What’s open? Bars and restaurants announce changes as some COVID restrictions lifted.
Editor’s note: This is a developing list that will continue to be updated. If you are a bar or restaurant owner announcing reopening changes, send the details to charlottefive@charlottefive.com to be included.
Some Charlotte bars and music venues are reopening for the first time in nearly a year after being shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. Other clubs and restaurants are extending hours as North Carolina COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease at 5 p.m. Friday.
Gov. Roy Cooper on Wednesday announced the end of the the statewide curfew in place since December that forced all non-essential businesses to close at 10 p.m. and extended the late-night alcohol sales cutoff from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
And, bars, nightclubs, adult entertainment, music halls, indoor theaters, amphitheaters, arenas and other live performance venues can reopen indoors at 30% capacity or 250 people, whichever is less. Bars had been able to operate at a limited capacity outdoors only since October.
Restaurants, breweries and wineries continue to remain open at 50% capacity.
‘A huge deal.’ Charlotte area bars, restaurants, sports sites cheer looser COVID rules
And, the statewide mask mandate remains in place. Just about everyone is required to wear a face-covering in public, unless they are actively eating and drinking.
Here’s a list of bars that are reopening and other businesses extending their hours:
Cabarrus Brewing Company
329 McGill Ave. NW, Concord
Starting Friday, Feb. 26, the brewery is extending its hours and will open 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday and 1-7 p.m. Sunday. “After quite a year, we’re looking forward to getting somewhat back to normal,” the brewery stated on Facebook.
Connolly’s on Fifth
115 E. Fifth St.
The Irish pub will reopen indoors on Friday, Feb. 26, until 11 p.m. Hours are 3-9 p.m. Wednesday and Friday and 3-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday, according to its social media sites.
Coyote Joe’s
4621 Wilkinson Blvd.
The country-music-themed nightclub Coyote Joe’s will open Friday, Feb. 26, after being closed for nearly a year. Doors open at 7 p.m. Out of the Blue house band takes the stage at 8 p.m. The club is open 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Dubai Sport Bar and Grill
5317 E. Independence Blvd.
According to Dubai Night Club’s Facebook page, the dance and night club will reopen March 5 from 6-11 p.m.
Idlewild
424 East 36th Street
The swanky NoDa cocktail lounge Idlewild is extending its hours from 9 to 11 p.m. beginning Friday, Feb. 26. “We’ll keep doing our best to keep you safe and happy later into the night,” the team posted on Instagram. Masks, distancing and 50 percent capacity limits apply still. Pro tip: to ensure your spot, grab a reservation.
Mal Entertainment
multiple locations
All Mal Entertainment strip clubs, including Leather & Lace Southend and University, Tassels Cabaret and The Gentlemen’s Club, will reopen Friday until 2 a.m., according to its social media sites. The group’s other clubs with kitchens, like The Gold Club Charlotte, will extend hours until 2 a.m.
Roxbury Nightclub
116 W. Fifth St.
The uptown retro 1980s and ‘90s nightclub Roxbury Nightclub will reopen at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27. Due to the COVID-19 rules hours are 6-11 p.m. Friday and 7-11 p.m. Saturday, according to the website. The two-level dance club has an old school arcade, large patio and DJs spinning records and music videos.
Scorpio
2301 Freedom Drive
The nightclub and show bar catering to the LGBTQ community will reopen at 8 p.m. March 5, according to its Facebook page.
The Suffolk Punch
2911 Griffith St.
The Suffolk Punch brewery, coffee bar and restaurant with locally-sourced, scratch-made meals has extended its Thursday-Saturday hours beginning Friday, Feb. 26, until midnight.
The Thirsty Beaver
1225 Central Ave.
The quirky dive bar Thirsty Beaver reopened with outdoor seating Feb. 20, according to its Facebook page. Co-owner Brian Wilson told WCNC that with the new capacity rules and Thirsty Beaver being so small, only about 15 people will be allowed indoors at a time.
VBGB Beer Hall & Garden
920 Hamilton St.
The popular beer hall with 30 local and regional craft beers on tap and a large patio will reopen March 2 at AvidX Music Factory with some new menu items and volleyball, according to its social media sites. VBGB Beer Hall & Garden was recently voted one of the top 20 beer gardens in the country by USA Today. The beer garden closed temporarily in December due to rising COVID-19 cases and operating restrictions.
More information
Sports events: Wondering if you can get tickets to the Charlotte Hornets, Charlotte Knights, NASCAR and more? Follow The Charlotte Observer’s Alaina Getzenberg’s coverage for the latest in sports venue opening updates.
Changes to local parks: The expiration of Mecklenburg Public Health Director Gibbie Harris’ directive means more outdoor Park and Recreation service will resume next week. Alison Kuznitz has updated park hours, including changes to the Acquatic Center.
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