This is a loud sports bar with no tap list. I ordered an IPA and was too sweet and caramelly for me. Staff were friendly. read more

Charlotte and NODA (North Davidson) area has a wonderful strip with shopping, pubs and restaurants. The Sanctuary is a local pub with a full bar and definitely qualifies as Hole in Wall ---- My favorite for a late night sip & chill. read more

See all

Over the years this has become one of my favorite dives in the city. The bar is attached to Boudreaux's which is under the same ownership, and is also located next to the Neighborhood Theater which makes it a favorite place for people to stop before a show. Therefore you are likely to see all kinds of people from punks, to hippies, to metal heads, all are welcome inside. It is also a favorite stop for bar and restaurant workers to come have a drink after their shift. They play great music from 80s rock to early 2000s pop punk depending on what the bartenders are feeling. They also have a pool table and are famed for their wings which are incredibly popular especially on Monday nights when they are half off. There isn't much else to say, this is a no frills bar and a great place to relax and have a cold one or play some pool with your friends. read more

The Sanctuary - a colorful mural on the wall of a restaurant - Pubs Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

This has been our go-to place for years whenever we have a show next door at the Neighborhood Theater. It's dark and laid back, with reasonably priced drinks (and a good selection of local beers) and we are always treated like regulars. The vibe is reminiscent of the old NoDa- it's the real deal. Can order food from Boudreaux's, which is attached. read more

Popped in for wing night on Monday. I hadn't done a wing night here in probably two years. It's severely gone down hill. The quality of the wing and how it was cooked was really unacceptable. They've raised the price (understandably) but they've let the product die in the process. Wing night has been going on for almost a decade, and this is easily its lowest point. Do better by your customers. There's a reason it was a ghost town in there. read more

I had family in town and took them to the Boudreaux's, the girl said they could sit us but recommend the sanctuary, she came off as not wanted to have our service. Pretty rude and we felt offended. Went to sanctuary and they were rude there too, we all got one drink and left because the vibe was off. read more

Metal Drinks Wings Good crowd Cannot go wrong...great atmosphere and a good damn time. read more

Something abut The Sanctuary keeps drawing me back. It's a very NoDa place and I always feel at home there. The bar feels very industrial with marble slabs for seats and finished wood planks for tables. A graffiti mural covers one wall while work by local artists hangs on another. You can play Wii Sports or Wii Play there, and they have a pool table. The British bartender makes a mean mojito (though they're not always available), and The Sanctuary also serves a late-night menu of tasty Boudreaux's food. My only complaint: Around 11 pm, they always seem to turn on heavy metal at full volume. You go from having a normal conversation with a friend to screaming at the top of your lungs. read more

The Sanctuary - the outside of a restaurant at night - Pubs Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Ryan Adams "The Bar is a Beautiful Place" lyrics: I hang my head down on Uptown 'Cause either way you look down it's just stars And I'm making my way down to NoDa To get drunk in a bar And I know my friends, they worry about me I can see it written on their face Despite anything that I said before The bar is a beautiful place. . . . sha na na na, sha la la la la. So if you're looking to forget all that Uptown glitz and show, this is the most real place in all of Charlotte. read more

The Sanctuary - Sanctuary in NoDa - Pubs Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Some of the best food in Charlotte. Thanks to their neighbor. Can't miss the wings!! Cheap PBR, easy going atmosphere, the occasional free pool game, and a sure escape from the standard hipster crowd of the neighborhood. The entrance may be intimidating if you've never been. But come on in! read more

See all

Noda is always a fun neighborhood and this place really shows the essence of the area in my opinion. Grafetti (sp) walls and cool artwork abound. Characters galore and plenty of people watching to do here. We popped in for a few drinks so I can't say I've spent a ton of time here but I could certainly see myself hanging out here for a live music performance and maybe just a chill evening out. read more

Bars like 'The Sanctuary' signal that a unique and crafty neighborhood may have transitioned to a manufactured profit center. It's the kind of place that perhaps was conjured by a capitalist 'ideator' trying to tap into a young, upper middle class market eager for authenticity and with money to spend. I imagine investors from a faceless corporation, or perhaps the child of a very wealthy immigrant, complete with Bono-style orange sunglasses and $1000 Supreme jumpsuit envisioned this bar. They may have even hired an ivy-league-educated contemporary art designer to craft the 'edgy' look, outsourced the build-out, and haven't been back since. Who knows? The bartenders seemed super nice. They really did seem like authentic guys. Can't blame them from working here - it probably pays very well. On the night I came, it was relatively packed with somber skater-dudes staring at their phones and screechy screamo chicks looking for instagram opportunities. I enjoyed the inexpensive drinks. And, I'm kind of embarrassed to say (given my mediocre review) that I probably would go back, if I'm ever in the neighborhood again. Hey, I drink Starbucks and shop at Whole Foods (Amazon), too. read more

This is an ok place to stop and have a drink. During the week they are opened later than some other places around, so I always end up finishing out my evening here. It is dark and kind of loud sometimes, but not bad. The service is overall ok. I never had some stellar experience here, but it's a bar. It's fun and satisfying to see it open when nothing else is and your not ready to go home! read more

Sanctuary is what you get when you turn my 6-11th grade wardrobe into a whole bar and add the best wings in Charlotte into the mix. Half-price wings on Mondays are the only reason I maintain sanity while contemplating the existential terror we all face when we come to grips with the fact that we don't know what happens when we perish. The garlic wing sauce is my favorite but house sauce is pretty good too. read more

Solid place in NoDa with a very long bar, about 5 tables, and a pool table inside. They have a great patio PERFECT for hanging out and watching what's going on in the neighborhood. If there is a concert expect it to be a bit busy but also know that the people watching out on the street is great. You get what you get here. Cheap drinks and good service. Good times and friends to be made. Grab a pbr or have the bartender mix you up something fruity. They have it all. And to further prove they've got it all. They are serving up food from right next door at Boudreaux's. That's a perfect match. Louisiana food and a cold beer. The owner of the bar actually owns the restaurant too. Super nice guy. You'll find him hanging out at the bar sometimes and he supplies some good laughs and conversations. Don't miss brunch on the weekends. Some killer specials! read more

Seriously my favorite pub in Charlotte. Great daily specials. Killer music on the sound system. Dimly lit and atmospheric. Also available, a pool table and jukebox for your listening pleasure. Chill at times. Rowdy at others. The locals favorite. Great after dinner/concert spot. Sometimes the bands that play at neighborhood theater will pop over for a pint after their show. There is always killer art on the walls. $1.50 pbr everyday of the week. Live music occasionally. Late night food menu (until 1am). The bartenders, can make any cocktail to perfection. Great local beers on tap, and a variety of wines too. Oh, and on Tuesdays try a hurricane. Just don't drink more than one ha! The owner rules. The employees rule. If you ever find yourself in Charlotte and want one of the whole in the wall divey-est experiences go to the pub. Sanctuary pub for the win. Met Chris Hardwick here once. It's low key and badass like that. read more

The Sanctuary - Pint of birdsongs lazy bird brown ale - Pubs Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I guess you would call the Sanc NoDa's response to a dive bar. When I first moved near the hood back in 2006, Sanctuary was still one of the art galleries in NoDa. And one of the last shows was of a father and son art duo that had rented the space for a few months and used the walls to have a back and forth graffiti conversation that still adorns the walls of the bar today. It is the minimalist approach to what you need in a bar. Plywood and steel pipe framed seating runs along one wall with the bar on the opposite side. This is where all the wait staff from all the other NoDa bars go when they are not working, so everyone knows everyone and it is extremely laid back. Alex and the rest of the bar staff know there stuff and sling beers and shots with the best of them. The current $1 short and $2 tall Miller High Life is perfect for the budget drinker. There are video games and two pool tables to keep you and your friends occupied while enjoying the buzz of conversation and digital jukebox. There is one unisex restroom tucked in between the video games, but there are separate usually very clean ones down the hallway of the adjacent Boudreaux's Louisiana Kitchen space. And it has been a lot easier to patronize this joint since Charlotte went smoke free. Its truly a breath of air. It doesn't always have to be fresh... But be a little wary, this is also a stop for professional level drinkers. So you get a mix of those already tanked looking to finish a night and those looking to start a night of getting tanked. read more

when going in to drink at this bar one day, I was taken outside and accused of stealing money off of the bar the previous time that I was there, which did not happen. I was told that there was video footage of me and after asking to see it multiple times, I was told that I would not be able to see it. Additionally, there is a lot of sketchy stuff that goes on in this bar and one of the bartenders is extremely creepy and makes me severely uncomfortable. Their food is also bland and tasteless most of the time. Go to a different bar, you won't regret it! read more

Hands down best dive hangout in the NODA district. It sits directly beside the Neighborhood Theatre and I come here before and after every concert. Its nice because ninety-percent of everyone else there is a music fan, and the last time I made a visit the members of Incognito Mosquito (great band, classification: Schitzo Jam) were throwing back some beers after their show. I like to sit on the grungy little plywood booths held up by metal pipes that make for great footrests. I can't remember his name for the life of me, but the British bartender is a riot! He's not the only one though, everyone that works here as always seemed to be in high spirits. There is a fun graffiti collage toward the back of the bar that is definitely worth checking out. read more

I've been walking by this bar for a year. I know it calls to me. I love the music. Am I too old, yeah of course you are. Just wanted to stop in one night for a drink. I always feel safe in this neighborhood but yeah, I passed by time after time. Well tonight I stopped in. I couldn't be more welcomed. The bartenders could have been my sons. Sweet souls, all of them. I'm sure they thought " old woman at the bar" what do I do? I was treated just like everyone else. I didn't have to seek protection. Thank you for your kindness. Bartenders were aware enough. They never let me spin out on my own. That's why I stopped by. Can you trust this bar? Yes. The bartenders are amazing and the clientele is even better. This bar should be explored. I give it a thumps up. Don't be afraid to stop by....;. read more

I could get thoroughly, efficiently drunk here, for cheap, happily, often, while listening to good music, amongst a varied, albeit tad-surly crowd. Circa 1999 NoDa's still alive in this little corner. You can almost smell Fat City wafting in the nicotine and tar-smelling air. Fan. read more

Divey, small place, homemade look. And it has skee ball tables. I don't know why, but I like that. I'm now in the market for some skee balls and a case. You know how badass pool players walk in to a place with their own stick and case, and you know they are a bad mofo? Well that's gonna be me with skee balls at the Sanctuary. I'm thinking a mahogany skee ball with inlaid brazilian walnut. Also probably a skee ball that is actually a real crystal ball from a gypsy I killed for no reason and there's a little bit of her blood on the skee ball. This lets people know I came to win. Anyway, the bartender was chill, friendly, and served us right away even though I didn't have a beard. Note, 78% of male patrons at the Sanctuary have beards. If you want to fit in here, grow a beard. If you can't grow a beard, dress like a woman. Everyone is drinking heavily here, and if you wear a short skirt, people won't notice you are a man, and they will still like you even though you grow facial hair like a bitch. read more

Thanks to Scott for being a great bartender / host. Had fun in NoDa even though I didn't get to shoot pool. Nice to tip a Pabst Blue Ribbon in toast to my Grandpa Jake. May he be happy in Honky Tonk Heaven. read more

Solid spot to kill the Sunday Scaries at after some day drinking around tahn. The brews are quite affordable and they have several tv's around to enjoy some sports (could be football, could be hockey, could be baseball, your call). There is also a pool table in the back that you can partake in. Also a real solid bar to enjoy some pre concert brews before you make the 10 step walk to Neighborhood (could just skip the concert too and hang out here). Wing night is also a solid night to participate in, as they provide the wings and you get to pick the sawce. read more

The only dive bar I frequent in Charlotte. Although it doesn't seem to be as dive'y as it used to be. Still a very personable staff though. read more

Don't tap on the bar and risk hurting the feelings of a soft bartender/bar back or you'll get threatened for your life. Way better places in the area. I would highly advise against this spot. read more

Review is for drinks only- Came in Wednesday night - we had the most friendly bartender ever. 1/2 price wine night- but the wine we ordered was a little icky (odd temp) but hey this is more of a beer dive bar anyway. The guys gave us a free dessert too since they said they put one in by accident. Awesome music selection and an all around good time. They also had a pool table. I would definitely go back! read more

This is what I would call a 'bar bar'. Hmm that doesn't seem to make much sense. But I mean it isn't a sports bar, not a dog bar, not a hippie bar. It is rock n roll, stools, pool tables, if-you-drop-something-on-the-floor-for-gods-sake-leave-it, dark drinkers bar. I like coming here - there is always a great mix of people in the crowd. Mostly older (for Noda) which I like. Some of the other Noda bars can get too young and silly for us old folks. The bartenders are super fast and always have an eye on the crowd. There are also tables for you to sit with your friends on the side. It is just for drinks (but they do have snacks like chips you can buy behind the bar!) I always know what to expect here - drinks and conversation. A nice change from the usual places. read more

Nice Pub, great service behind the bar. Small area out front to sit outside. Good for groups. Parking on the street or $5 lot across the street read more

Be careful when you walk in! The two story ceiling will swallow you whole! It's like a Rock n Roll Alice in Wonderland cave filled with graffiti, darkness and alcoholic treats for grownups. Eat me! Drink me! A row of flat screens playing horror movies. What goes better with a pint of Birdsong Higher Ground, than a showing of 30 Days of Night? A PBR Unicorn tap adorned with a Krampus stocking. Sanctuary has the same owner as Boudreaux's, so you can order their food from the bar. We had an awesome bartender that showed us some great pictures of the NoDa Krampus crawl, some real spooky GWAR-like stuff. Sanctuary puts up a Christmas tree made from PBR cans. I hear a lot of people in the service industry choose this place as one of their favorite hang outs. A pool table, reasonably priced drinks, laid back bartenders and good eats. Nice combo! read more

I haven't visited in a few months (see aforementioned preggo issues), but I used to consider this bar one of my favorites. It definitely has a nice divey feel (but not grimy) and a good number of pool tables. I've had some fun times sitting at the bar and chatting it up with the bartender and regulars--and I've had nothing by great service here (although I do think I tended to visit on less busy weeknights). It's definitely rocking a scene (i.e. not fratty), and that's exactly what I like about it. read more

Seriously, what more can your ask for from a dive bar in a unique part of NoDa?! The bartenders, Larry & Scott are genuine, salt of the earth people. I rolled through the jukebox via TouchTunes. The prices of the drinks are super cheap and you can order food from Boudreaux's next door. They have 1/2 price Wings on Monday with a mix & match sauces. The tvs are huge and the patio makes for great people watching. My favorite bar in NoDa used to be Solstice but it's quickly changing to Sanctuary read more

I'm definitely a fan of Sanctuary. Stopped in on a Thursday night, the lighting is perfect, the drinks are strong and the bartenders are incredible. It was rainy Spring night in Charlotte, so the crowd was pretty small (although it was packed out right down the road at Blind Pig and Jack Beadle's) - so I view this place as a true sanctuary from that crowd. This is one of those few spots where I would become a regular at if I had the chance. read more

A great place to hang out and grab a beer in NoDa. The crowd is cool, the bartenders are fun and they pour some great drinks.

This place definitely takes the title of top dive bar in NODA for me, and that says a lot being that it's Noda. The cheap cocktails, and the artsy murals throughout the bar add to its character and the regulars create a flair that is not found anywhere else. read more

I spend too much time here. AMAZING atmosphere and bartenders

I am new to the area and this was the first place I went for a drink. Amazing! totally chill and the drinks are awesome for the price. The bartenders actually get to know you read more

great wings (from next door) and awesome drink specials. people smoke outside and of course f=some of the smoke does get in from time to time but still worth it. read more