Paco’s Tacos & Tequila create zero-proof sips using Cut Above Zero Proof spirits. | Photo via Paco’s Tacos & Tequila
If you’re participating in Dry January — a campaign encouraging individuals to go alcohol free all-month long — we’re sharing 15 spots in town where you can enjoy a non-alcoholic drink.
Chef Sam Diminich switches up the dinner menu every season and ingredients are made available by local farmers + offers an extensive alcohol-free cocktail menu, wine, and beer.
DIY Workshop | 12-6:15 p.m. | PlantHouse | $25+ | Create your own terrarium or scented candle in this DIY-guided course.
Santa’s Favorite Watering Hole | 3 p.m.-2 a.m. | VINYL | Cost of purchase | Sip up the final holiday-themed pop-up experience of the season.
Tuesday, Jan. 7
Evening Unwind Yoga | 6-7 p.m. | Founders Dairy Barn at Dairy Barn Entrance, Fort Mill, SC | $7+ | Relieve stress by stretching your body in this class perfect for beginners and seasoned yogis.
Tosco Music Open Mic | 6:30 p.m. | The Evening Muse | $8+ | Warm up those pipes for a group singalong before local performers take the stage.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Phoenix Suns | 7 p.m. | Spectrum Center | $24+ | Cheer as Buzz City looks to bring the “heat” to the Suns in Uptown.
Hamilton | 7:30 p.m. | Belk Theater | $49+ | You’ll be “Satisfied” after attending the opening night of this hit Broadway show.
Wednesday, Jan . 8
Bechtler 15-Year Birthday Bash | 5-9 p.m. | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | Free | Celebrate this milestone with an evening of art, music, and interactive activities.
Old Forester Whiskey Event | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Bin 110, Cornelius | $87+ | Sample five private barrel spirits in this event — tickets sell out fast.
Get ready for snacks and skewers. Rada is now open in Myers Park. The contemporary American restaurant will serve items like clams in a vin jaune and scallion broth, beef tartare with sunchokes + a limited wine menu and cocktails. (The Charlotte Observer)
Coming Soon
Speaking of eats... Paco’s Tacos & Tequila is opening a second location in Fort Mill, SC. The Tex-Mex staple will be located at 1328 Broadcloth St., Ste. 102 — the former Taco Molino space. The 200+ restaurant will offer indoor and enclosed patio dining + wood-fired grilled fajitas, cheesy enchiladas, and an extensive tequila list.
Try This
Queen’s Feast, Charlotte’s Restaurant Week, returns Friday, Jan. 17-Sunday, Jan 26. Dine from 100+ restaurants serving three-course dining deals around the Charlotte area. Check out the participating restaurants.
Mansion Monday
Live out your dreams in this 1939 designated historic home — known as the Barnhardt-Cramer Estate — on the market in Midwood’s Cramer’s Pond. See inside the 6-bedroom, 6-bathroom mansion with a grand entryway, curved staircase, outdoor fireplace, and pool.
Civic
MEDIC and Charlotte Fire may soon part ways. The current agreement, allowing fire crews to respond to medical calls with oversight, expires on Thursday, Jan. 9. The department says the city’s rapid growth is leading to more emergency calls and pressure on first responders. (WCNC)
Community
Still need help following Hurricane Helene? The deadline to register for FEMA assistance has been extended to Thursday, Feb. 6. You can apply online, use the FEMA app, or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and midnight, or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. (WBTV)
Environment
Domino’s Pizza opened its first solar-powered store in York County. The restaurant at 119 Alden Oaks St. in Clover has solar panels on the roof + the wood grain panels with the chain’s logo are also solar panels. (WCNC)
Legacy
Ripken, who served as the Durham Bulls’ bat dog for four seasons and fetched kicking tees for NC State football, died unexpectedly last week. Known for bringing joy to countless fans, Ripken made his final appearance retrieving the kicking tee for the Carolina Panthers.
Sports
The Panthers finished the 2024-2025 season 5-12 after a win against the Atlanta Falcons them. Go over the season highlights on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Announced
Calling all Hornets fans. The Hornets vs. Chicago Bulls game on Friday, Jan. 17 will be broadcast via FanDuel Sports Network Southeast and WFNZ at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The game was originally scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN at 9:30 p.m.
Biz
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Travel
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Category
Try This
🏈 Super Bowl in the Carolinas?!
Bank of America Stadium will host the Super Bowl FanFest on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. | Photo via Charlotte Sports Foundation
Ready for some football? The Carolina Panthers may not have made the playoffs, but the Queen City can still relish in the Super Bowl fun. Charlotte is one of 30 cities selected to host Verizon’s Super Bowl FanFest.
“Super Bowl LIX is the most anticipated sporting event of the year but few get to experience it in person; we wanted to bring that collective excitement and energy to fans across the country with once-in-a-lifetime access they’ll never forget,” said Leslie Berland, the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Verizon.
The celebration at BofA will feature on-field access, live music, food from local chefs, and meet-and-greets with Jonathan Stewart, Sir Purr and the Top Cats, and fellow NFL legends.
Editor’s note: The event is free but exclusive to Verizon customers + a select number of guests.
FanFest kicks off Sunday, Feb. 9 at 4 p.m nationwide before the big game starts at 6:30 p.m.
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There’s still time to let us know what stories you want to read about this year! New construction projects, restaurant openings, local business owner spotlights, we want to cover it all. Submit your top questions about the Queen City for us to answer.
