Hidden Gems of CLT: Spindle Bar

CHARLOTTE, NC. — WCCB Charlotte’s Alexandra Elich visits Spindle Bar on this week’s Hidden Gems of CLT.

The concept is simple and easy: grab & go.

“Everyone’s like I didn’t know you guys had a full cocktail menu. So it’s really cool for us because we’re able to create still a craft cocktail but really, really quickly so you’re able to come up to the register by the time your credit card comes out, you’re able to have a drink in your hand, I’m gonna take it anywhere throughout Optimist Hall,” says general manager of Spindle Bar Stephanie Andrews.

Andrews and her team have a bar in Chicago but wanted to expand to Charlotte’s budding food and drink scene. They visited the queen city in February 2019 and fell in love with the space at Optimist Hall. Opening Spindle Bar just a few months later in August. An all-day destination for easy-drinking cocktails.

Tucked away in the far back of Optimist Hall, you can get a craft cocktail hand-made with seasonal, natural ingredients. Andrews creates most of the recipes.

“Constant movement, constant people, so you’re always seeing someone new, you’re always getting does the price of one you’re always getting to create someone’s experience, kind of rounding that out with a cocktail.”

The name Spindle Bar is an ode to Optimist Hall’s history. Previously called Gingham Mill, Charlotte’s oldest textile mill. You can find sewing machines on display at the bar.

“It’s a constantly growing city, especially for food and drinks; it’s just constantly growing and expanding, so we figured this would be the best time to kind of hop in and kind of move forward with Charlotte.”