If you read my previous column “Finding new life up on the lake,” then you know I’ve been making a lot of trips up and down I-77. Well, I just keep finding reasons to go up there…. for the nightlife.
Cason-Point: Last Thursday’s soft (as opposed to hard) opening of Lake Norman’s new sports bar…. Lake Norman Sports Grille.
Formerly Solace, this spot nestled within the Shops on the Green is owned and operated by the same guys who bring us Rusty Rudder. They’ve transformed their upscale tapas bar into an upscale sports bar… and just in time for football season. If Rusty Rudder is the Disney World of local bars, then this place is Disney Land for sports fans.
There’s a big screen within a stone frame that made the game look like art, and there’s a big screen on the patio so the people outside can spectate as well. In fact, they have more televisions than an electronic store: three 120-inch screens (including the one out on the patio), six 50-inches, nine 42-inches, and seven 32-inch screens.
Now if they put music on when the games go to commercials, then it might be deemable as the best damn sports bar, ever. Because their menu is not your typical bar food – it’s more fancy than fried. They have everything from Buffalo Chicken Dip to Chicken and Waffles (Snoop Dog would love this place).
While at the soft opening I met someone there who hailed about a “Beer Bomb,” which is a remix to the Irish Car Bomb. Rather than Guinness and a shot of Jager, it’s Root Beer and Yager… I don’t do bombs of any sort so I’ll take his word on it.
I’ll leave my Guinness consumption for the mac&cheese. Yes, they have Guinness mac&cheese……awesome. And the service was good too – the waitresses wore jerseys and were on point despite how crowded it was. And it stays crowded on game days – but there’s a private room you can rent. Which may come in handy to separate the Michigan and Ohio State fans when they play Nov. 22… why do we Big East, SEC and ACC teams get so into that Big Ten rivalry? Hmmmmm.
Personally, my favorite décor within the bar are the Virginia Tech flags. Although this bar has unofficially become a home for cocks…. South Carolina Gamecocks that is.
Whereas last Thursday was their soft opening, this Thursday is their “hard” opening – or big grand opening if you will.
WFNZ Sports Radio’s The Power Hour with Chuck Howard and The Mac Attack will be broadcasting live (thus they’ll be open for lunch).
Meanwhile, they’ll be giving away 4 tickets to the Nationwide Race Friday night and important people who reside in big house land up at the lake will be making appearances. But most importantly, they’ll be playing the Clemson vs. Wake Forest game on all the TVs.
Lake Norman Sports Grill
704-895-5115
By the way, I’ve found even more nightlife up at the lake since my column was published: Crave, Brickhouse (right up the road in Davidson), and Saeeds – a gas station (literally) where you can sing karaoke.
This article appears in Oct 7-14, 2008.
Don’t forget about us down here in uptown. If you haven’t noticed some new clubs have opened that I haven’t seen your beautiful face at
I didn’t know that Irish car bombs had jager in them….interesting (what an ar-tard)
I went for lunch today. Great burger and chips, but the service was beyond slow. Took 10 minutes before someone showed up to get our drink order and about 15 to get our check. Most people with jobs can’t afford to take a one hour lunch at a sports bar during the week – and it wasn’t that busy.
Cool that a local station was doing a radio broadcast, but it was so loud that I couldn’t hear the person I was sitting with talk.
Give it 6 months…poor service! Food average. Cocky Owners! But if you are a transplant this is the bacr for you.
A bit loud–but hey there–it’s a sports bar, folks. Been there numerous times. Prices are really quite reasonable (I dare you to compare) and the service has been excellent. The varied menu will surprise and the excitement level for the games is genuinely fun at this joint. Not your typical sports bar–and that’s a good thing!
It is excellent blog with sports bar. People love to go for entertainment and play nightlife with sports event. I really enjoyed this post.
Consistent urgency is a good way to put you on the must open email list.There is a growing rental market and resort like feel at Lake Norman.
If you have ever wondered how to get to the Lake Norman Sand Bar, or you drove your boat around Lake Norman aimlessly and never found it, then I found a post that has answered your prayers!
Given the huge interest in this topic I`ll be cranking up some more pointers on how to tackle this issue.
I feel your blog really useful and inspiring me. Thank you.
Thank you so much for giving back your knowledge to the community! I really appreciate it!
If you have ever wondered how to get to the Lake Norman Sand Bar, or you drove your boat around Lake Norman aimlessly and never found it, then I found a post that has answered your prayers!