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  • Big Dinner, Outdoor Party, Family Friendly, or Professional Meet Up. Here are Great Places in Charlotte to Host an Event | Scoop

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    If you’re planning to host an event at any point in 2026, you’re likely already thinking about one crucial detail — where will it be? The answer depends on how many people will attend, the type of event, the time of year and hundred other things, making finding a venue that checks all your boxes feel overwhelming.

    That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of some places in Charlotte to host an event or meet up. From dinner celebrations, to outdoor events, to professional gatherings and more, this list should give you a great starting place to plan your gathering.

    For a Professional Meet Up

    Hamilton Event Space
    820 Hamilton St Suite 3A

    Via Instagram

    The Hamilton Event Space offers five unique spaces, in-house catering options, and fully furnished rooms to help make any event a memorable experience. Whether you are hosting a board meeting, employee banquet, birthday celebration or even a wedding, the Hamilton Event Space has something to accommodate you, although since the space has break-out rooms as well as seated and unseated options, we think it’d be perfect for a professional gathering.

    The Palmer Building
    2601 E 7th St

    Via Instagram

    The Palmer Building is a recently-restored 1930s building. The elegant brick exterior and charming interior will impress your colleagues, and the website boasts being able to host corporate events from business meetings, to luncheons, to seminars and more.

    Matthews Woman’s Club Service League
    208 South Trade Street, Matthews, NC

    Via Instagram

    Located in downtown Matthews, the Clubhouse at Matthews Woman’s Club Service League is a great option to host a professional event or meetup. The Clubhouse has a capacity of 55 people and is complete with a kitchen, folding tables and chairs, sofas, a coffee maker, podium, and a large outdoor area.

    Midtown Ballroom
    1133 Metropolitan Ave #180

    Via Instagram

    The large, open space at Midtown Ballroom provides the perfect venue for mingling and networking. The space includes the main ballroom, banquet and auditorium seating, plus a fully equipped kitchen and reception area. Planning an event at Midtown Ballroom means you’ll have an experience agent to help you along the way, taking much of the stress out of the planning process.

    Hygge
    Multiple Locations

    Via Instagram

    Hygge, Charlotte’s co-working space with four locations around the city, is a space that can be crafted to fit each and every work style. Even if you’re not a member, you can book a space for an easy get-together at Hygge and with locations in Third Ward, Camp North End, Wesley Heights and Belmont, there’s sure to be a space that’s convenient for your group. Across the four locations, there are meeting spaces that can hold a range — from small groups (2-8 people), medium groups (10-20 people) or large groups (25+ people), you’ll be able to expertly host a professional event in this co-working space.

    The Revel Room
    525 E 6th St

    Via Instagram

    The Revel Room is a private, full-service event space in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. With a completely customizable, open, floor plan, this space can’t be beat for mixing and mingling. Plus, guests will love the elegant touches such as the thirty foot high ceilings, Brazilian bamboo floors, and original artwork.

    For a Family-Friendly Event

    Frankie’s
    10621 Bryton Corporate Center Dr, Huntersville

    Via Instagram

    Frankie’s is an amusement park style venue, complete with activities such as mini golf, go karts, bumper cars, rides, laser tag and more. While the space is obviously perfect for birthday party, it can also be a great option for corporate team building, family-friendly meetups or any events with kids. The venue has a birthday party package, or you can inquire about the different group event packages which include set amounts of play per person.

    Urban District Market
    2315 N Davidson St #300

    Via Instagram

    At Urban District Market, there is a dining room, patio and play area that are first-come, first-serve, making them great places to host a low-stress, family-friendly events. If you’d rather have something on the books, there is a private event space that fits 50 people (or 75 with outdoor seating) available for rent, where a private bartender can be booked and guests can purchase food from the stalls. Urban District Market has hosted everything from birthday parties, to meetups, to gender reveals and more.

    Suffolk Punch Brewing
    2911 Griffith St (South End)
    4400 Sharon Rd, Space G23D (SouthPark)

    Via Instagram

    Both of the Suffolk Punch Brewing locations have a variety of options to host an event or meetup. At the South End location, rent out Norfolk Hall Event Space for up to 500 people or the covered patio for up to 150 people. In SouthPark, book the covered outdoor area for up to 200 guests, or the private rooms for smaller groups. These venues are particularly great for family-friendly events as in SouthPark there’s a playground right outside and in South End, there’s lots of room for kids to roam, plus both have a delicious menus for the whole family to enjoy.

    Grow Cafe
    5342 Docia Crossing Rd, Suite B

    Via Instagram

    Grow Cafe is a family-friendly coffee shop complete with an indoor play area for children, making it a great spot for a family meetup. Grow Cafe offers three different booking options – the all purpose room, the shared space, or a full venue booking. Plus they even provide a direct link to DoorDash on the website, and partner with local vendors, so you can easily provide food for your event.

    Piedmont Social House
    2135 Ayrsley Town Blvd, Suite C

    Via Instagram

    While the kids enjoy bowling and other games at Piedmont Social House, adults can take advantage of the pub and bars available on site. The space can accommodate all events and meetups no matter the size. Choose among the lounge, the tap room, the social house, the patio or a full venue buyout for your next event or meetup.

    For a Dinner Celebration

    L’Ostrica
    4701 Park Rd D

    Via Instagram

    This seasonal tasting menu restaurant in Charlotte is sure to give your guests an experience they won’t forget. You can reserve the entire dining room, which holds 30 to 38 guests when seated, for a highly-curated dinner. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is warm and cozy, and the food is delicious, making it the perfect place to host the foodies in your life. Plus, if you have a larger event in the works, L’Ostrica can accommodate up to 75 guests for a social event full of bites, mixing and mingling.

    Fahrenheit
    222 S Caldwell St #2100

    Via Instagram

    For a dinner celebration with a big group, Fahrenheit is the place. The floor to ceiling windows will stun your guests with views of the city skyline, and the multiple spaces available allow you to accommodate for your group specifically. The Private Dining Room holds 60 seated, the lounge and rooftop patio are perfect for cocktail hours, and the East and West Dining Rooms can hold up to 150 and up to 100, respectively.

    McNinch House Restaurant
    511 N Church St

    Via Instagram

    Located in a beautifully restored Victorian home in Uptown Charlotte, McNinch House offers an intimate and elegant setting for gatherings. The private dining room accommodates up to 18 guests, while a full buyout of the restaurant can host up to 50 guests. Each of the dining rooms has its own unique theme and color palette, creating an atmosphere that will generate conversation. When you book an event at the McNinch House, you’ll collaborate with the culinary and beverage team to design a personalized experience tailored to your group.

    Merchant & Trade Rooftop
    303 S Church St

    Via Instagram

    Reserve a portion of the rooftop space, or the entire roof, and host an extraordinary event for anywhere from 5 to 250 guests at Merchant & Trade. Your guests will be able to look out onto the Charlotte skyline, and the space is broken into four separate zones: the indoor bar/lounge, outdoor terrace, private terrace and the lawn, so you can plan for whatever is best for your event.

    Steak 48
    4425 Sharon Rd

    Via Instagram

    One of the best things about hosting an event at Steak 48 is the optionality. The restaurant can accommodate parties of up to 70 in some parts of the restaurant and host an intimate gathering in others. The Cardinal Dining Room can hold 28 guests, the Magnolia Dining Room can hold 24 guests, the Kitchen Dining Room 32 guests and the Chef’s Dining Room 28 guests. This range of elegant private dining spaces are perfect for corporate gatherings, luncheons or festive celebrations, and guaranteed to give your guests a luxury experience.

    For an Outdoor Event

    Rosie’s Wine Garden
    940 N Davidson St

    Via Instagram

    Rosie’s Wine Garden feels like an oasis in the middle of Charlotte. Hold your event or meetup in the greenery over glasses of wine. The only official event that can be booked to hold in the garden is a wedding, although the space welcomes other smaller parties (limited to ten guests) on a first-come, first-serve basis, making it a great option to host a small and intimate meetup.

    Daniel Stowe Conservancy
    6500 S New Hope Rd, Belmont

    Via Instagram

    Any type of event can be hosted at this beautiful outdoor garden in Belmont. The garden has packages for weddings, intimate gatherings such as baby showers or luncheons, photo shoots, and even corporate events. Not only will your guests get to enjoy the stunning scenery of the gardens, but there’s also an exclusive catering partner to make planning food and drink worry-free.

    Rally Pickleball
    101 Southside Dr

    Via Instagram

    At Rally, you can get social and get active. The venue is equipped to host intimate groups of just ten, all the way up to to large gatherings of 1,000 guests. Feel the sun on your skin while playing pickleball on the outdoor courts, and book one of the adjoining indoor spaces if needed. Rally offers a variety of packages for events so you can find one that suits your needs.

    Outdoor Shelters at Local Parks
    Multiple Locations

    Via Instagram

    Through the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation website, you can peruse outdoor shelters of various sizes and reserve one that fits your needs for an event or meetup. Shelters are available at parks such as Independence, Latta, Freedom, Midwood, Southside, Cordelia and more. Plus, some of the outdoor shelters come equipped with grills, seating, tables and other amenities to take advantage of while you enjoy everything the park has to offer.

    Author’s Note: This article was written by Alex Maloney. You can find more of her content on TikTok @alexmaloney22.

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    Alex Maloney

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  • Anti-ICE protests at First Ward Park after woman fatally shot in Minneapolis

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    Several hundred protesters gathered at First Ward Park on Thursday night in response to Wednesday’s fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

    The protesters, many of whom carried anti-ICE and anti-war signs, called for the federal agency to be abolished and the arrest of the ICE agent who shot Renee Nicole Good before they marched through uptown Charlotte.

    “It was blatant murder,” Aiden Woodall said of the video showing Good being shot by an ICE agent. “He’s not a cop. Cops are trained not to shoot at vehicles.”

    Woodall, whose pronouns are they and them, said they didn’t have much faith change would come under President Donald Trump’s administration. But they hoped people fearing for their safety would feel supported by the sight of protesters, both in Charlotte and other cities.

    Onyx Dudley, who was with Erick Espinal, said she hoped the protests also sent a message to America.

    “I hope people see the power in numbers,” Dudley said.

    Demonstrators march in uptown Charlotte Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 to protest ICE after a woman in Minneapolis was shot Wednesday.
    Demonstrators march in uptown Charlotte Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 to protest ICE after a woman in Minneapolis was shot Wednesday. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com

    ICE shooting in Minneapolis

    Protests formed across the country in the hours following Good’s shooting Wednesday. Protesters filled streets in cities including Minneapolis, New York and Anchorage, Alaska.

    Good’s ex-husband said the young mother was dropping off their child at daycare when the shooting occurred, according to CNN. Footage of the shooting has divided viewers, with finger-pointing over who was the aggressor and who was the victim.

    Some, including President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and other members of Trump’s cabinet, have accused Good of trying to run over the agent, Jonathan Ross, with her car. They also alleged she was interfering with federal operations.

    The agent, who was identified by the Minnesota Star Tribune on Thursday, was acting in self-defense when he shot Good several times in the face, Trump said.

    Protesters chant and march in uptown Charlotte Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 to protest ICE after a woman was shot by an agent Wednesday in Minneapolis.
    Protesters chant and march in uptown Charlotte Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 to protest ICE after a woman was shot by an agent Wednesday in Minneapolis. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com

    But witnesses, including Good’s partner, said she was just trying to get away from the agents who had approached her vehicle. They also said she didn’t come close to hitting the agent, as the president has suggested.

    Footage from multiple angles showed the vehicle did not come into contact with Ross, who fired multiple times at Good’s windshield. A New York Times investigation found that the footage contradicted ICE’s version of events.

    Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said ICE needed to “get the f— out,” and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he is prepared to launch the state’s National Guard to protect protesters.

    More people need to come out

    Andrew Canon wore a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag around his shoulders as he chanted along with protesters. The flag, he said, had more to do with its historical meaning rather than its modern association with libertarian politics and the Tea Party.

    “I’m a big fan of American history,” Canon said. “I’m frustrated because the system in place isn’t working.”

    Congress won’t do its job, Canon said, and ICE’s actions in Minneapolis became his “breaking point.

    “They murdered her,” he said.

    Charlotte Mecklenburg police officers block a street in uptown Charlotte Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 for protesters.
    Charlotte Mecklenburg police officers block a street in uptown Charlotte Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 for protesters. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com

    He said that not only do more people need to go out and protest, but there need to be more sustained changes for the better in the country. There’s too much apathy right now, he said.

    After hearing from organizers, protesters began marching. They chanted as drivers honked, and some people cheered from the sidewalk. Many stopped what they were doing to take out their phones and film.

    “ICE, ICE you can’t hide. We watched you commit homicide,” the people shouted as they marched from North Tryon Street.

    Shortly after returning to the park, news spread of two people being shot by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday evening.

    “Shame,” the crowd kept repeating.

    This story was originally published January 8, 2026 at 7:57 PM.

    Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

    Jeff A. Chamer

    The Charlotte Observer

    Jeff A. Chamer is a breaking news reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He’s lived a few places, but mainly in Michigan where he grew up. Before joining the Observer, Jeff covered K-12 and higher education at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in Massachusetts.

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  • NFL Playoff Watch Parties – cheer on the Panthers in the Wildcard game – Charlotte On The Cheap

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    Photo: Depositphotos

    As unlikely as it sounds, the Panthers are in the playoffs in 2026. And before that wildcard game is played, every team has a 0-0 record, and anything can happen!

    So let’s cheer on the Panthers as they take on the Rams on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. If you can’t be at Bank of America Stadium for the battle, check out one of these watch parties!

    You can expect to find the game on at any sports bar, as well as most other bars. You might want to call ahead and check how many TVs will be showing the game, and if the sound will be on. Read on for a list of sports bars.

    We’ve been on the lookout for places that are specifically advertising playoff watch games, and we are listing them below. We expect the list to grow a lot.

    Playoff Watch Parties

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    Charlotte Sports Bars

    We haven’t gathered information on details about what these sports bars are doing for the Wildcard game, but they are definitely options for the game.

    • Whiskey Warehouse, 1221 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205
    • Caswell Station, 366 N Caswell Road, Charlotte, NC 28204
    • Steamer’s Sports Bar, 1513 Pierson Drive, Charlotte, NC 28205
    • Must Be Nice, 332 W Bland Street E, Charlotte, NC 28203
    • Kilted Buffalo, 1212 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
    • The Daily, 214 N Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
    • Angry Ale’s, 1518 Montford Drive, Charlotte, NC 28209
    • All American Pub, 200 E Bland Street, Charlotte, NC 28203
    • The Corner Pub, 355 N Graham Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
    • Ed’s Tavern, 2200 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28203
    • Graham Street Pub, 400 S Graham Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
    • Hickory Tavern, multiple locations
    • JackBeagle’s Morehead, 1404 W Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC 28208
    • Jocks & Jills, 4109 S Stream Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217
    • LoSo Tavern, 4548 Old Pineville Road, Charlotte, NC 28217
    • Ri Ra, 208 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
    • Tavern on the Tracks, 1411 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28203

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    Jody Mace

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  • Sycamore Brewing appears to rebrand with new legal name after co-founder arrest

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    Sycamore Brewing has changed the name of its limited liability company, a state business registration filing shows.

    The new name is Club West Brewing, according to the Department of the Secretary of State filing on Thursday. Brewery co-founder Sarah Louise Taylor is listed as the managing member.

    Taylor’s husband and former Sycamore co-owner, Justin Tawse Brigham, 44, was charged Dec. 11 with statutory rape of a child under 15, first-degree burglary and indecent liberties with a child.

    Following his arrest, Taylor announced Brigham was removed from the business and she initiated divorce proceedings.

    On Monday, Sycamore taproom in South End closed indefinitely to “allow space for processing, healing and beginning the work of reimagining this community space,” Taylor had announced in a late December letter to the community.

    Company officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday about the LLC name change.

    Sycamore Brewing, one of Charlotte largest and popular breweries, experienced immediate widespread fallout from Brigham’s arrest was restaurants and retailers dropping products.

    Sycamore Brewing also was ousted from the Charlotte airport after opening there three year’s ago. The brewery’s plan to open “a family-friendly” location in Cotswold Village Shopping Center also evaporated.

    Sycamore Brewing at 2151 Hawkins St. has a new limited liability name, state business filings show.
    Sycamore Brewing at 2151 Hawkins St. has a new limited liability name, state business filings show. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

    Crisis communication experts like Barry Finkelstein previously told The Charlotte Observer he believes it’s possible for the company to survive with swift action and accountability.

    “They’re simply distancing themselves from it as the act of an individual, and reminding folks why they love Sycamore, or why they did business with Sycamore in the first place,” said Finkelstein, the principal of Truth Advisors communications consultant agency in Charlotte.

    Sycamore opened in 2013, and its beer had been sold in seven states. In 2023, Sycamore closed its original location at 2161 Hawkins St., and moved to a 21,000-square-foot space at 2151 Hawkins St.

    This story was originally published January 8, 2026 at 3:55 PM.

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    Catherine Muccigrosso

    The Charlotte Observer

    Catherine Muccigrosso is the retail business reporter for The Charlotte Observer. An award-winning journalist, she has worked for multiple newspapers and McClatchy for more than a decade.

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  • Mna accused of ISIS New Year’s terror attack will stay in jail – WCCB Charlotte

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    The Mint Hill man, 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant accused of planning a New Year’s ISIS inspired terrorist attack will remain behind bars while he awaits trial. His neighbors say they are in disbelief by the allegations and his defense attorney claims he’s not a dangerous man. A federal judge denied his bond.

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  • Keep Pounding together: Panthers playoff watch parties happening this weekend

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    Charlotte is gearing up for a playoff weekend as the Carolina Panthers return to postseason football for the first time since 2017.

    With the team set to face the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., bars and breweries across the city are rolling out watch parties, drink specials and game-day menus for fans who want to cheer together.

    If you’re looking for a way to soak in the playoff atmosphere close to home, here are some watch parties in the Charlotte area where you can cheer on the team.

    Where: 1518 Montford Dr., Charlotte, NC 28209

    When: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Monday, and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

    Angry Ale’s is hosting nonstop playoff watch parties from Thursday through Monday night, with NFL action headlining the weekend — including Panthers vs. Rams and Bears vs. Packers on Saturday, a full slate of games on Sunday, and Steelers vs. Texans on Monday night. The bar will also show college football matchups earlier in the weekend, with Miami vs. Ole Miss on Thursday and Indiana vs. Oregon on Friday.

    Game day specials include half off all brunch bagel sandwiches until 1 p.m., stadium cup drink deals and $5 Keep Pounding shots.

    Exterior view of a bar and restaurant called “Ale’s” at dusk, featuring an outdoor patio area. The building on the left has a gray facade with a prominent red sign that says “ALE’S.” In front of it is a large, wooden Adirondack chair decoration painted red, next to a picnic table. To the right is an elevated outdoor seating area with string lights and a large sign spelling out “ALES” in illuminated yellow letters. The patio has several tall wooden tables with black stools and a few red picnic tables in the foreground. People are visible walking on the left and sitting on the elevated patio. The sky is overcast.
    Angry Ale’s on Montford Drive in Charlotte. Alex Cason CharlotteFive

    Where: 225 W Tremont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203

    Blinders is kicking things off early on Saturday at 11 a.m with a classic NFL tailgate featuring cornhole, beer buckets and specialty drink options including a $14 Champagne & Caviar drink with Miller High Life and a shot of Crown Royal, a $14 Queen City Cooler or a $9 Cherry Blitz. Make reservations online.

    Where: 4001-A Yancey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217

    When: 4:30 p.m.

    Brewers at 4001 Yancey is hosting a watch party with game sound on more than 13 TVs, a $5 bites menu and $20 CLT Brew’d pitchers, plus a featured cocktail called “Rams Tears.”

    Where: 10228 Bailey Rd., Cornelius, NC 28031

    When: 4:30 p.m.

    The watch party at Eleven Lakes Brewing Company will feature drink specials, including $3 Happy Dad, $3 Michelob Ultra and $3 Miller Lite.

    Where: Bank of America Stadium South Lawn, 800 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202

    When: The tailgate will be open from 1:30-4:30 p.m.

    Fahrenheit is the culinary partner for a VIP tailgate that will include all-you-can-eat and drink options, a live DJ, lounge seating and a gaming area. Tickets cost $130, with discounted $65 tickets available for children. Buy tickets.

    Where: 3348 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205

    When: 4:30 p.m.

    Frank’s Beer Shop is inviting fans to catch the Panthers’ playoff game, with the promise of turning the sound on if the crowd shows up and brings the energy.

    Where: 1423 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28203

    When: 4:30 p.m.

    The Gin Mill will show the Panthers’ playoff matchup against the Rams, with $5 Panthers shots available – but get there early if you want to get a spot.

    Where: 1402 Winnifred St., Charlotte, NC 28203

    Where: 110 Southern St., Rock Hill, SC 29730

    When: Hoppin’ Charlotte will operate under regular Saturday hours from noon-2 a.m., with the watch party starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Rock Hill location.

    Fans can catch the Panthers’ Wild Card playoff game at a tailgate-style watch party at Hoppin’ Charlotte, just a few blocks from the stadium. The event runs before, during and after kickoff, featuring game sound on a projector, drink specials and THC beverage options.

    The Rock Hill location is also hosting a Panthers-themed watch party Saturday at 4:30 p.m. — and fans who show up in Carolina gear will get 20% off their tabs if the Panthers win.

    Hoppin’ in South End.
    Hoppin’ in South End. Ebony Morman CharlotteFive

    Where: 1218 Rosemont Dr., Indian Land, SC 29707

    When: 4:30 p.m.

    Lore Brewing Company will air the Panthers’ Wild Card matchup with the game sound on, plenty of team-themed drinks and a high-energy atmosphere. The brewery says the “Blue Haterade will be flowing,” with blue Jell-O shots on hand as the “Cardiac Cats” keep fans on edge.

    Where: 303 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28202

    When: 2 p.m.

    The rooftop event at Merchant & Trade will include an “Eat the Competition” special, featuring savory chicken wings with bold, punchy flavors meant to “take a bite out of the Rams.”

    Merchant & Trade unveiled its newly refreshed rooftop in September 2024.
    Merchant & Trade unveiled its newly refreshed rooftop in September 2024. Heidi Finley CharlotteFive

    Where: 404 S. Mint St., Charlotte, NC 28202

    When: 4:30 p.m.

    Mint Street Pub will turn into a high-energy Panthers watch party, featuring a DJ on the patio, a mobile bar and a full bar, along with gameday food and drink specials.

    Where: 200 W. Tremont Ave. #101, Charlotte, NC 28203

    When: 3 p.m.

    The NFL Wild Card watch party at QC Pour House will pair the Panthers vs. Rams and Bears vs. Packers games with $7 drink specials throughout the day, including Pour House Palomas, Daybreak shots, White Tea shots and PB&J shots.

    Where: 8111 Fairview Rd., Mint Hill, NC 28227

    When: 4:30 p.m.

    Shep’s will throw a Panthers tailgate party for the team’s playoff matchup, featuring a free taco bar, cold drinks and big screens.

    Where: 2911 Griffith St., Charlotte, NC 28203

    Where: 4400 Sharon Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211

    When: 4:30 p.m.

    Suffolk Punch Brewing South End is gearing up for a lively Panthers watch party with the game on every TV and full sound. Fans can dig into food specials like eight wings for $16, $8 pretzels and $13 Daydream Fundido Dip, while sipping $5 Blue Daisy pilsners all day long.

    Suffolk Punch Brewing SouthPark will also show the game, offering $5 Bloody Marys and mimosas for fans looking to catch the action at that location.

    Suffolk Punch Brewing at SouthPark mall will feature a tap house, restaurant, coffee bar and outdoor pavilion.
    Suffolk Punch Brewing at SouthPark mall will feature a tap house, restaurant, coffee bar and outdoor pavilion. Simon Properties

    Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

    Evan Moore

    The Charlotte Observer

    Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.

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  • 2 Grammy-nominated superstars will headline Bank of America Stadium concerts

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    Bruno Mars will bring his ‘The Romantics Tour’ to Bank of America Stadium on April 29.

    Bruno Mars will bring his ‘The Romantics Tour’ to Bank of America Stadium on April 29.

    Live Nation

    Two Grammy-nominated superstars will be making their way back to Bank of America Stadium this year.

    Bruno Mars will be returning to the Queen City in his first global headline tour in nearly a decade. The Romantic Tour will include nearly 40 stops across the country — including an April 29 date in Charlotte.

    Mars will be supported by his Grammy Award-winning and Silk Sonic comrade Anderson .Paak, performing a DJ set, and R&B extraordinaire Leon Thomas — who received six nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best New Artist.

    Presale tickets go on sale Jan. 14 at 12 p.m. General sale goes live Jan. 15 at 12 p.m.

    Ticket information can be found at: https://www.brunomars.com/

    Chris Stapleton is also coming to Charlotte

    On June 20, Charlotte fans will have an opportunity to see Grammy Award-winning country music star Chris Stapleton perform.

    Stapleton will be supported by singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson and soul and R&B artist Allen Stone.

    This tour announcement comes after another four Grammy nominations for Stapleton, including Best Country Song.

    Pre-sale tickets go live on Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. General sale tickets go on sale Jan. 16 at 10 a.m.

    Ticket information can be found at: https://chrisstapleton.com/tour/

    Chris Stapleton
    Chris Stapleton Benjamin Robson

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    Briah Lumpkins

    The Charlotte Observer

    Briah Lumpkins is the emerging news reporter for the Charlotte Observer. In this role, she finds important and impactful enterprise stories impacting the Charlotte-metro region. Most previously, Briah spent time in Houston, Texas covering underrepresented suburban communities at the Houston Landing. Prior to that, she spent a year at the Charleston Post and Courier for an investigative reporting fellowship through FRONTLINE PBS. When she’s not at work you can find her binge reading on her kindle or at the movie theater watching the latest premieres.

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  • Critical Home Repair Program: Home repairs at no cost to qualifying homeowners – Charlotte On The Cheap

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    Photo: Depositphotos

    If you’re a homeowner in Mecklenburg County with a low to moderate income, you might be eligible for the Critical Home Repair Program. This program provides urgent health and safety repairs at no cost. In return homeowners commit to staying in the home for five years, or selling to an income-qualified buyer.

    The services are offered by local nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity Charlotte Region, Rebuilding Together Greater Charlotte, Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity and She Built this City.

    Please note that Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region also provides Critical Home Repair services to eligible homeowners in Iredell and Gaston Counties.

    Common repairs include:

    • Roofing and structural stabilization
    • Plumbing, electrical and HVAC upgrades
    • Accessibility improvements such as ramps and grab bars

    Eligibility Criteria

    • Must own and occupy the home
    • Income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (Please note that some of the participating agencies require a lower income.)
    • Property taxes are current
    • Have or willing to obtain homeowners insurance
    • Funded as a forgivable loan – no repayment if homeowner stays in the home for at least 5 years after the repair(s)
    • Some of the participating agencies have additional requirements. Some agencies mention that you must have lived in the home for 5 years, and you must not own any additional residential property. Make sure to read the eligibility requirements for the agency you’re applying to, or contact them with questions.

    Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity
    2447 E. John St., Matthews NC 28105
    704-847-4266
    For Matthews and Mint Hill residents

    She Built this City
    920 Blairhill Road, Suite B117, Charlotte, NC 28217
    818-963-5136
    For Mecklenburg County residents

    Double-Check Before You Head Out!

    We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
    However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake. 
    Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.

     

     

           You might also be interested in:

    Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area

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  • We scoured the January gym deals in Charlotte so you don’t have to: Here are the best

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    Looking to get fit in 2026? Around Charlotte, several gyms and fitness studios are here to help, and many are offering deals in January.

    So, are you looking for a new strength-training gym, yoga studio, CrossFit box or a cardio place? It’s OK if you have no idea what you’re looking for, too: Taking advantage of these “new year, new you” deals is a great way to find your new home-away-from home for fitness.

    I found one of my favorite hot yoga studios years ago on a Living Social deal. I honestly did not think I’d like hot yoga before I tried it, but I was so wrong.

    On the flip side, I’ve also found that using these deals can also tell you the places you don’t want to join, too. My cousin and I still laugh at a Groupon experience we redeemed one time at a gym chain that went super weird — the deal was for a strange “recovery” room with equipment that had to be leftover from the 1980s. But to my point: Good or bad, these deals are a great way to source out information.

    Here a few places to check out. If we’re missing your favorite gym deal, send us an email at charlottefive@charlottefive.com and let us know — we’ll get it added!

    Location: 125 Winona St, Charlotte, NC 28203

    Deal: New students get 2 weeks for $49; $50 off all-inclusive membership for new members

    What to know: I mentioned earlier that I discovered hot yoga through a Living Social deal, and this was the place where I discovered it. Before you go, know this: It’s very hot, like shockingly hot. If you’ve done hot yoga before, you might think you know what to expect, but you don’t.

    Bring a water bottle and a yoga mat towel, know you’ll be advised not to leave the room, but you are welcome to lay on your mat anytime you need a break. This is how you get accustomed to the heat. I went from laying on my mat for 2/3 of class the first month to being among the first in Charlotte to get my 1,000 class band — that’s how quickly it grew on me. You’ll thank me later (but you might hate me first!).

    A recovery room with a large wooden sauna on the left and two white cold plunge tubs on the right. A blue neon sign reading “We like it hot ... and cold” is mounted on a dark green textured wall, with string lights hanging from the ceiling.
    Arrichion Hot Yoga offers hot yoga, strength and pilates classes, as well as recovery services like sauna, cold plunge and red light therapy. Jenna Reynolds

    Location: 8230 Poplar Tent Rd #104, Concord, NC 28027

    Deal: 2 weeks for $50 for new clients

    What to know: Charlotte Family Yoga focuses on yoga for every body — meaning all sizes, shapes and flexibility. Can’t twist yourself into a pretzel? Not to worry here (and truthfully, this is not a problem any other yoga studio I’ve attended on this list or around Charlotte either — I know I certainly can’t!)

    The studio offers slow flow, gentle, sculpt and deep stretch classes, as well as heated options. My favorite is always the heated deep stretch. Virtual classes are available, too.

    Charlotte Family Yoga Center in Concord offers heated and non-heated classes, as well as virtual options.
    Charlotte Family Yoga Center in Concord offers heated and non-heated classes, as well as virtual options. Courtesy of Keisha Battles

    Location: 2300 N Davidson St Suite 1, Charlotte, NC 28205

    Location: 2729 South Blvd Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28209

    Location: 1034 Gold Hill Rd Ste 103, Fort Mill, SC 29708

    Deal: Get your first class for $15 and your first month for $99

    What to know: If you’ve not yet experienced a core former class, get ready for a targeted workout that will humble you (and sculpt you) at Core704. The niche Charlotte studio lives up to its name: your core, along with the rest of your body, will thank you for giving this place a try.

    Pro tip: Don’t sleep on the Core Stretch classes. They have been some of my favorite to attend as a “reward” after doing the hard work!

    Location: 540 Brandywine Rd Suite #420, Charlotte, NC 28209

    Location: 209 S Kings Dr Suite 203, Charlotte, NC 28204

    Deal: First week of yoga is free

    What to know: If you’ve never been to CorePower Yoga, getting a free week will be a great way to see if this is the studio for you. My favorite classes here are C2, so make sure you try one of those: The flow class is designed to get you into an advanced pose by the end. Whether you can do it on your first try doesn’t matter, but the fact that you’ll get to attempt something new can be so fun. I’ve found myself in poses during these classes I never thought I’d be able to do!

    Too busy to make it to the studio? The virtual classes are great — and with locations all over the country, there’s surely a class time that will fit your schedule.

    A group of people in a fitness class performing bicep curls while holding small dumbbells.
    CorePower Yoga blends yoga moves with strength exercises. Courtesy of CorePower Yoga CharlotteFive

    Location: 3811 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205

    Deal: $100 off yearlong membership

    What to know: The Fitness Factory of Charlotte is a great place to go for all of your exercise needs, including power lifting, Olympic lifting, bodybuilding, cardio, athletic training or flexibility work. While you’re there, check out The Graveyard, where vintage equipment goes to thrive. The gym is open 24/7, too, offering all the flexibility you need.

    Gym user in a white tank top and a dark Dickies baseball cap performs a seated press on a white, vintage weight machine with a red brick wall background.
    Zenon Parker works out on an old Magnum Biangular Row at The Graveyard inside The Fitness Factory of Charlotte. “They’re not trying to look pretty — it’s just all about function,” he said about the throwback machine. “You see this thing, it’s a little banged up, but it works perfectly fine. Some battle scars, as they say.” Alex Cason CharlotteFive

    Location: Multiple

    Deal: No enrollment fee; Sweat Elite membership for $20.26

    What to know: Hotworx is a 24/7 heated infrared studio, where you can sign up for classes including yoga, pilates, barre, cycle, HIIT workouts and more. Classes are small — up to three people per session — and are taught by virtual instructors. That’s how you can attend a HIIT class at 3 a.m. if you want!

    Location: 2115 E 7th St #104, Charlotte, NC 28204

    Location: 2610 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28209

    Location: 2315 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205

    Deal: $14 for 14 days

    What to know: MADabolic is a strength training gym with circuit classes and — this is important — coaches who actually will pay attention to what you’re doing and rush over to help you correct it, if needed.

    It’s been a handful of years since I’ve been here, but every time I went in the past, I was confident that I would not get hurt even if I felt like I hadn’t a clue what I was doing. The coaches were extremely helpful back then, and I suspect still are.

    A fitness instructor in white athletic wear stands with arms crossed in the center of a gym. Several people are engaged in a workout, with two individuals using rowing machines and others using step boxes in a large, open space with dark walls and teal accents.
    Finley Funsten, general manager and an owner of MADabolic Charlotte, teaches a class at the fitness studio. MADabolic Charlotte CharlotteFive archives

    Location: 730 E 36th St unit 101, Charlotte, NC 28205

    Deal: Free running assessment and Free performance assessment

    What to know: Process Physical Therapy is where I go for PT, and I’m enamored with this place. Just walking in the door, you’ll see it feels more like a personal training space than physical therapy — and the truth is, it’s kinda both. You can show up with an injury and get help, but you can also just have the team assess you while you’re running, squatting, tying a yoga pose that’s stumping you, etc.

    Just a few weeks ago, I found out while there that my side delts are stronger than my rear delts, so owner Cory Lail is now helping me work on my rear delts. I’m optimistic that with progress, it can help improve my neck and shoulder pain, too. I can’t say enough good about this place — just go check it out. You won’t regret it.

    A functional training zone at Process Physical Therapy featuring a green turf lane with a weighted sled, a multi-tier dumbbell rack, and kettlebells. The industrial-style ceiling and track lighting create a modern, bright environment.
    Process Physical Therapy’s NoDa Charlotte facility includes a dedicated turf strip with a weighted sled, dumbbells and kettlebells. Process Physical Therapy

    Location: 3508 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205

    Location: 1600 Fulton Ave., Suite 110, Charlotte, NC 28205

    Deal: One free class for new members

    What to know: Q Fitness and Wellness is part gym, part gathering space for LGBTQ+ community members and allies to “work out alongside people who are there to lift each other up and empower themselves,” the website states.

    Visit the gym virtually for a class or at one of its two Charlotte locations, where it offers open gym hours as well as classes for lifting, kickboxing, martial arts and more.

    Location: Multiple

    Deal: Join between now and January 16 and pay no join fee

    What to know: The YMCA is a great place to go for your well-rounded fitness routine. With 14 locations around Charlotte, there’s bound to be one close to your home or work.

    I used to love going to the Johnson Y in NoDa for my daily fitness then heading over to the Dowd location for classes (especially barre).

    A large, empty exercise studio with polished dark wood floors and mirrors lining the walls. The room includes wall-mounted barre bars, large windows, and an industrial-style ceiling with exposed ductwork and ceiling fans.
    The Dowd YMCA’s barre studio. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive

    In addition to Y, don’t sleep on the chain gyms for deals there, too: Many with locations in the area, including Crunch Fitness, Life Time and Planet Fitness are offering discounted rates, free training, waived joining fees and more. Check out our guide to the big box gyms in the area for more information.

    You can get a running assessment at Process Physical Therapy in NoDa, then get help with form.
    You can get a running assessment at Process Physical Therapy in NoDa, then get help with form. Process Physical Therapy

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    Melissa Oyler

    The Charlotte Observer

    Melissa Oyler is the editor of CharlotteFive. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find her running, practicing hot yoga or snuggling with her rescue dogs, X and Charlie. Find her on Instagram or X: @melissaoyler.
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  • Watchdog report finds concerns over potential FEMA changes

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    The nonpartisan watchdog arm of Congress finds praise among local and state officials over how the Federal Emergency Management Agency initially responded to Tropical Storm Helene.

    This comes as the Trump administration has delayed its report on whether to eliminate or shrink the agency.


    What You Need To Know

    • President Donald Trump has had his sights on FEMA since taking office last January
    • The watchdog said doubts about the agency’s future have left many state and local officials concerned
    • Trump created a FEMA Review Council but it hasn’t released a final report

    The watchdog said doubts about the agency’s future have left many state and local officials concerned.

    President Donald Trump has had his sights on FEMA since taking office last January.

    “I think we’re going to recommend that FEMA go away and we pay a percentage to the state,” Trump said during a visit to North Carolina in January 2025.

    His opinion of FEMA is reflected in part by his criticism of the agency’s response to Tropical Storm Helene in western North Carolina.

    But a new report by the nonpartisan U.S. Government Accountability Office found support for how FEMA initially handled the storm.

    “We talked to state and local officials, and they were very, very complimentary of the support, the coordination, they were getting from FEMA. FEMA was there all along.” said GAO Director Chris Currie.

    Currie wrote the report, which was based on 50 interviews with local, state and federal officials, including in North Carolina and other states battered by the storm.

    FEMA’s future has been uncertain ever since Trump created a review council to look at what to do with the agency, including possibly disbanding its current form.

    The council was expected to release its recommendations in December, but the report was delayed. A month later, it’s unclear when or if the report will actually come out. Spectrum News asked the White House and DHS, FEMA’s parent agency, when that report might be released but did not get an answer by deadline.

    “They don’t know what to prepare for. That’s the biggest concern I think states have right now,” Currie said.

    Currie said it’s also put FEMA officials in a difficult spot.

    “It is clear to me right now they are a little bit hamstrung in what they can do and what they can say about the future because they’re waiting on the council report,” Currie said. “They don’t know what their mandate is going to be from the administration in terms of change.”

    The report said at least one state is preparing contingency plans, including for potential reductions in federal assistance.

    “FEMA and the federal government provided a tremendous amount of support to state and local governments, and so if you were to yank that away, or to change that drastically without the states having an opportunity to prepare, that could be very bad,” Currie said.

    Although the report found praise for FEMA’s initial handling of Helene, Currie said there is across the board agreement that changes should be made to FEMA, specifically when it comes to long-term response.

    “No doubt there is a lot of frustration with FEMA,” Currie said. “People are very frustrated with the bureaucracy, the slowness of the monies, the grants, the back and forth, the fighting with FEMA on reconstruction projects.”

    The concern, Currie said, is what changes the administration will choose to make, especially coming off a slow hurricane season.

    “There may be changes made or staff reductions made, based on assumptions that states don’t need as much support, or states can handle this on their own and we don’t find out that they actually can’t until something bad actually happens,” Currie said. 

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    Reuben Jones

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  • Charlotte protesters demand justice for Minneapolis woman killed by ICE officer

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dozens of protesters marched through the streets of Uptown Charlotte demanding justice for the woman who was killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.

    People gathered at First Ward Park Thursday for the “Stop ICE Terror” protest. It was held in response to the death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis Wednesday.


    What You Need To Know

    • Dozens of protesters gathered in Charlotte to demand justice for Renee Good
    • Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis Wednesday
    • DHS said the shooting was justified because the officer feared for his life
    • Protesters are demanding the officer who killed Good be charged with murder



    Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the fatal shooting was justified because the ICE officer feared and believed Good was attempting to run him over with her car.

    Protesters in Charlotte demanded the officer who killed Good be charged with murder.

    “It’s an injustice,” Paris Labelle said. “People should not be murdered senselessly. People should not be murdered at all.”

    “As soon as we saw the video and before the identity of Rene Nicole Good was revealed, we knew it was outrageous and wrong,” Asha Patel, an organizer for Party for Socialism and Liberation, said. “It was just so disgusting that we had to do something about it. We have to be out in the streets and show that we will not tolerate this.”

    Thursday’s protest came two months after Border Patrol agents arrested more than 400 undocumented immigrants in Charlotte as part of “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Chloe Salsameda

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  • ‘How to Save a Milestone’ is here to save your streaming scroll with online debut

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    The Milestone Club is singular in Charlotte.

    History papers the walls, and it feels like time travel as you glide across the floor towards the stage. In a city with a constant gaze towards progress, The Milestone seemed like yet another relic left behind.

    But the community saved it and then documented it.

    How to Save a Milestone,” a documentary from filmmakers Liz McLaughlin and Jason Arthurs, chronicled how The Milestone was almost lost until a group of its most loyal workers, fans and artists banded together to save it amidst the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

    The outside of The Milestone, a Charlotte venue featured in the documentary, ‘How to Save a Milestone.’
    The outside of The Milestone, a Charlotte venue featured in the documentary, ‘How to Save a Milestone.’ How to Save a Milestone

    After a year on the road, the local documentary is finally available to the world as Amazon and Apple TV have picked the film up for streaming.

    “It was a long, slow decision because everyone’s just asking when is it going to be on streaming? We’re like, you’re missing the point. We want people to come support these venues and see the film there. But once we kind of let that run its course, we started the somewhat grueling process of getting it on streaming,” Arthurs said.

    “I was kind of surprised by just how quickly many people came to the screenings and then messaged us the day that the movie came out and said, ‘I’m streaming it,’ Liz added.

    “And I was like, ‘Oh, you’re watching it again?’ Just that kind of feedback was really, really neat to see, either they’re showing friends or just literally re-watching it.”

    Giving love to local venues

    For McLaughlin and Arthurs, the goal was always to bring the film to venues around the Carolinas as a way to promote those spaces, like The Milestone, that were filled with local music history.

    “Some of the screenings were 10 people, and we had somewhere there were 300 people,” Arthurs said.

    “We were just completely blown away by how people received the film, the impact that it had in these venues that we screened it. Andy the Door Bum ended up basically playing a performance after almost all of those screenings. He became really involved in the film, and just believes in the message. He believes in The Milestone.”

    Liz McLaughlin, left, and Jason Arthurs are the directors of ‘How to Save a Milestone,’ a documentary about The Milestone venue in Charlotte.
    Liz McLaughlin, left, and Jason Arthurs are the directors of ‘How to Save a Milestone,’ a documentary about The Milestone venue in Charlotte. How to Save a Milestone

    McLaughlin added that especially in Charlotte, there was an appetite to celebrate the film with around eight screenings in the Queen City alone. “On a wider look beyond The Milestone, independent venues are really still an endangered species. And when we were first planning this tour of screenings, we even (aimed) for outside the Southeast. We had already picked up some venues for New York and in other areas. And we had a long list… okay, these would be great places to screen. Maybe we talked to the owner or something like that, and maybe 20% of them on our little list closed over the time before we first started looking and when we were booking out that tour. That’s just really eye-opening.”

    In North Carolina, only 29% of independent stages identified themselves as profitable in 2024, according to a report from the National Independent Venues Association.

    According to their findings, independent venues in North Carolina had a $2.4 billion economic impact in 2024, serving nearly 5 million fans and providing over 16,000 jobs. In 2024 alone, fans attending independent shows generated $193.8 million in off-site spending — filling hotel rooms, crowding local restaurants, supporting shops, and tipping drivers, according to the report.

    “(The screening turnouts) were really rewarding because that is the call to action for the film, not just to tell The Milestone story, but to try to just shed light on how important these spaces are then we can’t take them for granted,” McLaughlin said.

    “I think, with venues … maybe there was a tight moment where you had a GoFundMe or something. You think this place is safe, but it takes saving every day because there’s no end to it at any moment. Things can flip or the margins are so slim that they can change at any time. So it just really takes them (having) a continuous community that really cares to prop these spaces up to keep them alive.”

    The Milestone Club has been open since 1969 in Charlotte.
    The Milestone Club has been open since 1969 in Charlotte. Alex Cason CharlotteFive

    Now on streaming

    Fans of The Milestone Club who may have missed the film screenings can now find it for rental on Amazon (starting at $4.99) and for streaming on Apple TV.

    Now, a lot of these folks going to The Milestone may want an analog option as well? I mean these are people making it out to support local venues in person. So is there a DVD on the horizon?

    The band Antiseen performs in a still from the documentary, ‘How to Save a Milestone.’
    The band Antiseen performs in a still from the documentary, ‘How to Save a Milestone.’ How to Save a Milestone

    “It’s just expensive to print (DVDs) and (we’re) just unsure how many people even who expressed interest would actually buy it,” McLaughlin said. “I don’t think that’s something we’re pursuing. But that’s something we’ve gotten a lot of comments on.”

    “I don’t know. We’ll see if we can find an option that is this really cool thing,” Arthurs added.

    This story was originally published January 8, 2026 at 5:00 AM.

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  • Brief cooldown Thursday, warmer & wetter into weekend – WCCB Charlotte

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    Despite increasing clouds and rain chances, temperatures will approach record territory on Friday.

    Happy Friday Eve! Temperatures take a bit of a step back this Thursday afternoon after soaring into the mid-70s on Wednesday. Expect highs to rise into the mid-to-upper 60s across the Piedmont and Foothills today as sunny skies slowly give way to cloudier conditions by sunset. Lows only bottom out in the 40s and 50s across the board as an expansive storm system approaches from the west. Rain chances on Friday largely hold off until after sunrise before building into the High Country by noon. The Metro and communities to the southeast largely stay dry through our final day of the workweek, but areas north and west of I-85 can expect scattered showers to roll through later in the day.

    More widespread rain chances arrive on Saturday as the aforementioned system sweeps through the Carolinas. While the first half of the weekend won’t be a washout, a few heavy, gusty showers and even some rumbles of thunder are possible throughout the day. The best chances for heavier rain lie north and west of the Metro, but areas along I-85 and southeastward should expect around a half-inch of rain or less. Despite the cloudy skies and rain chances, highs around the Queen City will approach record territory on Saturday as they surge into the mid-to-lower 70s.

    Enjoy the warmth while it lasts. Much colder air settles into the Carolinas’ behind Saturday’s system; highs on Sunday will only make it into the 40s and 50s across the board. A hard freeze arrives for all overnight into Monday as lows dip into the teens and 20s. Temperatures will steadily climb back above average by midweek as plentiful sunshine sticks around.

    Today: Comfy sunshine. Clouds build late. High: 68°. Wind: E 5-10.

    Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Mild. Low: 52°. Wind: SE 5-10.

    Friday: Overcast with scattered showers NW. High: 70°. Wind: SW 5-15.

    Friday Night: Cloudy and mild with scattered showers. Low: 61°. Wind: S 5-10.

    Saturday: Clouds and showers stick around. Rumbles of thunder possible. High: 72°. Wind: SW 10-20. Gusts: 25+

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  • Federal transit leader coming to Charlotte after stabbings on light rail

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    The 9th Street Station stop along the LYNX Blue Line in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, December 8, 2025.

    The 9th Street Station stop along the LYNX Blue Line in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, December 8, 2025.

    Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com

    The head of the Federal Transit Administration is coming to Charlotte after the city’s transit system spent much of 2025 in the spotlight for a pair of violent incidents.

    FTA Administrator Marcus Molinaro will be in Charlotte on Jan. 16, interim Charlotte Area Transit System CEO Brent Cagle announced at a Wednesday meeting of the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority.

    The visit comes months after the fatal August stabbing of Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska on the city’s LYNX Blue Line light rail. Zarutska’s killing brought a wave of scrutiny to Charlotte’s transit system, and the attention was renewed after another stabbing on the light rail in December.

    The FTA previously announced an investigation into CATS following Zarutska’s killing. It’s just one of multiple state and federal investigations launched after the stabbing.

    Asked if Molinaro’s January trip is related to the FTA’s investigation, Cagle told media after the MPTA meeting that while it’s “routine for the FDA administrator to show interest in transit systems … clearly, I think there is a focus on security, which is a direct result of the incidents that we have had.”

    “The FTA administrator has stated publicly that security of passengers in all transit systems is a priority for him,” Cagle said.

    Molinaro’s visit will include a ride on the Blue Line and a roundtable with local officials and business leaders, according to Cagle.

    “The intent of that roundtable is to bring the FTA administrator together with CATS and other city staff … as well as local business people so that the FTA administrator can understand our priorities around security (and) safety,” Cagle said.

    The FTA will determine what portions of the visit, if any, are open to the public, Cagle said.

    Molinaro’s visit isn’t the first time federal and state officials have looked into safety in Charlotte since the first light rail stabbing.

    The U.S. House Judiciary Committee and others from the Carolinas congressional delegation held a field hearing in Charlotte on public safety in September.

    The state House Oversight Committee announced this week it would hold a hearing Jan. 29 on safety in Charlotte, the city’s public transit system and DEI initiatives. Cagle is among those asked to testify, alongside Mayor Vi Lyles, County Manager Mike Bryant, City Manager Marcus Jones, Sheriff Garry McFadden, District Attorney Spencer Merriweather and Police Chief Estella Patterson.

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  • More Warmth Building Late Week – WCCB Charlotte

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    The spring like temperatures continue

     

     

     

     

    ​We’re continuing to enjoy some unusually warm weather as we head into late week and the weekend.  Those changes this weekend include rain and storms before a dramatic cool down moves in.

    Tonight, and into tomorrow, we’ll see a slight cool-down, but not much to be concerned about. Temperatures across most areas will still run 10 to 15 degrees above average, but daytime highs going into Thursday will hit the upper 60s to lower 70s, under mostly sunny conditions.

    Looking ahead, a weather system will approach the mountains Friday night, and it’s expected to slow down once it reaches our area. That means scattered showers and storms will move in heading into the weekend. If you’re heading to the Panthers game or just planning to enjoy some outdoor time, it’s a weekend where you’ll want to stay flexible with your plans. An umbrella or a light rain jacket could be your best friend.  The biggest change in this forecast is I do see a small line of storms that will pop up just before game time. This may cause a small delay. If this line does develop, we’ll see some brief downpours, and wind concerns.  I’m not calling this a washout Saturday, but it’s not the best conditions.

    The positive is that it will be super mild, so it won’t be a cold chilly rain that makes you miserable. 

    It’s shaping up to be a weekend of contrasts, with it being warm and sunny at times, cool and wet at others. Stay tuned!

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  • Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week announces participating restaurants – Charlotte On The Cheap

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    Queen’s Feast — Charlotte Restaurant Week’s  winter edition will take place during 10 days, from January 23 to February 1, 2026. Over 120 restaurants participate, and can be found in nine counties in the Charlotte region:

    • Mecklenburg
    • Cabarrus
    • Gaston
    • Cleveland
    • Union
    • Lincoln
    • Catawba
    • Stanly
    • York

    This will be the perfect time to try a new restaurant, or revisit a favorite restaurant that you’ve been missing.

    During Queen’s Feast you pay a set amount for a three course prix fixe meal from a participating restaurant. Prix fixe dinner prices range from $30 to $55, depending on the restaurant.

    Reservations are strongly recommended.

    First Time Restaurants in Winter, 2026

    • The Crunkleton in Elizabeth
    • Puerta in Elizabeth
    • Rosemont in Elizabeth
    • Taco Boy in LoSo
    • Soul Gastrolounge in NoDa
    • Sixty Vines in South End
    • SouthBound in South End
    • Yugenn in South End
    • Paco’s Tacos & Tequila at Kingsley in Fort Mill
    • Towel City Tavern in Kannapolis
    • North Italia at Birkdale in Huntersville
    group of friends dining at a resetaurant
    Photo courtesy of Charlotte Restaurant Week

    More About Queen’s Feast — Charlotte Restaurant Week

    • Prix fixe is for dinner only.
    • Prix fixe price is $30 to $55, depending on the restaurant. All menu items are per person unless otherwise indicated. Tax and gratuity are not included.
    • Menus are subject to change without notice based on product availability.
    • Coupons may not be accepted at some restaurants during Charlotte Restaurant Week. Check on the restaurant.
    • If you need adjustments to the menu because of dietary restrictions, please check with the individual restaurant in advance to see if they can do it.
    • Reservations are recommended.
    • Days and hours vary by restaurant.
    • If you can’t keep your reservation, please cancel as soon as possible.

    Participating Restaurants in Winter 2026

    Here’s a list of restaurants participating in Queen’s Feast — Winter 2026. Go to the Queen’s Feast website for more information on each restaurant, when announced, including the address, the menu, and a link for reservations.

    Arboretum / Providence Crossing / Waverly

    • Bonnie & Clyde’s Lounge
    • Link & Pin – Arboretum
    • The Porter’s House

    Ballantyne / Stonecrest

    • Azucar Cuban Restaurant – Ballantyne
    • C&W Steakhouse
    • The Club House Bites & Booze
    • Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – Stonecrest
    • Hestia Rooftop Restaurant
    • Juniper Grill
    • North Italia – Ballantyne
    • Tap & Vine – Ballantyne (Stonecrest)

    Belmont / Cramerton / Kings Mountain / Gaston and Cleveland Cos.

    • Drift on Lake Wylie
    • M.E.P. Casual American Cuisine (at Floyd & Blackie’s)
    • Old Stone Steakhouse
    • Southern Artisan Spirits

    Clover / Fort Mill / Lake Wylie / Rock Hill / York Co.

    • Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – Fort Mill
    • FishMarket Bar and Grill
    • Paco’s Tacos & Tequila – Kingsley [this location only]
    • The Pump House
    • zo.ra Food & Wine

    Concord / Kannapolis / Mount Pleasant / Cabarrus Co.

    • 73 & Main
    • The Speedway Club
    • Towel City Tavern

    Cornelius / Huntersville / North Mecklenburg Co.

    • Fin & Fino – Birkdale
    • Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – Huntersville
    • Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – Northlake
    • Link & Pin – Huntersville
    • North Italia – Huntersville**
    • Peninsula Prime Seafood & Steakhouse
    • Red Rocks Cafe – Birkdale

    Denver / Lincoln Co.

    • Latitudes Island Bar & Grille

    Dilworth

    • Dilworth Tasting Room (DTR) – Tremont
    • Dolce Osteria
    • The Penguin Drive-In on East

    Elizabeth

    • The Cajun Queen
    • The Crunkleton
    • Puerta
    • Rosemont

    Hickory / Catawba Co.

    • Boca
    • Charolais Steakhouse
    • Cowa-Saké
    • Cranford Brothers Barbecue
    • FOURK
    • Rule Wood Fired Prime and Pasta
    • Standard Oyster Company
    • Vintage House

    Indian Trail / Union Co.

    • Tap & Vine – Indian Trail

    LoSo (Lower South End)

    • State of Confusion CLT
    • SupperClub SouthEnd
    • Taco Boy
    • Madison Park / Montford Park
    • El Puro Cuban Restaurant

    Matthews / Mint Hill

    • Angela’s Pizzeria & Ristorante Italiano

    Midtown

    • Dressler’s at the Metropolitan

    NoDa

    • The Goodyear House
    • Soul Gastrolounge

    Pineville

    • The Garrison, A Cocktail Bar & Restaurant
    • Margaux’s Wine, Pizza & Market

    Plaza Midwood

    • Emmy Squared Pizza – Plaza Midwood
    • Dilworth Tasting Room (DTR) – Plaza Midwood

    Quail Corners / Quail Hollow

    • Tap & Vine – Quail Hollow

    South End

    • Barcelona Wine Bar
    • Catalú
    • Chapter 6
    • Folia
    • Indaco
    • The Matador
    • Muraya
    • North Italia – South End
    • PARA
    • Salted Melon Market & Eatery [this location only]
    • Sixty Vines
    • SouthBound
    • STIR Charlotte
    • Sullivan’s Steakhouse
    • Yugenn
    • YUME Ramen Sushi & Bar

    SouthPark / Foxcroft

    • Aqua e Vino
    • Cafe Monte French Bakery and Bistro
    • Calle Sol Latin Cafe & Cevicheria – SouthPark [this location only]
    • Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
    • Dilworth Tasting Room (DTR)-SouthPark
    • Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – SouthPark
    • Mizu
    • Moon Thai & Japanese Restaurant
    • Oak Steakhouse
    • Palm Restaurant
    • Red Rocks Cafe – SouthPark
    • Ruth’s Chris Steak House – SouthPark
    • Southern Pecan Gulf Coast Kitchen

    Southwest Charlotte / Ayrsley

    • Harry’s Grille & Tavern

    Uptown Charlotte

    • Aria Tuscan Grill
    • Bernardin’s at Ratcliffe
    • The Capital Grille
    • Church & Union
    • Coquette
    • Deluxe Fun Dining
    • Dogwood Southern Table & Bar at The Westin
    • Dos Caminos
    • Estampa Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse
    • Fahrenheit
    • The Fifth Fork
    • Fin & Fino – Uptown
    • Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
    • Forchetta Italian Kitchen
    • Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
    • La Belle Helene
    • Luce
    • Mariposa
    • MICO
    • MOA Korean BBQ & Bar
    • Morton’s The Steakhouse
    • Pisco Gastrolounge
    • Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Uptown
    • Saku Yakitori & Sushi Bar
    • Sea Grill Restaurant & Bar
    • Spice Charlotte
    • Stoke
    • Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

    Double-Check Before You Head Out!

    We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
    However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake. 
    Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.

     

     

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    Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area

    Check out our full events calendar, where you can enter any date, or look at the events for the next few days here:

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    Queen’s Feast — Charlotte Restaurant Week

    When

    All Day, Daily (January 23, 2026 – February 1, 2026)

    What

    Queen’s Feast — Charlotte Restaurant Week

    Where

    Charlotte, NC (many locations throughout Charlotte region)

    100 N. Tryon Street

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  • The Salty: Dozen donuts for $12 on Jan. 12 – Charlotte On The Cheap

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    Photo: The Salty

    The Salty is offering a special deal for one day only. On Monday, January 12, 2026, you can get a box of a dozen donuts for just $12. This is a deep discount over the regular price of a dozen donuts at The Salty.

    Available all day while supplies last, each box features a pre-set mix of signature and fan-favorite donuts, thoughtfully curated by The Salty team to celebrate the launch of its first ever 12-count boxes.

    Customizations and substitutions will not be offered. This deal is likely to sell out quickly, so stop by early if you can.

    Charlotte Locations of The Salty

    Ballantyne
    15120 Bowl Street, #101
    Charlotte, NC
    Opens at 7:30 a.m.

    South End
    1515 S Tryon Street, Suite #105
    Charlotte, NC
    Opens at 7 a.m.

    Plaza Midwood
    1711 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite #110
    Charlotte, NC
    Opens at 6:30 a.m.

    Best food and drink deals and events in Charlotte

    Double-Check Before You Head Out!

    Deals offered by national chains are usually “participating locations only.” We can’t generally verify participation with a particular location, so we encourage you to contact the location to make sure. In addition, limited time offers can end without warning. Deals may not be available when you order from a 3rd party delivery service.

     

     

           You might also be interested in:

    Upcoming Food and Drink Deals and Events

    Check out our big list of food and drink deals and events in Charlotte, or look at a few of them here:

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    The Salty: Dozen donuts for $12 (while supplies last)

    What

    The Salty: Dozen donuts for $12 (while supplies last)

    Where

    The Salty, multiple locations

    Reader Interactions

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    Jody Mace

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  • ‘Turn off your video’: ICE agents tell NC men to quit recording traffic stop

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    An ICE agent questions a U.S. citizen on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Salisbury, N.C.

    An ICE agent questions a U.S. citizen on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Salisbury, N.C.

    Video screenshot

    Cellphone video circulating online shows Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents telling two men in Salisbury to stop recording them at a traffic stop on Monday, as well as the fracas that followed.

    Charlotte ICE spokesperson Lindsay Williams confirmed it was ICE agents who were seen in the video.

    “Do me a favor and turn off your video. You’re being detained right now, so you’re not free to record,” one agent told the men, whom advocacy group Siembra NC identified as Edwin Godinez and Yair Alexander Napoles.

    When Godinez and Napoles responded that they were not being detained, the agent reached through the car’s driver-side window and tried to grab Napoles’ cellphone, then grabbed him by his hoodie and yanked him. Then, agents opened the car door and tussled with him inside the vehicle.

    “Get off the phone!” the agent who told them to stop recording said before he started yelling more commands.

    A different agent also reached into the car and yanked Godinez by his coat before pointing his finger in his face and telling him to put his hands on the dashboard.

    Agents eventually removed the two from the car. They were not charged, Siembra spokesperson Marley Monacello said.

    Both are United States citizens and step-brothers, according to Siembra, and were picking up a work truck left behind after two people in their family’s business — Adelso Perez Sales and Alejandro Domingo Ambrosio Bamaca — were arrested by ICE.

    “I can record for my safety, right?” Godinez asked in the video, before the struggle.

    “Sure,” an agent answered before pulling his face mask up.

    The agent then asked him how he got “in the United States.”

    The Charlotte Observer asked ICE for more information about the incident and whether agents in the video violated any policies. The First Amendment allows Americans the right to record or photograph police.

    “Federal agents should not be targeting us for the color of our skin,” Napoles said in a statement. “They kept saying, ‘You’re not a citizen, you’re not a citizen’ to me, even when I told them I was, just because of how I look.”

    Godinez added in his own statement that agents are arresting “hard-working people, not hardened criminals,” and should “stop abusing our community.”

    Ryan Oehrli covers criminal justice in the Charlotte region for The Charlotte Observer. His work is produced with financial support from the nonprofit The Just Trust. The Observer maintains full editorial control of its journalism.

    This story was originally published January 7, 2026 at 3:30 PM.

    Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

    Ryan Oehrli

    The Charlotte Observer

    Ryan Oehrli writes about criminal justice for The Charlotte Observer. His reporting has delved into police misconduct, jail and prison deaths, the state’s pardon system and more. He was also part of a team of Pulitzer finalists who covered Hurricane Helene. A North Carolina native, he grew up in Beaufort County.

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  • ICE agent shoots and kills a woman during the Minneapolis immigration crackdown – WCCB Charlotte

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    MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal officer shot and killed a Minneapolis motorist when she allegedly tried to run over law enforcement officers during an immigration crackdown in the city, authorities said Wednesday.

    The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot the woman in her vehicle in a residential neighborhood in Minneapolis, Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

    The shooting marks a dramatic escalation of the latest in a series of immigration enforcement operations in major American cities under the Trump administration. It’s at least the fifth person killed in a handful of states since 2024.

    The twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have been on edge since DHS announced Tuesday that it had launched the operation, with 2,000 agents and officers expected to participate in the crackdown tied in part to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents.

    A large throng of protesters gathered at the scene after the shooting, where they vented their anger at the local and federal officers who were there, including Gregory Bovino, a senior U.S. Customs and Border Patrol official who has been the face of crackdowns in Los Angeles, Chicago and elsewhere.

    In a scene that hearkened back to the Los Angeles and Chicago crackdowns, bystanders heckled the officers and blew whistles that have become ubiquitous during the operations.

    “Shame! Shame! Shame!” and “ICE out of Minnesota!” they loudly chanted from behind the police tape.

    After the shooting, Mayor Jacob Frey said immigration agents were “causing chaos in our city.”

    “We are demanding ICE leave the city and state immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities,” Frey said on social media.

    The area where the shooting occurred is a modest neighborhood south of downtown Minneapolis, just a few blocks from some of the oldest immigrant markets in the area and a mile (1.6 kilometers) from where George Floyd was killed by police in 2020.

    “We’ve been trying to live life as fully as possible in light of the fear and anxiety that we feel,” said the Rev. Hierald Osorto, pastor at St. Paul’s-San Pablo Lutheran Church, which has a predominantly Latino congregation in the area.

    The Immigration Defense Network, a coalition of groups serving immigrants in Minnesota, held a training session Tuesday night for about 100 people who are willing to hit the streets to monitor the federal enforcement.

    “I feel like I’m an ordinary person, and I have the ability do something so I need to do it,” Mary Moran told KMSP-TV.

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    Caryn Little

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  • Queen’s Feast is back. Here’s how you can dine at a discount around Charlotte

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    Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week, the twice-a-year promotion that offers diners a chance to eat a multi-course meal at a fixed price, is back.

    From Friday, Jan. 23-Sunday, Feb. 1, you’ll be able to eat dinner at some of the Charlotte area’s best restaurants for $30 to $55 per person. Afterward, we’ll be waiting until July for the promotion to return.

    Reservations are recommended for dining at the participating restaurants in nine counties: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Cleveland, Union, Lincoln, Catawba, Stanly and York, SC.

    “It’s the perfect mid-winter incentive for a fun and leisurely night out while you sample new spots,” Bruce Hensley, a partner in Hensley Fontana Public Relations — which owns and operates the promotion — said in a news release. “And the restaurants are ready to impress all those fresh faces and keep them coming back.”

    A gourmet beef entrée plated on a dark rimmed dish. The sliced beef rests in a savory yellow sauce with roasted mushrooms, a pearl onion, and sprigs of fresh rosemary and sage. Two thin, crispy crostini crackers are perched on top of the meat. A glass of red wine stands in the blurred background of the elegantly set dining room.
    Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week is back in January, with more than 120 participating restaurants to choose from. Courtesy of Charlotte Restaurant Week Maksim Shebeko/stock.adobe.com

    Queen’s Feast details

    The hardest thing about Queen’s Feast might be deciding which restaurants to pick. With 120 restaurants to choose from, it’s a tall task.

    To narrow things down, you can browse the restaurants by neighborhoods in Charlotte or by city outside of Charlotte. When you spot an eatery you’re interested in, click the name to find out the prix fixe deal being offered and what’s on the menu, along with other details.

    First-time participants in the restaurant week event are:

    A slightly angled, close-up shot of an appetizer presentation featuring six individual pork belly bites, each served on a small, oval-shaped white tortilla. The succulent pieces of pork belly are glazed with a glossy, dark sauce and topped with a bright red, diced cube of watermelon, some with a sprinkle of green herbs. The appetizers are arranged in two rows of three on a rectangular white plate, which is slightly blurred towards the edges, suggesting a focus on the food. The background is dark and out of focus.
    Soul Gastrolounge is known for its pork-belly tacos. Soul Gastrolounge

    This story was originally published January 7, 2026 at 1:00 PM.

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    Heidi Finley

    The Charlotte Observer

    Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits.
    Support my work with a digital subscription

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