The dive bar of all five bars. Only took me 23 years in Charlotte to get here and it probably looks no different over those years so I didn't really miss anything right? Play some pool. Watch sports on a 22" tube tv, enjoy the Elvis corner and hang out with your pals. Must visit. Get a schlitz or a PBR. read more

My Beaver is Thirsty. Where do I take him for liquid refreshment that dare I say, is cheap and ice cold like the Rockies? Okay, duh, I get it! The building is completely detached with empty lots all around and looks like that guy who refused to sell out to the big greedy corporate developer (or so I imagine). The rain didn't stop me from this beacon in the night, but the drunken patron who almost shattered my iliac crest until he realized I was six inches in front of his vehicle almost did. He looked frazzled, astonished and anxious, almost to the point of vomiting on his dashboard. With a resounding "WTF?!!!" and a gentle flick of the wrist which gracefully produced a fluttering bird, I trudged onward. The entry was tented, with smokers and drinkers alike huddled and chatting. A voice reached out and said "Hi! We're the welcome committee! Come on in!" So I did. If you're looking for a pint of freshly poured craft beer, turn around and exit from whence you came. If you want a Tecate tallboy for $3, pull up a stool, have a listen to George Jones on the juke and prepare to watch the Hee Haw crew pop up from the cornfield with some chicken fried zingers. Above the juke and to the right, just might be the man who started it all, a stuffed beaver quenching his thirst with a PBR. Just what is he thinking? "Why are they bras hanging everywhere?", "There's not enough country music on the jukebox", "Is the pool table open yet?" He is a mysterious beast. You can probably find your own answer, my friend, at the bottom of a bottle of tequila. If you close your eyes, you can almost hear the Texas roadhouse. Open them quickly and you will see a cross sectional microcosm that represents Charlotte; from blue collar to white collar, hipster to hippie. Regardless if you're local or just adventurous, grab a cold one and make some new friends. read more

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I didn't realize straightaway that a 'big one' PBR in these parts was some sort of giant 24 oz beery monstrosity. Temper that, North Carolina - we out of towners only manage to handle what we can. What I discovered outside of that idea was not much short of brilliant. Sketchy and brilliant. Both, in a giant salt shaker of 'yes please.' The jukebox had something in the neighborhood of a 600 songs queued up, and I'm sure they were fine ones, but by the time I wrapped up that PBR and teetered off into the night, I was the beneficiary of some prime Southern hospitality. See ya later Thirsty Beaver, and and thanks for the chuckles. read more

Thirsty Beaver Saloon - Dive Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Whether you're a fan of dive bars or not, you have to appreciate a place like this. Even after developers threw a retirements sum of money at them they pulled a Wolf Of Wall Street and said "I'm not Fuckin' Leavin!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP3m22Kzu0k The Thirsty Beaver is tiny, smelly, and there's old bras lining the walls, but hopefully they'll be serving High Lifes here till the next set of developers come and try to strong arm them. The place is proof that some things can't be bought so if you've ever been fucked over by someone strictly because they had more money than you stop in, suck down a drink, and smile at this place's story. read more

Thirsty Beaver is your perfect neighborhood honkytonk bar. The crowd is friendly. The music is loud. And the PBR is cheap. It's also smoke-free, a rare find in the neighborhood (though there are smoking areas outside). The bar is owned by two brothers, and they've decorated the spot with "Dukes of Hazzard" lunchboxes, old records and other memorabilia from their childhood. Be sure to catch the owners' honkytonk band, the Loose Lugnuts, which often plays to a rowdy crowd of friends and Plaza Midwood regulars. The Beaver has two pool tables, but the back room is much too cramped for any serious playing. A word of warning: The bartenders don't have much experience making complicated drinks. Stick with beer or basics like rum and coke. The parking situation needs some work. The adjacent gravel lot is way too tiny and people end up parking across busy Central Street. So walk or bike there if you can. read more

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Small bar pigeoned between large apartment/condos. Two pool tables in the rear room, small but cool bar up front, with a cool vibe.

If not my favorite, then one of my favorite bars in Charlotte. No, the selection of beers isn't great, and the bar isn't stocked with every libation under the sun... but I've always had a rad night here, always had a great bartender, and have always learned something about country music listening to that jukebox. Bloody marys are the drink to get here, if you aren't keeping it cheap and sticking to tallboys. There are coozies here to borrow if you left yours at home. Two full-sized pay to play pool tables occupy the back room, and often the front hosts a live show by either the owner's band or someone equally "back country" and talented. Eclectic, interesting crowd most every night. A very easy place to drink. read more

Thirsty Beaver Saloon - Dive Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

With a name like Thirsty Beaver what's not to love? I love this joint. Ever want to go to a place that's a throwback to days of Hee-Haw? The interior is the craziest mixture of massive bull horns (with undergarment decorations :)), juke box jams, and Burt Reynold posters. My ADD was in sensory overload the minute I walked in. The bartenders were very quick and attentive during my visit which is saying a lot because I was there during an event called "May Bash" and it was VERY....let me repeat.....VERY crowded. I loved it though, the small venue actually makes it even better. The crowd here was very diverse and that fits me well because I'm not one that wants to be with the everyday mundane types. I felt very at home the moment I walked in and all night long. I will be back for sure! read more

If this place wasn't emitting the most divey, dirty, raunchy bar feel so terribly, it would probably be a one star stop. What turns such a hole in the wall joint like this that you'd never EVER take your grandmother, into one of the best bars in Midtown Plaza? Could it be the piles of bras hanging on the walls, the fabric covering the ceiling or the biggest PBR's you've ever seen (for $3!)?! Lord if I truly know, but dang, this place MAKES you want to party. I really can't describe The Thirsty Beaver any more then I already have, because you've really just got to check it out for yourself. There's a complete mix of people, locals and tourists alike, and we even saw a wedding party ending their night here [congrats...whoever you were!]. The Thirsty Beaver is the best worst bar I've ever been to and I highly recommend you give it a shot! read more

Thirsty Beaver Saloon - My hand looks small next to this tall boy. 24 oz of PBR for $3.00! - Dive Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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The quintessential dive bar among dive bars. My introduction to the night-time scene of Plaza Midwood happened here many years ago. When you roll up in one of those 10-person bar-cycles to a tiny hole-in the wall like this you know you're in for an experience. Motorcycles and leather-gilded bearded blokes line the outside of a building in a yellowish color that only appears from years of wear and dis-concern. Valspar doesn't make this color of paint. The muddy crush-and-run lot is appropriate. The sign seems to perpetually hang precariously over the door. When will those letters fall? Perhaps the opener always re-hangs it when they start the day. Every day. Inside you'll find a cacophony of furniture slapped together to accurately match the litany of strange wall-hangings. Who cares about a theme? The theme? No theme, just stuff. The bar is always full - usually with the riders and their honeys. Reach through and toss a few bucks on the counter for a PBR. Make it a tall-boy. Carry it to some open space - the tables will be full but chairs a-plenty in a variety of sizes and disrepair. Slap some change in the jukebox. Play something your father used to roll with in his 80s S10 pickup. Or what your mom liked to jive to on the record player. Even better when they cram a country-grunge band in here. It gets loud. The good loud. Visit the restrooms to get an idea for what move you might pull in the bedroom next time (with permission). Drop a stack of quarters on the edge of a pool table and kick back for a chat with one of the many regulars. I've met many a drunkard (no offense intended) that thought I was their best friend here. Frankly, everyone is best friends here. It's a dive. Intimate. But intimate with all. read more

Every minority I know who has been here has been stared down and darned near chased off.....and we are very adorable people. I even suggested to one friend that we try it again and it is clear that she has been burned more than once and is totally over it by the way she screamed "NO!!!" at me. If you look through my reviews, I'm not one to assume my race is a problem, but 4, 5, even 6 times is a bit hard to ignore. I saw the review calling this place diverse and am pleased that person had a good experience. I know what I experienced, though, as well as what my friends experienced. I am not one to give mean people what they want, so I won't say "stay away", but please be advised, if you look a certain way, you may not be welcome here. read more

Literally love this place. The general atmosphere is enjoyable and lively, with the drinks being reasonably priced (~$4 Coronas versus the $7 you'd spend over in uptown). The bar can get a little crowded, but it's a pretty small bar that is very popular. The staff are friendly and are very professional. They sometimes have live music which is crazy considering the size of this place, but the music has never been a letdown and always breaths life into an already lively place. If you're new to Charlotte check this place out. read more

Diviest of the dives. Do not come here thinking you can get a cocktail---this is not the place. Live music, deer heads with bras on them, and a fairly older crowd when we came. Very cheap drinks, and live music if you're lucky! read more

I wish I could like this place but the only thing cool about it is the story behind it.... the owners were offered 7 million to sell the place to a developer and they said NO so the developer built an entire apartment complex AROUND the bar. That's cool. Outside of that, the bartender had her back turned to the bar almost the entire time we were there. Like, literally letting people sit with empty beers for 10-15 mins at a time and it wasn't busy. Maybe 7 people at the bar. Maybe she was bored? The beer was warm.... and the old country musician theme just isn't my thing. I'd recommend to walk past it, but not go inside. It ruins the experience. read more

Total dive bar that is worth checking out! Crowd can be rough but always a great time! A total PM gem!

Is your beaver thirsty? There's no dive-ier uhhh place better to quench that thirst than TTB! Grab yourself a PBR and pull up a stump to the old school jukebox and slip into honky tonk heaven. There's no draft beer. It's a dive. There's no tap soda. It's a dive. Pick your favorite non-crafty beer or liquor (mixed with can soda), pay the cheap prices (cash preferred) and take in the scenery! It's a dive. It's awesome to see the place flanked by high dollar residential units. They ain't giving in... Stay strong beaver! Take a dive into Plaza Midwood's Thirsty Beaver today!!! read more

I'm so glad this place hasn't been swallowed up by the generic monstrosities that are taking over plaza midwood. This little bar is has its own character and a welcoming atmosphere. People of all ages and walks of life can go to have a great time. They had a live band when we went, which was really good too. Dancing is strongly advised read more

Thirsty Beaver Saloon - Dive Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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This place is my Cheers. I recently moved into the apartments above - and around - this small orange building known as the Thirsty Beaver (if you want a good laugh, read the articles about the landowners refusing to sell their land to the property developers.) Myself and several others in the complex see this as an accidental amenity. Nestled in between the buildings, Thirsty Beaver stands tall like a finger wag to the never-ending development around it within Plaza Midwood. There are motorcycles parked out front, and the most eclectic mix of patrons inside. Everyone is welcome and everyone is treated like family. Waylon and Willie blast from the jukebox, and the beer menu is small, but has everything you need (and it's all cheap). Don't expect frilly or fancy cocktails - you come here to drink longneck bottles and shoot pool with friends. Recently they threw a huge bash on Christmas night, complete with a live band (that the two owners happen to be in), and the place was packed well into the night. It was some of the most fun I've had at a bar in years. I can't say enough great things about TTB. It just makes me feel happy, even when I walk past it during the day while walking my dogs. Trust me - come check it out! read more

Thirsty Beaver Saloon - Outside - Dive Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Fantastic hole-in- the-wall bar. Been here several times over the years. So glad they survived COVID-19 and have reopened.

The bartender was a nice guy. Had a good chill time and enjoyed a game.of pool. Cheapest beer in town and there were some other fun characters drinking here as well. read more

Dive bar. Dive bar. Dive bar. People... it's a Plaza/Midood bar. No frills, canned beer, a free jukebox, great staff, great folks, and live music are some of its charm. I simply cannot elaborate on this place enough... you need to experience it for yourselves. Such a fun spot... So, if you're: A) not a fan of Waylon Jennings B) looking for pressed polo shirts and the stench of Drakkar Noir C) requiring valet parking and appletinis D) a "Real Housewife" type or Charlotte "elitist" who's well into your 30s with a refined palate for NoDa or Birdsong beers but you still spell like a tween, and think you're hip & cool by hashtagging a review.... then this place may not be for you. It's a fun, laid back bar. Come as you are and take it for what it is.... a small hole in the wall with cheap beer, good tunes, and great folks! Cheers! read more

This place has the creepiest vibe I have yet to experience in Charlotte. If you are already in with this crowd it may be a fun hang out - as for me, I brought a group of 4 to have a good time and walked out of this place within the first minute we were there. This place does not even deserve to be called a dive bar. The clientele here is kinda weird and they have the worst selection of beer ever. If you like to drink high quality beer on tap you will be greatly disappointed with this place. When I went they only had cans of Bud Light, Heineken, and other nasty beers. read more

Great survivor dive bar. Hasn't lost its identity. Good service and good drinks. Bartenders are happy and glad to be there. Just like the crowd. read more

If you love a friendly biker bar this is the place for you. Although with the name Thirsty Beaver you think they would come up with a better tag line (as soon as I remember it I will post it). The first time I went there I felt like I belonged which it hard to find. The staff was friendly along with the regulars. They have an old fashion jukebox filled with oldies. Which I'm pretty sure I played Johhny Cash non stop and still didn't get kicked out. The back room has two pool tables, with some wild decor. There is a second bathroom in the pool room but please, don't go in if you are afraid of clowns ;) If you haven't been here definitely give it a shot, it's worth the trip. read more

Made it back into the aptly named Thirsty Beaver this past weekend for the first time in a long time. I guess it's a good thing when you haven't visited a place in over a year and everything feels the same. This honky tonk-style dive bar is a perfect place for nightly gatherings around a few tables and the jukebox, a few rounds of pool, maybe a couple quarters in the Pac Man machine and ended with a few more beers on the porch in the night air. Crazy decor, tons of throwback signs and posters (favorites consisting of Burt Reynolds and any of the old Colt 45 ads), and the couches in the back lounge are so old and awesome. Beer is just fine. Nothing on draught or local, but plenty of PBR and a few other domestics to keep you nice and drinky. Great to see plenty of regulars here. Even if you've never been or know anyone who frequents this place, it's a great spot to plop down for a bit after dinner. Great place for meeting friends! read more

Pool stick in one hand, dart in another, place my tall boy PBR on this ledge please. The earth is shaking again. Don't worry, it's just the train passing right behind the building. Why am I on this dirty couch? I don't remember. Just another night at the Beav. read more

Haaaahaha! This place was great. Non-smoking, great people watching, cheap drinks and really cool people. Great dive bar with lots of friendly folk. Definitely will go again. Old school jukebox that's FREE?! AWESOME. Simply ....awesome. read more

Located by the train tracks, a modest-sized orange structure with a giant, buck-toothed beaver on the side of the wall is hard to miss, especially when it serves tallboys and slim jims [yes, Slims Jims!]. This is a serious place, guys, for serious people. The thirsty has all of the charm of a dive without the unpleasant odor, distasteful drunks, and suspicious corners. I first came here with a group friends and we all had our fill of undecorated drink and merriment. The bathroom (ladies) is a bit cramped and the light switch is lower than one would expect and somehow recessed- tricky but not entirely UNaccessible. Not for the froufrou, yall. The decor is truly awe-inspiring- ambient fluorescent sign-lighting and some dark overheads, velor Waylan and coyotes (? I think I saw them somewhere) in addition to some pretty obscure forty-fives. This is a place for visionaries, suits, hippies, bikers, and all those who want to be one or none of those. It's unfair to bring out the labels, but none of them stick here anyway. Come one, come all! N.B. This is one of the few places in Charlotte that I would actually go to alone, just to have a drink and sit at the bar. read more

Obviously this place has to be pretty sweet with a name like the Thirsty Beaver. Cheap drinks, good location down the road from the center of Plaza-Midwood, friendly folks, live events, hosts some fundraisers, hosts some biker gang rallies, hosts some people with 3-button suits and others with cowboy hats, longhorn skull draped with bras above the entrance ---- yeah, they've got it all! My uncle kept jokingly "checking in" his coworkers here while at work and got one of them in trouble with his wife. "What are you doing at a strip club when you are supposed to be work!" No matter what a cowboy tells you, there are no strippers in the Thirsty Beaver. read more

It has to be all downhill when the Real housewives of ATL show up here. I should have known. This place used to be a bit of everything. Now when u go and u don't have your jeans and tshirt on they make u feel like u should have a change of clothes in the car. F that. I need a place that accepts me whether I am in my pearls or in my sweats. This is no longer the place. Can someone tell me why they pride themselves on serving crap beer. I am not a 20 something hipster that thinks PBR is an accessory. I require some Birdsong or NoDa brewery beer for a local spot. Why can't u keep up with local tastes. Smh. #disappointment read more

WHAT A HOLE IN THE WALL!! And I love it! After having a couple of friends live across the street from the thirsty Beaver we finally decided to wonder over to it on a Saturday night. You will find everyone and their mother here!! Plus drinks are super cheap and on Saturday they usually have bands. If you're lucky you might run into the owner and he may buy you a shot ;-) read more

DIVE DIVE DIVE! If I lived in Charlotte I would be here often. However, I did notice that it doesn't fill-up until later in the evening, so I'd suggest waiting until about 10pm to show up. To be clear: this is a tiny, no-frills, old-school dive and it's fantastic. Drinks are affordable and very strong! Great people watching too. read more

Thirsty Beaver Saloon - Dive Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

So I read in the Creative Loafing's 'Best of Charlotte 2010' about the BEST DIVE BAR The Thirsty Beaver Saloon and have been dying to try it. I LOVED IT! We walked into a semi crowded pretty small 'bar' where music was blaring and people where chilling. Great Juke box selection but also a DJ spinning tunes. We ordered PBR's to fit in but then realized that we really didn't fit in because everyone else had the big 24 ounce PBR's! You can come as you are...no pretentiousness here. Small outdoor area too. Thumbs up to a just an easy place to hang. read more

Great dive bar. Check out the live music, chill out front or shoot some pool. I like coming here on Sunday (Sunday Funday) for the afternoon bands and to meet my friends. Expect to see a good number of bikes (motorcycles that is parked out front). And no need to dress up. This place is really low key (and awesome!). read more

Thirsty Beaver Saloon - Open front area. Great for people watching during the day and getting some fresh air at night. - Dive Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

======= SHE'S A MAN-EATER, WATCH OUT BOY ======= Overpriced. Odd crowd. Plenty of thirsty beavers there. Trust me. You can positively get laid. Cougars on the prowl. Plenty of skanks but people are friendly, though the regulars will give you creepy stares on arrival. The alcohol selection is garbage. No parking. If they actually had a real bar at competitive Charlotte prices, it'd be a much cooler place, and they really need to freshen the place up. It's not nasty and I don't mind the decor, it just needs to look like they care more..I would write more but my feet stink and I can't concentrate. read more

I don't get to The 'Beaver enough and that is a tragedy. This. Place. Rocks! If you like dive bars, you're missing out if you have never been. Very inexpensive drinks, very casual atmosphere, big outdoor area and truly, if you driven on Central and you never seen it, get your vision check. Bright, blaze orange building. Jukebox is loaded with classic country and there is always an interesting regular to rub elbows with. If you are looking for a classy place to be scene, look elsewhere. If you are an average Joe that likes good drinks, locals and a down to earth fun experience, put The Thirsty Beaver on your calendar, circle it twice and head out. Guarantee you will be back time and time again! read more

Pool tables aside, one of the best bars in Charlotte, probably in the top ten for overall atmosphere. This is a real bar with interesting, mature patrons. I would like it a lot better if I liked country music but that's my fault, not theirs. read more

There is nothing I love more after a long day of work than a cold PBR tall boy at the Beav... Ok, fine, I've only been here once. But it was great. Seriously. From the bras and panties (and a tie) hanging from some horns over the door, to Hee-Haw playing on a loop over the bar, to Burt Reynolds telling me he wants me to have his baby from a poster in the corner...I just love it. I believe another Yelper (mistakenly) claimed that they their beer selection is slim, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that they served Blue Moon...what more can a girl ask for? Well, maybe Newcastle in a can, which they ALSO have, wouldn't you know it. My coworkers and I decided, though, that they probably just serve whatever they can pick up at the grocery store down the street. Also, be advised that if any of the lovely ladies with articles of clothing tossed up on the aforementioned horns are there in the flesh, you might be able to get yourself a free shot by guessing which item is theirs. Mine was a gummy bear shot :) God help us if they ever decide to serve food. read more

I stumbled upon this bar after a friends birthday party and it was a hell of alot of fun. This place is all cinder blocks, pool tables and tall boys. There was a little DJ action in the corner and the tunes were great. I think I reember tall boys being $3 - I say I think I remember because I had WAY too much fun to recall. Go there - it's a great place to people watch as well. read more

Although I don't go as often as I'd like...this place is a great dive get away. I love that it's survived the growing pains and it looks great snuggled in its little corner!! read more