New uptown Charlotte bar and lounge offers cocktails, light bites near Spectrum Center
1st Ward Social Bar and Lounge, a new spot open inside Homewood Suites by Hilton on East 8th and North College streets, offers a place to stop for a cocktail or a bite to eat uptown near Spectrum Center.
“It’s an inviting place for all kinds of occasions, general manager Nicole Clyburn said. “We’re two blocks away from Spectrum arena, making 1st Ward Social makes for a great spot to grab a few drinks before a Hornets game or a concert.”
The bar and lounge’s Southern-themed drinks include handcrafted cocktails like the Southern Belle, featuring peach and orange blossom vodka with peach puree, lemon and lavender bitters, along with the smoky Backyard BBQ cocktail, flavored tableside with mesquite wood chips.
1st Ward’s food menu keeps things light with offerings such as a watermelon Caesar salad, barbecue chicken flatbread and a jumbo pretzel served with spicy mustard and beer cheese.
Food and beverage manager Reid Clayton said the team at Concord Hospitality Enterprises “put a lot of thought into developing the cocktails and creating a fun environment and a food menu that would complement the drinks well.”
Along with daily food and drink specials, 1st Ward Social will offer café-style seating with garage doors for an indoor-outdoor feel. The lounge will also host entertainment events including Thursday night trivia, live music and shuffleboard tournaments.
1st Ward Social Bar and Lounge
Location: Homewood Suites by Hilton, 508 N. College St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Cuisine: American, bar food
Instagram: @1stwardsocial
