Hidden bar from top Charlotte mixologist to open in South End

What to expect: The cozy, plant-filled bar is hidden inside Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails. There’s no signage, and it isn’t yet on Google Maps.

• “It’s an if-you-know-you-know [or IYKYK] kind of space,” bar director Amanda Britton tells me.

Britton created the bar with owners Alyson and Dan Davis, who also own the adjoining bottle shop, Craft Tasting Room.

• The 24-seat space is designed to showcase more culinary-focused ingredients and less-recognizable spirits.
• “I want to give someone an experience,” Britton says.

Menu: Britton’s drink list is highly curated with six to nine options, including at least one alcohol-free drink. Prices range from $16 to $24. We tried three:

• “Carmen San Diego,” made with SelvaRey rum (Bruno Mars’ brand), Leblon Cachaca, yellow Chartreuse, red beets and lime.
• “Views From Toronto,” with Templeton rum, cacao nib-infused fernet branca, maple, coffee bitters and a maple-shaped orange peel to garnish.
• “Goldfinch,” with mezcal Vago Elote, sesame oil and passion fruit. (This was my personal favorite. It has a great balance of smokiness from the mezcal and sour from the fresh passion fruit.)

There’s also a food menu with sharable dishes like wagyu tartare and hummus.

Details: Green Room is only open Friday and Saturday from 6pm to midnight. Britton hopes to expand to Thursdays in the future. It’s also available for private events.

• Find it at 1320 S. Church St.

The big picture: Since opening in 2014, Craft has slowly taken over the whole corner of Church and Lincoln streets, opening a sister restaurant and cocktail bar called Lincoln Street in 2019 and now Green Room in 2022.

• Craft was and is a leader in the city’s craft beer obsession.

• Britton, who joined the team last year and previously ran bar programs at Bardo and Orto, is an ideal match with her expertise behind the bar.

[Related Axios guide: 50 best bars in Charlotte, ranked]

Zoom out: A once-sleepy and industrial side of South End, the Gold District has transformed into one of the rowdiest parts of Charlotte with hotspots including Lost & Found, Resident Culture South End, Slingshot and HopFly.

What’s next: Britton and the Davises will soon expand beyond their South End block with another new agave bar called Mas opening in the Lower Tuck development near Thrift Road.

[Related Axios guide: The most anticipated new restaurants and bars in Charlotte]

Here’s a closer look around: