One of the things that I love about this bar is you never know what you're going to get. You can show up and the place be packed with a band playing or it could be just you and a few others. Bands are usually local and you might even know a member. The drinks are strong and cheap and there is a nice variety. I like going here before AND after a show at Ovens or a Checkers game. The ring game on the deck can keep (me) entertained for a hot minute and pool and darts is a nice competitive change. I also noticed this time there, that there is a photobooth next to the bar. I'll check that out the next time I'm there. read more

I really enjoyed stopping here for a drink at the end of the night. The bartenders were attentive and fast. There was a cover for the band playing but they were amazing and definitely worth it! read more

Service (Kasey) and price for spirits are great. One of the few places you can go play pool or dance or listen to a great band play any night of the week. read more

Love to go here when I visit my daughter. Live music and friendly staff. Reminds me of my local dive bar Shifty's on Syracuse. read more

This place might now be in the running for my favorite bar in Charlotte. It has everything you would want in a neighborhood dive from cheap beer, to friendly locals and bartender. Came in with a group of friends on a Friday late afternoon and ended up staying all through the night. The ambiance is incredible it is equals parts beach bar and honky tonk. It was crowded and lively but not overly crowded to the point you couldn't move or get drinks. The live band was great and I cannot emphasis this enough but the drinks were cheap! One of the best nights out I've had in a while and I hope this place never changes. read more

Smokey Joe's Cafe - Dive Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The inside layout is very congested with trying to move around and being able to get a good spot to listen to the live music. It's also not convenient to grab drinks if you're not sitting at the bar. The large, front outdoor patio has a lot of smokers. It's not my thing. I've been to open mic night and the quality varies. I didn't care for the vibe. read more

I remember this place we used to go there on the weekends, back around 1995. We'd shoot pool and talk to whoever was hanging out that night. Good Local place. I still have the tee-shirt from 1995! read more

Everyone should come here! It's got cute sandy beach feeling area in the front to sit and relax but it also has an inner bar with pool tables and crazy bar decorations inside. The bartender was very knowledgeable and gave us a boilermaker and one of the regulars brought his dogs in so we were able to enjoy some drinks and pet some dogs. (I love that most bars in Charlotte are so pet friendly!) no food but I hear there are food trucks that come during the weekends and have live music! If you need food.. bang bang burgers is 3 minutes away and will definitely make you happy! read more

Smokey Joe's Cafe - Pool Table - Dive Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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This restaurant was one of the the main highlights of our trip to Charlotte, NC. We still talk about it months after the visit. The waitress was amazing - we could not ask for better service. She even wrote down places for us to visit as she had recently moved there. The FOOD....not only was it one of the best barbecue and smoked meat meals that we have had, but it was so plentiful that it fed us (3 adults) for 3 days! Will definitely head there if we are visiting Charlotte again. read more

Awesome local spot, super dog-friendly and live music I believe(?!) every night. Very laid back in all the right ways

The best dive bar remaining in the QC. Music most nights, cold beers, food carts just outside the door and a great slice of one of everyone that the city has to offer. read more

This place is filthy and they call themselves a cafe but serve no food. The servers are not attentive and apparently they are only interested in serving regulars. In fact, I think you have to be member to go here but nobody asked me for a membership. They just treat you like crap, instead. Beware of the good reviews, they were obviously drunk when written, since that's all this place serves. read more

I have to say this is my favorite dive bar in Charlotte! They have outstanding service and an amazing environment for a late night evening with friends. Drinks, pool tables, bands, and an outdoor patio with a fire pit, what more do you need? Oh, a hot dog food truck, yes, they have one. This is my go to spot for drinks and music on the weekends! Service is great and l love that it is a go to spot for locals in the area. Definitely check it out if you haven't been, you will not be disappointed! And, don't forget to hit up the hot dog stand outside, a perfect late night treat, after a few drinks!!! read more

I love it. This is a dive bar in every sense of the word. Smokey, dark, low, seedy in the best type of way. Cheap beer and spirits. Great music. Lively atmosphere. What more could you ask for. read more

Love this place. Great character and if these walls could talk they'd have stories to tell. Walked in yelled Raise Hell Praise Dale and three different groups bought me a drink. Their is a cover charge for live music so worth it but bring cash. Jager and PBRs fun night. read more

Better than imagined! The comfy cool decor and friendly staff makes SJC a great choice for a chill night out!

I'm a big fan of Smokey Joes. It is easy parking, relaxed, low key and fairly cheap, like a dive bar should be. It has an older regular crowd (40+) fairly blue collar and racially diverse. Every once in a while it gets invaded by a bunch of younger people, which is fun. The regular open mike night is not organized at all, and seems to have the same people hogging the stage every time, for long periods. Things go better when a band is booked on a weekend night. This is not a crowd for high level music--bands that do well here play fairly raucous danceable covers like zz top or rolling stones. Good outside area, good inside area, pool and ping pong are available. Bartenders are different virtually every night of the week--find the bartenders you like and go on those nights. read more

This place and the Double Door are Charlotte's best spots to hear blues and rock. Unlike the trendier/newer venues in town though, this place has history. A lot of amazing names have crossed that stage. With ping pong and video games as well this place is a must visit as far as Charlotte goes. It ain't much to look at when you pull up. You might have to pull around back of this shack. When you walk in the front door you'll see an outdoor ping pong table to right and plenty of seating to the left. Once inside you'll see that pretty much the entire right side of the place is the bar. Some great beers on tap, plenty of bottles and cans, plus a full bar. If you look up, there's a waterfall. Yeah, really. Anyhow, around the right corner is a pool table and a couple video games and to the left is the stage. That's where you want to look, assuming there is a show on. If not, check out the other decor. All kinds of posters from shows past and plenty of booze signs. And once you've had a few, go check out all the eye candy in the bathroom. This place ain't pretty but its a great place to see some booze and/or classic rock. I highly recommend it. read more

I really like this space. Its clean, with nice people. There are two pool tables inside and a pinball machine. A juke box and a small stage for local bands. There is plenty of patio space outdoors and a ping pong table and dart board outside. They don't serve food on a regular basis, but will sometimes have barbecue for sale that they have cooked onsite and sometimes grilled hot dogs. Very low-key and chill. read more

Smokey Joe's Cafe - Dive Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I used to frequent this bar and not sure what changed... The past several times I've been, weeknights or weekends the doorman was rude to me and my friends(politest way to be put) the clientele seemed of questionable intentions - very "Proud Boy"-esque vibes and iconography. If you're looking for cheap drinks with a heavy pour and dive bar vibes, there's many places around Charlotte so this should be the last one on your list... read more

I hate to be so critical, of so many restaurants, but if you can eat an entire biscuit chive without dipping it into anything, I salute you. That biscuit is the driest plainest biscuit I have ever eaten before. They gave it to me in a piece of tin foil and no plate too! I'm sorry this place is not very good and it's very small. I can promise you there is nothing noteworthy or worth defending here. Honest truth. read more

Went to Smokey joes last iight and the blonde bartender is soooo rude! She ignored me multiple times and rolled her eyes at me when I asked to close my tab. I demand her rude ass be fired immediately! She has 0 people skills what so ever. I heard multiple other people complaining about how rude she is too. read more

This is a spectacular watering hole. If you are visiting Charlotte, this is a must see. The patio is one of the most unique and comfortable outdoor drinking areas I've ever enjoyed a beverage in. I sat in an adarondack rocking chair while I chatted with my friends who were swinging on a porch swing. Also, the patio is dog friendly. There aren't a ton of TV's but just enough to catch anything important and they are all in great locations. Inside is dimly lit with old beer signs and you hear the relaxing sound of running water coming from above... What the...? YES that is a waterfall in the rafters! I haven't got the story on this yet, but all I know is that it is rad. I'm also a little jealous I didn't think of it first. The staff here is ridiculously friendly and fun to talk to and the prices are right where they should be. The only other dive bar as good as Smokey Joe's is The Thirsty Beaver. A perfect evening or hot summer day for me would involve a visit to both. read more

This is one of my favorite pubs in Charlotte, especially in the summer time when you can sit outside on the big porch and swing while you drink your beers. They sometimes have great music, but I usually (honestly) end up missing is because I love the swing so much. Why don't more bars have a swing? It's an amazing idea. The whole bar is full of fun little things, like a set of Rock-em, Sock-em Robots, a ping-pong table, a pool table...there's really something for everyone, which is a nice way to spend an evening. The staff is friendly and kind of gives you the feeling of being old-school...like they've all been working there for a hundred million years, and they know and love their clients. This was one of the first bars I ever went to in Charlotte, and I always find my way back. It's a good time. read more

Driving past this place made me think of a little beachy dive. I decided one night to go there for a divey type a dinner and took my boyfriend and a friend. Parking was a bit crazy at first then I realized they had a place to park out back and it was fine. I walked to the front and saw people lounging around lazily on that big ol deck and I was tempted to take my flip flops off and run around in the sand that took me to my imaginary beach oasis, sans ocean. We opened the big wooden door and entered into a small dark area that was bustling excitedly with people. We looked around and made mental notes of the layout, and realized they had a pin ball machine among the many other cool bar type a things. My stomach is my boss however, so we didn't look long. I walked up to the bar and asked for a menu, and...sadly, they don't serve food!!! NOOOOOOOOOooooooooooOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah well, you can't win em all I suppose. We hung out for a few and talked to some of the regulars who were very friendly and loved the place. We assured them we'd come back because who doesn't love a good dive bar?? Plus it's close to home so that's always good too. My first impression was a great one and I'm excited to head back for a fun night with my toes in the sand. Maybe I'll watch ocean youtube videos while I'm at it... ahhhhh. read more

My heart glows more fondly for Charlotte knowing Smokey Joe's exists. At Smokey's you can feel the communal collaboration in the paraphernalia-laden walls and ceilings, evidence of a true hometown workin' man's bar..... You can sit by the wood stove in the winter or out on the porch swing in the summer. You can play every standard bar-game known: pin ball, fuss ball, pool, darts, ping pong, or you can ask to roll the dice at the bar for 50 cents to win the pot. Yes! There is a stone mason built waterfall in the rafters. There is also a stage with full PA and lighting that long-time sound man "Hooter" operates with skill. There is the bar cat named "Puff" and a great jukebox. You can drink Jameson or Bushmill's or PBR. And you can feel secure perching your buzzed hindquarters on the "never tip over" stools at the bar. This place doesn't have to try to be something because it inherently IS and the people who go there regularly are just the same. Try going at a time when you can just enjoy the space or on a Tuesday open mic night with the house band (just heads up- sometimes it starts a little late). The only thing Smokey Joe's Cafe doesn't have is a kitchen- but if i'm hungry I'll bring in some chili from Lupies about half a mile down the way. Long live Smokey Joe's. read more

Do you like dive bars? Well you're in luck, this place will exceed your expectations by a long shot. One thing that really stuck out to me about this place (other than the questionable aroma) was how nice the bartender was. She was quick and for the most part friendly. Too often you go to a dive bar or any bar these days and have to put up with a grumpy rude bartender. The vibe is groovy as can be. Great band playing. Crude bumper stickers and posters everywhere which is fantastic. If you are easily offended you should probably steer clear. 2 dollar pbr. read more

I'm sure I sound like a whiner, but I just can't stand cigarette smoke. And that's a difficult preference to have here in tobacco country. Smokey Joe's is, as the name suggests, pretty smokey. But I went here for a friend's birthday one night and we all had a good time drinking and playing pool. There was a $5 cover (I think because there was a band playing), and that was a bit shocking for a place like Smokey Joe's. I'm not one of those bad drunks who always forgets her credit card at the bars. But the one time I did do that, it happened to be at Smokey Joe's. Fortunately, when I went back in my morning, they had my card and were very nice about it. read more

If you want the perfect dive bar, go here. Great inside and an especially nice outside area.

BEST freaking dive in Charlotte. Their prices and atmosphere cannot be beat. Ping pong, pool, foosball, fire pits and even an indoor wood stove. We went with a largeish group during Valentine's day weekend to see Moses Jones and the entire group had smiles on their faces the entirety of the night. My only qualm is; one of the bartenders was quite grouchy, I get it dude people can burn you out but let's not scoff at customers when asking for a lime in their Mich. I apologize for enjoying my sh*tty beer with a zest (heavy sarcasm). read more

I came for an open mic and the opportunity for people to play and sing so I get there without any definition and it turns out they don't start till 9:30 2 1/2 hours after I arrived okay then I find out I should have brought an amplifier for my instrument none of which is available on the website and then the House fan starts up with a 45 minute set of steely Dan and Elton John okay but I was referred by a blues organization and I played four or five songs in the jukebox and the band was setting up and I asked the guy if he knew any of these songs he's like no but I could probably follow along well that's not a blues jam the House fan is playing famous hits of the '80s if they don't know the rolling Stones version of the original songs why would they even know the original song I know the original songs that's why I was sent here from California these guys are a f****** joke I'm going to have to look for another location because this is just crap they don't know how to play the songs they're here to play read more

Enjoyed the visit with friends but every drink I ordered was served in a dirty glass. Something dirt was getting in my mouth. Ordered another drink and requested a new glass, advised bartender glass was dirty, got another dirty glass! Bar has been closed due to Covid, suggest washing glasses! read more

Smokey Joes! One of the last cool dives left here in the QC. I love great cocktails, and well crafted food, but I also love an ice cold Budweiser can and a game of ping pong on the beach. As a kid I remember going to longhorn steakhouse and sneaking off to the boys room to see the girls in bikinis in the bathroom. Well guess what? Smokeys has that too! Sometimes you can eat you a gosh dern hot dog outside and then go inside and hear some live music too. I mean for christ sake there is a GD waterfall inside and a piano you can play. Keep on truckin! read more

Never feel like a stranger in this great neighborhood place! Fair prices and fun times. Play some pool or ping pong, check out some live music, stay for the friendly faces. read more

I had to throw up a review for Smokey Joe's for one reason: They have a stone mason built waterfall in their ceiling. I repeat: They have a stone mason built waterfall in their ceiling! That should be all I need to say. But if you need more reasons this is a chill dive bar heavy on character and low on pretensions. You may want to meet some friends there because the crowd can be hit or miss but it's definitely worth checking out. Charlotte needs more places like Smokey Joe's. read more

Recently discovered this place & it's become my favorite bar in Charlotte. Live music from local bands might be hit or miss, but it beats listening to a jukebox playing Maroon 5 until you slip into an induced coma.Everyone here, staff & patrons, seems incredibly personable. One girl brought her french bulldog, who immediately became the mayor of the bar within minutes. Best line of the night: When my wife said to the barmaid, "i really like this place", she responded with, "this place really likes you". I'm sold! read more

Smokey Joe's Café is the kind of dive bar, eclectic ramshackle collection of odds and ends that tingle the senses, feels unusually homey, and rocks! I visited this vestige of Charlotte's night life for their Tuesday Night Open MIc with the Smokin' J's house band. Now this is not your regular host band. They played a mix worthy of an all-night stent in any club on earth! They opened up with ZZ Tops Cheap Sunglasses, then the keyboard player (also a phenomenal singer) took over by covering Steely Dan's Big Black Cow, Elvin Bishop's Fouled Around and fell in Love, then a couple of /R&B standards the likes of which had this boy thoroughly intimidated. I had signed up to be in the rotation to play guitar and sing a couple. I was in the middle of the pack, so there was plenty of distance between these guys and my meager performance. Some great talent mixed in with just a few clunkers made this night really special. Very supportive young crowd. They made me feel wanted! Recommend checking out the local talent here, because if it is anywhere near the caliber of talent I witnessed this night, it is well worth it. Special shout out to the bartender that worked her ass off, the door man was the bomb and the sound guy new his stuff! I will be back! read more

I stumbled into this place over the holiday weekend and fell in love. This is a nice casual spot with a "Cheers" type of feel to it. The bartenders are friendly and the patrons are regulars. They don't have food but sell snacks they also have live music on certain days. The decor of the bar will really grab your attention it has a very tropical feel to it. When you go there be sure to "roll the dice" for 0.50 cent you get to roll two times if you get 4 of the same dice you win a 6 pack! If you get 5 of the same you when the cash in the jar from people who paid to roll the dice but have previously lost! I rolled and didn't win but who knows maybe one day... read more

FYI. No food here. They had an on-line menu but we were told no food. Total dive if your looking for that.

I have always loved this place, it is truly a diamond in the rough. If this place was in the Midwood or Elizabeth area it would probably be one of the most popular bars in Charlotte. The bar has plenty of things to keep everyone entertained, including pool tables, foosball, video games, mega touch, and darts. The outdoor patio is pretty sweet. Beach ping pong table, fire pits, and plenty of covered seating. They always have some decent drink specials, tons of beer choices, and cheap drinks all year round. read more