The Buzz About Charlotte

Creativity abounds in the North Carolina city’s craft beverage scene

Once one of the Southeast’s quieter cities, Charlotte, North Carolina, has spent the last decade on the rise—a renaissance that includes the nightlife scene. Throughout the Queen City, a growing number of cocktail joints (and restaurants with exceptional bar programs) have captured the hearts of locals and travelers alike. From hush-hush speakeasies to bustling rooftop bars, mixologists are turning a night on the town into a full sensory experience, delighting patrons with surprising touches: a flower- or herb-infused sphere of ice, say, or a kick of a guajillo pepper.

Set in a historic 1940s-era building in the Dilworth neighborhood, Dilworth Tasting Room has the look and feel of a secret garden—koi pond and all. Under a canopy of lush greenery, guests can sip a house old-fashioned, smoked table-side for added depth. Each cocktail packs a bit of drama, including the chipotle pepper–infused Where There’s Smoke and the orchid-adorned Sunkissed sipper, featuring muddled kumquats, bourbon, lemongrass, and ginger. Vino lovers will feel at home here, too, thanks to a robust, small-production-focused wine list curated by owner and sommelier Jaffer Kovic.