New upscale cocktail lounge Blue Door opens in the former Bardo spot in South End
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Blue Door is a new cocktail lounge opening Friday, Oct. 4 across the street from Trio in South End, by the same owners.
Why it matters: Unlike the owners' popular house music nightclub across Mint Street, Blue Door will be a bit more intimate and chill.
What to expect: The cocktail menu features about 16-20 rotating cocktails focusing on molecular gastronomy — the manipulation of ingredients at the cellular level.
- Owners Eric and Kate Gussin are bringing in award-winning bartender Mike Guzmán as beverage director and general manager.
"We're just a couple in our 30s that sometimes feel a little old in South End," the Gussins tell Axios. Blue Door is for people who can relate to that feeling.
The vibe: Upscale but approachable, but not in a divey way, they explain.
- The 1,800-square-foot spot, formerly home to Bardo, will have space for about 60 people with very little standing room.
- It's the kind of place where you'll be able to get a drink, have a conversation with strangers and learn about the cocktails you're drinking, on the backdrop of melodic music mixed by Trio's director of entertainment.
- Blue Door will also have a private room in the back that seats about 16 people, which the Gussins will use for private events like special tastings and wine dinners with guest chefs.
Stop by: Blue Door is at 1508 S. Mint St.
- To start, it'll open Wednesday-Monday, 5pm-midnight, and Friday-Saturday until 2am.
Go deeper: The most anticipated new restaurants and bars in Charlotte
Editor's note: This story was originally published Aug. 13, 2024 and last updated Oct. 3, 2024 to reflect the new opening date and photos inside the space.