Jack Beagles proves to be hidden gem

Outside a bar in NoDa, two men took long drags on cigarettes while their chocolate-colored Great Dane slept at their feet.

The nameless bar -- or should I say signless bar -- had tinted windows that masked the people tucked inside and made me curious to get a peek. There was nothing special to the plain brick exterior, so I wasn't sure what to expect when I entered Jack Beagles.

The first thing to catch my attention was a young girl with a purple mohawk leaning on a guy at a table near the bar. He was bony, with sleeve tattoos, tight jeans and a beanie to keep his long hair tamed.

At the bar, I found another interesting character. He was a man probably in his 30s, sporting gym clothes, sipping a fruity drink and reading a book. Every couple of pages he would look up and flirt with the bartender, who also broke the mold of stereotypical bartenders. She was a young girl conservatively dressed in a pink cardigan and her blond hair was tied back in a loose ponytail.

So far, the bar had my full attention.

My boyfriend and I took a seat, hoping to grab a glass of Riesling and something to eat. And to be honest, I don't think I've experienced much better service than what we received that night at Jack Beagles.

Our waiter was a skinny guy with curly hair, clad in a basketball jersey with white sneakers. He regularly asked how we were doing and if he could get us anything. I don't know why I didn't expect much from the food because from the moment we walked in, people happily surprised me.

After just a few minutes our order made its way to the table. We had bruchetta with tomatoes, purple onions, roasted garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil and herbs. We also snagged an order of garlic cheesy bites, which definitely weren't skimping in the garlic department. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.

Enjoying the sweet wine and Italian bites made it easy to sit back and take in the eclectic scene. And there was so much to look at. Shadow box art with ink splotches that looked like eyelashes hung from the back wall.

Blues played in the background. When most bars typically save their dance music for the late night crowd, Jack Beagles seemed to get mellower as the hours passed.

Orange lights that resembled coat buttons hung above long, wooden tables and cast a yellow tint on visitors. Aside from the modern art, the decor was simplistic with exposed brick and beige walls.

Jack Beagles is a hidden gem, so don't make the mistake of walking right by it when you are strolling the streets in NoDa.


Jack Beagles
3213 N. Davidson St.
Charlotte, N.C., 28205
704-334-5140
Hours: Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.; Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.; and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
http://www.jackbeagles.com/