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Charlotteans are good at finding the perfect balance between work and play. Once the clock strikes five, head to one of our top picks for Charlotte’s best happy hours. The round-up is sorted by neighborhood, making it easy for you to find your fit no matter where you are in the Queen City.
Everyone has a favorite spot, and there are almost too many to name in one article. We’ll be updating this round up over time, so please comment below if we missed your favorite so we can add in for all to enjoy.
Cheers!
DILWORTH
Dilworth Tasting Room
300 East Tremont Ave.
The scoop: Whether toasting on the lush garden patio or from inside the beautifully appointed tasting room, this neighborhood favorite has all the making of a perfect happy hour, from weekly specials to sharable plates and wine retail options to continue celebrating at home.
Weekly specials:
- Monday: 30% off total bill for Charlotte area teachers
- Tuesday: $20-25 red or white wine flights, which include a deconstructed charcuterie plate
- Wednesday: Half price select bottles of cabernet sauvignon
- Thursday: Half price bottles of rosé until Sept. 30. After Sept. 30, half price select bottles of pinot noir
The Summit Room
1531 East Blvd.
The scoop: Nestled into Dilworth’s popular East Boulevard, The Summit Room offers a shaded patio for a happy hour al fresco, a generous half price appetizer special on weekdays, plus a full menu of chef-driven dishes if you plan to stay for dinner. Sip from a rocking chair on the porch for ultimate relaxation.
Weekly specials:
- Weekdays: Half price appetizers 4:30 – 6 p.m.
- Tuesday: $4 draft beers
- Wednesday: Half off select wines
- Thursday: $7 Summit cocktails
Bonterra Dining & Wine Room
1829 Cleveland Ave
The scoop: A known destination for Charlotte fine dining, Bonterra also offers a bar menu that changes regularly to feature fresh flavors. Items include a variety of charcuterie and artisan cheeses, spreads and sharable small plates like buffalo cauliflower and warm burratta.
Weekly specials:
- Tuesday: Half price burgers on the patio or at the bar
- Wednesday: half price select glasses of wine on the patio or at the bar
Queen and Glass
1315 East Blvd.
The scoop: For an elevated and intimate take on happy hour, seek out Queen and Glass, tucked behind The People’s Market on East Boulevard. Choosing from their cocktail menu may just be the hardest you’ll work after clocking out for the day; original spirits include Catherine The Great (New Amsterdam gin, muddled watermelon, Thai basil syrup, lime, topped with soda) and The Victoria (Titos vodka, St. Germain, muddled blueberry, topped with Prosecco). Nibble on the tenderloin carpaccio (thinly sliced beef tenderloin, frisée, black pepper, sea salt, manchego, lemon dijon aioli), flatbreads and an array of spreads and small plates.
ELIZABETH
Caswell Station
366 N. Caswell Rd.
The scoop: In the heart of Elizabeth, Caswell Station’s patio fills with happy hour patrons flocking towards weekly food and drink specials (they offer half price appetizers Monday-Friday from 4 – 7 p.m.), plus music bingo and trivia on select nights.
Weekly specials:
- Weekdays: Half price appetizers 4 – 7 p.m.
- Monday: $2 domestics, $4 well drinks, $.75 wings
- Tuesday: Half off flatbreads, $3 pints, $5 Deep Eddy’s vodka, music bingo at 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: $6 burgers, $3.50 NC drafts, $5 Bulleit, half price bottles of wine
- Thursday: $2 tacos, half price signature cocktails, beer specials and trivia at 8 p.m.
- Friday: $3 Yuengling drafts, $6 Crown Apple, acoustic music on the patio at 7 p.m.
Earl’s Grocery
1609 Elizabeth Ave.
The scoop: For a casual happy hour atmosphere, plus the ability to pick up dinner for later, look no further than Earl’s Grocery. Earl’s offers wine and beer, plus cheese, charcuterie and sharable spreads.
MYERS PARK & MONTFORD PARK
Napa on Providence
110 Perrin Pl.
The scoop: A popular daily happy hour special earns Napa on Providence a well-deserved spot on our list. In the bar and on the patio, enjoy food and drink specials priced from $5-7 from 5 – 7 p.m. Sunday – Friday. Plus, half off of wine carafes each Monday.
Duckworth’s Kitchen & Taphouse
4435 Park Rd.
The scoop: The recently renovated dining room and bar at Duckworth’s is a perfect destination for your next happy hour. Grab a drink (the specials below offer a good starting point), and share an order of the pretzel bread: four mini buns served hot from the oven with a side of Sierra Nevada beer mustard for dipping.
Weekly specials:
- Monday: $5 taphouse burger, served with one side
- Tuesday: Most draft beers are $3.50
- Wednesday: Any craft burger and any $5 draft beer for $10
- Thursday: Most draft beers are $3.50
- Friday: Half off all bottles of wine
ROCKSALT
512 Brandywine Rd.
The scoop: Perfectly situated along the greenway, yet conveniently accessible behind Park Road Shopping Center, ROCKSALT is a go-to happy hour spot for seafood lovers. Their $1 Oyster Happy Hour happens each Monday through Friday from 3 – 7 p.m., plus enjoy half price bottles of wine on Thursday.
Turnhouse Grille
1600 E. Woodlawn Rd. Suite 100
The scoop: You may have to seek out the Turnhouse Grille (it’s tucked on the ground floor of the ParkTowne Village shopping center), but trust us, it’s worth it. Order small plates and sharable sides while sipping on daily specials.
Weekly specials:
- Tuesday: Half off wine bottles
- Wednesday: $3.50 draft beers
- Thursday: $8 Craft Cocktails
CO
4201 Park Rd.
The scoop: At Co, enjoy Asian fusion small plates and bites on their happy hour menu, available Monday through Friday 4 – 7 p.m. On Tuesdays and Thursday, they also have half off Makimono rolls.
Weekly specials:
- Monday: $5 martinis
- Tuesday: Half off sake carafes
- Wednesday: $5 specialty cocktails
- Thursday: Half off sake carafes
Selwyn Pub
2801 Selwyn Ave.
The scoop: This neighborhood go-to has a healthy happy hour following. After work, choose a bottle of red or White House wine for just $15 (Monday – Friday). Plus, don’t forget their famous transfusions are $5 every day.
Harris Teeter Myers Park Wine Bar
1015 Providence Rd.
The scoop: Could one of the neighborhood’s best happy hour spots be inside of a grocery store? You bet. Find neighbors and friends upstairs at the bar sipping on drink specials.
Weekly specials:
- Monday: $2 Craft Beers
- Tuesday: $1 of drafts, trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: $2 craft beer
- Thursday: 10% off wine bottles when opened at the bar
- Friday: Half price glasses of wine, live music
NODA
Heist Brewery
2909 N. Davidson St #200
The scoop: A popular brewery for happy hour, Heist Brewery boasts a menu perfect for sharing from small plates, flatbreads, open faced pork sliders to beer cheese with house-made pretzels.
Growlers Pourhouse
3120 N. Davidson St.
The scoop: A favorite in the NoDa ‘hood for brews and pub fare, Growlers Pourhouse serves $2 PBRs everyday, plus half price cans and $7 wings on Wednesdays. Other sharable plates include the cheese plate (chef’s selection of cheese with crostinis & mustarda), smoked peanut hummus with warm pita plus poutine (hand cut, twice-fried french fries covered with gravy, cheese curds and bacon).
JackBeagle’s
3213 N. Davidson St.
The scoop: Visit JackBeagle’s on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday to enjoy these weekly specials:
- Monday: $5 Cuervo Margaritas and $2.50 Mexican Beers
- Wednesday: Open Mic starting at 8:30 p.m.
$1 off Jumbo Wings (dine in only)
$1 off all whiskey - Thursday: Local Live Music @ 8:30
$3 Select Craft Beers
$6 Deep Eddie & Red Bull
PLAZA MIDWOOD
Resident Culture Brewing Company
2101 Central Ave.
The scoop: If a brewery is more your style, take in the hip yet casual vibe at Resident Culture Brewery. Grab a pint of beer (unique small batch options abound), a glass of cider or wine and settle in on the patio or inside the taproom. A daily food truck line-up is posted to their Facebook page.
Whiskey Warehouse
1221 The Plaza
The scoop: Enjoy the picture-perfect rooftop city view, plus half price appetizers Monday through Friday 4 – 6 p.m.
Weekly specials:
- Monday: $7 Woodford old fashions
- Tuesday: $4 well drinks
- Wednesday: $4 draft beers
- Thursday: Half price wine
- Friday: $4 Corona and Corona light, $5 Jose Cuervo
Soul Gastrolounge
1500 Central Ave.
The scoop: A favorite for happy hour and beyond, Soul serves a menu of sharable plates and crafted cocktails in an atmosphere that’s the perfect blend of hip and cozy. Don’t miss the Asian glazed pork belly tacos on flour tortillas with watermelon salsa, flatbread with truffle whipped goat cheese, pistachio pesto, honey braised garlic and fresh arugula and the dirty south nachos,
fried chicken skin ‘chips’ topped with pimento cheese fondue and jalapeño pickled okra. Complement your sharables with cucumber mules on tap or another choice from the cocktail menu.
Workman’s Friend
1531 Central Ave.
The scoop: Head to Workman’s Friend for cocktails, beers and Irish whiskeys. Grab a spot on the garden patio or inside the warm interior to enjoy small plates including mussels with white wine, garlic, thyme and tomato and the beet and goat cheese tower.
SOUTH CHARLOTTE & BALLANTYNE
Vine American Kitchen
13735 Conlan Circle
The scoop: On the south side of town, Vine’s popular happy hour specials are a perfect way to close out a weekday. Bar plates, like truffle parmesan fries, Margherita flatbread, fish tacos, fried calamari and more start at just $1.99 from 3 – 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Daily drink deals include signature cocktails $5 select glasses of wine and beer specials.
Chuy’s Tex Mex
7314 Waverly Walk Ave.
The scoop: Whether you’re stopping in for the free fully-loaded nacho car from 4 – 7 p.m. Monday – Friday or grabbing a drink before dinner, Chuy’s Tex Mex is a destination in the new Waverly shopping center. View all daily food specials here.
Weekly specials:
- Monday: $3.95 premium beers
- Tuesday: $8.79 house grande ritas and $5.79 house ritas
- Wednesday: $5.29 classic sangria
- Thursday: $9.29 New Mexican martini
- Friday: $8.79 house Texas martinis
Bradshaw Social House
8440 Rea Rd.
The scoop: At Bradshaw Social House, enjoy multiple sharable options in a fun and lively atmosphere. Try the smoked whole wings, the Hefeweizen beer cheese with soft pretzel sticks and bacon-wrapped smoked jalapeños.
City Tavern
501 Crossroads Plaza, Fort Mill
The scoop: In Fort Mill, enjoy $4 select wines, $4 well drinks and $3 select drafts Monday – Friday from 4 – 7 p.m. On Thursdays at the bar, enjoy half price appetizers and other food specials.
Grape & Agave
11318 N. Community House Rd.
The scoop: Snack on small plates like a charcuterie board with meats, cheeses and marinated olives and hummus with pita chips while enjoying weekly drink specials.
Weekly drink specials:
- Monday: $4 tequila shots, $3 well cocktails, $2 domestic beer bottles
- Tuesday: $6 margaritas and half price martinis
- Wednesday: Half off wine bottles under $60, $30 off bottles over $60
- Thursday: $8 craft cocktails, $3 draft beers
SOUTH END
Craft Tasting Room and Growler Shop
1320 S. Church St.
The scoop: One of our top picks for a happy hour in South End, Craft has a rotating chalkboard of beer and cider options, along with wine bottles and cans. Try multiple on Monday Flight Night, when a flight of five is just $8.50. When you get hungry, share a cheese or charcuterie board ($6 on Wednesdays) or one of their flatbread pizzas.
The Suffolk Punch
2911 Griffith St.
The scoop: Grab a seat at the bar, inside the rustic and beautiful dining room or outside on their sprawling patio to enjoy appetizers and small plates like the P.E.I mussels (saffron broth, chorizo, sun dried tomato, shaved fennel, grilled ciabatta) or seared tuna (yellowfin tuna, mango-habanero puree, pickled fennel salad).
Weekly specials:
- Tuesday: Half price wine bottles
- Wednesday: $8 house cocktails
- Thursday: $3 local pints
The Broken Spoke
227 Southside Dr.
The scoop: Settle in to the cozy atmosphere at The Broken Spoke. Your whole crew will love sharing plates like the stuffed brie garlic bread (creamy brie stuffed into sliced ciabatta, topped with house made herb compound butter), various flatbreads and the charcuterie board (chef’s selection of cured meats and artisanal cheese, pickled veggies, spicy mustard and house made Bán Blackberry sauce).
Weekly specials:
- Monday: Half off draft beer
- Tuesday: $5 Quinn’s shots
- Wednesday: Half off wine
- Thursday: $2 off a GWR flight, live music starting at 7:30 p.m.
The Wine Loft
2201 South Blvd.
The scoop: The Wine Loft lives up to its name with a wine to fit your palate and plates perfect for sharing. Try the tapas style appetizer plate ($35) which includes charcuterie and artisan cheese selections, roasted almonds, mushroom bruschetta, and caprese. Other plates include garlic feta dip and hummus with toasted whole grain pita, flatbreads, cheese and antipasto boards and more.
Weekly specials:
- Monday: Cabernet, chardonnay and red blend glasses are $6
- Tuesday: $6 well liquor drinks
- Wednesday: Half price martinis
- Thursday: Half price bottles of wine between $40-$100.
SOUTHPARK
Reid’s Fine Foods SouthPark
4331 Barclay Downs Dr.
The scoop: The patio at Reid’s Fine Foods SouthPark is calling your name with plenty of sharable options (our picks are the mussels with green curry and coconut milk and the beer cheese and pretzel bites made with OMB Copper). View the full after-5 menu here. Your happy hour continues with half price glasses of wine on Wednesday, half price house cocktails on Thursday and live music on select nights.
Upstream Restaurant
6902 Phillips Place
The scoop: In Phillips Place, Upstream serves up a lively happy hour and impressive seafood specials all week, including half price oysters Tuesday – Thursday and unlimited sushi on Thursday.
Weekly specials:
- Monday: $1 East Coast oysters on the half shell (all day). Half price glasses of wine
- Tuesday: $8 specialty cocktails, half price oysters 4 – 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: Half price “by the glass” bottles, half price oysters 4 – 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday: Unlimited sushi ($24.95) in the bar and on the patio from 4 – 7 p.m., half price sake bottles, half price oysters 4 – 6:30 p.m.
Bulla Gastrobar
4310 Sharon Rd.
The scoop: Happy hour has its own name at SouthPark newcomer Bulla Gastrobar. Bulla Hour offer guests a special tapa menu available at the bar Monday – Friday from 5 – 7 p.m.
Village Tavern
4201 Congress St.
The scoop: Head to this tried and true favorite and gather ’round an order of pimento cheese fondue (warm Irish Kerrygold Dubliner pimiento cheese, served with freshly-fried corn chips or vegetables) or caprese (fresh mozzarella, vine-ripened tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze, fresh basil).
Weekly specials:
- Monday: $3 off margaritas, mules, and mojitos
- Tuesday: $3 off specialty cocktails
- Wednesday: Half price wine
- Thursday: $3 off crafted classics
- Friday: $2 off drafts
J. Sam’s
4625 Piedmont Row Dr.
The scoop: In Piedmont Row, J. Sam’s welcomes happy hour patrons with half price glasses of wine each Wednesday, plus a menu of sharable plates. Start with the pimento cheese donuts, a cheese and charcuterie board or the shrimp and chorizo flatbread.
STEELE CREEK
Piedmont Social House
2135 Ayrsley Town Blvd.
The scoop: Piedmont Social House is a Steele Creek happy hour destination not only for the food and drinks, but for the games and bowling too. Load up on half price appetizers like sweet and spicy meatballs, fired green tomatoes and hummus Monday – Friday from 3 – 6 p.m.
Weekly specials:
- Monday: $4 OMB pints
- Tuesday: $4 well drinks
- Wednesday: Half off select wine bottles
- Thursday: $2 Miller High Life and $3 PBR
The Corner Bar
2016 Ayrsley Town Blvd.
The scoop: At The Corner Bar, enjoy tasty takes on sharable plates, like the pepper jack grit cakes served with peach sauce and salted pretzel bites with house made bacon and smoked gouda cheese dip.
Current weekly specials (subject to change):
- Monday: $2.50 PBR drafts
- Tuesday: $4 craft cans, $7 Manhattans
- Wednesday: $8 old fashioned
- Thursday: $5 select glasses of chardonnay or cabernet
Harry’s Grille & Tavern
2127 Ayrsley Town Blvd.
The scoop: Also in Ayrsley, snack on the southern sliders (pimento cheese with pecanwood smoked bacon, chicken salad with cranberries, bison meat loaf and chipotle aioli) and the Harry signature duo (hummus topped with piquillo and artichoke tapenade and Tavern Pimento Cheese made with sharp cheddar and smoked gouda with jalapeno-bacon jam, warm pita points).
UPTOWN
Fahrenheit
222 S. Caldwell St.
The scoop: Up on the 21st floor, Fahrenheit serves up small plates and crafted cocktails that rival the stunning city views. Watch the sunset while sipping on the Alexis Aviation (Hendrix Gin, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Roth and Winter Crème de Violette) or the Spicy Charlotte (Stoli Vanil, Vanilla Simple Syrup, Fresh Jalapeños, Lime Juice, Cloister Honey). Our picks for small plates include the ahi poke nachos (Tuna, Wontons, Pickled Red Onions, Jalapeños, Green Onions, Chili Aioli) and chili-cumin lamb meatballs served with dates, yogurt, cucumbers and Tandoori bread.
SoCo Bar
601 S College St.
The scoop: After work on Thursdays, head over to the SoCo Bar at JP Charlotte for live music, half off appetizers, drink specials and rotating vendors. Don’t miss the blood orange Negroni (Beef Eaters Gin, Egg White, Rosemary, Blood Orange, Lemon Juice, Campari, Sweet Vermouth).
Sophia’s Lounge
127 N Tryon St.
The scoop: Happy hour at Sophia’s starts as soon as you walk in the door. You’re immediately transported to a sleek, sophisticated lounge where every detail works together to create an atmosphere that feels like an after-workday treat. Master Mixologist and Sommelier Patricia Smith crafts the cocktail menu, which features The Meloncholy made with vodka, yellow pepper, watermelon, vanilla and lime, while Top Chef alum Jaime Lynch creates dishes for sharing, like the cucumber bruschetta, cheese and charcuterie boards, Maine lobster sliders and more.
Merchant and Trade
303 S Church St.
The scoop: To take in Charlotte city views from above, head to Merchant and Trade for elevated bar bites in a chic rooftop setting. Popular cocktails include the Beet It! (Deep Eddy vodka, Domaine de Canton, lime juice and Lenny Boy beet kombucha) and the Cyclone (Sutler’s Gin, Plantation 5 Yr Rum, citrus blend, ginger, raspberry, Demerara, Bittermens Tiki Bitters). Snack on a sampling of cheese and charcuterie, plus oven baked lamb meatballs with cucumber tzatziki.
The Imperial
300 N College St.
The scoop: Whether you grab a seat in the 50s-style cocktail lounge or prefer to sip on the lively rooftop, a visit to The Imperial is the perfect happy hour escape. Enjoy a selection of signature martinis like the ambrosial garden (Hendricks gin, mint, elderflower liquor, bitters, fresh lemon juice, soda water), an array of classic cocktails and originals like the cool as a cucumber (vodka, melon liquor, muddled cucumber and lemon lime soda with fresh cucumber and dry ice).
Weekly specials:
- Wednesday: $20 select bottles of wine
- Thursday: Half price martinis and DJ Zio on the rooftop
- Friday: Live jazz in the lounge
Mimosa Grill
327 S Tryon St.
The scoop: Mimosa Grill isn’t just a go-to for new southern fare. Head over for happy hour to enjoy weekly specials in the beautifully appointed and cozy bar.
Weekly specials:
- Monday: Half off all wines by the glass
- Tuesday: $5 local taps
- Wednesday: $4 sangria
- Thursday :$5 16oz cans
- Friday: Half off signature cocktails
5Church Charlotte
127 N Tryon St.
The scoop: Even before the dinner crowd fills in, 5Church is the place to be. Head to the bar for selections from their bar menu and a signature cocktail. Top picks include the Viper (silver tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, cucumber water, cayenne pepper) and the raspberry gin fizz (Hendricks, liquid egg white, rosemary simple syrup).
Graham St. Pub & Patio
400 S Graham St.
The scoop: Whether you’re getting ready to head into a Panthers or Knights game or simply celebrating a Wednesday, the new Graham St. Pub & Patio has just the thing. Order from their selection of sliders, Asian glazed cauliflower or opt for the dip trio (homemade tzatziki, roasted red pepper hummus, pimento cheese served with pita).
Weekly specials:
- Monday: $2.50 domestics, $4 well drinks, $.75 wings
- Tuesday: $3.50 pints, $5 Dixie drinks, $3 sliders
- Wednesday: $4 local craft beer, half price bottles of wine, $5 Crown drinks, $6 burgers and live music
- Thursday: $3 Tecate and Modelo, $5 margaritas, $4 Lunazul, $6 Don Julio, $2.50 tacos
- Friday: $8 Moscow Mules, $5 green tea shots, live music
Sea Level
129 E 5th St.
The scoop: A top pick for Uptown happy hours, Sea Level serves up $1.50 oysters from 4 – 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. – 12 a.m. Monday – Saturday. To accompany your oysters, try the corn fritters, signature cocktails and beer and wine.
