UPDATE: Time is running out to cast your ballots. Reminder that the deadline is Aug. 31, midnight!
It’s that time of year again.
Creative Loafing returns with its 26th installment of our Best of Charlotte edition. In this, our biggest issue of the year — not to mention the biggest Best of compilation in the city — we shout out (and, in some cases, poke fun at) the best that our city has to offer.
It’s also your opportunity, dear readers, to honor your favorite people, places, foods, bands and more. Vote now in our readers ballot to let your voices be heard. More importantly, don’t let Taco Mac win the readers’ pick for Best Mexican. That’s just wrong.
Your votes must be received by Aug. 31; the issue will hit the streets Oct. 1.
The rules: Only one entry per person, and a minimum of 50 categories must be filled out for the ballot to count. Submissions by ballot stuffers (and we know who you are!) will be tossed.
Click HERE to start voting.
Need some time to prep time before you jump in? Here’s the complete list.
CITY LIFE
Local Hero
Best Activist (Individual or Group)
Best Member of Local Government
Best Local Athlete
Coolest Team Mascot
Best Place to Tailgate
Best Festival
Best Free Event
Best New Thing
Best Old Thing
Best Slogan for Charlotte
Best Area to Live In Charlotte
Best Apartment Community
Best Church
Best Place to Get Back to Nature
Best Place to Go Walking/Hiking
Best Place to Get Hitched
Best Place to People-Watch
Best Hotel
Best Place to Take Your Republican Parents
Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Visitors
Best Golf Course
Best Disc Golf Course
Best Rec Center
Best Weekend Getaway
Best Taxi Company
Best Co-working Space
Best Local Charity
Best Support Group
Best Place to Volunteer
Best Radio Personality
Best Radio Show
Best Local News Story of 2014 (So far)
Local Issue That Needs More Attention
Best Local TV Personality
Best TV Station
Best TV News Anchor/Team
Best TV Sportscaster
Best Local Blog
Best Local Facebook Page
Best Local Twitter Feed
Best Local Instagram
Best Local Celebrity
Best Use of Tax Money
Worst Use of Tax Money
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Best Museum
Best Art Gallery
Best Art Exhibit (Traveling)
Best Art Exhibit (Local)
Best Art Space
Best Art Space Outside of Charlotte
Best Display of Public Art
Best Local Visual Artist
Best Local Performing Artist
Best Theater Company
Best Local Actor (Male or Female)
Best Theater Show of Past 12 Months
Best Movie Theater (Quality of Films)
Best Movie Theater (Quality of Presentation)
Best Charity Event
Best Place to Hear Spoken Word
Best Improv Group
Best Place to See Comedy
Best Local Comedian
Best Drag Show
Best Drag Performer
Best Fine Arts Photographer
Best New Band, Formed In Past 12 Months
Best Local Band (Originals)
Best Local Band (Covers)
Best Local Album of Past 12 Months
Best Solo Music Performer
Best Female Singer
Best Male Singer
Best Drummer
Best Guitarist
Best Rapper
Best Songwriter
Best Open Mic Night
Best Concert Venue (Quality of Sound)
Best Concert Venue (Quality of Performers)
Best Concert of Past 12 Months
Best Music Event of Past 12 Months
Best Place to Hear Country Music
Best Place to Hear Jazz
AFTER DARK
Best New Nightspot (Opened Since August 2013)
Best Weekly Nightlife Event
Best Annual Party
Best Club DJ
Best Dance Club
Bar With Hottest Patrons
Bar With Hottest Staff
Best Cougar Bar
Best College Night
Best Bar to People-Watch
Best Place to Wear an LBD
Best Hookup Bar
Best Place for a First Date
Best Karaoke
Best Wine Bar
Best After Work Spot
Best Paint and Sip
Best Bowling Alley
Best Neighborhood Bar
Best Downtown Bar
Best Dive Bar
Best Sports Bar
Best Hookah Bar
Best Gay/Lesbian Bar
Best Place to Pregame
Best Strip Club
Best Bartender
Best Beer Selection (Bar)
Best Cocktail Selection (Bar)
Best Drink Specials
FOOD & DRINK
Best New Restaurant (Opened Since August 2013)
Best Splurge Restaurant
Best Cheap Restaurant
Best Late-Night Eatery
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Best Hangover-Friendly Restaurant
Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant
Best Restaurant in Lake Norman Area
Best Restaurant in NoDa
Best Restaurant in Plaza Midwood
Best Restaurant in SouthPark
Best Restaurant in Uptown
Best Waitstaff/Service
Best Restaurant Patio
Best Breakfast
Best Lunch
Best Brunch
Best Appetizer
Best Barbecue
Best Soul Food
Best Steak House
Best Seafood Restaurant
Best Selection of Oysters
Best Vegetarian-Friendly
Best Vegan-Friendly
Best Pizzeria
Best Sandwich
Best Burger
Best French Fries
Best Hot Dog
Best Wings
Best Chinese
Best Vietnamese
Best Japanese
Best Thai
Best Korean
Best Sushi
Best French
Best Italian
Best Mexican
Best Middle Eastern
Best Indian
Best Caribbean
Best Frozen Treat
Best Bakery
Best Place to Get Dessert (Restaurant)
Best Place to Get Dessert (Retail)
Best Gourmet/Specialty Food Store
Best Health Food Section
Best Place to Buy International Items
Best Chef
Best Mixologist
Best Food Truck
Best Farmers Market
Best Caterer
Best Local Coffee Shop
Best Wine Selection (Restaurant)
Best Wine Selection (Retail)
Best Local Brewery
Best Bottle Shop
Best Place to Get a Craft Cocktail
Best Place to Get a Bloody Mary
Best Place to Get a Martini
Best Place to Get a Margarita
Best Charlotte Beer
Best North Carolina Beer
Best Domestic Beer
Best Import Beer
Best Local Spirit
Best Vodka
Best Tequila
Best Whiskey
Best Scotch
CONSUMER CULTURE
Best New Store (Opened in Last 12 Months)
Best Local Clothing Store
Best Local Consignment Shop
Best Place to Buy Vintage
Best Gift Shop
Best Shoe Store
Best Jewelry Store
Best Local Fashion Designer
Best Home Accessories Store
Best Furniture Store
Best Bicycle Shop
Best Hair Salon
Best Natural Hair Salon
Best Hair Stylist
Best Makeup Artist
Best Barber Shop
Best Nail Salon
Best Massage Therapy
Best Tattoo Shop
Best Piercing Studio
Best Fitness Studio
Best Yoga Studio
Best Bookstore (New or Used)
Best Record Store
Best Vape Shop
Best Head Shop
Best Cigar Store
Best Sex Paraphernalia Store
Best Wedding Photographer
Best Dentist
Best Doctor
Best Plumber
Best Car Mechanic
Best Heating & Air Repair
Best Dry Cleaner
Best Shoe Repair
Best Alterations
Best Attorney
Best Realtor
Best Bank (Specify location)
Best Hotel
Best Auto Dealer
Best Car Wash (Specify location)
Best Vet
Best Pet Store
Best Doggie Daycare
Best In-Store Pet (Name of pet and where to find it)
Best North Carolina Product
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2014.
