FIRST LOOK: Poolside cabanas and popsicle cocktails at Craft City Social Club and City Lights Rooftop
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If you’re burned out on Charlotte’s booming brewery scene, two new sister bars in Second Ward will certainly shake things up this summer.
Craft City Social Club, a poolside “adult playground” at the Sheraton, and City Lights, a rooftop bar on the 18th floor of Le Meridien, are the newest additions to the Charlotte’s social scene.
Craft City Social Club is the city’s only public poolside bar hangout.
The casual indoor/outdoor swimsuit-friendly bar features complimentary games like billiards, life-size Jenga, shuffleboard, giant Connect Four and more.
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They’ve also got cabanas available for rental in four-hour time blocks.
The rentals – ranging from $175 for small cabanas to $250 for large cabanas – include water and towel service and access to the pool. So Vegas.
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On the food front, Craft City Social Club will be serving up “nuevo latino” cuisine with dishes from Cuba, Argentina, Peru and Brazil.
Dishes grilled poolside include carnita chicharron, Argentine skirt steak, mahi-mahi with Peri-Peri sauce, grilled jerk chicken and Cuban sandwiches.
They’ll also be introducing Charlotte’s first poolside brunch this weekend. SPLASH Brunch will be served Saturdays and Sundays beginning at 10 a.m. See the full menu here.
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The cocktail program features by-the-pitcher service so you can throw back ample quantities of mojitos, margaritas and sangria without getting up from your spot by the pool.
And yes, you can definitely get these pitchers to accompany your SPLASH Brunch on the weekends.
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Upstairs, City Lights offers sweeping 360-degree views of the city and easily the best skyline photo op anywhere.
It’s got a sleek urban vibe with a casual patio twist. It’s kind of a like a huge backyard party 18 floors up.
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And like I said, the view from here is insane.
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City Lights will feature an extensive cocktail menu, including these King of Pops popsicle champagne cocktails.
The $14 Sparkle & Pop (bubbles + popsicle) is basically just an excuse to eat a popsicle with your glass of champagne. I’ll take it. On the food menu they’ll have select grilled items including gourmet burgers and hot dogs.
See the full City Lights food menu and the bar menu.
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The grand opening of both bars is tonight, Thursday, June 2.
Craft City Social Club is open Monday through Saturday 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. Brunch is served Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. City Lights is open nightly 4 p.m. – midnight. Both are located at 555 S. McDowell Street inside the adjoined Sheraton and Le Meridien hotels.
