50 popular late night spots in Charlotte

Why it matters: Charlotte’s nightlife scene is booming; it’s evident in the new clubs that have opened post-pandemic. In short, people are ready to party. For context, the last time we updated this list there were only 25 spots on it and it has now grown to double that.

Go deeper: 5 hot new nightclubs in Charlotte

UPTOWN

Hive Nightclub

A 21+ nightclub that originated in Raleigh, best known for its big-room nightclub experience. 

Details: Hive is located at 300 N. College St. near QC Social Lounge.

• It’s open 10pm-2am Thursday-Saturday.

Go deeper: Charlotte nightlife is growing with Hive Nightclub

Rí Rá Irish Pub

Irish pub anchored by a 19th-century Victorian bar, serving up craft beers and cocktails. Expect a late-night party vibe.

Pro tip: Enjoy your drink on the rooftop patio overlooking the courtyard at The Truist Center.

Details: Rí Rá is located at 208 North Tryon St.

• It’s open 11am-midnight Sunday-Thursday, 11am-2am Fridays, 10am-2am Saturdays.

Connolly’s on 5th

Cozy, traditional Irish pub with live music. Good for a casual night out and a pint of Guinness. 

Details: Connolly’s is located at 115 East 5th St.

• It’s open 3pm-2am Monday-Thursday, 2pm-2am Fridays, 12pm-2am Saturday-Sunday.

Tilt on Trade

A mix between a neighborhood spot and an Uptown pub. Great for a casual drink before a Panthers game or to end a night out with friends.

Details: Tilt on Trade is located at 127 West Trade St.

• It’s open every day 4pm-2am.

Dandelion Market

This popular Uptown brunch spot gets wild after hours. 

Details: Dandelion Market is located at 118 W 5th St. 

• It’s open Monday-Friday 3pm-2am, Saturday-Sunday 10am-2am.

Tequila House

This nightclub has three dance floors and features five live DJs every night playing every genre. This club is most popular for its “Spanglish” Fridays. 

Details: Tequila House is located at 116 W 5th St., next to Dandelion Market. 

• It’s open Thursdays 10pm-2am, Friday-Saturday 9pm-2am. Closed Sunday-Wednesday.

Prohibition

Half-priced drinks on Wednesdays and the covered patio make this 21+ club a hotspot. 

Details: Prohibition is located at 200 N Tryon St.

• It’s open Thursday-Saturday 5pm-2am.

SIP Bar & Cellar

Cozy cocktail bar located a block away from the Spectrum Center with an indoor/outdoor patio. 

• Pro tip: Check out their weekly specials here.

Details: SIP is located in the Hearst Tower at 200 N Tryon St.

• It’s open Thursday-Friday 5pm-2am, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-2am, closed Monday-Wednesday.

Encore/ XOXO Lounge

Cool nightclub with floor-to-ceiling LED screens attached to XOXO, a chill cocktail lounge with an extensive scotch and bourbon selection. 

Details: Encore’s entrance is off an alleyway at 314 N. College St. XOXO has a dedicated entrance on College Street, and guests can also enter through Encore.

• Encore is open 10pm-2am Friday-Sunday. XOXO is open Mondays 9pm-2am, Tuesday-Saturday 5pm-2am and Sundays 5pm-1am.

Go deeper: New nightclub Encore and lounge XOXO now open in Uptown

QC Social Lounge

Nightclub on the same strip as Hive, Encore and XOXO Lounge. 

Details: QC Social Lounge is located at 300 N. College St. 

• It’s open Thursday-Friday 10pm-2am and Saturdays 9pm-2am. Closed Sunday-Wednesday.

Imperial

A cocktail and jazz lounge serving cocktails and live jazz music every Thursday-Saturday. 

Details: Imperial is located at 300 N College St.

• It’s open 7pm-7am Mondays, 5om-2am Thursday-Friday, 3pm-2am Saturday-Sunday. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Novelty House Rooftop

Upscale bar with skyline views and a cigar lounge. 

• Of note: The bar has a list of dos and don’ts on their website regarding a dress code.

Details: Novelty House is located at 123 E 5th St. 

• It’s open Monday-Friday 4pm-2am, Saturdays 12pm-2am and Sundays 12pm-10pm.

Go deeper: Rooftop bar and cigar lounge now open in Uptown’s newest tower

Tattooz & Booz

Tattooz & Booz offers full meals, cocktails, cupcakes, hookah and tattoos all under the same roof.

Details: Tattooz & Booze is located at 505 E 6th St.

• It’s open Wednesday 12pm-2am, Thursday 12pm-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-2am and Sundays 11am-10pm. Closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Go deeper: Uptown tattoo parlor doubles as a restaurant and nightclub

Belfast Mill Irish Pub

This Irish pub is located in historic Brevard Court, across from Romare Bearden Park and Truist Field. 

• Pro tip: Head upstairs to The Cotton Room for cocktails.

Details: Belfast is located at 144 Brevard Ct.

• It’s open Monday-Friday 3pm-2am, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-2am.

Midnight Diner

IYKYK — Midnight Diner is the spot to cure your late-night munchies. 

Details: Midnight Diner relocated to Uptown at 420 E Trade St.

• It’s open 24/7.

Go deeper: New details on the development replacing Midnight Diner and Uptown Cabaret in South End

BELMONT NEIGHBORHOOD

Super Abari Game Bar

Huge indoor bar-cade with new and nostalgic games.

Details: Super Abari is located at 1015 Seigle Ave. 

• It’s open Monday-Friday 5pm-2am, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-2am.

Go deeper: Highly anticipated bar-cade Super Abari Game Bar opens in Belmont

Royal Tot

Tropical-themed restaurant and bar with a rooftop with skyline views. 

Details: The Royal Tot is located at 933 Louise Ave Suite 350.

• For now, it’s open Monday-Tuesday 4pm-midnight, Wednesday-Thursday 4pm-1am, Friday 9am-2am, Saturday midnight-2am and Sunday 10am-11pm.

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

SOUTH END

Broken Promises

Swanky 25+ cocktail bar with chill lounge vibes and EDM music. 

Details: Broken Promises is located at 214 West Tremont Ave.

• It’s open Monday-Friday 5pm-2am, Saturday 3pm-2am, Sunday 3pm-midnight.

Go deeper: Broken Promises opens in South End

Cloud

Lounge and intimate nightclub that’s good for a date night. 

Details: Cloud is located at 1510 Mint St.

• It’s open Wednesday and Saturday 5pm-2am, Thursday-Friday 8pm-2am, Sundays 12pm-2am.

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

Vinyl

Music-themed bar with craft beverages and internationally inspired small plates.

Details: Vinyl is located at 1440 S. Tryon St.

• It’s open Monday-Friday 3pm-2am, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-2am.

Go deeper: New music-themed bar called Vinyl now open in South End

Lost & Found

A large cocktail lounge with VIP tables and bookable fire pits.

Details: Lost & Found is located at 332 W. Bland St.

• It’s open Thursdays 8pm-2am, Fridays 5pm-2am, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-2am.

Go deeper: Lost & Found, a female-focused lounge with bookable fire pits, opens Saturday in South End

Charlotte Beer Garden

A sprawling three-story bar with 436 beer taps with rooftop views of the city and late-night pub snacks.

Details: Charlotte Beer Garden is located at 1300 South Tryon St.

• Open Monday-Friday 11am-2am and Saturday-Sunday 10am-2am.

Go deeper: Everything you need to know about Charlotte Beer Garden

The Union

A popular South End Bar known for its drink specials and neighborhood bar feel. 

Details: The Union is located at 222 East Bland St.

• It’s open 4pm-2am daily.

Slingshot

Game bar with duckpin bowling, pub food and arcade games by day. It’s a full-blown club with a live DJ by night. 

Details: Slingshot is located at 332 W. Bland St.,

• It’s open Tuesdays 5-10pm, Wednesday-Thursday 5pm-midnight, Fridays 5pm-2am, Saturdays 1pm-2am, Sundays 1-11pm. Closed on Mondays.

Go deeper: 14,800-square-foot bar and ‘social game club’ called Slingshot is now open in South End

Slate/Oak Room/All American Pub

This stretch of clubs, bars and pubs creates a sort of “nightlife row” along the rail trail.

Details: 200 E Bland St.

• Hours vary by business

Tyber Creek

Irish-inspired pub with a charming front patio, great for watching a game with friends and being social at the bar. 

Details: Tyber Creek is located at 1933 South Blvd.

• It’s open Monday-Thursday 3pm-2am, Fridays 11am-2pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-2am.

Go deeper: Tyber Creek Pub will close, then be reborn in a new development on the same property

Resident Culture South End

Popular brewery, cafe and home to El Toro Bruto by day, and nightclub with a live DJ by night. 

Details: Find Resident Culture at 332 West Bland St., sandwiched in between Slingshot and Ruby Sunshine.

• It’s open Tuesday-Thursday 7am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 7am-2am, Sunday 7am-10pm and Monday 7am-4pm.

Go deeper: Sneak Peek: Resident Culture’s new South End taproom now open

RSVP

Hangout at the (R)ooftop, (S)tage, (V)eranda or (P)arlor of this multi-level club. 

Details: RSVP is located at 225 Fairwood Ave. across from Fairwood 226

• Hours vary depending on section of the club.

Go deeper: New nightlife destination RSVP South End with a bar, lounge, rooftop and nightclub is now open

Trio

EDM/House music nightclub with state-of-the-art lights and sound system. 

Details: Trio is located at 1513 South Mint St.

• It’s open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9pm-2am.

Go deeper: Popular Charleston nightclub Trio expands to Charlotte with stacked EDM lineup

The Brickyard/Gin Mill

No cover charge at these two South End spots, where the feralest of the feral go. 

Details: Both are located next to each other at 1423 S Tryon St.

• Brickyard is open Wednesday-Friday 5pm-2am, Saturday-Sunday 2pm-2am.
• Gin Mill is open Tuesday-Wednesday 4pm-midnight, Thursdays 4pm-1am, Fridays 4pm-2am, Saturdays 11am-2am and Sundays 11am-midnight. Closed on Mondays.

Pins Mechanical Co.

Game bar with foosball, pinball, duckpin bowling and ping pong. 

Details: Pins is located at 307 W Tremont Ave. 

• It’s open Monday-Wednesday 4pm-12:30am, Thursdays 4pm-1:30am, Friday-Saturday 12pm-2:30am and Sunday 12pm-12:30am.

Go deeper: Pins Mechanical Company and 16-Bit Bar+Arcade opens in South End

Goldie's

Live music venue, bar and restaurant in LoSo. 

Details: Goldie’s is at 3601 South Blvd. (near the Scaleybark light rail station).

• It’s open Monday-Wednesday 4pm-midnight, Thursday 4pm-2am, Friday 11am-2am, Saturday 10:30am-2am and Sunday 10:30am-midnight.

Go deeper: Goldie’s, a new live music venue with a bar and restaurant, is now open in Lower South End

MYERS PARK

Moosehead Grill

Less of a party spot. More of a neighborhood hang-out, with delicious wings. 

Details: Moosehead Grill is located at 1807 Montford Drive.

• It’s open Monday, Wednesday-Sunday 11am-2am and Tuesdays 4pm-2am. 

Jeff's Bucket Shop

A quirky, dive-y karaoke bar hidden in a Montford Drive basement.

Details: Jeff’s Bucket Shop is located at 1601 Montford Dr.

• It’s open Tuesday-Sunday 7pm-2am. Closed on Mondays.

PLAZA MIDWOOD

Workman’s Friend

Cozy Irish pub great for enjoying a beer while people watching from the street-facing window.

Details: Workman’s Friend is located at 1531 Central Ave.

• Open Monday-Thursday 3pm-2am, Fridays 11am-2am, Saturday-Sunday 10am-2am.

Thirsty Beaver Saloon

A classic dive bar that overcame development pressures. It's great for watching sports, listening to old-school music, and re-creating Mick Jagger's iconic photo.

Details: The Thirsty Beaver is located at 1225 Central Ave.

• It’s open Wednesday-Friday 4pm-2am, Saturdays noon-2am and Sundays 2pm-2am. Closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Snug Harbor

Small bar with live music from local and national bands and a cool outdoor patio.

Details: Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St., near Midwood Smokehouse. 

• It’s open Wednesday-Thursday 8pm-2am, Friday-Saturday 9pm-2am, Sundays 6pm-2am. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

NODA

Idlewild

A cozy cocktail bar where the bartenders freestyle every drink order. Visit sister bar Fairweather next door for a similarly intimate vibe and robust cocktail menu.

Best for: A nightcap in a relaxed setting.

Location/hours: 424 East 36th St., Unit 2D. Open daily from 6pm-2am.

Go deeper: Idlewild, a no-menu craft cocktail bar, opens in NoDa

Chasers

Gay bar with drag performers and go-go boys.

Details: Chasers is located at 3217 The Plaza, near The Artisan’s Palate.

• It’s open Wednesday-Sunday 4pm-2am. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Go deeper: The 13 best LGBTQ+ bars, spaces and gatherings in Charlotte

NoDa 101

21+ karaoke bar. No karaoke experience? No problem.

Details: NoDa 101 is located at 3205 N. Davidson St., Unit 101

• It’s open nightly 6pm-2am.

Jack Beagles (NoDa)

This local neighborhood dive has locations in west Charlotte, NoDa and Mt. Holly, but its NoDa location is open the latest. 

Details: Jack Beagle’s is located at 3213 N Davidson St.

• It’s open Monday-Thursday: 7am-midnight, Fridays 7am-2am,  Saturdays 9am-2am and Sundays 9am-midnight.

VILLA HEIGHTS

Humbug

Popular pop-up turned permanent spot with creative craft cocktails, a pool table and bar snacks. 

Details: Humbug is located at 2501 The Plaza, next to Summit Coffee.

• It’s open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 4pm-2am, Friday-Saturday 4pm-2am. Closed on Tuesday.

Go deeper: Villa Heights cocktail bar Humbug now open

WEST CHARLOTTE

Coyote Joe's

Country bar with line dancing and live music on the weekends.

Details: Coyote Joe’s is located at 4621 Wilkinson Blvd. 

• It’s open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 7pm-2am.

UNIVERSITY CITY

STATS

Restaurant and bar with cigar patio. 

Details: STATS is located at 3425 David Cox Road.

• It’s open Wednesday-Thursday 5pm-12am, Friday-Saturday 5pm-2am, Sundays 12pm-midnight, closed Monday-Tuesday.

Harold’s Chicken & Ice Bar

Restaurant, bar and hookah lounge with two bars, including one surrounded by TVs for sports. 

Details: Harold’s Chicken in Charlotte is located at 440 E. McCullough Dr.

• It’s open Sunday-Thursday from 11am-midnight, Friday-Saturday from 11am-2am.

Go deeper: Popular Chicago chain Harold’s Chicken expanding to Charlotte with “ice bar” and hookah

Fumée Kitchen & Cocktails

Fumée offers “vibe dining,” craft cocktails and tapas. 

Details: Fumée is located at 9539 Pinnacle Drive.

• It's open Monday-Friday 5pm-2am, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-2am.
• Of note: There's a 90-minute time limit on your dining experience.

Editors note: This guide was originally published in October 2018 and was last updated in July 2023.