Flying in to Charlotte tomorrow for work and flying out on Tuesday afternoon. Honestly don't know where I'm staying (my office admin booked it all) and I won't have a car. Plan is just to take a cab to wherever my hotel is and stay close. I will ask someone at the hotel desk if there is any good food / beer around where I am. Wherever they recommend I will go. The question to the NC BAs, anything cool or new release I should be looking out for in bars or restaurants right now? Or at least a local favorite I don't get here in TX? Don't want to bring anything home, just a nice pint or two. Thx in advance.
IMHO your best bet is to go to NoDa and hop around. Breweries: Heist, Free Range, Salud, NoDa. Food: Bennys or Growlers Pourhouse. Both have solid beer lists too.
I'm thinking a place that carries most if not all of the local beers, so you can try a bunch of the local flavors in a one stop shop. if you're uptown, Queen City Q is almost all Charlotte beers on tap. Mellow Mushroom has most of them too, although you may want something more local centric for food. Do you have an address for the hotel? If so I can tell you a convenient spot that will have a locals heavy draft menu.
I'm not sure Queen City Q is a great spot to recommend at the moment. I walked by it this morning and there was a dumpster out front with a bobcat inside the building. After a quick google, looks like they're doing renovations.
Duckworths uptown will offer the single largest tap selection in Charlotte. All worthy beers on tap. Typical bar food menu. If your expense account doesnt mind, in the basement of Duckworth"s is The Cellar at Duckworths which is the geekiest tap selection you will find in Charlotte and the best bottle selection in the state. Food menu is insanely good. Between the Ducks and the Cellar, I think there are 200 taps in the building. You are a very short walk away from your hotel too. Also, upstairs offers most of their taps at $3.50 on Mondays and Wednesdays. Enjoy!!
^^ The cellar, especially if it's going on the expense report. Food outstanding and awesome beer selection
Head North on College for 4 blocks, make a left on 7th. Duckworths is one block up on the left. When you walk in, you will see stairs. Walk down those stairs and there should be a hostess. You should be able to grab a seat at the bar. If you have to wait, just walk upstairs and drink one of the 150 drafts they have in the Duckworths bar area.
Home safe and sound. A big thanks to all the NC BAs who helped steer me in the right direction. If anyone is headed to San Antonio send me a message.
Glad to help!! That's what we as BA's are all here for. Duckworths and The Cellar were no brainers given your location.
