10 best places to get a drink by the fire in Charlotte

By Laurie Larsh

Updated January 30, 2024 4:20 PM

At Camp North End, grab an espresso from Hex Coffee, a Believe in Bellini from Free Range Brewing or a mulled wine from NoDa Company Canteen. Alex Cason CharlotteFive

Winter Dining Guide

From where to go to how to dine outside in the cold, we tell you how to navigate Charlotte’s dining scene this winter.

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If your bartender or barista skills are lacking and you’ve yet to purchase the much revered Solo Stove, we’ve got you covered.

We scoured the places around Charlotte where you can bask in the warm glow of a fire while sipping your drink of choice. From hot toddies to espressos, hot chocolate to cocktails, there are options for all palates and all times of day.

Check out these 10 spots:

Camp North End

Location: 300 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC 28206

Neighborhood: Druid Hills South

Drink: When it comes to drinks by the fire, Camp North End offers a plethora of choices. A few of our favorites:

Sip on an Espresso with milk from Hex Coffee.
Order a Believe in Bellini from Free Range Brewing, with nectarine and citrus seltzer.
Or keep your hands warm with mulled wine from NoDa Company Canteen.

Once you have your drink of choice, make yourself at home at one of the large firepits at the Boileryard or The Mount. There’s even a pile of firewood off to the side so you can keep the fire stoked yourself.

Infrared heaters and fire pits are found throughout Camp North End, offering guests a place to warm up. Courtesy of Camp North End

Charlotte Beer Garden

Location: 1300 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: Dilworth

Drink: Sip a Charlotte Beer Garden Chocolate Martini — Tito’s vodka, Godiva liqueur, creme de banana and Kahlua — while keeping warm by the outdoor fire pits.

The Charlotte Beer Garden has plenty of firepits and gas heaters to keep the patios warm. Alex Cason CharlotteFive

Golden Owl Tavern

Location: 9041 Robert D. Snyder Road, Charlotte, NC 28262

Neighborhood: University Place

Drink: Sip an old fashioned — bourbon, fig syrup and black walnut bitters — next to the outdoor fire pits.

Golden Owl Tavern has outdoor fire pits and heat lamps on its wraparound patio facing the LNYX Blue Line University City Station. Alex Cason CharlotteFive

Fahrenheit

Location: 222 S. Caldwell St., 21st Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202

Neighborhood: Uptown

Drink: Sip a Gimme S’more — Old Grand-Dad bourbon, housemade caramel sauce, toasted marshmallow syrup, graham cracker rim and torched marshmallow — cozied up by the terrace fire tables.

Nuvole 22

Location: 220 E. Trade St., Suite 2200, Charlotte, NC 28202

Neighborhood: Uptown

Drink: Sip a Death from Below — Creyente Mezcal, Zaya rum, Ford’s gin, Bittermens Xocolatl Mole bitters, ginger, lime and demerara — overlooking the city next to fire pits.

If the firepits and heat lamps aren’t enough to keep you warm at Nuvole 22, there are blankets, too. Tim Robison CharlotteFive

Olde Meck Brewery

Location: 4150 Yancey Road, Charlotte, NC 28217

Neighborhood: South End

Drink: Sip a Yule Bock — an authentic Weihnachtsbock (Christmas Bock) — by the fire pits in the biergarten.

Old Mecklenburg Brewery’s Weihnachtsbock (Christmas Bock) — is best enjoyed outdoors by the fire pits. Courtesy of Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

Starbucks

Location: 1401 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: Dilworth

Drink: Sip a Toasted White Chocolate Mocha by the indoor fireplace.

Toucan Louie’s

Location: 2753 Rozzelles Ferry Road, Charlotte, NC 28208

Neighborhood: West End

Drink: Sip a glass of red wine or a rosé, or go for a cup of Toucan Louie’s craft roasted coffee next to the fire pit.

Grab a glass of wine at Toucan Louie’s and stay warm by the fire pit. Alex Cason CharlotteFive

The Chamber by Wooden Robot

Location: 416 E. 36th St., #100, Charlotte, NC 28205

Neighborhood: NoDa

Drink: Sip a Cinna Roll GMV — a blonde ale with coffee, cinnamon and double vanilla, by the fire pits.

Workman’s Friend

Location: 1531 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205

Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood

Drink: Sip a brown sugar hot toddy — Paddy’s Irish Whiskey, honey, lemon and cloves — by the indoor fireplace.

Want more heat? Check out our ultimate guide to Charlotte’s heated patios.

This story was originally published December 21, 2021 at 6:00 AM.

Laurie Larsh

The Charlotte Observer

Laurie Larsh is a freelance writer and travel junkie with an affinity for sunglasses, coffee and all things Tarheels. Relentless curiosity about people and places keep her wondering and wandering near and far and writing stories about it. Follow her travel adventures on Instagram @goexplauring or her website www.goexplauring.com.