Idlewild
Cocktail bar · NoDa ·
No-menu bar where bartenders craft custom cocktails
No-menu bar where bartenders craft custom cocktails
"Idlewild is notably dark and proudly experimental. This moody spot tends to be the destination for an evening out, not just a quick pit spot before hitting the town. Guests won’t find cosmopolitans or spritzes on the menu; in fact, there isn’t a menu at all. Guests share their preferred flavor palate to the bartender, who will then whip up a personalized cocktail on the spot." - Kayleigh Ruller
"Known as a chic Charlotte cocktail destination, Idlewild (424 E 36th Street) operates without a menu and is consistently crowded nightly, with wildly popular dollar-oyster Mondays; I read it as the polished, cocktail-forward counterpart to the new Ugly. As part of a space shuffle, Idlewild will move next door to absorb the Fairweather space, and Vince Chirico stresses that his success is about the bar and the team rather than celebrity mixologists, positioning Idlewild as an influential, stylish touchstone in Charlotte’s thriving cocktail scene." - Timothy DePeugh
"Visiting NoDa’s moody Idlewild is an exercise in trusting in mystery, surprise, and your personal palate. Instead of a menu, seasoned bartenders guide curious cocktail-sippers through their liquor and flavor preferences, crafting the individually-inspired drink or two, and creating a wellspring of possibilities —including a specialty Elijah Craig old fashioned that comes to life with hints of both vanilla bean and chocolate bitters. For cozy conversation vibes, settle into the plush wood benches or into the shadowy tables-for-two. For more interactive, be-impressed vibes, sit at the bar and watch the magic happen. (And then, sip it too.) This rare no-menu bar accepts reservations, welcomes walk-ins, and keeps parties under six to match that intimate feel." - Vox Creative
"No menu, no problem. Everything is on the table at Idlewild in NoDa. With no set menu to speak of, mixologists instead ask customers what they like (and dislike) to let their imaginations run wild. For example, pointing to a bottle of Pedro Ximenez sherry on the bar might lead to a riveting take on an Old Fashioned that is as dark and chic as the bar itself. For more space, food, and a set menu, visit sister cocktail bar Fairweather next door." - Timothy DePeugh
"A new membership-based cocktail bar in NoDa with a $1 join fee, designed as a casual, relaxed spot for a bit of escapism. It offers a small-bites menu and a limited selection of beers and wines served daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cocktails are custom-made (no printed menu) and priced at $12, with each drink created to reflect the guest’s personal preferences." - Katie Toussaint