A classic is back: Lake Norman’s Tropicana has reopened with more live music, plus food
The Tropicana in Lake Norman is back in a new location, nearly a year after the Cornelius bar that has been a staple in the community for more than 25 years was forced to close due to a fire.
Co-owner Radford Bennett said the source of the June 14, 2022, fire was a cigarette that someone had left smoldering.
He said his team had every intention of reopening all along, but a few challenges arose that led them to seek a new spot — the former Kat’s Seafood Kitchen location on West Catawba Avenue.
“We just wanted to bring it back for the community. … People really missed it and wanted it back,” said Bennett, a partner in Cambridge Hospitality Group, which also owns Jack’s Corner Tap and Peninsula Prime Seafood & Steakhouse.
In the new space, guests will find stages both indoors and outdoors to showcase live entertainment, along with a full kitchen open until 1 a.m. weeknights.
“The Old Tropicana didn’t serve food, but Kat’s had a ready-made kitchen,” Bennett said, leading to a new focus on “top quality bar food.”
Guests will find tacos, wings, burgers and even a meatball sub to munch on while they’re hanging out.
“It’s the kinda food we’d eat if we were up that late — if we were young,” Bennett said.
The Tropicana, previously known as shot-and-beer kind of joint, now has a high end selection of tequilas at the full bar, as well, thanks to manager Shane Byers.
Byers “is a huge fan of tequilas, and he’s put a list together that’s pretty good,” Bennett said.
Weekly events are also on tap, so there’s something happening each night. The lineup of events includes:
- Monday: service industry night, starting at 10 p.m.
- Tuesday: music bingo
- Wednesday: acoustic music
- Thursday: trivia night
- Friday: DJ or live music
- Saturday: live music
- Sunday: live music from Sunday Funday.
“We’re happy to be back,” Bennett said. “Happy to bring Cornelius what they’ve been missing, right at the start of lake season.“
Tropicana
Location: 19732 W Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
Cuisine: American, bar food
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 am.-2 a.m.; Sunday - 11 a.m.-midnight
Instagram: @tropicanacornelius
This story was originally published May 17, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
