New ‘Ugly’ Dive Bar Opening In Familiar NoDa Spot
From now thru early spring is one of my favorite times of the year. No, it has nothing to do with weather, Well, maybe a little. Let me explain. This is the season of “Sunday Funday” for my wife and I and our best friends. We hop in a candy apple red, fully restored, 1972 Chevy Blazer and head out “in search of.” It could be in search of the best craft beer spot. It could be in search of the newest/best wineries or distilleries. However, my personal favorite is when we go in search of the best craft cocktail bars. One that is now getting added to the list is ‘The Ugly’ in Noda.
If for no other reason, I’m all in because of the name. I mean seriously, how great is ‘The Ugly?!’ That being said, I’m not as much convinced that this is a new bar as much as it is a re-branding. The Ugly opens today (11/15) in the spot that was formerly ‘Idlewild.’ ‘Idlewild’ is moving next door to the space where its sister bar, Fairweather, used to be. Confused? Don’t be. Owner Vince Chirico explains to Axios Charlotte that it solves a duplication issue. “Instead of having two similar bars side-by-side, we’re going to have two drastically different concepts right next door to each other.”
Idlewild is one of the Queen City’s coolest cocktail bars because of its unique concept. See, there’s no menu. This is one of those spots where the genius behind the bar is just that. You tell them the kind of cocktail you like, and he/she creates. If you’ve never experienced this, you GOTTA try Idlewild. ‘The Ugly’ is just that (at least in the mind of Chirico). The owner affectionately describes it as Idlewild’s “ugly little sister.”
The Ugly is a way more laid-back dive bar with no assigned seating, no reservations and no waitlist. The Ugly’s menu has six pre-batched cocktails for about $12-$14, plus beer and spirits. It’s open 6pm-2am daily at 424 E 36th St.
🥃 Idlewild is moving next door to the space where its sister bar, Fairweather, is currently located. Fairweather will close and a new bar called The Ugly will open where Idlewild is. https://t.co/lFx0Uebnfl
— Axios Charlotte (@axioscharlotte) November 14, 2023