With just a few more days left in my bar hopping journey, I was looking for something new outside of the uptown club hustle and bustle.
My boyfriend and I got in the car that night and decided to aimlessly drive south, hoping to stumble upon a hole-in-the-wall joint with a bit of undiscovered character. Driving down Central Avenue, the lights of a burger bar caught our attention and we thought we'd give it a shot.
We parked in an open gravel lot behind Kickstand Burgers -N- Bar and went in through the venue's back porch - which was one of the better outdoor seating areas I have seen at a bar. Lights were strung along the deck, darts and corn hole were in the corner and over-sized woven lawn furniture served as seating.
The unique bicycle-themed bar was well know for an extensive menu and creative burger selection, but also had a variety of drink specials for those looking for a late night watering hole.
The night I visited with my boyfriend, our bartender, Tim Arnette, recommended the Horseradish steak flatbread. The crisp flatbread was topped with marinated steak strips, red onions, jalapeno strips, arugula and horseradish mayo.
We couldn't resist after hearing a couple in the bar that night say it was the best steak flatbread they had eaten in Charlotte. The hearty small pizza-like portion cost $7.50 and was plenty to share.
Everyday specials at Kickstand include $2 PBR 16 oz., $3 Fat Tire, $4 Jagermeister, and
½ price appetizers from 4 pm. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The bar also features 24 craft beers on draft for patrons to choose from.
If burgers and beer aren't what you're craving, no worries. The bar is connected by a short hallway to Loco Lime, where patrons can find a variety of Mexican dishes and plenty of margarita options. I suggest hungry bar goers visit Loco on Tuesdays for $1 tacos, or Mondays for half-priced house Loco-ritas and jalapeno margaritas.
Inside the sports bar though, there are only good seats to view whatever big game is on television. Kickstand features 30 HD television screens in the bar, with some even located in booth seating for an optimal view.
The night I visited, my boyfriend and I were able to watch both of our favorite baseball teams play without compromising because there were multiple screens above the bar. Unfortunately I had to watch my Braves lose to Pittsburgh, while his Yankees pulled out a 10 to 3 victory over the Mariners.
I have to say, my favorite bars on this excursion have been locally owned establishments like Kickstand, instead of overcrowded corporate venues. Check out some of the local bars when you get a chance, you always feel at home and you keep the local scene alive.
Learn more:
1101 Central Ave
Charlotte, N.C., 28204
704-332-1010
Hours: Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday from11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
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27 comments:
I would suggest you quit talking about your lame boyfriend. Oh, he likes the Yankees? You need to dump him and find a real man.
Mostly what I learned here is that you have a boyfriend.
You should really check out Steamer's Sports Pub if you want a locally owned sports bar with great food...and over 100 HD TVs. Best place in town...and off the neaten path. Well worth the trip.
Plaza/Midwood...my fave place in the city...check out Soul Gastrolounge, the coolest spot in the city...
What about Montford Dr in this journey of yours?
If you wanted "a hole-in-the-wall joint with a bit of undiscovered character", you should have gone to The Thirsty Beaver.
Your biggest problem is you're a Braves fan.
I think this series of articles has been fun, and trust me, she needs to make it very clear that she has a boyfriend.
Sorry, the comment about Soul is just not true. They are overpriced on all their alcohol, and they won't let you sit down anywhere unless you want a full service meal! It's only seafood anyway, so thanks - but NO Thanks!
Kickstand and Loco Lime are great! Glad you were able to review at least one of them and get away from that God-awful Eppysinner.
Kickstand is good, but I really wish they would expand the menu. If you don't eat hamburgers, you're kind of screwed.
Your all are just jealous because you don't have girlfriends or even dates. You go to bars night after night where there are 4 or 5 guys to every girl.
The male/female ratio in Charlotte is stacked against you lonely fools. But you will continue to waste your lives in bars and whining on these blogs.
Let me guess, this isn't a good place for a group of black men to meet white girls.
As before, please look below your blog to see how a restaurant/bar review should be presented. Not everything is wonderful. You need to report the good and the not so good. You also need to realize who your audience is. It is not the bar that you are providing free publicity to, it is the reader.
Now my last suggestion along this line never made it past your "approval" - perhaps, this time you will be more professional.
Wow, there are a whole lot of angry commenters on this post. I've been to Kickstand and loved it. Spent quite a bit of time playing cornhole out back. I tried the black bean burger with guac and the morning ride burger (topped with a fried egg). Both were delicious, and so were the $2 mimosas (special on Sunday).
Smokey Joes on Monroe is the best hole in the wall in Charlotte. Bar only. No food.
I guess with a few bucks in the bank, a catchy name and some room for cornhole, anybody can open a bar with limited menu.
Anonymous at 10:17 AM.....where is Steamer`s Sports Pub? Sounds like it might be a fun place to go.....
Steamers is to the right off Albamarle rd, just after exciting off Independence/74 (going east/outbound). It can be a pain in the butt to get to since they built that 74 exit, but a good place to be during football season.
Go to Steamers if you want to get shot by Albermarle Rd. trash. The waitstaff there is spectacular, none of them are lookers but they treat you amazing!
I used to go to the Commonhouse frequently. But haven't been to that location since it was bought out and reincarnated into Kickstand. Didn't realize that Kickstand was worth checking out, so I appreciate the review.
You should hop in your car and drive south away from the city along south blvd. Several good places with interesting atmosphere's to explore that way too. Try Brazwell's or something along Montford dr.
Anonymous 11:47 AM said:
"The male/female ratio in Charlotte is stacked against you lonely fools."
It's not a matter of the male/female ratio being stacked. It's just a matter of the female ratio here in Charlotte being nothing but minivan-weilding soccer moms with 10 kids and the outline of the "family sticker" in the back windshield that they think is "cute."
You're a Braves fan? Oh well....sorry dear....just isn't going to work out between us. So sad!
Brittany - your blog isn't bad but how about a more balanced review. I'm not sure I've heard any constructive criticism regarding any of the places you've visited. You're providing them with free publicity - call it like it is.
She has a boyfriend? Who knew?
Kickstnad has great salads too !
Great Waitstaff , would like a more upbeat bar crowd as it is always very quiet when my husband and I go.
- Hoping to be a " mini-van mom with 10 kids" as soon as possible .
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