A new “luxury lounge” named Cloud opens tonight in Wilmore

Cloud opens tonight, Nov. 24, at 8pm in Wilmore with what they’re calling the “biggest pre-Thanksgiving party in Charlotte history.”

• The exact 1510 Mint St.

Backstory: Trips to the Philippines, Las Vegas, Miami and Germany inspired them to create Cloud, Mond told Axios.

• “We wanted to provide our vision of what a lounge could be, something a little more electrifying,” said Mond, a South Mecklenburg High School graduate.

Chef Cordell Weathers will lead a full kitchen serving tapas.

• Kyphi described the menu as something for everyone, including vegan options like vegan sliders.
• Dishes to look for: 24-karat gold leaf lemon pepper chicken wing and lamb chops. 

Signature cocktails: 

• The Goat: an old fashioned using Don Julio 1942 tequila instead of bourbon.
• Blueprint: Similar to a Tommy’s margarita.

How it works: Cloud won’t have a cover charge, but tables must be reserved starting at 11pm. Seating is first-come, first-served until then.

• The space includes an indoor and outdoor patio with six booths outside and eight inside, with a main bar inside and a satellite bar on the patio and plenty of TVs to watch sports.
• Inside tables are sold out for tonight, with a few left on the patio.
• Table reservations include a spending minimum of $1,500 inside and $500 outside for the grand opening. They’ll be $750 inside and $300 on the patio going forward.

Dress code: There won’t be one, but expect a date-night vibe.

• “You want to get cute put on a dress and heels,” Kyphi told Axios.
• The couple said if you come in underdressed, you won’t want to stay, but you will want to come back dressed up.
• “We’re giving people the option to not dress up, but once you come in,” Mond started, “you’ll wish you would have,” Kyphi finished.

Hours: Sunday 11am-2am, Wednesday-Friday 8pm-2am and Saturday 3pm-2am.

Bonus: They will have a DJ starting at 10pm on week nights, 3pm on Saturdays and 11 am on Sundays.

Of note: James Williams and NFL player Chris Smith are co-owners. 

My thought bubble: As you enter, a sign reading, “you can’t buy love but you can buy drinks” hangs to your right in front of the hostess stand, with the bar opening directly in front of you and the lounge opening to your left. Something about the sign makes me giggle like it’s sharing a secret.