OpenTap

Review! Charlotte, North Carolina // tap-and-pour // a casual third place that's great for many occasions

the ELEVATOR PITCH

If I could summarize OpenTap’s vibe in a headline it would read like “a log cabin refuge in the middle of the woods gets a modern manicure and makeover.” Which may seem unexpected to find in the middle of Charlotte’s Quail Hollow area (very far from the woods), but the unexpectedness of it all actually lends itself a refreshing quality that will drop your jaw!

Founders (and husband-and-wife duo) Scott and Brooke Thorne wanted to create a third space that was family-friendly while embracing their love for the mountains, and the community has responded so positively. OpenTap has received non-stop smashing success since their opening day in March 2023. People come to spend time with their neighbors and share an adult beverage, and their kids can safely play in an enclosed outdoors space all the while.

And as if they need more reasons to be successful, OpenTap is one of the first tap-and-pour locations in the South Park/Quail Hollow area of its kind, making it a prime destination for suburban Charlotteans who want access to 64+ beers on tap without dealing with parking headaches in South End! Some of my personal loves—the large circle window in the front, the beautiful wooden tree sculpture in the center, the upstairs nook that feels so classy, the kid-friendly corner in the back that also doubles as a private gathering space…okay, okay, so maybe I like everything?! (but can you blame me!)

Their beverage selection is quite inclusive. While the beer, wine, cider, etc. are the stars of the show (aforementioned 64+ options), there are a decent number of non-alcoholic bevvies (seltzer, craft soda, etc. & water) too. On the food food end, they compensate for not having their own kitchen by having a rotating list of food trucks scheduled throughout the week, and on the entertainment end, they have daily special events (like trivia on Wednesdays).

The final cherry on top? OpenTap is a very flexible social venue. For example, I’ve witnessed birthday parties being hosted, and have personally attended many of their trivia nights and have had a great time. But my favorite memory is having me and my husband’s wedding after party there, with a lot of freedom and space for people to find their niche without it feeling too unstructured. Check their Instagram to see if there’s any exciting events upcoming, and next time you’re near Quail Hollow area give them a visit 😊

p.s., the music they play is typically very sing-along upbeat, catchy, trendy, and intentionally family-friendly, something I can always appreciate when enjoying a third space!

menu items tried

growler & pints

a total steal to share with friends, but especially if won from trivia!

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As previously mentioned, although OpenTap doesn’t have their own kitchen, they have a rotating cast of food trucks, and they tend to be really quality businesses (super convenient if you’re not wanting to drive far to enjoy delicious food). Here are some of the food trucks we were able to try because of OpenTap:

Pizzeria DiCicco

I’m going to sound like a broken record, but this pizza truck’s Neapolitan pizza changed my life, changed my perspective, changed all the thoughts I had about Neapolitan pizza. They’re currently temporarily closed, but if they re-open one day, make sure you go!

Pizzeria DiCicco

Jon G’s Barbecue Truck

Yes, you heard right! OpenTap hosts the highly touted Peachland barbecue truck a handful of times a year, and I made sure to try it when it was in town. If you haven’t heard of Jon G’s Barbecue, it’s a BBQ restaurant ~1 hour away from Charlotte that’s only open on Saturdays. People get there early and start a queue 2 hours before Jon G’s even opens their doors…the wait averages up to 5 hours long!

Even though this was a pop-up food truck event, the wait for Jon G’s was still upwards of ~3 hours for us. I know queueing for food isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re intrigued about the concept, it’s definitely better than trekking to Peachland on a Saturday morning! If you enjoy barbecue, Jon G’s is definitely some of the best I’ve had (but may not be worth the 3 hour queue for me)

THE PORKY BREWSTER

This sandwich was insane; I loved the brisket + pork combination, and the Jon G’s sauce is the rare barbecue sauce that I’ve enjoyed (normally BBQ sauce is too sweet for me and feels artificial; this one has a lot of spice and flavor!). The slaw and the queso worked well with the flavorful meat; mellowing out the profile and countering the spice at just the right amount. The house-made candied jalapeños were the best I’ve ever had (a great mix of spicy-sweet, not too hot and not too candied). (rating: 10/10)

1 MEAT PLATE + 2 SIDES

This BBQ plate included pulled pork, white sandwich bread, Mexican corn, brown sugar baked beans, pickled red onion, house pickles, and sweet spicy bbq sauce. I love Mexican corn and this side definitely scratched the itch! It wasn’t too creamy for me, and contained a decent amount of seasoning. I’m normally not a baked beans gal, but this version by Jon G’s was genuinely delicious (I was apprehensive about the sugar, but it wasn’t sickeningly sweet and was actually enjoyable for me). My favorite part of the plate was the ability to “build your own” barbecue tartine with the white sandwich bread, pulled pork, and fixin’s! You can taste the quality in each topping element, so even though it’s all on white bread it tastes phenomenal. (rating 10/10)

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the RÉSUMÉ

address // 5010 Carmel Ctr Dr, Charlotte, NC 28226

operations // Sunday - Thursday, 12:00 - 11:00 PM; Friday - Saturday, 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM

⭐ special events vary, but they’ve hosted: poker nights, open mic, run club, music trivia, live music, karaoke, etc.! Find their calendar on their website 👇

logistics // plenty of free parking space provided in the lot right in front

amenities //

• multiple public restroom stalls

• semi-accessible (i.e., tables are accommodating to wheelchairs, but no lift provided to second floor)

• family-friendly (high chairs available, changing table in women’s restroom)

• indoor and outdoor (covered) seating available

vibes // modern-chic treehouse/log cabin vibes

menu // they have rotating food trucks scheduled every day; we happened to go on a day they were hosting Jon G’s Barbecue!

• beverages: water, soda (Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta, etc.), lemonade, fruit punch, beer, wine, sparkling

  ⭐ growlers available

recs // highly recommend going for trivia; winning team gets a growler to split and signs the trophy!

site // OpenTap