine and cocktail options. The second floor of the dining room often becomes a dance floor with a DJ on weekend evenings. Ink N’ Ivy serves eclectic American eats with a full bar featuring craft beer, cocktails and wine from lunch until late night. The patio is always hoppin’ in the evenings. And unlike any other spot in Uptown, Tattooz and Booz is a two-story restaurant and lounge where you can eat, drink, dance, karaoke and even get inked at the in-house, full-service tattoo and piercing shop.
Irish Pubs
Enjoy a Guinness and some “craic” at one of Uptown’s authentic Irish pubs. The oldest and most original Irish pub in Uptown, Rí Rá Irish Pub opened in 1997 and features carefully restored elements from Irish pubs that were shipped to Charlotte and built around, including the original shop bar, a 19th century Victorian bar, and other artifacts and décor. The upstairs Whiskey Room features a robust selection of Irish whiskies, cocktails, punches and beer and is a popular spot for live music. Just down the street, Connollys on 5th has been serving up frothy pints and friendly service since 2001. It also shows most Gaelic Athletic Association games live, including Gaelic football and hurling. And located in the picturesque Brevard Court, the quaint Belfast Mill is an ode to northern Irish-style pubs featuring Irish beers and an impressive selection of Irish whiskies.
Dance Clubs
What would a night on the town be without some dancing? These bumpin’ nightclubs are some of the most popular places to see and be seen in Uptown. The 5th Street District is home to a few nightclubs within walking distance of each other, including Prohibition, a 1920s themed club; SIP, a two-story bar and cellar; Roxbury, a retro 80s & 90s-themed club; and Tequila House, an energetic international dance club. Brooklyn Nightclub & Lounge, QC Social Lounge and Hive Nightclub are a few other hot spots for live DJs, drinks and dancing.
Live Music
Soak up the sounds of live music at these entertainment venues in Uptown. Middle C Jazz is a 200-seat live jazz club featuring regional and national touring jazz artists, plus tapas, desserts and cocktails. The Public House restaurant and bar is also right next door. Studio 229 on Brevard serves as a studio and event venue that regularly hosts shows and live performances. Victoria Yards at the corner of North Tryon and Seventh streets is a parking lot turned urban gathering spot with frequent pop-up events and live music.
Hookah Bars
To enjoy a chill, relaxing night out with cocktails and your favorite hookah flavors, check out Taboo Lounge & Hookah. For a more high-energy hookah experience, try Babylon Hookah Lounge. In addition to serving small plates, desserts and cocktails, Crave Dessert Bar also has hookahs available.
Rooftops
If you’re dressed to the nines and ready to feel on top of the world, head to one of Uptown’s popular rooftop bars like Aura Rooftop, Buho Bar[8] , Cloud Bar by David Burke, Fahrenheit, Merchant & Trade, Novelty House or Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo. For views but a more laid-back atmosphere, Graham Street Pub & Patio should be your go-to, especially if it's game day.
Speakeasy-Style Spots
These hidden-away, exclusive spots are a must-try for the cocktail connoisseur. Located underneath Duckworth’s on Tryon Street, you’ll enter a whole new world when you walk into The Cellar at Duckworth’s. With a prohibition-era vibe, gastropub-style small plates and a sophisticated cocktail program, this is a speakeasy worth discovering. Tucked away above Belfast Mill in Brevard Court, The Cotton Room is a Southern speakeasy that pays homage to the history of Brevard Court, which served as an open-air cotton market in the early 1900s. After the market, the cotton would be stored and prepared for the next day under skylights and large windows in the second floor rooms. The original floors, walls, skylight and more are still at The Cotton Room today, but you’ll also find an innovative cocktail program, a diverse beer and wine list, and the Brevard Whiskey Club. And in the 5th Street District, Havana Smoke & Reserve, while not technically a speakeasy, has a similar vibe with its membership-only cigar and cocktail club on the fourth floor of the Binaco Tower.
Sports Bars
When the main goal of your night out is to catch the game on the big screen while enjoying a cold draft beer and game-day dishes, you can’t go wrong at one of Uptown’s spirited sports bars, including Buffalo Wild Wings, Courtyard Hooligans (the go-to bar for soccer matches), Duckworth’s, Sports One, Stadium Sports Bar & Lounge and World of Beer.
Find more ideas for a night on the town in Uptown by following @uptown.clt on Instagram. And be sure to tag us in your nightlife adventures on social media using the hashtag #uptownclt.