15 Alcohol-Free Activities in Charlotte
Whether you’re sober, sober curious or just taking some time off from drinking, there’s plenty to do in the Queen City that doesn’t involve alcohol.
by Molly Ruggere Jan 04, 2024
Charlotte’s local social scene has joined the nationwide alcohol-free movement in full force with more inventive, nonalcoholic options popping up. Not only can you imbibe a spirit-free cocktail at many local establishments, but there are also many activities to enjoy without alcohol in the Queen City. Here are 15 recommendations for alcohol-free fun for all ages and interests.
1. Experience an Alcohol-Free Happy Hour
Just because you’re not drinking alcohol doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a handcrafted beverage. Charlotte’s restaurants and bars are continuously adding delicious and inventive alcohol-free drinks to menus. Cocktail connoisseurs can sip high-end, spirit-free mocktails at Supperland, Church and Union, Elsewhere, Dilworth Tasting Room, Haberdish and more.
If you’re a kombucha fan, try Charlotte-based brands such as SumBucha, Lenny Boy or UpDog Kombucha, with unique flavors served in breweries and restaurants around town.
2. Learn a New Skill
Whether you’re looking to master the art of floral arranging, bake the perfect pretzel from scratch or start your own podcast, SkillPop offers a variety of virtual and in-person classes at an affordable price to help you pick up a new trade or explore a new interest.
You can also learn to make your own beauty products at Lip N Pour, create your own custom candle at Paddywax Candle Bar, up your culinary game with a lesson at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen or create your own terrarium at PlantHouse.
3. Check Out a Counterculture Event
Counterculture Club, a global, alcohol-free social club and events company based in Charlotte, offers “hangouts without hangovers.” These sober, social experiences are for anyone looking to socialize or meet new people without drinking.
In 2023, the Club hosted Charlotte’s first alcohol-free beverage festival in partnership with The Champagne Problems Podcast, Camp North End, Athletic Brewing Company and a roster of local, national and international nonalcoholic beverage brands.
Other Counterculture Club local events include weekly outdoor yoga classes at Camp North End, nonalcoholic happy hours around Charlotte and more. To find upcoming events, visit countercultureclub.org.
4. Treat Yourself to an Alcohol-Free Drink Paired Meal
Foodies who love a multi-course meal with drink pairings can still partake in this fine dining experience by visiting one of Charlotte’s high-end restaurants, such as Chef Sam Hart’s Counter- which offers themed, reservation-only, 10-course menus with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drink pairing options.
Chef Sam Diminich, owner of farm-to-table catering company Your Farms, Your Table, has a selection of nonalcoholic beverages at his restaurant, Restaurant Constance, “where the seasons write the menus.”
5. Host Your Own Nonalcoholic Brewery Crawl
Charlotte is a mecca for craft beer lovers, with over 60 breweries in the region and a variety of local craft beer shops like Salud Beer Shop and The Hobbyist.
In 2023, Resident Culture Brewing released Charlotte’s first local nonalcoholic beer, NARC IPA, available on draft at both the South End and Plaza Midwood locations. Several other breweries like Hi-Wire Brewing, Free Range Brewing and Blue Blaze Brewing Co. also serve nonalcoholic beverages.
6. See a Live Show
For a fancy night out at the theater, catch a show from Blumenthal Performing Arts, enjoy a ballet performance from Charlotte Ballet or delight your ears with the sounds of Opera Carolina.
You can also catch everything from legendary comedians, Grammy-winning artists and touring Broadway shows at Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium.
If you’re looking for local acts to add to your playlist, get tickets for a concert at NoDa’s Neighborhood Theatre, or head to The Evening Muse for open mic night.
7. Hit the Trails
Charlotte offers 52 miles of developed greenways, including connectivity to the Carolina Thread Trail, along with a variety of outdoor spaces for you to enjoy the great outdoors. For miles of trails, primed for hiking and biking, head to the U.S. National Whitewater Center.
The Charlotte Trail Guide features seven curated outdoor experiences in the Queen City, encompassing over 20 miles of trails, dining with outdoor amenities, local businesses and attractions. This guide not only gives you insider recommendations from Charlotte locals, but it also provides a deeper dive into the communities you’ll be passing through.
8. Shop 'til You Drop
Whether you’re into digging for vintage finds or prefer high-end luxury shops, Charlotte has a wealth of shopping options. Vintage seekers can find treasures at stores like Sleepy Poet Antique Mall, The Rat’s Nest and Value Village. For luxury shopping, SouthPark Mall offers over 175 specialty retailers including Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Coach.
For a mix of local and national retail brands, along with a variety of restaurants ranging from upscale to fast casual, visit Atherton Mill in South End. Once a streetcar station and textile mill, this shopping center is conveniently located next to the light rail.
9. Perfect your golf swing
Charlotte offers a variety of public courses for you to brush up on your golf swing. Topgolf, which boasts 102 bays over three floors along with an expansive rooftop terrace and more, has a location in University City and southwest Charlotte. For the full 18-hole golfing experience at an affordable price, visit Sunset Hills public golf course. Sunset Hills features two distinct courses: the nine-hole learning course, perfect for beginners or those looking for a quick game, and the “old course,” a regulation 18-hole course that’s fun for every skill level.
10. Celebrate the History of NASCAR
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a NASCAR novice, there’s always something new to learn about the history of racing. For an interactive, educational experience paired with rich stories and original artifacts, visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame. After taking a stroll along Glory Road and checking out the latest exhibit on display, head upstairs to test your skills at the Pit Crew Challenge or on the racing simulators.
Do some racing of your own at Victory Lane Indoor Karting, a 1/3-mile indoor road course, reported to be the fastest in the Carolinas and one of the fastest in the nation.
11. Cheer on Your Favorite Charlotte Sports Team
There’s no better place for sports fans than Charlotte. See Charlotte’s major league soccer team, Charlotte FC, play at Bank of America Stadium. There, you can also cheer on the Carolina Panthers during football season. The city is also home to minor league baseball team, the Charlotte Knights; minor league hockey team, the Charlotte Checkers; and of course, Buzz City’s professional basketball team, the Charlotte Hornets.
12. Museum Hop
Spend your day Uptown exploring some of Charlotte’s top museums, all within walking distance from each other including the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Mint Museum Uptown.
For an interactive, family-friendly museum that the kids will love, check out the Museum of Illusions or tried-and-true Discovery Place Science, a multi-sensory, kid-friendly museum offering daily activities, exhibits, IMAX features, live shows, labs and more.
13. Pamper Yourself
Take the money you’ll save on drinks to treat yourself to a spa treatment or even a full day of relaxation at one of the many spas in Charlotte, including Spa & Wellness Center at The Ritz-Carlton and The Spa at Ballantyne. Or unwind with a modern massage at Mood House.
14. Channel Your Competitive Side
Enjoy food, games and more at some of Charlotte’s entertainment and gaming venues. Super Abari Game Bar offers 20 pinball machines and more than 30 arcade games. Challenge your friends to a round of mini golf at Stroke in Plaza Midwood, an urban golf course. Play old-school arcade games at Pinhouse, Pins Mechanical Co. and Queen Park Social.
15. Sample a Variety of Cuisine at a Charlotte Food Hall
Can’t decide what to eat? Visit one of Charlotte’s food halls, including Optimist Hall, Camp North End, The Market at 7th Street and Gibson Mill Market, where you can order from several different restaurants and food stalls all in one place.
Article originally written by Molly Ruggere. Updates by Arielle Patterson in December 2023.
