Clubs and bars may close at 2am in Charlotte, but there are plenty of local spots besides Cookout that serve food past midnight.

Why it matters: Having a place to grab a bite to eat late-night supports the vibrancy of a fast-growing city like Charlotte, where shows, work shifts, games and other events often end past the time when many kitchens close.

We put together a late-night guide with 16 spots, including:

• Halal Food Cart in Uptown (101 N Tryon St.), open 10am-3am daily and University City (9430 University City Blvd.), open Thursday through
• Midnight Diner in Uptown, open 24/7 at 420 E Trade St.
• PIE.ZAA in South End, open 'til 1am Sunday-Thursday and 'til 2am on Saturdays.
• Fumee in University City, open 'til 2am each night except Tuesdays when they're closed.

Full late-night guide

💼 Check out the fresh open positions in Charlotte.

1. Customer Lead (Part-time) at Food Lion.
2. Customer Service & E-Commerce Supervisor at Whole Foods Market.
3. Marketing Director at JazzArts Charlotte.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Popular secondhand clothing store Thrift Pony is opening a second, larger location on South Tryon Street.

Why it matters: The 5,400-square-foot space, twice the size of its Camp North End store, will expand its consignment program and add event space for comedy shows, yoga and more.

• The standalone storefront will open next to Lenny Boy Brewing in Lower South End at 3110 S Tryon St.

What to expect: The new space will feature a fully pink exterior and a retro nightclub-meets-Vegas vibe.

• It will be called "Club Pony," a nod to the building's past as a gay club.

Flashback: Founder Hellen Moffitt launched Thrift Pony in 2021 as "Ponybox," a clothing rental startup. The brand has since grown into a community-driven resale hub known for its pink bus and playful vibe.

What they're saying: "Ever since starting Thrift Pony, I've wanted a standalone building I could paint pink," Moffitt tells Axios.

What's next: The space is slated to open by late 2025 or early 2026.

Read more about the secondhand hotspot

🍣 Soul Gastrolounge opens in its new NoDa location on Monday, Aug. 25. (Axios)

🍽️ Restaurants Customshop and Rada are teaming up for a six-course dinner on Sept. 3. Tickets are $195 per person with drinks available for purchase.

🍗 Bossy Beulah's is reopening at Park Road Shopping Center on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 11am, debuting a larger space, expanded patio, and new menu items like a smashburger and grilled chicken sandwich. To celebrate, the first guests will receive freebies including tote bags, t-shirts, gift cards, and the chance to win Bossy's for a year.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services shut down Happy Puppy Universe, a pet store in University City, after the death of 11 puppies and an investigation found that dogs were being sold with undisclosed medical conditions (WCNC)

Longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president and general manager H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, a flamboyant promoter who helped cement North Carolina's place in motorsports history and culture, passed away this week at age 86, per the speedway.

Local marketing agency The Plaid Penguin is suing local restaurateur Jim Noble's restaurant group for $176,540, alleging breach of contract and unpaid fees after their decade-long marketing partnership abruptly ended. (CBJ 🔐)

The 51st Annual Dilworth Home Tour returns Sept. 12–13, showcasing six homes in Charlotte's first streetcar suburb.

Why it matters: The event has welcomed neighbors since 1972 and raises funds for the Dilworth Cares Association, which supports community programs.

Details: Tour restored bungalows and modern interiors. There will also be live neighborhood artists painting during the tour.

• The event is Friday Sept. 12 from 6–9pm and Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10am–4pm.
• Tickets can be purchased online or at local shops such as Park Road Books, Paper Skyscraper and BraveWorks. They're $35 in advance and $40 day-of.

This week's list of hot homes is all about location, location, location, with many of the properties near neighborhood restaurants and greenways.

Zoom in: This starter home in Smallwood, for example, has access to the Stewart Creek Greenway Trail across the street.

• At 987 square feet, it has three bedrooms and one bathroom.
• It also has an open floor plan, quartz countertops, shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances, tile backsplash and fenced-in yard.
• It's listed for $375,000.

More hot homes

📅 Start planning your days ahead.

• Charlotte FC vs. New York Red Bulls at Bank of America Stadium Sun: The Crown is ready to protect The Fortress. Don't miss Charlotte FC take on the New York Red Bulls for a Sunday night showdown. $40+.
• Isabella White Sale + End of Summer Tent Sale at Isabella Aug 26-27: Save 20% on all linens + up to 70% off select sale items.
• Jaws 50th Anniversary at Charlotte IMAX Dome Theatre Aug 28-Sept 1: Celebrate 50 years of the classic thriller "Jaws" on the biggest screen in the Carolinas. Showing for one weekend only at the Charlotte IMAX Dome Theatre. $19+.
• Celebrate Labor Day Weekend with a Farm Stay at Juneberry Ridge Aug 29-31: Escape the city this Labor Day weekend at a 750-acre farm in Norwood, NC, just an hour from Charlotte. Enjoy farm-to-fork meals, a Garden-to-Glass workshop, clay shooting, and more. $1,200+.
• Matthews Alive Festival at Stumptown Park, downtown Matthews Aug 29-Sept 1: Annual Labor Day family-friendly event, featuring three stages of entertainment, carnival, midway games, commercial exhibitors, street food vendors, 150+ small shops, indoor exhibits, a parade, and more.
• NC Apple Festival in Downtown Hendersonville Aug 29-Sept 1: Don't miss the 2025 NC Apple Festival and enjoy a fun-filled celebration of apples, local culture, and community spirit.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

Carolina Theatre is going full-ghoul for Halloween.

Why it matters: After sitting empty in Uptown for 47 years, the reportedly haunted 1927 Carolina Theatre reopened in March — and it's celebrating its first spooky season back with a monthlong classic-horror series.

Details: All movies, except "Rocky Horror Picture Show," range from $10-$15. "Rocky Horror Picture Show" tickets range from $20-$25.

• All showtimes are 7pm unless otherwise noted:

Friday, Oct. 3: "Dracula" (1931)

Tuesday, Oct. 14: "Frankenstein" (1931)

Wednesday, Oct. 15: "Bride of Frankenstein" (1935)

Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2pm: "The Mummy" (1932)

Saturday, Oct. 25, at 8pm: "Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975), featuring prop bags and live character actors from local troupe That Type

Tuesday, Oct. 28: "Creature from the Black Lagoon" (1954)

Wednesday, Oct. 29: "Night of the Living Dead" (1968)

Friday, Oct. 31: "Halloween" (1978)