Big Ben British Restaurant & Pub will open this week at its new home in Elizabeth.

By Heidi Finley

Updated June 29, 2021 9:46 PM

Big Ben British Restaurant & Pub has found a new home in Elizabeth, and now it has an opening date: 11 a.m. Thursday, July 1.

The restaurant that’s as well known for hosting soccer fans as it is for its British-style fish and chips is settling in to the spot formerly held by Carpe Diem, Big Ben co-owner Neel Gandhi told CharlotteFive. Right next door is home to the Charlotte Independence soccer club.

Atlanta restaurant BOCADO Bar + Diner is now open in the Atherton Mill space that formerly held Big Ben, whose last day in the space was Feb. 28. Its original Myers Park location was destroyed in a fire in February 2010.

The bar at Big Ben’s new location on Elizabeth Avenue. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive

Big Ben plans had celebrated its time in the South End space with live music the last two weekends of the month. “We really gained a lot of new customers and new friends there,” he said.

Big Ben’s new home in Elizabeth is a 5,000 square-foot restaurant that underwent renovations. Plans called for creating an open air concept, as well as opening up the space between the bar and dining room, Gandhi said.

“It’s a little more modern than we had before at the old space,” he told CharlotteFive on Tuesday.

Another new feature is a private dining area, complete with its own bar and TVs, he said.

“We’re trying to expand on our soccer offerings,” Gandhi said back in February, noting Major League Soccer is on its way to Charlotte with the new Charlotte FC team.

There’s a secondary bar on the Travis Avenue-side entrance of Big Ben’s new location. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive

Big Ben will continue to offer live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and there will be a few new items coming to the brunch and dinner menus to compliment the existing offerings, such as the Full English Breakfast. Guests will also see daily food and drink specials.

The stage at Big Ben where musicians will perform features a mural created by Claire Cordelia. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive

Gandhi also noted the new location also offers plenty of parking, so soccer fans who come to watch the game won’t have to stress about finding a spot.