👋 Hi, Monday! Let's get this week started.

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, with a high of 87 and a low of 65.

🎂 Happy birthday to our member Linda Cladias!

This newsletter is 904 words, a 3.5-minute read.

We're living in the age of the $20 cocktail. So if we're dropping that much on a drink, we want to know it's actually worth it.

• We asked our readers for the cocktails they can't stop ordering in Charlotte, then went and tried some of the most mentioned drinks ourselves.

Why it matters: As cocktail prices creep higher, a bad drink is an increasingly expensive mistake. Consider these three reader-vetted picks when you want to make your next one count.

🍸 Secretly Stern at Customshop — $16

Customshop's take on an espresso martini is creamy, slightly sweet and finished with house-made Morita chile salt on top.

• What they're saying: "I ordered this espresso martini solely for the caffeine before a night out, but shockingly, it turned out to be the best one I've ever had," reader Brittani W. said.

🍋 Pisco Sour at Yunta — $16

Yunta's version of the Peruvian classic combines pisco, lime, simple syrup and egg white, with your choice of traditional, passion fruit or chicha morada foam.

• What they're saying: "It's unique … and the flavor is just perfect," reader Alec S. told us.

🫒 San Sebastián Martini at Rada — $22-$27

The San Sebastián puts a Basque spin on a dirty martini with gin, Tximista vermouth, bay leaf and pepper brine. For $5, add a Gilda skewer with anchovy, olive and pepper for a salty bite.

• What they're saying: "I'm TEN TOES DOWN on this perfectly balanced, deliciously savory Spanish twist on the martini," reader Madisson R. told us.

Full story

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Human Resources Administrative Specialist at Town of Matthews.
2. Salon Coordinator/Receptionist at Theory Salon.
3. Taproom & Events Manager at Town Brewing Company.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

NC Vintage Bazaar, one of the largest vintage pop-up markets in our state returns to Raleigh this weekend.

What to expect: The annual two-day event brings 200+ vendors from all over North Carolina, with a completely different vendor lineup each day.

• There will be vintage clothing, accessories and home goods at a range of price points, plus photo ops, vintage video games and other activations.
• There will also be a performance from Soulja Boy on day two and the show is included in admission.

If you go: The vintage market is in the Jim Graham Building (4285 Trinity Road) at the State Fairgrounds on Aug. 29-30. Tickets start at $13.

🐾 Shine, a longtime member of CLT Airport's Canine Crew, is officially retiring, with new four-legged members expected to join the crew in the coming weeks. (Instagram)

🍸 Goodyear Bar, a new all-day coffee, cocktail and food spot from The Goodyear House, opens Aug. 27 next door, replacing Chief's Modern Cocktail Parlor, per a press release.

🍔 Bae's Burgers will open its second location Saturday, Aug. 22, at The District Exchange in Concord (CharlotteFive)

🦄 Thrift Pony at Camp North End is hosting a back-to-campus night Monday, Aug. 24, with 20% off the entire store with a student ID. (Instagram)

🎬 The Charlotte-filmed Netflix series "The Hunting Wives" will return for season 2 Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. (Netflix)

🥘 Chef Alyssa's Kitchen has added a new Friday pickup location at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Providence Road for its pre-order Family Table Meals, the business tells Axios.

The average new apartment shrank in Charlotte during the past decade, according to a new survey from RentCafe.

Why it matters: Even though square footage shrank, renters of all apartments in Charlotte are paying more — even accounting for a 39% increase in inflation.

The big picture: Charlotte is bucking the national trend. The typical new apartment in the 100 cities RentCafe analyzed grew by 13 square feet, or a little over 1%, between 2016 and 2025.

• Floor plans grew the most in the South where Tallahassee, Florida, has the nation's highest average: 1,156 square feet.
• Seattle is the smallest, with a 645 average.

Zoom in: Charlotte's new apartments slimmed down 40 square feet to 925, while Zillow finds the average apartment rents for $1,756 per month. That's $665 more — up 16% adjusted for inflation — than 10 years ago.

Context: The nation's average apartment sizes have been on the upswing since 2022.

Share this story

News you can use from our partners.

• 🧱 There are only two weeks left to see "Brick Masters Studio" at Discovery Place before it leaves Sept. 7. Build, create and explore hands-on LEGO® challenges alongside 100+ sculptures built from over two million bricks. Get tickets.
• Level up your eyewear this school year with custom frames from CEENTA. From computer glasses to designer sunnies, a new set can help you avoid digital eye strain while keeping your vision sharp. Find your perfect pair. 🤓

From belting out divorced dad anthems to catching a ball game, here are five ways to have some fun this week.

🤘 Monday: Rock out at Divorced Dad Rock, a 21+ radio rock and nu-metal party presented by Get Sad Y'all at Snug Harbor. | $12 | 8pm | Details

⚾️ Tuesday: Cheer on the Charlotte Knights as they take on the Memphis Redbirds at Truist Field. | $18+ | 6:35pm | Details

🎶 Wednesday: See Benson Boone bring his "Wanted Man Tour" to Spectrum Center, with special guest Luna Li. | $53+ | 8pm | Details

🏃‍♀️ Thursday: Lace up for a Thursday run club. Options include Patagonia Run Club in South End at 6pm, Birdsong Run Club at 6:30pm and Run DBB at Divine Barrel Brewing at 6:30pm. | Free | Times vary | Details

🏈 Friday: Cheer on the Carolina Panthers as they take on the Houston Texans in their final preseason game at Bank of America Stadium. | $20+ | 7pm | Details

Share this with the group chat

🍹 McKenzie thinks our readers know a good cocktail when they see one.

📺 Alexis can't wait for season 2 of "The Hunting Wives" on Netflix.

🍸 Melissa, who edited this newsletter, wants to try all the cocktails you all recommended.