This place is SO CUTE!! Like... chic, cozy, and completely unexpected for a little mountain town…read more It feels like you've stumbled into a hidden gem that you almost don't want to tell people about, but also absolutely have to!! We popped in before a late dinner reservation and I'm so glad we did, because they're only open Friday-Sunday from 5-9 PM--blink and you'll miss it. The vibes are immaculate. Think live music, low lighting, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay longer than you planned... and almost miss your dinner reservations lol.... The staff was beyond friendly, truly made us feel right at home from the second we walked in. We didn't order food since we were heading to dinner, but the chef was so proud of his menu that he brought out a sample of the soup of the night (some kind of green gourmet magic), and wow... it was delicious. It made us a little bummed that we had reservations and debate just staying and trying more of the food. Drinks were phenomenal, service was top-tier, and the whole experience just felt special. If you're in town while they're open, do not miss this spot. It's giving hidden gem vibes, it's giving main character energy vibes, it's giving... I need to go back immediately instead of writing this review lol

Hidden gem. Short weekend getaway for us and just wanted to grab a nice drink somewhere with…read moreambience. Highlands was perfect. We ordered three different drinks and they were well poured. We tried three different entrees and each were unique and carefully prepared. I thought the complimentary soup was a great idea and we actually ordered a few bowls because it was so good. They freshly ground after dinner coffee and the deserts hit the spot. Very, very nice.! I personally enjoyed that there was only one family with a child. It was nice to have a quiet dinner, with jazz in the background and nice drinks in a place you can have good conversation over excellent food. Well done.!

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.

Beautiful location and friendly staff! Great location to get away from the daily grind!read more

Decided to try this place out and everything was going great until my mom and little sister almost…read moredrowned, we all thought they were playing so we stood there and didn't do anything. Other than that I loved it and I'll make sure to visit again with life jackets

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.

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!

Similar to what many people before mentioned it's a really great theme and ambiance. The later you…read morego the longer the wait. My friends only were in line for 5 mins but unfortunately I was the late one and waited in line for 30 mins. Luckily the line does move fairly quickly. If I'm being honest, aesthetically the drinks look good but not worth the price. My friends and I got the koala lalala and were bummed that after paying so much, it was mostly soda water and barely any alcohol for almost $19. Not worth it imo. I did however love the music selection. It was very nostalgic. Despite the technically difficulties they were having, my friends and I had a great time dancing the night away to our favorite middle and high school jams. My only suggestion would be next time for the dj to put his device on do not disturb. Every time a notification came through, the music would lower and was very noticeable. My friends and I laughed it off thinking we were just hearing things at first only for it to continue followed by the speakers completely going out. Overall it was nice to dance and be around holiday cheer but I don't think it would be worth a repeat experience.

Food looked great we just had drinks. The service was…read moreprompt, friendly, great smile and attitude. The ambiance was great loved the feel of the place , being a real jail at one point in time.

HAPPY HOUR. What a cool spot! Since I moved to Belmont I have been hearing about this place and I…read morechose my birthday to finally check it out. Stopped by when they opened and it was empty. I knew it was an old jailhouse but it really is still in the style of an old jailhouse with concrete walls and creepy staircases. The bar is awesome - lots of good options and a wonderful cocktail menu. But what really shines here besides the drinks are the happy hour food choices. Half off M-Th 5-7pm and we enjoyed wings and potato wedges. Outstanding food for an amazing price. I need to go back to try more of that menu!

This is Hickory's only Speakeasy! Go through the door labeled No Entry and find a beautiful little…read morebar lounge. Small and comfortable with a few food options a d a long list of carefully crafted cocktails from excellent mixologists.

Great food and service (thanks, Kevin). Bison filet…read more Delish. Charcuterie so good. Sea bass, absolutely yum. Dark but good. Slightly loud especially one server who literally was yelling to speak to guests.

Just order everything short rib. It was fantastic. Our favorite were the short rib dumplings- I…read morewould order it over and over. The truffle fries were just okay, skip the pork buns. The peach and ham flatbread was really good too. And the Jimador cocktail was delicious

Vault and Vator was our last stop of the night, and finding it was a little confusing which is part…read moreof the fun of a true speakeasy. It is found tucked behind the building with only a small, letter-sized paper sign marking the entrance. No flashy signage, no obvious storefront, which adds to the appeal if you're into that kind of hunt. Walking up to it late at night can be a little intimidating but it is well lit which I greatly appreciated! Once inside, the space is dimly lit and small, which makes for a genuinely intimate setting. I'd say it's good for a quieter, more conversational vibe rather than a loud night out. We went with the bartender's choice: pick a base liquor, then two words to describe what you're after. I went with vodka and "slightly sweet, refreshing," for $18. The bartender nailed the brief but it wasn't a drink I'd think about again or specifically order by name. Solid execution, forgettable flavor. Service was the real standout. Our bartender was excellent at walking us through the concept and translating vague requests into something that actually worked. That, plus the atmosphere, is enough to bring me back to see what else is on the menu since we made it there just in time for last call so I ended up only having one drink.

Vault & Vator is such a great spot. The atmosphere is fun and stylish, the drinks are really well…read moredone, and the whole place just has great energy. It's the kind of place that feels perfect for a night out--whether you're grabbing cocktails with friends or making a stop during an evening downtown. Everything feels intentional, from the vibe to the drink menu.

My view of this place is more of a 3 and 1/2 star review. I haven't been to a speakeasy in a while…read moreand I've never been to one with my wife. This place was close to where we were having dinner at so we walked over to the place. Just walk in to the building and someone will greet you and they'll take you behind the bookshelf where you can't seat yourself. We took some of the low seats. Nothing wrong with that we were greeted with water so we had to decide what we wanted to drink. Highly recommend that you use your phone since the menus are QR code. Prices were pretty fair for the speakeasy. Restrooms were absolutely clean. A few things I noticed that kind of dropped a few Stars was that the Speakeasy was absolutely cold!It had to be about 60° inside. It took a long time for us to be served. Lastly, I noticed some of the staff drinking behind the bar. People here are absolutely friendly , you got all walks of life here and everyone here is having a great time. The staff are dressed for the occasion and it does feel intimate being inside this speakeasy. Overall, I wouldn't mind coming back here again. After leaving, you leave through the back door. I do believe that the prices were a bit High compared to other visits of speakeasies I've been to but that's more so on Tennessee's part for the way they Factor checks.

Hidden gem! Fun atmosphere, interesting drinks. We loved the entry way. Made us feel like we were…read morefinding something we weren't supposed to!