Food and Drink

Team behind Sea Level NC, Ace No. 3 set opening date for new tavern in uptown

Packard Tavern, Charlotte’s newest spot for good food and good company, finally has an opening date.

Starting Monday, May 18, customers can enjoy contemporary American fare over craft cocktails and more at veteran restaurateur Paul Manley’s new eatery in the heart of uptown.

Tucked inside the historic Packard Place building, expect “a true tavern experience” and “welcome respite ... for locals and travelers alike,” according to a news release sent to CharlotteFive. Doors open at 4 p.m.

A perfectly seared salmon fillet is presented on a dark slate-gray plate, resting atop a colorful bed of black beans and corn salsa. Bright orange crema is artistically drizzled across the entire dish in diagonal lines, accented by a delicate garnish of fresh microgreens. The plate is photographed from an overhead perspective against a warm, natural wood tabletop that highlights the vibrant colors of the meal.
The salmon entree at Packard Tavern. In Bloom Brands In Bloom Brands
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It’s the latest concept from Manley’s High Tide Hospitality group, which includes Sea Level NC and Ace No. 3 burgers.

Packard Tavern will have a “small but well-appointed” food menu featuring short ribs, lobster pappardelle, chicken Packard salad and of course, a premium tavern burger.

Other menu highlights include:

  • Deviled eggs
  • Beef tartare with bone marrow
  • Double bone short rib
  • Pasta carbonara
  • DemKota ribeye
  • Focaccia bread service

On the drinks side, mixologist Azure Cassidy has crafted a beverage program that’s “simple, yet exceptional,” according to the release.

A black industrial ice shaver sits on a bar counter, mid-operation as it showers a pink cocktail with fine, white shaved ice. The elegant coupe glass is nearly topped with a snowy mound, while a vibrant bouquet of orange and pink flowers sits in the foreground. In the blurred background, rows of clean glassware and warm wooden cabinetry create a sophisticated bar atmosphere.
The Snow Job Treatment is one of several cocktails on the menu at Packard Tavern in uptown. In Bloom Brands

The 4,800-square-foot restaurant will take over a portion of the first floor at Packard Place, an old car showroom built by James Ward Packard in the 1920s. The space includes a 90-seat dining room and bar area, plus two private dining areas: one for smaller groups, and the other for parties of 30-plus.

“Hospitality is more than a well-executed dish or balanced drink,” Manley said in the release. “It’s the warm reception at the host stand, it’s the server guiding you beyond the menu, it’s the leadership recognizing more than just special occasions.”

“This is connection over commerce.”

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct an outdated menu description.

A long, polished walnut dining table is set for a large group with minimalist white plates, black napkins, and sparking glassware. The room features a striking blue and gold damask wallpaper on one side and a large mirror on the other that reflects the warm glow of modern circular chandeliers. Small, colorful floral arrangements in dark vases are spaced evenly down the center of the table, adding pops of brightness to the moody, upscale space.
The new Packard Tavern in uptown features a 90-seat dining room and bar area, plus two private dining rooms. In Bloom Brands

Packard Tavern

Location: 222 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Cuisine: Contemporary American

Instagram: @packardtavern

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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 10:30 AM.

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Tanasia Kenney
Sun Herald
Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.
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