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Charlotte foodies can look forward to a new neighborhood restaurant and bar coming soon to SouthPark.
The Craic is set to open in the coming months, taking over the shuttered Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern space, according to a news release sent to CharlotteFive.
Meaning “good vibes” in Gaelic, the new concept strikes a balance between fine dining and a cozy neighborhood café experience. Customers can look forward to classic dishes like pot roast, pork loin and trout.
Burgers and wings are also on the menu alongside oven-fired pizzas, pretzels and other bar bites.
“We wanted to create a restaurant and bar that feels welcoming from the moment you arrive,” Parker Starre, co-owner and general manager of The Craic, said in the release. “It’s a place where professionals can meet for brunch or lunch, families feel comfortable at dinner and regulars can settle in late at night and feel completely at home.”
Starre, a former Rusty Bucket employee turned partner, is part of a larger Charlotte-based hospitality team that brought The Craic to life.
Veteran operator Chris Healy will oversee the restaurant, with help from co-owener and former WBTV sports reporter Delano Little. Chef Danny O’Connell will head the restaurant’s culinary program, while Sarah Pinto will oversee the bar.
A sprawling 4,622-square-foot space, The Craic seats up to 177 guests across its indoor, bar and patio areas, according to the release. It will also feature a “a semi-enclosed, drinks-only nook” accessed through a secret pass-through window.
Other bar highlights include:
- 30+ beers on tap
- 8 temperature controlled wine dispensers
- A curated bottle list
- Craft cocktails made with house-made syrups
The Craic will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. with brunch, lunch and dinner offerings.
Location: 4810 Ashley Park Ln, Charlotte, NC 28210 (opening soon)
Cuisine: American
Instagram: @thecraic_clt
This story was originally published February 5, 2026 at 2:30 PM.
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Tanasia Kenney
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