Password please.
Are you a fan of cocktails, lounges, and feeling like you’re a part of a member’s only club? Then you’ll love these members-only cocktail clubs. Some required passwords, some are hidden underneath other restaurants, and some require an official membership to join. Read on to check out our five favorite and most exclusive clubs in Charlotte.
1. Dot Dot Dot
This upscale cocktail lounge is a private, members only lounge with expertly crated cocktails and small eats. With your membership, you have to adhere to a strict dress code and follow some of their house rules, like waiting for drinks to be slowly and lovingly made to perfection, keeping an inside voice, and they recommend you make reservations in advance. You’re also able to invite up to 3 guests to accompany you, Try one of their specialty cocktails, like the Bartender of Sevilla, Tanqueray Sevilla, yellow chartreuse, blood orange syrup, and lemon cardamom bitters.
Where: 4237 Park Rd B, Charlotte, NC 28209
2. Backstage Lounge
Backstage Lounge describes themselves as a modern take on the traditional speakeasy. Their interior plays up a bit of that vintage feel with their plush, red leather chairs and wooden bar. There’s a bit of a trick to getting inside. It’s around the back of Southend and down the hall of Modern Classics Grooming Lounge. Once inside, there is a mural-lined hallway leading to an enclosed phone booth, which you will then use to provide the secret entry word of the week posted on social media. Check out their website to book a table.
Where: 2433 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
3. Room 1812 at The Manchester
This exclusive speakeasy is hidden underneath The Manchester, both located at 1812 South Boulevard, and you need a password in order to get access. You shouldn’t let this deter you. In fact, we’d say it adds to the excitement. The Prohibition-style cocktail lounge is ornate with lush lounge seating and a big bar where the magic happens by mixologist experts. Their cocktails are elevated versions of the classics using premium ingredients and professional technique. Check out their Instagram to find out how to get the password and make sure once you do, that you memorize it well. Don’t forget that the Manchester is right upstairs in case you want to get dessert or a snack before or after drinks.
Where: 1812 South Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28203
4. The Cellars at Duckworth
This underground space was built in 1912, which automatically adds to the unspoken Prohibition-style as much as the decor does. The walls are in their original brick style and exposed ceiling. This speakeasy does some gastropub food like their hand cut truffle fries, specialty and rare beers like their German Pilsner from the brewery, Resident Culture, and handcrafted cocktails like their Asian Pear with flavors of ginger and pear. Give them 3 adjectives and their bartenders will whip something up for you.
Where: 330 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
5. The Jailhouse
The Jailhouse’s unique charm comes from its name. This cigar and cocktail lounge is located inside the cells of Downtown Belmont, NC’s former jail. There is a bit of a catch with this speakeasy in that it’s members only. A day membership costs $2 and a annual membership costs $12. If you’re a fan of whisky and cigars then you’ll love probably find the membership fee well worth it. They’ve got whisky specials like The Jailhouse Hattan, which is their signature drink, a classic manhattan made with Basil Hayden’s bourbon VYA small batch sweet vermouth, Amarena cherries and angostura aromatic bitters. They’ve even got an adjacent sister restaurant called the Old Stone Steakhouse if you want a pre-drinks meal.
Where: 23 S Main St unit b, Belmont, NC 28012