We crunched the numbers and compiled your official CLTtoday’s Best nominees. Now comes the fun part: voting. Now through Tuesday, Nov. 25, you can vote for your favorites in each category. Winners will be announced Monday, Dec. 8.
Get ready to sip magic at the Wonderful Cocktails of Oz speakeasy. | Photo via Supperland
Can we interest you in a post-work beverage? Gather your closest friends and colleagues (read: drinking buddies), we’ve rounded up some of the best spots to grab a drink after work across the Queen City.
Seasonal pop-ups
Hulaween | Through Sunday, Nov. 2 | Humbug | Get ready to experience Hulaween, with spirited cocktails and skeletons galore.
The Wonderful Cocktails of Oz | Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, through Saturday, Nov. 8 | Speakeasy at Supperland | Consider sipping on Oz-themed cocktails paired with food when this speakeasy transports you to the Emerald City — reservations recommended.
Haunted by Black Lagoon | Through Saturday, Nov. 1 | Backstage Lounge | Get ready for jump scares, neon lights, and cobwebs as this annual event takes over the speakeasy.
Catalú’s cocktail menu features a sangria flight so diners can try four types of sangrias available.
Photo via Catalú
Off the vine
The Bohemian: A Wine Bar | Grab a friend and dish over charcuterie or flatbreads and a menu featuring seasonal wine by the glass.
Catalú | Enjoy $15 sangria flights on Thursdays + savor Spanish flavors in a paella to share with your friends.
The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners voted 7-2 to approve $1.5 million for the redevelopment of the historic Excelsior Club. The renovation would transform the vacant venue into a two-story entertainment space, restaurant, and museum. (WCNC)
Sports
Charlotte FC is hitting the practice field ahead of next week’s playoff game against New York City FC. The best-of-three series kicks off at Bank of America Stadium next Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 6:45 p.m. Get your tickets to fill the fortress. (WCNC)
Film
Want to be cast in season two of “The Hunting Wives?” The popular Netflix series will be back to film in Charlotte, and is looking for extras. Here’s how to apply.
Eat
Have you tried any brunches around Charlotte? Here’s a new one: Leluia Hall will start brunch service starting this Saturday, Oct. 25. Expect to savor items like the jerk duck benedict, crab-topped French omelette, or the classic steak and eggs.
Quoted
“This series is a gift back to our beloved city.” The Carolina Theatre is preparing for the holidays with a month-long schedule of movies, live music, and productions. Get ready to watch classic films like “Elf” and “Miracle on 34th Street,” or enjoy live music like Mark and Maggie O’Connor’s “An Appalachian Christmas.”
Try This
Music Everywhere CLT launched the 2025 Charlotte Music Census, a community-led effort to support the region’s music ecosystem. The census is designed to inform strategies to support live music, professional development, and artists in the Queen City. It’s open to any and all individuals in the music industry, and runs through Nov. 12, 2025.
Sports
The Hornets played their home opener — how did they look on the court? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Arts
Thomas Dambo, the mastermind behind trolls sculptures around the world, will be speaking at a special event at the Gambrell Center on Thursday, Nov. 6. The event comes as the Queen City is set to get its own troll. Tickets start at $15.
Number
More than $30,000 was raised to support local breast cancer patients during this month’s 5th Annual Pink Cupcake Walk, with 1,800+ people dressed in pink and teal filling Truist Field to honor those living with metastatic breast cancer.
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Editor’s Pick
The Charlotte community honored Wooden Robot co-founder Dan Wade with a memorial in 2024.
Photo via Wooden Robot
Wooden Robot Brewery launched “Cosmic Ballet” last night — its annual Charlotte Craft Beer Week collaboration honoring late brewer Dan Wade. The special brew will be available on draught at Wooden Robot, and 35 local breweries (like NoDa and Birdsong Brewing) will be selling the helles lager by the can. All proceeds will go to the Dan Wade Memorial Scholarship, which supports aspiring brewers through Appalachian State’s Brewing Short Course.
“It’s not only a way to honor our friend Dan, but to provide an avenue for brewing education, something Dan was passionate about,” said Rachael Hudson, Owner and Head Brewer at Pilot Brewing and Project Manager for Charlotte Craft Beer Week.
The Buy
Save up to 70% on premier fall experiences with Groupon. New deals appear every day so you can discover your next “why-didn’t-we-do-this-sooner” at the click of a button.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I really liked watching “The Hunting Wives” on Netflix. It was so fun to see familiar spots from across the Queen City on the small screen. I guess the real question is... should I apply to be an extra? I’m thinking yes.
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