North Carolina's Best Wine Bar Is A Groovy Charlotte Hotspot With Live Music

Smooth reds, crisp whites, and bubbly rosés sound like music to any wine enthusiast's ears — and they don't need to travel to underrated wine destinations in Spain to find what they're looking for. In fact, you can ditch the plane ticket and head straight to America's backyard in Charlotte, North Carolina. Substrate, a Queen City spot, was named the best wine bar in the Tar Heel State by our sister publication Chowhound, and the wine lover's stomping ground only opened in April 2024, which makes the title even more of an honor.

Its growing popularity derives from its unique ambiance, created as a "blue collar enoteca" — basically meaning a wine spot for the average Joe. While wine bars can have a nose-in-the-air vibe to them, Substrate breaks the glass ceiling of the industry, proving that you can enjoy top-tier grapes in a laid-back yet chic setting.

Its marble floors, vintage lamps, and cozy seating options give the space a groovy feel that's as though you're in a retro living room. It even sets the mood with a hanging disco ball, perfect for nights when there's live music on the schedule. The bar offers a variety of options, specializing not only in wine but also vermouth and amaro — two bittersweet spirits ideal for a nightcap after a long day's work or a lounge-y night out.

What sets this wine bar apart from others across the U.S. isn't its gimmicks — quite the opposite. It's an inviting space that makes people feel at home, even when it comes to what you consume. While Substrate offers "tiny fish" and free saltines, it also allows you to bring your own food — and no matter the day you go, you'll always find a new vibe.

Mondays are for those "in the biz," with the bar offering cheap drinks to industry workers and playing "BOH type beats." It's closed on Tuesdays but ramps back up on Wednesdays with a free tasting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Just like how you can bring your own food, it's bring your own vinyl night on Thursdays, when you're in charge of the playlist — if not, you'll be hearing "deep cuts." Substrate starts the weekend on Friday nights with live music from Cosmic Collective kicking off at 7 p.m. and filling the space with soulful jazz-funk. Saturday is a regular night, and on Sunday, you can snag a $7 spritz.

Substrate puts the customer in charge of the atmosphere but still sets the tone with live music. Want to learn more about Charlotte's pockets of culture? Check out Plaza Midwood, the Queen City's most eclectic neighborhood, with funky art, vintage shops, and dive bars.