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Restaurant + lounge ‘forced to close’ in Dilworth after community pushback

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Lack of support has snuffed out a restaurant and lounge popular among Black Charlotteans, owners say.

Red at 28th, a multicultural bar, hookah and literary lounge in Dilworth, closed Thursday, Jan. 15, according to a message shared on the business’s Instagram page.

The memo pointed “to a group of people who choose not to support a business that has operated for 20 years” for the abrupt closure, but didn’t offer additional details.

A silver and blue glass hookah sits on a textured table against a deep red wall. In the background, a plush yellow armchair and a warm floor lamp create a cozy lounge atmosphere.
At Red at 28th in Charlotte, customers can enjoy premium hookah, a full service bar, books and light bites. CharlotteFive file photo

“Our doors have always been open and welcoming to all with zero discrimination to race, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs,” management wrote. “Our efforts were heavy to bridge a segregated gap, but there has [sic] to be an honest effort from the other side.”

Red at 28th relocated to Dilworth from University City in 2021, offering a cozy neighborhood hangout replete with a full-service bar, premium hookah and reading area all under one roof, CharlotteFive reported. Before that, the bar had locations in NoDa and Greenville, South Carolina.

The food menu featured brunch and dinner classics, as well as light bites.

A dark wooden A-frame sign stands in a hallway, featuring “RED @ 28TH” written in red and yellow chalk. Below the name, the sign lists the venue’s offerings: Hookah Bar, Books, and Events.
Red at 28th, a bar and hookah lounge, relocated to University City to Dilworth in 2021. CharlotteFive file photo

On Instagram, owners said the business was run on a passion of promoting diversity and inclusion in the local community.

“But not everyone agrees with our mission and values,” they wrote.

So what’s next? Owners promised to share details about a new location in the coming weeks.

“There is a beautiful vision on the horizon,” they wrote. “This includes a new location, new hours, and as always, dope vibes!”

Red at 28th didn’t immediately respond to CharlotteFive’s request for comment.

Local love for Red at 28th

News of the lounge’s closure was met with anger and sadness from locals:

  • “Unfortunately, trying to infiltrate certain communities isn’t always the best for us. Go where you are loved & celebrated. We’ll be waiting on that next location!” Salena Neilysa wrote on Instagram.
  • “Red@28th has been one of my favorite spots to frequent! I guess Dilworth doesn’t have to worry about me spending money in that area,” Benjamin Moten commented.
  • “Saddened by the news but looking forward to seeing the new location in the near future!” Shamar Farley wrote.

Location: 1315 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203 (closed)

Menu

Cuisine: Bar, grill + hookah lounge

Instagram: @redat28th

The exterior of “Red @ 28th” is shown on a street corner, featuring a white multi-story facade with large glass windows and a curved entrance under a wooden awning. A green street sign for “Scott Ave” is visible in the foreground near a sidewalk lined with trees and a lamppost.
Red at 28th in Dilworth describes itself as “Charlotte’s premier multicultural literary lounge.” Google Street View image from Nov. 2024 | ©2026 Google

This story was originally published January 16, 2026 at 10:33 AM.

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Tanasia Kenney

Sun Herald

Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.

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Tanasia Kenney

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