STIR Charlotte targets July opening at South End’s RailYard, is now hiring 100 people

Charlotte’s known for its growing craft cocktail scene, so STIR should fit right in. The 6,100-square-foot space on the ground floor of The RailYard in South End is targeting a July opening, where it will welcome customers for scratch-made food, a seafood raw bar and drinks crafted with artisan ice.

Restaurant ownership group SquareOne Holding Company chose Charlotte as the third location for STIR. It’s flagship resides in Chattanooga’s Southside Historic District, and there’s a second location in Raleigh’s North Hills district.

“STIR’s refined menu and casual atmosphere are the perfect complement to South End’s already thriving nightlife and brewery scene,” said STIR Charlotte general manager Dennis Korn. “At a challenging time in the hospitality industry, we’re proud to join the neighborhood in moving forward safely and are eager to help put deserving restaurant professionals back to work.”

Projected to open in Phase 3 of North Carolina’s COVID-19 reopening plan, STIR is currently hiring to fill 100 roles. The restaurant will adhere to mandated safety practices to protect guests and staff, including stringent protocols for in-house dining and contactless takeout and delivery for customers who prefer to enjoy their food at home.

Already excited to sip a cocktail with fancy ice? Here’s what to look forward to when STIR opens its doors:

The space

Open kitchen. Glowing star chandeliers. Patio seating.

The 360-seat restaurant will feature an open kitchen and premium raw bar in addition to a striking craft cocktail bar — with a top shelf so high it takes a ladder to reach the bottles.

You’ll be able to enjoy your meal or cocktail alfresco, as there’s courtyard patio seating and roll-up garage doors for walk-up bar access alluding to the indoor-outdoor atmosphere. And if this sounds like the perfect place to host a party, you’re in luck — there’s also a private room with seating for up to 50 people.

The ice

Let’s talk about the ice.

To create its buzz-worthy ice, STIR cuts, saws and chisels a 300-pound block of crystal-clear purified ice into one of seven drink-specific shapes, which are designed to melt at a rate that won’t water down your cocktail.

House-blended bitters and syrups, fresh-pressed juices and artisan ice give STIR’s cocktails an edge on the competition. You can expect craft cocktails on draft, house barrel-aged cocktails and classic made-to-order cocktails (think: Old Fashioned, Aviation, Hemingway Daiquiri). There will also be a collection of over 350 spirits, beer and wine.

The food

STIR will be open daily for lunch and dinner, as well as weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Executive Chef Mathew Turney will oversee operations in the kitchen and at the raw bar, which will feature poke, fresh oysters from North Carolina and traditional Mexican and Peruvian ceviche.

Hungry diners will enjoy hearty options like a fried green tomato burger topped with pimento cheese, as well as classic dishes like chicken piccata, shrimp and grits and white cheddar mac and cheese with scallops and shrimp.

What’s for brunch? Chicken and waffles, avocado toast on sourdough bread and a shrimp and crab Benedict piled high with jumbo lump crab meat and fried shrimp, just to name a few.

STIR Charlotte

1422 S. Tryon St., Suite 130

Instagram: @stir_charlotte

Interested in applying? Text STIRCLT to 77948 or visit stircharlotte.com.

This story was originally published May 26, 2020 at 4:23 PM.