This is a drinking establishment. Cypress is coffee and beer and wine and spirits. No food. But…read morethey do have pool tables and televisions. It's not a fancy place - it just does what it says. This is a "drinkery" that is uncomplicated by a food menu. This was quite awesome as our last-of-the-day stop. Friendly bartender made Mrs. K. a mocktail. I had a beer - Wooden Robot's "Good Morning Vietnam" which was on Thursday night's special. A pleasant spot, just sitting at the bar and talking, watching three bros playing pool and everyone in a good mood. I have a new spot to bring friends who are visiting Charlotte! [Review 2398 of 2024 - 3855 in North Carolina - 23411 overall]

Service was OK. Small hole in the wall place. Go for a beer…read more- don't go for a cocktail.

This place blue my mind…read more I was visiting my best friend while in town for a conference on amusement ride standards. We had a reservation for Blue Door for Saturday night, and it was amazing. Now while she was vaguely aware of their "spirited kingdom" menu, I had NO CLUE. It was the best surprise! They have such a cool menu with a full theme park map containing 4 lands with 4 cocktails each. The cocktails all match the type of ride they are, it's honestly such a cool idea, and it was so well done. I loved the art. I will say, I was skeptical that all of their drinks would actually work and worried that they'd be too caught up in the theme to make results but . . . Oh my goodness I was so impressed by the drinks here. I think a lot of bars these days can get so caught up in trying to be unique that their drinks become nearly undrinkable. This place definitely doesn't suffer there. They brought us an aperitif when we came in, but unfortunately I have a blueberry allergy so we skipped that. We had 4 drinks between the 2 of us and they were all awesome. I ordered the star breaker and the green dragon (what can I say, I love gin and a good coaster), and they were both balanced and tasty. My friend got the diablo and the neon shift, and they were both fantastic as well! The neon shift was served with a black light too which was super cute. The one drink I have to call out specifically is the green dragon. There was something about this drink that was so unique, I have genuinely never had anything like it but I would order it a thousand times over. It's so good. It keeps me up at night. It haunts my every bar order. I will be writing home about it. What else can I say about this place - the service was great, the atmosphere was fun, and the DJ was amazing. I thought "wow this guy really likes sax covers" only to look over and see him PLAYING HIS SAXOPHONE LIVE?? Iconic. This place was perfect and I wouldn't change a thing about it. The spirited kingdom menu will only be around for 6 months according to the waitress, so definitely catch it while it's there! If I'd heard about it sooner, I would've maybe descended upon them with 200+ theme park engineers in town for the conference (maybe it's a good thing I didn't know they were there until after it was over), but instead I will just say DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW

3.5/5 stars. Went back to Blue Door to give it another chance with the new menu... it's still my…read moreleast favorite cocktail bar in all of charlotte. The menu this time is theme park theme... again, a fun concept but not well executed. Pretty overwhelming, especially with the bartenders explaining the menu to us twice with the same spiel there is too much to look at it makes it difficult to pay attention to the drinks. I really did not love my drink (starbreaker?) you could only taste the lychee The bartenders not a vibe, it was not that comfortable to sit at the bar. They now serve food, hotdogs... which do NOT match the vibe at all, so that was interesting that their only food (other than the free popcorn) is not hot dogs..

This cool little speakeasy in South End is worth a visit any time of the year, but is especially…read morefun during the holidays, when it turns into a festive wonderland of cocktails and magic. Located behind the SoundBound taqueria on South Blvd., this small space comes alive between Thanksgiving and Christmas with fun decor, holiday-themed drinks and even indoor snow. On a recent visit, I enjoyed a delicious Snowball Old Fashioned while my wife sipped a rum-infused Yippee Ki Yay MotherF*****r! The menu also includes non-alcoholic cocktails and shots. In classic speakeasy fashion, you access the lounge by picking up a hallway phone and giving a 'secret' password that's available on the Backstage Instagram page. On our visit on an early weekend evening, the phone wasn't working and the freezer door leading to the lounge was already ajar. A bit disappointing, but nothing that took away from the overall experience. Service was great at the bar, and the lounge also has booths and tables for larger parties. Definitely one of the best speakeasies in Charlotte, and one of the most enjoyable pop-up holiday bars you'll find anywhere.

Stopped in to Backstage for the Christmas pop up and was not disappointed. It's Christmas overload…read morein the best way, if you're looking for something fun and kitschy. They have a Christmas drink menu, mostly sweet, but they also offered to make some minor modifications. I had the Koala LaLaLa, which was more tart with some apple and bitters. Probably not everyone's jam, but I loved it. All the bartenders were great-Star kept us laughing, and they moved quickly considering how busy the place got. I recommend going early to get a good spot to people watch. I plan to come back at least one more time during the holidays. 10/10!

Popped into Dom's the other night thanks to Offline--because without it, I honestly don't think I…read morewould've known this place even existed. It's tucked away in a strip mall off South Boulevard next to Goldie's (a spot I know well), but Dom's definitely flies under the radar. We stopped in for drinks and apps and were pleasantly surprised. Solid happy hour specials, reasonably priced food, and exactly the kind of bar food you want late at night--no frills, satisfying, and hits the spot. The drink selection was decent, and with it being the holidays, they even had some festive cocktails. The one I ordered was actually really good. We didn't stay long since this was more of a pre-dinner pit stop, but it left a good impression. Casual, affordable, and easygoing--definitely a spot I'll be back to when I'm in the mood for a low-key neighborhood bar vibe.

I came across "Dom's Dive Bar" because they have great reviews on Yelp. Trust me it DID NOT…read moreDISAPPOINT. We sat at the bar and were greeted by Brittany! She was AWESOME! She was extremely attentive and truly went above and beyond with her outstanding service and personality. We had some questions about the menu and Carlos came to talk to us. He was also AWESOME! I can't say enough wonderful things about them both. The atmosphere is comfortable and has a very "hometown bar feel". I hate I don't live in Charlotte anymore. They would have to ban me because I would be in there so much! We ordered the duck fat pretzel bites with the queso and they were drool worthy. Not pictured we also got a flatbread as well. Great experience and we will definitely be back!!

The Vintage Cigar Bar is hands-down one of the most beautiful and relaxing spots I've been to in…read moreNorth Carolina. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere pulls you in--classy, cozy, and timeless. The decor strikes the perfect balance between vintage charm and modern luxury, making it an ideal place to unwind. Their cigar selection is impressive. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or just exploring the world of cigars, there's something for everyone. The staff is super knowledgeable and always ready with a great recommendation. Drinks? On point. The cocktails are crafted with care and the bar menu complements the cigars beautifully. It's the kind of place where you can sip, smoke, and actually have a conversation. But what really sets this place apart is the waitstaff. Attentive, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about what they do. You can tell they take pride in making every guest feel at home. If you're looking for a classy spot to enjoy a good cigar, a great drink, and even better company--this is it. I can't wait to come back

Just tried to experience this bar on a Sunday afternoon to celebrate a birthday with friends. I was…read morethe last of two people to join a party of 5 that were already in attendance. We were immediately turned away because we had on sweatpants. The attire rules are posted at the door in a very abrupt and abrasive way and we were quickly approached. The bar was near empty, we only wanted to continue our friend's bday celebration. There was a white server that walked right by us and entered the cigar room with the black server. She didn't say anything to us but the black server immediately came out and told us we needed to leave because of our attire. We were kempt and professional, yet casual. The servers had on uggs, leggings, half zip nylon pullovers, and had the audacity to approach us about attire. I will never, ever, spend my dollars, nor recommend this place to anyone...for ANYTHING.

5 stars for Dram & Draught! The bar service was incredibly friendly and welcoming from the moment…read morewe walked in. The cocktails were excellent, especially the Old Fashioned and the Penicillin -- both perfectly balanced and some of the best we've had. The whiskey selection was also seriously impressive. One thing that really stood out to us was seeing an employee actively cleaning the beer taps. We've honestly never seen that done before in person, and it gave us a great impression of how clean and well-maintained everything is behind the bar. We didn't get a chance to try the food this visit, but after such a great experience with the drinks and service, we'll definitely be back next time to check it out!

Love, love, love Dram & Draught! They have such a creative drink menu that they update regularly…read more The staff is incredible, super nice, chatty, and very knowledgeable about their drinks. If you tell them what you're looking for, they are sure to recommend something you'll love or answer any questions you might have. They also have $6 mystery shots, which are so fun and, 10 out of 10 times, delicious! We came in at a slower, earlier time, but later on and during the weekends, it really fills up. It's such a fun environment with plenty of room to stand and enjoy the music or sit and enjoy your cocktail. It's the perfect spot for after-dinner drinks or as a pre-game before an event. This time around, we tried the "Summer '16" and "Berry the Evidence"--both were incredible. Such a fun spot!

If you're looking for a spot in Charlotte that actually delivers on flavor and vibe, State of…read moreConfusion is one that lives up to the hype. The menu leans Latin-American with some Southern influence, and you can tell there's real intention behind the food--not just trendy plating. A few dishes that really stand out: * CrispyPan Seared Chicken - super clean execution, great char, and balanced with bright, fresh flavors. It's simple but done right. * Fried Beef Tacos - easily a must-order. Crispy, rich, and layered with acidity so it doesn't feel heavy. * Ceviche - fresh, citrusy, and well-seasoned. You can tell they're not cutting corners here. * Street Corn (Elote) - bold, messy, and exactly what you want it to be. * Gator Bites - crispy on the outside, tender inside, and packed with flavor. Fun dish that's actually executed well--not just a gimmick. The atmosphere is just as strong as the food--high energy, great patio, and a space that feels alive without being overwhelming. It's the kind of place you can take a team, a date, or just roll in after work and still feel like you made the right call. Service is typically on point too--friendly, quick, and they keep things moving even when it's busy, which matters. Only thing that throws people off sometimes is parking, but don't let that stop you: There is parking behind the restaurant if the main lot is full. Overall, this is one of those spots that hits consistently--good food, strong execution, and a vibe that keeps people coming back.

State of Confusion in Charlotte has a really fun atmosphere, and the place was impressively clean…read moreand well-kept. We ordered a couple of items, including mocktails, and while the food and drinks were just OK and didn't quite stand out compared to other spots, the service more than made up for it--the staff was friendly, attentive, and made the experience enjoyable.  Overall, it's a great place to hang out if you're looking for a lively vibe and excellent service, even if the menu isn't the main highlight.

This place is so cool. It is down an alley with a bunch of other bars! It's upstairs. It's small…read moreand the drinks and service were amazing! Shay was our bartender and she recommended a drink that she created and it was amazing. It was sort of raspberry and citrusy! We loved the vibe and the quaintness!

The ambiance is trendy, southern-rustic mixed with wood and night lounge vibes. The aroma of the…read moreroom smells like roasted marshmallows. The service is great and the bartenders are more-so artists.

The vibe if you want a cocktail with a lil chit chat:) Bartenders can make anything u wantread more

Delicious drinks and a great atmosphere. We tried the Old Fashioned and another fruity mixed…read morecocktail and both were delicious.

Love this bar and the design. Great nod to the historic building in south end, shout out to the…read morestaff who work really hard with the heavy traffic of people on the weekends.

Fun, lively place…read more My friends and I were in town and wanted to have one last drink before we jetted out the next morning, so we ended up in trendy South End. First thing we noticed was how HUGE this place is. I feel like everywhere we turned, each section had its own vibe and its own designated bar. With the loud music, it was more loungey than anything and the crowd was on the much younger side. Canopy seems to be the go-to place in the South End. We did not encounter this kind of lines or crowds anywhere else in the area. Ordered a grapefruity drink (Our Flowerchild) off the menu and it was pretty good. Price was alright - definitely cheaper than what I'd pay in NYC (which is already atrocious in itself).