Charlotte's Food Scene Is a Sports Fans' Dream

Here's the insider's guide to sports bars, pubs, a brewery, and more destinations for football fans to score a taste of Charlotte.

Visit Charlotte and you’re pretty much guaranteed a sports game. We’ve got the NFL, NBA, MLS, a handful of D1 collegiate sports, NASCAR, flocks of college kids ushering in the ACC championship, and then, of course, the sport of racing through the Charlotte Douglas Airport.

But, it is the South-ish, and football still has the heaviest hand in this sports-dominated city.

Game days make that loud and clear. Uptown is electric as football fans whiz about with an anticipatory sense of hope. They bar-hop on foot (and on electric scooters) and tunnel toward Bank of America Stadium, the final destination.

Some game-goers head to the stadium early, bearing gifts — and by gifts, I mean tailgate takeout that’ll make them the envy of fellow tailgaters. Pros know to pick up Uncle Donnie’s famous blackened wings from Moosehead Grill, a few smoky sampler plates from Sweet Lew’s BBQ, or pizza from Bird Pizzeria.

Tailgate or not, a true football game day in Charlotte would be remiss without at least one stop for a beer and a bite to pre-game, post-game, or just game. And this city has a plethora — a possibly disproportionate amount — of places that can provide just that.

Charlotte’s got breezy patios for the laid back fan, sardine-packed dive bars for the die-hard, sceney breweries for the bandwagoner, and brunches for the girly-pop (or anyone fueling up).

And while one would like to believe that most Charlotte spots will have locals sporting that striking Carolina Panthers blue, there will more likely be a mosaic of jerseys from all over the country, thanks to the many transplants in the Queen City. If you are set on congregating with your respective fanbase, find the bars in town where differing loyalties lie using this NFL teams x Charlotte bar key.

Either way, Charlotte’s undoubtedly a friendly city. You’re safe to wear your team’s colors. And better to do it with food and drink in tow.

Ed's Tavern

Get to Ed’s Tavern in Dilworth before the post-college crowds. Then, snag a back patio table and order the famed, skyscraper-esque mimosa tower. Eventually, seeing Ed’s club sandwich and mac 'n' cheese burger perched in black and white checkered baskets at the table next to you will convince you to order a few bar bites for yourself. There’s not only over 30 taps of regional craft beer here, but over 30 big screen TVs. Inside, it’s cozy brick walls, neon lights, and long tables for groups. If you want to enmesh yourself into Charlotte’s non-flashy, approachable bar crowds that may pull you into a pickleback shot or two, Ed’s is the place. Do note that there are some religious game watchers here, eyes glued to the TVs and hand glued to the Miller High Life like their lives (and their sports bets) depend on it.

Brevard Court

Brevard Court, more colloquially known as the French Quarter, is an all-encompassing term for the family of restaurants and bars tucked into the alley across from Romare Bearden Park. The cobblestone passage is particularly vibrant on game days because it’s a stone’s throw from the baseball stadium, and a (few more) stones’ throws to the football stadium. The scene here is reminiscent of a lively Dublin side street — festive, rowdy crowds float in and out of Guinness-pouring pubs, like Valhalla and Belfast Mill, and into the alleyway. Above Belfast Mill is The Cotton Room — a concealed speakeasy bar with a stunning skylight and storied, wood-paneled walls dating back to 1917. This cocktail lounge is prime for some fanciful pre-game sips or post-game sorrow drowning. Stroll into the Alley at Latta Arcade for warm Sichuan bites from The Dumpling Lady, too.

Haymaker Restaurant

Haymaker Restaurant is a lovely two-story brunch and dinner spot situated on a convenient corner in Uptown, near Brevard Court and Truist Park stadium. The dishes are charmers anchored in fresh Piedmont and Appalachian produce, like an heirloom tomato BLT for brunch and an NC Mountain Trout with vegetable escabeche for dinner. The brunchy cocktail menu includes the straightforward and well-executed holy trinity — a mimosa, a bloody mary, and an espresso martini. The half-moon bar at Haymaker is a dazzling centerpiece of the main dining room, where guests can hang and watch the game if they’re not feeling the (short) trek to the stadium. If they do make it to the game, they should let the servers know because they’ll get a Haymaker coffee cake on the house.

Caswell Station

Caswell Station is for serious sports fans, but the kind that would prefer to be away from the hurried frenzy of Uptown and instead, drink an IPA on a spacious front porch. There’s no shame in that. This home in the historic Elizabeth neighborhood churns out a fair share of classic game day bites — fried pickles, Buffalo chicken sliders, and wings. Large TVs are visible pretty much from any angle, inside and outside. While the drinks are your classic, unadorned bar drinks, they fit the bill on game days. Caswell's easygoing patio-party atmosphere and crowd-pleasing menu really show the value in the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. The packed patio every Sunday proves it.

Selwyn Avenue Pub

If you don’t mind standing and being snug next to your neighbor, this is your place. Come game day, there will likely be a line forming at the side entrance on Selwyn Ave. For Selwyn loyalists here to stay and watch the game, the pub is the destination, not the stadium. Everyone is eager for its infamous vodka Transfusions, which juxtapose the increasingly craft cocktail scene in the city. With one glance at Selwyn on a Sunday, it’s obvious there’s still a niche for some down-home drinking. The outdoor patio is a mighty display of locals — college kids, yuppies, older chaps who’ve been drinking beer at this Myers Park neighborhood establishment since 1990. It wouldn’t be a shock to see a former Panthers player or two grabbing a drink here, as well. As for food, order one of the pizzas or sneak out for a sandwich next door at longtime Charlotte specialty grocer, Reid's Fine Foods.

Lincoln Street Kitchen and Cocktails

Slink away from the bustle of the stadium, but keep the game day spirit within reach at Lincoln Street Kitchen and Cocktails in South End. Walkable to the stadium, this airy, sun-drenched restaurant is casual enough to rep a jersey but nice enough to feel like a relief from rowdy dives. Menu highlights include Waygu tartare, steak frites, and a house pimento cheese appetizer, and the plush challah toast with berries and ricotta at brunch is a sweet-tooth satiator. The rooftop patio here, flaunting the Carolina blue sky, is one of the city’s hidden gems. As is Lincoln Street’s sneaky high-end bar, The Green Room, tucked behind a sliding door at the host stand.

WFNZ Dog House

This place is not for the faint of heart. It’s aptly named — loud, boisterous, barky — directly outside of Bank of America stadium. This part-bar, part-tailgate, part-radio station has casual food vendors lined up outside, a scattering of TVs, beer cans flowing, and a few high-stakes rounds of cornhole going down. Despite it being jam-packed in and around the Dog House, it's a quintessential Charlotte football spot, so much so that it’s literally only open on game days.

HopFly Brewing Co.

HopFly is very hyper-modern, clean-cut, plant-studded brewery-core. It also happens to be a few blocks from the football stadium. While other Charlotte breweries like Wooden Robot and The Charlotte Beer Garden keep South End crowds entertained with TVs, HopFly is the brewery for legit game goers. It’s got two sweeping floors — and subsequently, two sweeping bars — lined with high top and low top tables for groups. HopFly’s signature brews range from a peach cobbler blend to a honeydew hazy IPA. No food here, except a neighborly food truck or two. Outside of game day affairs, HopFly has some of the best trivia theme nights in town. Pets are welcome, tailgates are hosted, and watch parties are encouraged.

Thai Taste

Thai Taste is certainly not a sports bar. There are no TVs — only a few golden gongs, hanging umbrellas, and red accents in this cozy, squat restaurant on East Boulevard. But amid the coze is a photo wall — a near shrine — dedicated to the many Panthers players who’ve had a proper gorge at Thai Taste. It’s famously former Panther and general heartthrob Luke Keuchly’s go-to spot. There’s no frilly, fancy work being done here; but generous portions of drunken noodles, a slightly stinging green curry, and warm Pud Thai. They’re sturdy enough staples to keep this place running since 1988. As made clear by Keuchly and the Panthers, this is the obvious spot for a post-game gorge.