The Shugart Short List: Charlotte Drink Specials Worth Knowing This Weekend

One thing Charlotte doesn't have a shortage of is places to grab a drink.
The harder part is figuring out where you actually want to go.
Between showing homes, meeting clients and spending entirely too much time driving from one side of Charlotte to the other, I've built a pretty extensive list of restaurants and bars around the city. And somewhere along the way, I also started keeping track of who has the best drink specials.

Because if I'm ordering the martini anyway, I'd prefer not to pay full price for it.
So instead of giving you another list of the same Charlotte spots everyone already knows, I thought I'd share a few places that have made my personal short list.
If you're a martini person, Leo's is worth having on your radar. Good drinks, live music and the kind of atmosphere that works whether you're meeting friends or turning dinner into a night out.

For wine, Zio and Dilworth Tasting Room are two spots I find myself recommending. Brixx Pizza is another easy option when you want something casual without sacrificing a good wine special.
Then there's Goldie's, which has quickly become one of those places that just feels like Charlotte. Good atmosphere, live music, margaritas and Moscow Mules make a pretty strong argument for staying longer than you planned.
Beer drinkers have plenty of options too. 204 North, Reid's and Leroy Fox are all on my running list when I'm looking for something casual.

And I can't make a Charlotte drink list without mentioning Rosemont.
Their endless fries paired with a bottle of Crémant or Prosecco has become one of my favorite finds in the city. It's simple, slightly excessive and exactly the kind of thing I want from a drink special.
If cocktails are more your thing, Kid Cashew is another favorite, and Catalú is a great one to keep in mind when you're meeting a group and sangria sounds like the right decision.

The thing I love about Charlotte's food and drink scene is how much it changes depending on where you are.
A night out in South End feels completely different from Plaza Midwood. Dilworth has its own personality. Uptown has its staples. NoDa gives you something entirely different.
It's also one of the reasons I tell people that choosing where to live in Charlotte isn't only about the house.

You're choosing the coffee shop you'll stop at on Saturday morning. The restaurant you'll walk to when you don't feel like cooking. The neighborhood bar where they'll eventually know your order.
Those little things become part of how you experience the city.
And I've spent enough time exploring Charlotte to have accumulated a pretty ridiculous list of them.

So, I'm working on something.
I'm putting together my complete Charlotte Drink Specials Guide, with specials for every day of the week, neighborhood favorites, half-price wine nights, martinis, margaritas, breweries, rooftops, brunch spots and a few hidden gems I've picked up along the way.

It's not quite ready yet, but it's coming.
For now, follow me on social media, where I'll be sharing more of my favorites, new finds and Charlotte spots worth knowing while I build out the full guide.
And I need your help with it.

What's the Charlotte drink special you think everyone should know about?

Send it my way. If it's good enough, I'll happily volunteer to personally investigate.
It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it.