Stable Hand's $10 Wine Night is one of Charlotte's hottest weeknight hangs
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Stable Hand's September Wine Night drew a crowd and was a collaboration with Bar A Vins and DOZO. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
$10 in Charlotte — what can it get you? When it comes to most dining or social outings, realistically, not much past parking.
Why it matters: Stable Hand's monthly Wine Night is making Charlotte's local food and wine scene more accessible. For $10, you can mix and mingle with fellow foodies while sampling wines from a local Charlotte restaurant (and parking is free, too).
The big picture: Charlotte sees plenty of corporate and franchise growth, but Wine Night proves the collaborative spirit of the city's local hospitality scene is alive and well.
- For customers, the evening is an approachable weeknight hangout, where one can experience some of the buzziest local spots all in one place.
Driving the news: The next Wine Night is Thursday, Oct. 23, and will feature wine from Albertine and food by Verdant Bread.
What to expect: The event is a collaboration between a local guest sommelier and food pop-up, hosted at Stable Hand, a beloved South End coffee shop and natural wine bar.
- $10 gets you five pours of wine from one of Charlotte's buzziest names in food and wine — think Substrate, Rada and Emmy Lou's, a soon-to-open wine bar from the Customshop team.
- And if you're hungry, you can try food from local favorites for an additional cost. Past pop-ups have included Union BBQ, DOZO, and Hello, Uncle.
How it works: After paying, head to the coffee counter where the guest sommelier explains what you're sipping (these aren't typically baby pours, by the way).
- The event runs from 5–7 pm, though crowds often linger long after.
- You just pay $10 there; no RSVPs.
Backstory: Always hosted at Stable Hand, Wine Night began nearly two years ago as an idea from owner Chandler Wrenn and former general manager Kelly Baynard.
- At the start, it drew about 20 people. Now, 80–120 attend each month.
- Within the last year, Wrenn says Wine Night has become much more collaborative, part of a mission to make quality wines accessible while connecting Charlotte's growing local restaurant community.
What they're saying: "There are a lot of local spots doing really cool things," says Wrenn. Wine Night, he adds, is about getting those names in front of more people.
Yes, and: It's proof you can still experience wines and food from some of the city's trendiest restaurants for the cost of a couple coffees without having to go for a full meal out there.
The bottom line: Big turnouts at events like this show our city loves collaboration, especially when it's affordable, social and rooted in local.
If you go: October's lineup includes guest sommelier Woo Jeon from Albertine. Verdant Bread will serve porchetta and sweet potato sandwiches, sides and pastries.
- Future dates are TBD but Wine Night is typically held once monthly on Thursdays from 5-7pm.
Pro tips: Stable Hand has a dedicated but small parking lot, so go early or take the Blue Line to New Bern Station (a five-minute walk). And if you want food, order sooner rather than later.
Stop by: Find Stable Hand at 125 Remount Road.