Sneak peek: South End’s newest cocktail bar Canopy Cocktails & Garden

Unlike its sister business, CLT Beer Garden, South End’s newest bar will be “cocktail heavy,” GM David Schmidt tells Axios.

Details: Canopy Cocktails is located at 118 E Kingston Ave., right off the light rail at the Dilworth Artisan Station. 

• It has three bars (two inside, one outside) and capacity for 300 people.
• It’ll open Tuesday through Sunday from 4pm to 2am.

The vibe: Canopy has a “sexy vibe,” Schmidt says, with dim lighting, candles everywhere, and a real working fireplace. You’ll feel like you’re inside a private study or a library after dark — even at 4pm.

• Yes, but: It’s not a club, Schmidt says. They won’t play house or country music; instead, you’ll hear electro-jazz and Gatsby-esque modern versions of 1920s songs bumping through the speakers.
• “It’s a place to meet a friend, enjoy a friend, make some friends,” Schmidt says. “It’ll be fun and funky.”

The menu: Canopy will offer craft cocktails with real juices and simple syrups made in-house, all designed by Schmidt, who recently won the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association’s People’s Choice Award for his specialty cocktail recipe.

• They’ll have two beers on tap from Sycamore and cans from other brewers like Wicked Weed and Budweiser.

• Eventually, Schmidt says they’ll add two of their cocktails on draft, depending on which ones become their most popular.
• “We’re a craft cocktail bar but we don’t want you waiting 20 minutes for a drink,” Schmidt says.
• Drinks will range in price from $13-$17.

What’s next: Canopy doesn’t have a kitchen but they do plan on offering small plates like charcuterie boards and hummus eventually.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the business’ decision to cancel its $1 membership fee.