The Agenda Guide to the Four Wards: Fourth Ward

The goal was to help soothe the confusion that arises when anything is described as simply being in any of the wards.

[Related story: The Agenda Guide to the Four Wards: First Ward]

[Related story: The Agenda Guide to the Four Wards: Second Ward]

[Related story: The Agenda Guide to the Four Wards: Third Ward]

This is the fourth and final installment of that effort.

Fourth Ward

Anything directly north of Trade and Tryon but within the boundaries of the southeast end of North Tryon and the southwest end of West Trade is considered Fourth Ward.

It’s often argued as the smallest yet most charming ward.

On a map, it looks like this:

Eat

5Church – 127 North Tryon Street – Steak and seafood in a modern, loft-like setting complete with Sun Tzu’s The Art of War painted, word for word, on the ceiling.

Alexander Michael’s – 401 West 9th Street – Commonly known as Al Mike’s, this cozy spot is one that plenty of people hesitate to talk about for fear of it becoming A Thing. Too bad – the pub-like atmosphere, low lighting, terrific staff and great food have cemented it as a Thing since its opening in 1983. Try the London Broil Sandwich ($9.75).

10 most romantic restaurants in Charlotte, ranked (1/27/2016)

Basil Thai Cuisine – 210 North Church Street – Basil is owned and operated by two brothers, Henry and Chai Eang, who immigrated to the U.S. from Cambodia in the 1970s. Their goal is to bring authentic Thai cuisine to America, and they started in Charleston before expanding to several other spots, including Charlotte. Don’t think it’s a typical to-go spot – it’s an elevated, sit-down experience.

Cowbell Burger and Whiskey Bar – 201 North Tryon Street – Incredible burgers, a full small-batch whiskey bar, along with cocktails and local craft beers. Need we say more?

Dandelion Market – 118 West 5th Street – The best of both worlds: killer food (it’s tapas-style, so no judgement on how many plates you order to “share”) and a great dance floor that may or may not shake after the dining room table has been put back into the ceiling. If that’s not enough proof of how serious we are the best of both worlds element, maybe the related articles will convince you:

8 Uptown lunch date spots where you can probably avoid your coworkers (12/15/2015)

Here are the 5 places to go when you want to make out on the dance floor (1/7/2016)

Freshwaters – 516 North Graham Street – A mix of Southern and cajun cuisine that’s both meat-lover and vegetarian friendly. Closed on Monday.

Jack’s New Yorker Deli – 401 North Tryon Street – A hidden gem of a deli situated across the street from First United Methodist Church offering New York-style food. Get the Bacon, Egg and Cheese on a Kaiser Roll ($5.49).

Java Joe’s – 201 North Tryon Street – If you need a break from your normal Starbucks order, Java Joe’s is your go-to with drinks like the Caribbean Pudding latte, Bananas Foster and Blarney Joe.

Just Fresh – 127 North Tryon Street – A healthy-eats grab and go option.

Little Village Grill – 710 West Trade Street – The tiny spot in the heart of the Johnson & Wales campus is famous for its $5.15 and under lunch options. The line moves fast but you can also splurge on delivery to anywhere in the 277 loop for $2 between 4 and 8 p.m.

Little Village Grill is the place to be for no-frills food under $5.15 in Uptown (2/25/2016)

Newk’s Eatery – 101 North Tryon Street – A local chain that specializes in pizzas, salads and sandwiches with dishes like Crawfish Pimiento Mac ‘n Cheese, Ahi Tuna Salad and a Pesto Chicken Sandwich.

Poplar Street Tapas Café & Wine Bar – 224 West 10th Street – Effortless day-to-night menu by the same guy behind Viva Chicken in the historic Morrison House.

Poplar Street Cafe & Wine Bar is historical preservation done right (2/25/2016)

Qdoba – 127 North Tryon Street – Fast-casual Mexican food concept.

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery – 401 North Tryon Street – Everything from street food to steak is on this sizable menu. Pair it with their impressive beer selection that includes an Oatmeal Stout, Rock Bottom Kölsch and Maibock.

Showmars – 101 North Tryon Street – Popular Greek-Southern Fusion chain.

Starbucks – 101 North Tryon Street – You know the deal. Open from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Sub One Hoagie House – 516 North Graham Street – Northern-style hot and cold hoagies, salads and sides like kosher pickles and cheesecake for under $5.

The McNinch House Restaurant – 511 North Church Street – If you’re looking for an intimidatingly nice, 5-course meal in a Victorian mansion complete with wine recommended by a sommelier, look no further. For 22 years, the House hasn’t just been serving dinner, they’ve been serving experiences. Need a little more convincing? Grab this Groupon for $45 toward a $75 dinner for two.

Dinner at The McNinch House should be on your Charlotte bucket list (1/22/2016)

The Asbury – 235 North Tryon Street – Farm-to-table, Southern-with-a-twist food located in the historic Dunhill Hotel. Go for brunch and try Maw Maw’s Cast Iron Biscuits ($8).

Two Uptown hotels now have new chefs (5/17/2016)

The Capital Grille – 201 North Tryon Street – An upscale steak and seafood spot in the heart of Uptown. Menu prices range from $31 to $60.

TK Café – 525 North Tryon Street – The Tin Kitchen food truck’s brick-and-mortar. Look for it in the rear courtyard of the Odell Building and take your lunch (try the Caprese Sandwich, $7.50) outside.

Drink

The Wooden Vine – 231 North Tryon Street – Locally-sourced seasonal menus designed specifically with wine in mind with the help of owner David Soper who, in case you doubt the wine and food pairings, is a Certified Level II Sommelier. 

Stop inviting me to breweries: 11 Charlotte wine bars for your whiny no-beer friend (8/27/2015)

The Roxbury – 116 West 5th Street – Your go-to for all things 90’s. It’s been described as the “Woo Girl” of Charlotte-area bars and is the best place to end your night.

Charlotte places if they were people you went to college with (5/26/2016)

Sydney’s Martini and Wine Bar – 401 North Tryon Street – A speakeasy feel in Uptown with live music and over 30 martinis and an international wine list to choose from.

Stop ordering vodka tonics. Where to order 5 essential vodka cocktails in Charlotte (1/28/2016)

Shop

Avenue Market – 210 North Church Street – Small sandwich/bodega spot.

Harris Teeter – 325 West 6th Street – You know the deal. Get your Vic card ready.

Lee Sundries & Dry Cleaning – 401 North Tryon Street – Same-day, affordable laundry service.

McColl Center for Art + Innovation – 721 North Tryon Street – 9 artist studios in over 5,000-square-feet of exhibit space featuring local artists and connecting them to the community.

Salon on 5th – 129 North Poplar Street – An affordable Uptown salon option.

Activities

Charlotte Ballet – 701 North Tryon Street – 25 professional dancers that put on 5 shows per year. The school also offers nationally recognized educational and community classes.

From costumes to choreography: Behind the scenes at Charlotte Ballet (11/3/2015)

CycleSouth – 401 North Tryon Street – Uptown’s first boutique spin class center. Classes are 45 minutes and are open to all fitness levels.

Discovery Place – 301 North Tryon Street – Science- and technology-centered museum for all ages complete with an IMAX Theater. Check out Science on the Rocks if you enjoy drinking and playing while you learn.

Fourth Ward Walking Tour – Go on a historic walking tour of the ward complete with maps provided by Friends of Fourth Ward that explain what you’re seeing and why it matters.

Outdoor Space

Fourth Ward Neighborhood Park – 301 North Poplar Street – Three acres of water fountains, walking trails and playgrounds tucked into the quiet pocket of Fourth Ward.

Old Settlers’ Cemetery – 200 West Trade Street – Currently the site of First Presbyterian Church, this graveyard began to be used for religious worship and burial in 1768 before being officially recognized as a cemetery in 1815. The oldest known grave marker is Joel Baldwin’s, who died in 1776 at the age of 26.

Charlotte’s oldest cemetery is almost as old as the city itself (4/26/2016)

Transamerica Square Courtyard – 401 North Tryon Street – A small, crisply-manicured lawn in the middle of the Transamerica Square building.

Events

Celebration in the Park – 4th of July – Food trucks, fireworks and more.

Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour – A once-yearly event that allows you to get a peek inside the gorgeous houses you wonder about every time you drive through the neighborhood. Make sure you don’t forget to pick up the chin you’ll surely drop.

9 reasons you should attend the Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour this weekend (12/4/2015)

Halloween Festival – October 29 – More details to be announced as the date grows closer.

Porch Crawl – A monthly BYOB, meet your neighbors and hang out on the porch event.

Connect

Friends of Fourth Ward

Friends of Fourth Ward Facebook