Sit down and enjoy a cold one

Looking for lively nightlife, unique atmosphere and quality drinks? Look no farther. Here are 30 great bars to consider if you’re heading out for a night on the town.

Uptown

Carolina Ale House: This uptown sports venue offers television angles from almost every seat. You’ll find traditional burgers, salads, wings and pizzas on the menu, while daily drink specials are all under $5. 201 S. College St. #100. 704-940-3600; www.carolinaalehouse.com.

Dixie’s Tavern: This Cajun-style bar is known for karaoke, guest DJ’s and beer pong tournaments. And for the budget-conscious, Dixie’s has no cover on Friday and Saturday nights. 301 E. Seventh St. 704-374-1700; www.dixiescharlotte.com.

Prohibition Bar: A decor of reclaimed tin and wood from North Carolina barns will take you back to the Prohibition era. This bar is known for draft master tables, where customers can be their own bartenders. 200 N. Tryon St. 704-358-4244; www.prohibitionclt.com.

Small Bar: This dive bar, located at NC Music Factory, is known for its large outdoor patio. It features $1, $2 and $3 drink specials every night. 900 Seaboard St. 704-641-3773; www.smallbarclt.com.

Whisky River: Though the nightclub is owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., the theme is more country and rock ’n’ roll music than racing. Occasionally there’s live music; there’s always dancing, great people watching and a laid-back atmosphere. 210 E. Trade St. #A-208. 704-749-1097; thewhiskyriver.com/charlotte.

Dilworth

Ed’s Tavern: Here, you can find 25 beers on tap and 50 bottle selections to keep you happy while you play board games, sing at open mic night or compete in trivia throughout the week. Two patios offer spacious breathing room when the crowd inside is overflowing. 2200 Park Road. 704-335-0033; www.edstavern.com.

Sutton House: At this sports bar, you can kick back and watch a game on one of the 22 televisions. The bar offers 28 beers on tap and a menu known for its wings and pizzas. 1301 East Blvd. 704-331-0133; www.suttonhousedilworth.com.

The Bar at 316: Located in the Dilworth area, this gay and lesbian bar is known for all-you-can-drink mimosas on Sunday for $10, movie night on Monday, and game night on Wednesday. 316 Rensselaer Ave. 704-910-1478; www.thebarat316.com.

Elizabeth

Double Door Inn: Those on a search for live music can find a nightly lineup at the Inn. Inside, check out the wall of autographs, started 35 years ago. 1218 Charlottetowne Ave. 704-376-1446; www.doubledoorinn.com.

Kennedy’s Premium Bar and Grill: Tiki torch flames and brightly colored porch lights greet you at Kennedy’s. This Irish-inspired bar is known for its menu of Dublin broil, shepherd’s pie and daily drink specials. 366 N. Caswell Road. 704-375-0218; www.kennedyscharlotte.com.

Philosopher’s Stone Tavern: A low-key and casual bar that offers daily lunch and dinner specials with the kitchen open until 2 a.m. every day. Inside, you can play a round of pool or pick favorite tunes from two jukeboxes. 1958 E. Seventh St. 704-350-1331; www.philosophersstonetavern.com.

Plaza Midwood

Thomas Street Tavern: This laid-back tavern is known for its outdoor seating, fire pits and ping pong. 1218 Thomas Ave. 704-376-1622.

Whiskey Warehouse: A casual bar offering a rooftop patio with a view of the city and weekday blue-plate lunch specials. 1221 The Plaza. 704-334-7005; www.whiskeycharlotte.com.

Petra's Piano Bar & Cabaret: This Plaza Midwood venue allows patrons to sip cocktails as they sing to piano tunes. The gay and lesbian bar has something for everyone, with karaoke every Wednesday and daily drink specials. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. 704-332-6608; www.petraspianobar.com.

NoDa

Growlers Pourhouse: Behind a medieval, castle-like door, you’ll find a wide selection of American craft beers at this pourhouse. The bar is also known for “beer food” – cheese and beer pairings, nachos, house-made sausages and brats, oysters, shrimp and a variety of dips. 3120 N. Davidson St. 704-910-6566; www.growlerspourhouse.com.

Solstice Tavern: In North Davidson, you can find cheap beer and liquor specials at this hipster watering hole. And when summer heat fades at night, the enclosed back deck with bright art offers the perfect spot to hang out with friends. 3221 N. Davidson St. 704-342-2556; www.solsticetavern.com.

South End

All American Pub: This pub is brand new in the area, but is conveniently located near a light rail stop for easy access. 200 E. Bland St. 704-370-2000.

Dharma Lounge: Searching for enlightened nightlife? Find it here. The spacious lounge offers cushioned cabana beds, free yoga lessons on certain nights, outdoor seating and an oversized Buddha statue as the room’s centerpiece. 1440 S. Tryon St. #105. 704-334-8336; www.dharmacharlotte.com.

The Gin Mill: This dive bar is less than a mile from uptown and offers trivia, karaoke, live music, rooftop seating and daily drink specials less than $5. 1411 S. Tryon St. 704-373-0782; www.ginmillcharlotte.com.

IceHouse: This bar is known for serving more than 200 types of beer. Check out the venue’s covered patio or watch one of the 20 televisions. 2100 South Blvd. 704-375-1128; www.icehousesouthend.com.

On the Roxx: A lounge known for its upscale feel and signature martinis. 1520 South Blvd #120. 704-919-0282; www.roxxsouthend.com.

World of Beer: For picky beer drinkers, this bar offers a selection of more than 500 brews to try. Weekly promotions include Charlotte Brewery night on Mondays and beer bingo on Tuesdays. 222 E. Bland St. 704-333-2080; southend.wobusa.com.

South Charlotte

Brazwell’s Premium Pub: Enjoy watching a game on one of the multiple televisions inside, or escape to the sprawling patio with a cold, local beer. The pub offers half-priced wings on Monday evenings and hosts Sunday brunch at 11 a.m. 1627 Montford Drive. 704-523-3500; www.brazwellspub.com.

Char Bar No. 7: Known for its $2 beer of the month and a menu that features burgers, steaks, seafood and salads. 6300 Carmel Road. 704-540-4722; www.charbar7.com.

McKoy’s Smokehouse and Saloon: This ultimate biker bar is known for home-cooked classics of pot roast, barbecue, fried chicken and meatloaf. Cheap drink specials throughout the week. 4630 Old Pineville Road. 704-523-6330; www.mckoysgotsmoke.com.

Moosehead Grill: This casual dive bar provides an escape from mainstream crowds and is known for its wings. 1807 Montford Drive. 704-525-4088.

Selwyn Avenue Pub: Dine on traditional pub food as you enjoy the bar’s tree-shaded outdoor patio and multiple fire pits. This neighborhood watering hole is also known to have the occasional celebrity drop by. 2801 Selwyn Ave. 704-333-3443.

North Charlotte

Bad Dog American Pub: Minutes away from UNC Charlotte, this bar caters to the college crowd and is easy on the student wallet. It’s known for a daily special; $1 PBR, $1 well drinks on Tuesday and $1 tacos on Wednesday. And on weekdays, select menu items are half-price. 8933-2 JM Keynes Drive. 704-717-7177; www.baddogspub.com.

Boardwalk Billy’s: This beach-themed bar located in the heart of the University area offers cheap daily drink specials and live music four nights a week. Outside, dine on coconut shrimp, crab cakes, raw oysters and fresh fish as you sit on the large wooden deck that overlooks a large pond. 9003 JM Keynes Drive. #2. 704-503-7427; www.boardwalkbillys.com.

West Charlotte

Coyote Joe’s: Those with a country flair can find live country music, a mechanical bull and line dancing at Coyote Joe’s. 4621 Wilkinson Blvd. 704-399-4946; www.coyote-joes.com.

Lake Norman

The Rusty Rudder: Escape the city and enjoy a view of the lake while sipping a cold one. The bar also offers a selection of seafood, fish tacos and sandwiches. 20210 Henderson Road, Cornelius. 704-892-9195; www.therustyrudder.net.

Saeed’s: Uniquely located behind a gas station, this pub offers karaoke every night, along with late night menu options. You can also find volleyball, darts, corn hole and foosball. 20832 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. 704-896-3633.