Casual, Japanese cocktail bar will join its fine-dining sister spot in Charlotte
A double-duty hotspot with a James Beard Award-winning chef at the helm is opening in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood in early 2026.
We knew Japanese fine dining restaurant Uchi was on the way to the Commonwealth development from James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole. Now, Hai Hospitality has announced that an izakaya-style cocktail bar named Uchibā is coming along with it.
Uchibā — which loosely translates to “Uchi Bar” — will hold a 24-seat bar and a 38-seat dining room in its 2,200-square foot-interior, offering a more intimate experience for guests than the larger Japanese restaurant a floor below.
The cocktail bar serving casual fare will also boast a 1,500-square-foot rooftop that seats 60, offering views of Plaza Midwood and a glimpse of uptown Charlotte.
“It’s a little bit more relaxed atmosphere, especially with the outdoor area,” Hai Hospitality CEO Tony Montero told CharlotteFive. “It’s one where on a Saturday afternoon, you could come in shorts and a T shirt.”
What to expect at Uchi and Uchibā
Uchi and Uchibā will have separate entrances but will share chef de cuisine Shaun King. He most recently led the kitchen at Uchiko Houston, a nontraditional Japanese restaurant in the same hospitality group that plays around with smoke and char.
Uchi offers Cole’s take on Japanese cuisine in an upscale setting with sushi, caviar, tasting options and a seasonal omakase.
At Uchibā, think handhelds with a lower price point: burgers, chicken sandwiches, dumplings and skewers. The menu will also feature an array of small plates with bao, buns and shareable bites.
King will craft those dishes to complement the bar’s drink program, with classic cocktails plus a few with a Japanese twist.
Inside Uchibā, guests can expect plush lounge seating focused on the bar and an experience that takes “advantage of the fact that there’s views,” Montero said.
“So you can imagine a lot of glass and a lot of being able to look out and see what’s happening in that Plaza Midwood area. It’s also going to be a really cool space for private events,” Montero said.
Montero said Charlotte’s James Beard and Michelin recognition was key to drawing the hospitality group to the Queen City, saying, “That means your guests ... enjoy good dining experiences, which is what we plan on giving in both of our restaurants.”
“Both restaurants are going to be amazing, and we couldn’t be more excited about getting them open and being part of everything that’s happening there in Charlotte,” Montero said.
Uchi and Uchibā
Location: 1720 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte NC 28205
Cuisine: Japanese, sushi
Instagram: @uchirestaurants
This story was originally published December 8, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
