‘Experimental cocktail lounge’ with a rum club will be Charlotte’s tropical, urban oasis
Charlotte’s homegrown “eatertainment” group Embrace The Adventures (ETA), the group behind Stroke, will open its new tropical concept, Royal Tot, in October or November. But you can join its Rum Club now.
Located in the same building as Catawba Brewing, it will be an experiential cocktail lounge aimed at bringing an urban oasis feel to the city while making you feel as if you’ve been transported to a tropical getaway without the need for your passport.
The two-story space will have an upscale bar downstairs, focused on more elevated cocktails with a true mixology experience. Upstairs will be a second bar area (and rooftop), that will be more casual and laid back with lots of bright colors and fun tiki drinks.
“We want people to feel as if they have been transported to this mythical destination that doesn’t exist, just minutes from uptown Charlotte,” Scott Gadd, co-owner of ETA and Royal Tot, told CharlotteFive in May.
As for the name, it is inspired by the daily ration of rum that British soldiers would get, while serving in the Queen’s Navy. However, according to Royal Tot “everyone is a sailor and you can get your ration, however you choose.”
One of the highlights of the concept is the rum club, where guests can try rare and vintage rums.
“We have collected around 100 bottles of rare and vintage rums, mostly from Europe. The plan is to offer a yearly membership to the rum club at an affordable cost, where people can come in to not only try the rums, but also get an educational component too.”
THE MENU: Fruit marinated in rum, Kona coffee rubbed chicken wings, tequila-pineapple marinated Spam and house made Dole whip are just a few of the tropical-themed bites you can order. All dishes were created in conjunction with The Paper Plane Deli & Market.
THE RUM CLUB
RUM CLUB: The Royal Tot Admiral Vernon’s Rum Club enrollment went live on Saturday, July 31, which was the 51st anniversary of the Royal Navy’s Black Tot Day (the last day the Royal Navy served a daily rum ration to sailors). The rum club launched with special rates for inaugural members.
WHAT: $250; gets you 17 months membership for the price of 12.
WHEN: If you sign up through Aug. 31.
Membership includes:
- Limited edition The Royal Tot glass.
- Exclusive access to The Royal Tot pre-opening preview and tasting events.
- Exclusive access to The Royal Tot VIP opening event.
- 15% off merch (custom Hawaiian shirts, limited edition ceramic mugs, lifeguard hats, more).
- Free and discounted tickets to monthly events (After The Royal Tot opens later this year, monthly events will include networking with distillers, liquor reps, and bartenders as they teach you all about rum and tropical drinks).
- Exclusive access to The Royal Tot’s rare and vintage rum collection: More than 100 bottles of rare and vintage rum, ranging from 20 to 70 years old, well known and obscure brands. Bottles range from $200 to $3,000.
Sign up to become a member on theroyaltot.com.
The Royal Tot
Location: 933 Louise Ave., Suite 350 Charlotte, NC 28204
Neighborhood: Belmont
Website coming soon: http://www.theroyaltot.com/
Instagram: @royaltot
This story was originally published May 24, 2021 at 2:17 PM.
