21 best cocktail bars in Charlotte

Editor's note: This is not an exhaustive list of all the bars in Charlotte. Businesses are listed in alphabetical order.

• For more local watering holes, check out our list of Charlotte's best speakeasies, rooftop bars, late-night spots and breweries.

Babe Cave

The vibe: At this female-focused cocktail bar, drinks are named after iconic women in various industries, like the Coco Chanel Old-Fashioned, for example.

• In addition to cocktails, Babe Cave hosts events like cocktail classes and daily floral design workshops.

Stop by: Babe Cave is at 3021 Bank St., near Lenny Boy Brewing.

Go deeper: Babe Cave reopens as a "mature" cocktail bar in LoSo

Billy Sunday

The vibe: This cozy cocktail bar on the ground floor of Optimist Hall is best known for its seasonal pop-ups like Summer Camp, Season of the Witch and Tinseltown.

Stop by: 1115 N Brevard St.

Bonus: Visit Billy's sister spot, Spindle Bar, on the second floor of Optimist Hall for frozen cocktails and more casual vibes.

Blue Door

The vibe: This intimate and chill South End cocktail lounge caters to people in their 30s.

• The cocktail menu features about 16-20 rotating cocktails focusing on molecular gastronomy — the manipulation of ingredients at the cellular level.

Stop by: 1508 S. Mint St.

Go deeper: New upscale cocktail lounge Blue Door opens in the former Bardo spot in South End

Broken Promises

The vibe: This swanky cocktail bar is for people 25 and up, and there's no cover fee.

• The space is dark with pops of color and light from neon signs and hologram installations and features rotating DJs on the weekends playing deep house music.

Stop by: 214 W Tremont Ave.

Go deeper: Broken Promises opens in South End

Canopy Cocktails & Garden

The vibe: This massive space has three bars (two inside, one outside) and a capacity for 300 people. It usually has a line out the door on weekends.

Stop by: 118 E Kingston Ave., right off the light rail at the Dilworth Artisan Station.

Go deeper: South End's newest cocktail bar Canopy Cocktails & Garden

The Conspiracy

The vibe: A cocktail bar and speakeasy from Charlotte real estate developer Northwood Ravin, located around the corner from The Vue in Uptown.

• There's no password, but you may need to pay close attention to find the entrance, Axios' McKenzie Rankin wrote in our speakeasy guide.
• Expect craft cocktails, wine, beer and light bites. Here's a closer look.

Stop by: 412 W 5th St.

Dahlia's

The vibe: This Uptown cocktail lounge has live music and small plates, and it's open seven days a week.

• Expect 10 signature cocktails, wine and beer. Food includes flatbreads and salads, plus customizable charcuterie and dessert boards.

Stop by: 123 East 5th St., on the third floor of the Binaco Tower, above Saku.

Dot Dot Dot

The vibe: An upscale, prohibition-style speakeasy with a $10/year membership.

Stop by: 4237 Park Road, behind Park Road Shopping Center.

Dram & Draught

The vibe: The upscale neighborhood bar features a "badass whisky selection, craft cocktails and a small wine list," co-owner Kevin Barrett tells Axios.

Stop by: 1220 S. Tryon St., across from Charlotte Beer Garden in the Vantage South End building,

Go deeper: Popular Raleigh cocktail bar opens first Charlotte location

Eden of Plaza

The vibe: The three-story venue with a rooftop has a different vibe on each floor.

• The first-floor lounge features a live DJ, fireplaces and an outdoor patio.
• The second floor is a social club with a full bar, lounge seating and Instagram-able backdrops.

Stop by: 1212 Pecan Ave., in the former Peculiar Rabbit spot.

Go deeper: New three-story bar called Eden opens in Plaza Midwood

Eighty Eights

The vibe: This jazz lounge and cocktail bar is a coffee bar and remote-work spot during the day that transforms into a live jazz bar with signature cocktails at night.

• It has 12 signature cocktails plus some classic options with modern twists like a ginger cosmo and espresso martini flights. They also serve wine and beer.

Stop by: 4237 Raleigh St., next to Independent Picture House

Go deeper: New jazz lounge and bar Eighty Eights opens near NoDa

Folia

The vibe: This Miami-inspired cocktail bar has a tropical feel and a cocktail menu by renowned mixologist Bob Peters.

• The nightlife spot is open until 2am every night but caters to an older crowd, according to co-owner Chris Coleman.

Stop by: 1440 S. Tryon St., next to Pie.Zaa and Vinyl.

Go deeper: Hidden tropical cocktail bar opens in South End

The Green Room

The vibe: "It's an if-you-know-you-know [or IYKYK] kind of space," bar director Amanda Britton tells Axios.

• The 24-seat space is designed to showcase more culinary-focused ingredients and less-recognizable spirits.

Stop by: The cozy, plant-filled bar is hidden inside Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails at 1320 S. Church St.

Go deeper: Hidden bar from top Charlotte mixologist opens in South End

Humbug

The vibe: This cozy cocktail bar has a large bar, a pool table and a lounge in the back with a TV. Its main attraction is its cocktail menu, however, which changes seasonally and is expertly crafted.

Stop by: 2501 The Plaza.

Go deeper: Villa Heights cocktail bar Humbug now open

Idlewild

The vibe: The menu-less bar is all bartender's choice. Just tell them what spirit you want to drink, and what your ideal palate is, and they'll make you a one-of-a-kind cocktail. It has a dark, speakeasy vibe designed for a nightcap or an intimate date.

Pro tip: If you don't make reservations, expect to wait to be let in. We recommend Idlewild's sister bar "The Ugly," located next door.

Stop by: 424 E 36th St

Go deeper: Idlewild in NoDa is moving and a new dive bar called The Ugly will open in its place

Lorem Ipsum Listening Bar

The vibe: This listening bar and cocktail lounge is a pop-up inside the Refuge Hotel in Plaza Midwood.

• Expect craft cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine. At a listening bar, the idea is to chat less and listen more. Like most traditional listening bars, Lorem Ipsum will offer Hi-Fi audio and play record music.

Stop by: 1101 Central Ave.

See inside

Merchant & Trade

The vibe: Uptown's swankiest rooftop with views overlooking Romare Bearden Park and Truist Field. The flexible indoor/outdoor space features an indoor bar with floor-to-ceiling windows, an outdoor covered terrace, a semi-private VIP section and a sprawling "lawn" with a retractable roof.

Stop by: 303 S. Church St., on the 19th floor of the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel in Uptown.

Go deeper: Uptown rooftop bar Merchant & Trade gets major makeover

Orosoko Sound Bar

The vibe: Expect an intimate setting inside the 2,300-square-foot space, chill beats, cocktails and a food menu with a blend of Latin and Asian cuisine.

• Orosoko embraces top-notch acoustics, allowing conversation to flow without getting too loud. You can speak to your friends across a large table without having to yell over the DJ playing house music in the corner.

Stop by: 130 W. Bland St., across from Morelia Gourmet Paletas.

Go deeper: Everything you need to know about Orosoko Sound Bar in South End

Room Service

The vibe: This Camp North End cocktail bar offers specialty drinks, beer, wine and small plates (sandwiches during the day and sharable plates in the evening).

Stop by: 701 Keswick Ave., in the Keswick building next to Fitteds.

Go deeper: New cocktail lounge opens in Camp North End this week

The Royal Tot

The vibe: A two-story tropical-themed bar with skyline views on its upstairs patio.

Stop by: 933 Louise Ave.

Go deeper: Tropical-themed bar The Royal Tot reopens under new ownership

Sophia's Lounge

The vibe: The space is outfitted with opulent crystal and gold decor, statement chandeliers and unique artwork. Catch it on a good weather day when the windows overlooking 5th Street are open.

Stop by: 127 N Tryon St., on the ground floor of the Ivey's Hotel in Uptown.

Editor’s note: This guide was first published in August of 2018 and was last updated in November 2024.