Save water, drink cocktails. Here’s the best bar in Charlotte, according to readers.
When we started our search for the best bars in the Charlotte area, our team was forced to confront the following question: What makes a place a bar?
The answer seems simple, on the surface: Does it serve alcohol? If yes, it’s a bar, right?
But what makes a bar the best? That answer seems to be completely subjective. Are you an “everybody knows your name” watering hole person, or do you like the anonymity of a crowded dance club at the hottest new nightclub in town? Do you want to spend your money at a dive bar or do you prefer a swanky cocktail lounge?
The answer seems to be as individual as the local places themselves.
When we asked for your top choices for our CharlotteFive Readers’ Choice Best Bars contest, all kinda of bars were suggested — and in all, 74 top bars were nominated. After five rounds of voting, you’ve chosen your favorite. Here’s the best bar in the Charlotte area, according to you:
The best bar in Charlotte: Boardwalk Billy’s Raw Bar & Ribs
Location: 9005 J M Keynes Dr #2, Charlotte, NC 28262
Location: 1636 Sardis Rd N, Charlotte, NC 28270
Instagram: @boardwalkbillysuncc, @boardwalkbillyscpt
Boardwalk Billy’s Raw Bar & Ribs has been a popular spot in the Charlotte area for 25 years.
The restaurant has two local locations. It’s decked out with surfboards, beach signs and other Jimmy Buffet-inspired themes, is designed to make you feel like you’re on the coast even in the city. The University location is even on the water.
“It’s kind of like your vacation spot in Charlotte. You don’t have to travel to the beach … it’s one of the only places in Charlotte where you can eat right on the water,” manager Logan Thompson told CharlotteFive. “Something that we have that you won’t find in Charlotte often is frozen drinks. We have those all year round.”
While Boardwalk Billy’s is known for its tropical drinks and rotating list of craft beers, it’s also a great place to grab seafood, barbecue and other Southern staples. All of the meats are smoked in house overnight, using the restaurant’s proprietary dry rub recipe.
“We want to thank everybody who voted for us in the CharlotteFive contest for the best bar in Charlotte. We look forward to serving you in the future,” Thompson said.
STATS Restaurant and Bar
Location: 3425 David Cox Road, Charlotte, NC 28269
Editor’s note: We have been playing phone tag with STATs, who won runner-up in the best bar contest. We’ll update this story once we’ve been able to connect with the STATs team for a feature!
Best bars in Charlotte
Don’t forget to read about all of the 74 bars you nominated for the best in the area.
Read more on CharlotteFive Readers’ Choice winners:
- Best Coffee Shop
- Best Chicken Wings
- Best Doughnuts
- Best Burgers
- Best Ice Cream
- Best Brewery
- Best Pizza
- Best Sushi
- Best Tacos
- Best Food Trucks
This story was originally published December 8, 2023 at 6:00 AM.