Charlotte Nightlife: A Guide by Neighborhood

Charlotte doesn't have one nightlife strip. It has five or six, and picking the right one matters more than picking the right bar. Here's how they differ. Tonight's actual events are listed on tonight and this weekend.

Uptown

The center of the city, and where the big rooms are. Spectrum Center and Bank of America Stadium are here, along with the clubs, hotel bars and rooftops. It's the most dressed-up part of town. Getting there: the LYNX Blue Line runs through Uptown. Parking garages fill on event nights and many on-street spaces are unavailable on weekends, so if there's a game or a show, plan to take the train or rideshare, or get to a deck early.

South End

A short ride south of Uptown, built along the old rail line. It's apartments, restaurants, breweries and bars, and it's the easiest place to string a few stops together on foot. The Charlotte Rail Trail runs through it beside the Blue Line. Getting there: Blue Line to the South End stations, or rideshare. Expect to walk a few blocks from wherever you end up parking.

NoDa

Charlotte's official arts district, on North Davidson Street. NoDa is a former mill village, and the blocks around 36th Street have galleries, bars and live music rooms, including Neighborhood Theatre, a 1945 movie theatre that's now a concert venue. It's the best part of town for live music, and it's more relaxed than Uptown. Getting there: the 36th Street Blue Line station is closest to the venues and restaurants. Street parking fills up on busy nights.

Plaza Midwood

Walkable, a little scruffy, and local. Central Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue are lined with dive bars, pubs, small venues and vintage shops. If you want a drink with no dress code and no line, this is the neighborhood. Getting there: by car or rideshare, or check the CATS map for transit. Parking is on the street and in small lots.

Camp North End

A former Ford Model T assembly plant that opened in 1924, later used by the Army. Today it's a mix of food, art and events in the old factory buildings, north of Uptown. It's less a place to bar-hop than a place you go for a specific event. Getting there: by car or rideshare, or check the CATS map for transit. Check the event page for parking details, because they depend on what's happening that night.

When it gets busy

Friday and Saturday nights are busiest everywhere. When in doubt, check the start time on the event.