Local sportsbook-inspired lounge named best sports bar in Charlotte
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Blinders named Charlotte's best sports bar in reader-driven local contest.
- Venue boasts 60-foot-wide screen, Vegas-style setup and shareable plates.
- Longtime favorite Sports Page maintains local support with classic offerings.
From basketball and football to baseball and soccer, Charlotte is definitely a sports fan’s city.
So it really isn’t a surprise that our Readers’ Choice contest for the best sports bar was a grand slam competition, with nearly 100,000 total votes to be exact.
Out of a dozen fan-favorite spots for sports lovers around the area, here’s which bars scored the title of the ultimate game day spots:
Best sports bar: Blinders
Location: 225 W Tremont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203
Think of a Las Vegas-style sportsbook, the energy of a sports bar and the design aesthetic of a cocktail lounge — and that’s what you can expect at Blinders, one of Charlotte’s newest sports bars and now the city’s very best.
The new sports spot in South End opened its doors this spring, CharlotteFive previously reported, bringing what owners say is the biggest sports viewing screen on the East Coast outside of a stadium or casino right to the Queen City.
“Charlotte has never seen this before,” operations manager Larisa Yanicak told CharlotteFive.
“It is nearly 60 feet wide and 15 feet tall, very Vegas style. We have different configurations — at least nine at the same time we can do. We can do 20 screens at the same time, so this is a unique experience.”
With a “gourmet approach” to game day bites, Blinders’ menu features a lot of tapas-style shareable plates, like Philly cheesesteak sliders, egg rolls, nachos and more, plus salads, dips, burgers and cocktails.
“As an avid sports fan myself, I want a bar with energy,” Yanicak explained. “So the DJ matters, the CO2 matters, the energy of the guests matter. It’s really fun when everyone here is watching their game and they all start screaming.”
Best sports bar finalist: Sports Page Food & Spirits
Location: 8400 Bellhaven Blvd # H, Charlotte, NC 28216
For years, Sports Page Food & Spirits has been a go-to spot for fans in the Northwest corner of Charlotte.
The local bar, nestled in the Coulwood Hills area, opened its doors in 1987 “as a place where friends could get together and watch their favorite sports and enjoy great food.”
Though its a UNC Tar Heels bar, you can watch simultaneous games on one of Sports Pages’ multiple screens, including both college and pro teams.
“We are a sports bar, but we have something for everybody here,” at what co-owner Shawn Hudson likes to call the neighborhood gathering place.
Like any traditional sports bar, there are popular comfort food classics on the menu like wings, shrimp and grits and more, with lunch and dinner specials throughout the week.
“We appreciate the business and the votes. We hope to have a lot more years to come,” co-owner Brad Barber said.
As his business partner continued, “Without y’all, we wouldn’t be here today. We’re blessed to have the patrons we have and we hope to continue that with more great patrons.”
Alex Cason contributed reporting.
Top 48
Location: 200 E Bland St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 1518 Montford Dr, Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 516-F River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117
Location: 1535 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Location: 225 W Tremont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 8440 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Location: 1627 Montford Dr, Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 3419 Toringdon Way, Charlotte, NC 28277
Location: Multiple
Location: 12206 Copper Way #124, Charlotte, NC 28277
Location: 1300 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 601 S Cedar St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 335 N Graham St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 140 Brevard Court, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 8155 Ardrey Kell Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Location: 911 E Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Location: Multiple
Location: 2200 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 1500 W Morehead St C, Charlotte, NC 28208
Location: 400 S Graham St #4, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 19906 N Cove Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Location: 1515 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 222 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 8301 Magnolia Estates Dr, Cornelius, NC 28031
Location: 1801 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 4109 S Stream Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Location: Multiple
Location: 1212 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Kristophers Sports Bar & Restaurant
Location: 250 N Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105
Location: 7725 Colony Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
Location: 4548 Old Pineville Rd Ste A, Charlotte, NC 28217
Location: Multiple
Location: 11318 N Community House Rd #200, Charlotte, NC 28277
Location: 230 E W.T. Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28262
Location: 314 N Polk St, Pineville, NC 28134
Location: 3216 South Blvd #301, Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 500 W Trade St #104, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 2801 Selwyn Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 4544 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 1513 Pierson Dr, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 8400 Bellhaven Blvd # H, Charlotte, NC 28216
Location: 2135 Thrift Rd Unit 104, Charlotte, NC 28208
Location: 4582 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie, SC 29710
Location: 1411 S Tryon St Ste B, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 430 W 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 1218 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: Camp North End, 201 Camp Rd Suite 120, Charlotte, NC 28206
Location: 1221 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205
Best of Charlotte: Coffee Shop | Chicken Wings | Doughnuts | Burgers | Ice Cream | Brewery | Pizza | Sushi | Tacos | Food truck | Bar | Ramen | Brunch | Patio | Barbecue | Pie | Fried Chicken | Fries | Cookies | Steak | Bagels
Uniquely Charlotte: Uniquely Charlotte is an Observer subscriber collection of moments, landmarks and personalities that define the uniqueness (and pride) of why we live in the Charlotte region.
This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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