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    Idlewild

    4.3 (224 reviews)
    ModerateCocktail Bars
    Open 6:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Idlewild Photos

    IDLEWILD ATMOSPHERE

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    Hipster
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Classy

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    Strawberry Martini -bartenders recipe
    Summer Z.

    Cozy, cool ambience and delicious cocktails. The bartenders have a wealth of knowledge in their craft and can make something for even the pickiest of drinkers. Make a reservation or enjoy the standing bar space, as walk-in seating is limited, especially on the weekends.

    Tropical Popsicle
    Mitchell B.

    Fantastic atmosphere, but genuinely incredible drinks. No menu here - you order what you're in the mood for generally and the bartender creates magic for you. Had two drinks and both were absolutely delicious! Would recommend to anyone in the Charlotte area.

    Megan D.

    Amazing experience. Would highly recommend. No menu, you tell the bartender what you like / in the mood for and they make you a custom drink. Our bartender was amazing and created delicious drinks that I really enjoyed. Very quiet atmosphere, laid back and chill vibe.

    Bar
    Francisco M.

    Awesome speakeasy Great place for fancy cocktails Great place for date night definitely No cocktail menu, just tell the bartender what you feel like and magic will happen!

    Shayla J.

    We came on a Sunday and were seated immediately at the bar. The bartender was nice and informative. He explained there isn't a bar menu, you just tell them what your mood is and the types of drinks you normally drink and they make you something. We ended up getting 2 drinks and both were different and tasty! I loved the experience, each bartender was attentive. And it's a pretty cozy place. Great for a date night. No food though.

    Danielle K.

    A bar after my own heart! Dark, sensual and craft cocktails. Close by the rail tracks- this bar sits in a plaza and isn't hard to find. But I'd love to lose myself here. We sat down and spoke to the server who simply asked for our desired flavors- I was stunned. I was in love! She asked for flavors and off she went, but my favorite part- my friend and I asked for similar flavor profiles and she came back with two different drinks. Absolutely delicious- both of them. We asked for st germain- elderflower essentially, lemon, lavender, gin. My drink was beautiful, I could have sat at this bar all night if it wasn't for my ambitious friends who wanted to keep moving. A great experience.

    Drinks!
    Meredith S.

    Very unique drink spot!! You tell the wait staff what you are in the mood for and they surprise you with something off the menu. Very mood vibes inside

    Ashley F.

    Came by here on a Thursday evening with 3 friends and absolutely enjoyed my time! We were greeted and seated immediately in a super cute corner nook table with comfy seating. The ambiance and vibes are extremely high in this establishment and I genuinely enjoyed it here. The concept is dope because there is no menu. You tell your server what style drink you like and are in the mood for and they curate a cocktail for you on the spot, essentially! I wish I remembered what my actual drink was called because I absolutely loved it! I told our super nice server I was a bourbon gal, very spirit forward, didn't like sweet drinks and typically drink it straight. She came back with an excellent choice that I really liked! We sat and talked for maybe 90 mins and just enjoyed the environment so much. I told my boyfriend we HAVE to go back for a chill date night. Highly recommend. My one drawback is that the bathrooms are unisex, I guess. Like there are 2 bathrooms with 2 stalls inside each, I believe, I only went inside one. It was awkward waiting in line with multiple guys. Once one became available I walked in a locked the door thinking it was a single bathroom, I realized it wasn't but I kept the door locked because I genuinely didn't feel comfortable using the bathroom with strange men. I get it....but as a woman it's super uncomfortable. Next time I will have my friends or boyfriend just come with me to the bathroom. We also parked in the garage and paid about $8. Not too bad. Can't wait to go back!

    Brittanie H.

    What a great little cocktail bar. The ambiance is romantic, hip, and great for a romantic date or night out with friends. The night we came, they had just moved out of the space where the Good Bad and the Ugly now reside and reopened in Fairweather's space. They were swamped, so we started drinking at the bar of Figo 36, where we had appetizers. We had to wait over an hour for our two seats at the bar only to discover that they weren't serving food, which I hope has changed by now. Thankfully, we had the appetizers, so we weren't pressed for food, though it would've been nice. The bartender was stoic, and they didn't have a menu at the time. So he asked what you liked and made something based on your preferences. For all his stoicism, he made a damn good cocktail, and I found myself throwing back what he called "Vinny's Margaritas" all night. It was a great experience despite the obstacles, and even though I live close by, I have yet to make it back, but I hope to soon.

    Lion's tail (left) and expat Ricky (right)
    Courtney S.

    Head's up - they just moved from the old location and are where the Fairweather used to be(right next door), so now they have double the amount of tables (went from 6 to 12). A reservation is highly recommended, especially on the weekends. They do have a same-day waitlist that you can get on and they'll call you if there's an available table or bar seating. This is my favorite craft cocktail place in Charlotte. I've never had a bad cocktail. You just tell the bartenders your flavor pallet and they will make a drink based on your taste. I absolutely loved the expat Ricky and the lions tail. Two of the best bourbon-based cocktails I've had yet. If you're a craft cocktail lover and are looking for an intimate place to go for a date night - this is the one! You really can't go wrong! Jacob is a wonderful mixologist!

    Salted vanilla Dominicana
    Daisja V.

    Uhhh where do I start?? I had such a wonderful experience at this bar, and I'd like to give a special shoutout to our amazing mixologists, Jacob! My boyfriend and I booked an earlier reservation to avoid parking issues, and everything worked out perfectly. When we walked in, the bar had a darker, intimate vibe that we actually really enjoyed but idk if that's everyone's kinda vibe, it added to the ambiance in a nice way. From the moment we sat down, Jacob made us feel welcome with his great sense of humor and friendly demeanor. The music was at just the right volume, and Jacob suggested some fantastic drinks for us to try. The bar doesn't have a menu, but they are incredibly knowledgeable here. He nailed every drink we described, and my personal favorite was the Salted Vanilla Dominicana. Each drink felt crafted to perfection, and we couldn't have been happier as we watched them behind the bar doing their magic. We ended up enjoying four cocktails, which came to about $70 before tip--$17 per drink may be a bit pricey for some, but the quality, atmosphere, and service made it worth every penny. All in all, we spent under $100 for an unforgettable night. We'll definitely be back soon && thank you, Jacob, for making our night so special!

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    Page 2 of 6

    Ask the Community - Idlewild

    Parking available at idlewild bar?

    Yes, retail parking spaces are directly in front of the bar, and an overflow parking garage is attached to the building. The parking garage is to the right if you're facing the door of Idlewild.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Idlewild

    If you're a craft cocktail lover and are looking for an intimate place to go for a date night - this is the one!

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Sneak Clt - The bar.

    Sneak Clt

    4.7(44 reviews)
    2.5 miElizabeth

    This is a bar for the GIRLS I was so pleasantly surprised when my partner and I came here and it…read morewas just the cutest little bar We came here to pre game dinner and it was a great experience the seating in here is limited but we had no problem finding a seat on the weekend. They have a bunch of different weekly things that go on here such as movie nights and so on. This is not a bar where guys can be dude bros this is definitely where the girls come to gossip and have little snacks and I love everything about that. The only men I saw here were with women and I think that was 3 including mine ABSOLUTELY coming back with friends and ordering a bunch of appetizers and drinks everything here looks as good as it tastes and the drinks are strong! The staff here is super sweet and just lovely

    Found this gem of a cocktail bar last minute. To be honest, I feel embarrassed that I haven't come…read morehere yet. They've been here 2.5 years and from my first experience , they are absolutely crushing it. Dim lighting, beautiful bar design in a smaller space, and 90's-2000's hip hop was the perfect mix for a chill Friday night. Niaget took care of us at the bar (please forgive me if I got the spelling wrong!) and she is clearly a well trained mixologist. Cocktail menu is unique and the ingredients might seem a little far out, but trust the process. The drink pictured below was a bourbon-based (Old Forrester) custom cocktail that Niaget threw together. Hints of pineapple & mint mixed with my favorite brand bourbon made this an honest treat. I will be tossing this cocktail bar onto my favorites list and can't wait to go back.

    Photos
    Sneak Clt - Secret Bathroom with a gold toilet

    Secret Bathroom with a gold toilet

    Sneak Clt - Bar

    Bar

    Sneak Clt

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    The Degenerate - Chicken Sandwich

    The Degenerate

    4.3(244 reviews)
    0.9 miVilla Heights, NoDa
    $$

    I had an enjoyable experience. I ordered the NYC falafel which, although it could be a bit larger,…read morewas very good. The default side was fries and I asked if there were any substitutions. One was a small side Caesar salad which I got. I was disappointed in the continuing practice for restaurants to charge for small changes like this within informing the customer. Waitress was very nice, however and attentive. What is also quite unique about the restaurant was that you could order small 4 oz beers, just for tasting at $2-3 each. The place is quite large and must get incredibly noisy at times with the hard surfaces and multiple TVs. There is an option to sit directly at the bar or at tables.

    I ordered takeout from The Degenerate, and overall, I really enjoyed my meal! I tried the pork and…read morefried green tomato sliders, dry-rub chicken wings, and pierogies. The wings were AMAZING, and the sliders were absolutely delicious! They were so good that I devoured them before I even thought to take a picture! Unfortunately, the pierogies were the one disappointment, especially since they were actually the main reason I decided to order from here. They were a bit too greasy for my taste. After eating two, I ended up placing the rest on a paper towel to absorb some of the excess oil, which unfortunately made them less enjoyable. That being said, I would definitely eat at The Degenerate again. I'd happily order the wings and sliders again, but I would probably skip the pierogies next time unless they're one of those dishes that are simply better enjoyed fresh at the restaurant rather than as takeout. Overall, there were definitely more hits than misses, and those sliders and wings alone are worth another visit!

    Photos
    The Degenerate - Inside The Degenerate. Good vibes

    Inside The Degenerate. Good vibes

    The Degenerate - Turkish Eggs

    Turkish Eggs

    The Degenerate - Bar area

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    Bar area

    Haberdish - @rondaexplores

    Haberdish

    4.3(1.8k reviews)
    0.1 miNoDa
    $$

    We got on the walk-in list 30 minutes before arriving, but when we got there, the host told us it…read morewould still be about an hour wait. There were several "reserved" tables that remained empty until after we had finished eating, so I think the restaurant could benefit from a better reservation system with more accurate buffer times to accommodate walk-in guests. To avoid the wait, we decided to sit at the bar, and I'm glad we did because the food was amazing. The fried chicken and waffles were perfectly seasoned, and the waffle had a unique texture and flavor that reminded me of a combination of a traditional waffle and a soft pretzel. The cheesy potato cake was absolutely delicious. The fruit bowl was also good, but I wish they had been a little more generous with the blueberry pudding. The shrimp and grits came with large tomatoes, which may not be for everyone, and my friend felt the dish was lacking grits overall. She didn't feel like she got her money's worth. Would I go back? Absolutely. My meal was delicious, and I can't wait to return and try more of their homemade, fresh dishes. I also think it's great that they partner with local farmers to help curate their menu.

    I was very excited to come dine here but was left feeling very conflicted…read more On one hand, I had the best chicken and waffles ever. The chicken tenders were soft and tender, with a crispy and well seasoned fried skin. Not too strong, but just enough to really appreciate the chicken. The waffles had this really nice bouncy chew to it, similar to a mochi donut. Really enhanced further by the syrup and amazing texture difference when you get any of the crispy chicken over the waffle. But on the other hand, everything else we ordered and the service while we were there were lacking. We had a reservation for lunch on a Sunday, and were seated very quickly. But then it took a very long time for a waiter to come to us. Once the waiter did arrive, we weren't greeted or introduced, simply just a "know what you want?". On top of that, when asking what was in the quiche of the day and the market rate we got a "idk maybe 14 or 15" and then what we were told was in the quiche was just not true haha. We were told there would be some vegetables and cheese, but ended up with no cheese and a lot of potatoes inside our quiche. The food did come very fast after we ordered so that was a plus. I think the main reason this experience left a bad feeling was because the table next to us had the same waiter and got a completely different experience. The waiter walked them through the menu, told them about the history of the restaurant, and told them a completely different (but this time accurate?) price and contents of the quiche of the day! I'm glad the chicken and waffles were fantastic, but it is sort of hard to enjoy your meal when you see completely different service from your waiter just one table next to you :(

    Photos
    Haberdish - Inside

    Inside

    Haberdish - Fried Chicken (Whole)

    Fried Chicken (Whole)

    Haberdish - Leafy Greens Salad and Prosecco

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    Leafy Greens Salad and Prosecco

    Humbug - Miami Dice

    Humbug

    4.6(60 reviews)
    0.9 miVilla Heights

    Great little neighborhood bar in plaza midwood, with an amazing playlist, 59 hrs long !! Also great…read moredrinks ! We came to grab a drink after a concert, found a spot at the bar. Interesting menu for cocktails. Very unusual and unique recipes. With down ingredients I've never heard of. Definitely crafting their cocktails. Service was great, the owner sits at the bar with customers which was cool. We scanned the menu but stuck to the classic Negroni which was made perfectly and their version of an espresso martini made with salted coconut foam. A very strong drink and I loved that foam! Good take on it. We had a great time enjoying our cocktails and listening to the music amongst our own conversations. Nice and chill place to hang out . Inside was cool with great artwork. They also had a patio too. I was glad to see they stayed busy til they closed at 1am. Really enjoyed finally checking this place out.

    Lots to choose from on the menu. Came for the espresso martini, but it wasn't it for us. The fernet…read morebranca was off-putting. Definitely a unique take, but I didn't like the menthol/minty flavor. The peach beach drink was fun, but would've loved to see it just on the rocks & not frozen (perhaps an option?) - fun little beach ball stress ball on it, though! The staff was friendly and informative, as well as attentive. Also, the cheez-its were delicious as a snack. Cool spot for a cocktail with friends or a date. Room at the bar and tables, plus outdoor seating. Not sure the status on the pool table if you have to pay per game, but they do have one.

    Photos
    Humbug - Espresso martini

    Espresso martini

    Humbug - Dirty Martini

    Dirty Martini

    Humbug - Devil's Threeway

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    Devil's Threeway

    Eighty Eights Coffee & Cocktails - A ginger cosmopolitan

    Eighty Eights Coffee & Cocktails

    4.2(25 reviews)
    1.0 miNoDa
    $$

    Eighty Eights Coffee & Cocktails was one of the highlights of my Charlotte trip. It was my second…read morestop of the evening, and from the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was on point. The live music was incredible and kept the energy going all night. I ordered the Espresso Martini and the Spicy Margarita, and both were perfectly crafted. You can tell they put just as much care into the drinks as they do the entertainment. If you're visiting Charlotte or you're local and haven't been yet, add this place to your list. Great music, great cocktails, and an overall experience that's hard to beat. There's truly something musical for everyone.

    I came here on a date night and I was blown away with the experience. The environment is lit dimly…read moreand there is seating at the bar or in the floor area. I came in January and I believe this was their first weekend accepting reservations, so it was a little hectic, but everything soon calmed down. During the time I was having dry January, but the cocktail that I had was super flavorful and plentiful. A lot of times when you order a drink it is so tiny and not worth the money. I don't recall the name of the band, but they were phenomenal. All of the guests in the crowd were really nice. The lounge was not really packed because it was freezing outside and we were getting snow the next day. I had the opportunity to meet with the manager. She was very informative and sweet. I definitely look forward to coming back here again.

    Photos
    Eighty Eights Coffee & Cocktails - The Groove

    The Groove

    Eighty Eights Coffee & Cocktails - Stage area

    Stage area

    Eighty Eights Coffee & Cocktails - Espresso martini

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    Espresso martini

    Dot Dot Dot - Thai Pepper Paloma: Hornito's tequila, Thai pepper syrup, lime, & Jarritos grapefruit soda.

    Dot Dot Dot

    4.1(293 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$$

    Ambiance is perfect for date night. The food is elevated and delicious. Great service as well.read more

    What a fun spot to visit while in town! My girlfriend had been wanting to try it, so we took the…read moreopportunity while I was staying with her this week. We did make reservations for a Monday night, though it wasn't busy at all, so you could probably swing by on a whim should you want to during the week. The place was a bit elusive to find, as you have to look for the '3 dot sign' with a staff member guarding the door, which I'm sure is the intent! Once you enter, you walk down a long, candlelit hall, which sets the speakeasy mood right away. Upon entering, the classic speakeasy vibe hits you! Dim lighting, leather chairs, a beautiful bar stocked to the brim with whiskey, bourbon, scotch, and all the other good things you would expect to find in a place that prides itself on great cocktails. It certainly set the mood and got us ready to have an experience. The mixologists were welcoming and informative. I enjoyed my first drink, which was suggested based on my personal preferences in taste. It was a spin off a classic, and I really enjoyed it. Sort of like a cross of a penicillin and a whiskey sour. [The Never Ending Story]. My friend had the clarified punch since we had similar things we've loved in the past. It was slightly sweet, smooth, and easy to sip. We decided to just get some classics since the cocktail menu felt more like just off shots of other classics we love. They were both excluded well! But the thing that really blew us away was the food! I was really pleased with this portion of our evening! We had the crispy Brussels sprouts, and they were the best BSs I've ever had! I thought we'd take some home, but that did not happen! My friend got the Mushroom Casarecce. It was creamy and delicious! The beef carpaccio was also really nice. Overall, we had a nice night, and it was a fun experience to be had!

    Photos
    Dot Dot Dot
    Dot Dot Dot - Fingerling Potatoes

    Fingerling Potatoes

    Dot Dot Dot - Flight of bourbon

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    Flight of bourbon

    Idlewild - cocktailbars - Updated September 2026

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