Queen Park Social building more than just a bowling alley across from Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

Directly across the street from Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, an 18,000-square-foot social house named Queen Park Social is finalizing construction and hopes to open in March.

If you’re new to the social house scene, you can experience Charlotte’s first social house, Piedmont Social House in Ayrsley or poke around the websites of Pinewood Social in Nashville or Punch Bowl Social in Denver.

The massive Queen Park Social space consists of a central 35-seat horseshoe Vegas-style bar with surrounding high tops that can seat about 65 more, a large dining area (250 seats), private party space with private patio, a front patio facing Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 8 bowling lanes with surrounding tables and sofas, a large lounge and shuffle board area and an intimate back patio designed around a 40-foot-tall historic Queen Park sign that easily be seen from the surrounding area (very cool).

Directly across the street from Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, an 18,000 square foot social house named Queen Park Social is finalizing construction and hopes to open in March. The massive Queen Park Social space consists of a central 35-seat horseshoe Vegas-style bar with surrounding high tops that can seat about 65 more, large dining area (250 seats), private party space with private patio, 4,000ish sqft front patio facing Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 8 bowling lanes with surround tables and sofas, large lounge and shuffle board area and an intimate back patio designed around a 40 foot tall historic Queen Park sign that will easily be seen from the surrounding area (very cool). Their location couldn’t be better. With very little food and nightlife options nearby, it’s easy to picture the afternoon brewery crowd walking across the street to Queen Park Social as they transition to dinner/night.

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Co-owner Joe Lariscy walked me around the space yesterday morning.

Joe is a UGA ’07 graduate in his early 30s who left the New York City financial rat race (JP Morgan then PE/hedge fund) to start something. He struck me as a calm, confident guy in his blue puffy vest and loafers.

The project has been in the works for over two years.

The team closed on the real estate in December 2015 and while Joe’s new to the restaurant/bar ownership space, the rest of the team is made up of veteran hospitality folks just young enough to understand culture.

The interiors will be gorgeous with massive murals upon entering and on the left side of the bowling alley done by Matt Hooker and Matt Moore (who are basically painting our city). Interior plans are still being finalized, but expect a industrial vibe with premium wood tables for dining and plenty of sofas for lounging.

What’s the food and drink situation?

When I asked Joe about the food, he told me they’re going for “Gastropub meets Tex Mex.” Expect about a 40-item menu that includes staples like burgers, salads, sandwiches, tacos and more. They’ll also be a late night menu and weekend brunch menu.

Drinks will include beer (24 drafts), wine, cocktails and more.

Queen Park Social will stay open to 2 a.m. on the weekend to attract the late night party crowd.

Is it going to be like 10 Park Lanes?

After touring the space and listening to Joe, it’s clear that this isn’t a bowling alley – it’s a social house. Bowling is just a component.

Because they’re only about 3 miles apart and attract the same demographic, most people will come expecting a 10 Park Lanes vibe. Wrong. Anticipate Queen Social Park to have a much heavier party/adult crowd and not a bowling/family crowd. 

[Agenda story: Will Queen Park be Charlotte’s hottest neighborhood in 2018?]

Will Queen Park Social be popular?

Immensely.

Their location couldn’t be better. Surrounding popular establishments include Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, Sugar Creek Brewing, GoodRoad CiderWorks (coming soon), Broken Spoke, Doc Porter’s and Great Wagon Road distilleries.

With very little food and nightlife options, it’s easy to picture the afternoon brewery crowd walking across the street to Queen Park Social as they transition to dinner.

Bullish. Very bullish.