There’s always that one person in life whom you look up to as a mentor. Someone who does exactly what you aspire to do, and does it so well, you hope to achieve just half their talent. And it’s those mentors that have inspired a new pub on Carmel Road: Old Pro .
Of course, I didn’t know about the concept when I first drove by. All I saw was the humongous patio. Easily one of the biggest decks in Charlotte, the patio captures a laid-back, “I’m on vacation” vibe. The palm trees as you walk up, the slanted wooden roof, and the huge deck fans — heck, even the string lights — all make you feel as though you should be overlooking a beach with a big ass margarita in hand.
The inside is just as calming and full of character. Little touches like the green walls, the plaid aprons on the wait staff, and the plaid around the photo hangings gave it a wee feel for the Scottish Highlands. One eye-catching feature is the stained glass windows that appear in random spots of the pub. One in particular has the O of the Pub’s name accented by a stained glass plaque.
But OldPros wasn’t designed to be a Scottish Bar. In fact, owner Dan Parker was kind enough to share the story of the OldPro’s concept. “I think of my parents, my mentors, and how everyone has that old pro or mentor for their walk of life,” Parker said. “My vision is to get involved in the community. I’d like to sponsor a school, maybe if a student gets straight A’s, offer a gift certificate. Eventually, I’d like to have a corkboard to display local school teams.”
There are already pictures of anonymous golf players, boxing athletes, and more, lining the walls of the pub- the old pros of countless generations.
The bar itself is a good size and stands out from the rest of the venue. The light-colored wood, the soft lighting, and the granite top bar give it a clean, crisp look — it certainly makes you want to pull up a chair.
Another dining area is located to the right of the entrance, with booths lining the wall and tables and chairs in the middle. But the defining feature of this end of the pub is the projector screen installed for the big games. And let’s face it, you can’t get much more in the game than that, right?
Speaking of the big game, since this week is the Quail Hollow Championship, guests can come in and enjoy the tourney drink special: $10 buckets. Regular drink specials for the weekend include $6 Pro-tinis, $14 Craft Buckets on Saturday, and $5 Bloody Marys and $3 Coronas on Sunday.
The pub just opened March 1 and, as of now, weekly events include trivia on Tuesdays and live patio music on Thursdays. “A lot of what becomes of the pub has to do with what the community allows it to be,” Parker said. “People will make it what it is.”
The same can be said of life. Looking at the faces of old sports heroes definitely had the effect the owner was looking for. As I stood there, I couldn’t help but think of my own mentors in life — my mum for her patient and loving nature, and Brittney Cason, the writer who first taught me the tricks of the writing trade.
Old Pros isn’t your average sports pub. You don’t go to just watch the game; you go to appreciate the athletes who play the sport. And it’s not all about the athletes, either — it’s about honoring the ones who walked the same path you want to walk. So take the time to remember your mentors ... and relax on that gorgeous patio and raise a glass to the pros at Old Pros.
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