North Charlotte is a neighborhood that, despite its name, comprises most of the city’s east side. With a history that dates back to the late 1800s, North Charlotte transformed from a basic textile mill town to a city with colorful historic arts and entertainment district, known warmly by the locals as NoDa.
Neighborhood Theatre
The Neighborhood Theatre is housed in the converted Astor Theatre from 1945, and nothing about the décor has been altered despite undergoing a major restoration in the late 1990s. It was then that the Neighborhood Theatre reopened as a live performance venue true to its name, promoting regional and local musicians but also occasionally hosting nationally recognized singers and bands. Almost every weekend brings audiences new entertainment, but they love to bring back crowd favorites that are popular with locals and tourists alike.
Address and telephone number: 511 E 36th St., Charlotte NC 28205 +1 704-942-7997
UpStage
UpStage puts the emphasis on the creative arts scene of North Charlotte, rather than on its music. While there are plenty of concert venues where you can soak in the sounds of local talent, only UpStage offers the full theater package where actors and playwrights from North Charlotte can exhibit their skills on stage. Come here for everything from one-man shows and spoken word poetry, to live burlesque and cabaret shows and improvised comedy sketches. There’s even a dance floor that opens up to audiences once a weekend depending on the shows.
Address and telephone number: 3306-C North Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205 +1 704-430-4821
Heist Brewery
If you’re in the market for craft beers that cannot be sipped leisurely anywhere else but NoDa, stop by Heist Brewery. As one of the highest rated breweries in Charlotte, Heist is known for sourcing nearby microbrewers that use bold, artisanal techniques to ferment the local wheat. They also offer scratch sodas and innovative wood-fired shared plates that promise to “rewrite the rulebook on craft beer and cuisine” – a promise that they’ve been keeping for years.
Address and telephone number: 2909 North Davidson St. Suite 200, Charlotte NC 28205 +1 704-375-8260
Baku Art Gallery
The foremost focus of Baku Art Gallery is on up-and-coming local artists, choosing to spotlight never-before-seen works rather than on the legendary artists found at larger contemporary art galleries. Baku Art Gallery has an array of artistic styles, ranging from alternative to indie. In true indie style, the gallery is located right next to Fu’s Custom Tattoo, a popular parlor that often takes inspiration for its tattoo designs from the artwork exhibited at the Baku.
Address and telephone number: 3200 N. Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205 +1 704-376-4556
The Chop Shop
For an authentically Carolinian take on the concert hall, buy a ticket at The Chop Shop for a night of unforgettable fun. Offering live entertainment that is often fully booked weeks in advance, The Chop Shop is located on “on the wrong side of the tracks” – you have to cross NoDa’s railroad tracks to enter the establishment. It’s one of the only places with an outdoor patio and, with a 5,000 square foot bar area, it is one of the largest in North Charlotte. With plenty of themed rooms geared toward different musical interests, there’s something for everyone at The Chop Shop.
Address and telephone number: 399 E. 35th Street, Charlotte, NC 28205 +1 704-765-2467
Breathe: A Refuge for Rejuvenation
With so much to see and even more to do, it’s easy to stretch yourself a bit too thin when visiting NoDa. The remedy? Make an appointment at Breathe if you need a “refuge for rejuvenation,” and feel your knots completely undo themselves. This oasis is a halfway point between a spa and a wellness studio, so you can opt for relaxing treatments prior to learning tips and techniques for stress management. Visiting Breathe is like visiting a personal masseuse and a wellness coach all at once!
Address and telephone number: 2901 North Davidson St. Suite 122, Charlotte, NC 28205 +1 828-778-7707
The Evening Muse
Given NoDa’s status as a historic arts district committed to cultivating North Charlotte’s heritage, it’s no surprise that performance venues celebrating local actors and musicians keep popping up on this list. Enter The Evening Muse, a local concert hall and music venue that promises its audiences a diverse mix of modern and tradition, both in décor, food and music. The charm is undeniable from the moment you walk in, with a showcase of original artwork on the walls, craft beers served by smiling bartenders, and local musicians killing it on stage.
Address and telephone number: 3227 N Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205 +1 704-376-3737
Tour De Food
If you consider yourself a foodie, you simply cannot miss Tour De Food. It’s a walking food tour that guides you through the brightly colored, winding streets of NoDa as you visit a handful of unique dining establishments committed to serving you the best food and drink in North Charlotte. There are seven different tours you can try, and each one features meet and greets with executive chefs and owners, as well a free sampling of each eatery’s best dishes. The motto of Tour De Food says it all: “Eat, Drink, Walk.”
Address and telephone number: Charlotte, NC 28205 +1 336-406-6294
NoDa Farmers Market
Farmers' Market, American
NoDa Farmers Market
North Charlotte, like most cities, has plenty of retail and chain grocery stores, but only one place where you can get your produce fresh and straight from the farm: the NoDa Farmers Market. Here, local farmers come together to share their treasures with the community. Just a strolling through the market, be prepared to be presented with an incredibly diverse selection of vegetables, fruits, meat and fish. The vendors also offer their handmade culinary creations, from all-natural honey to organic fruit spreads,
Address: E 36th St., Charlotte, NC 28205
NoDa Eclectic Marketplace
NoDa Eclectic Marketplace comes to life every Saturday, bringing NoDa’s namesake eclectic vendors together in the plot behind Smelly Cat Coffeehouse. For seasonal and handcrafted goods such as local produce, artwork, clothing, jewelry, and artisan drinks that you can truly only find in NoDa, come with whatever spare cash you have and an open mind. The concept behind the marketplace is pretty simple, yet rare: it seeks to bring together art and community, to provide a platform wherein the creative processes of local artists, farmers, performers and culinary artisans merge in a single, vibrant place.
Address: 514 E 36th St., Charlotte, NC 28205
