144 Brevard Court Suite A
Guinness Tag: $7.00 | Overall Rating: 8.45
If Charlotte, North Carolina doesn't have a soft spot in your inner-being then that means you've either never been or that you have no taste in beautiful things. No, it's not in the mountains and it's not on the shoreline, but it's right in the middle of the two and the few Irish Pubs that it does have are all pretty damn spectacular. In downtown Charlotte you'll find a neat little spot called "The Latta Arcade." It really makes you feel like you're somewhere else. Inside that little alley you'll find The Belfast Mill nestled along the pedestrian walkway. The curb appeal does the trick and the Craic really comes alive if you happen to step inside at the right time.
A big gripe about many bars in Charlotte is that many of them turn into a club/nightlife feel once the sun goes down. With that being said, you now know when not to come. Let's just focus on the Pub during the day shift, shall we?
It's a tiny little spot that poured its first pint of Guinness in 2011. We actually came here the first year they opened their doors and the patina was lacking, the wall decor was weak, and it wasn't that great if I'm going to be completely honest with you. I decided to try it again 13 years later and holy smokes, what a difference. The exposed brick and other charming aspects to the inside have patina, there's an abundance of fun wall decor including a little sign that says, "no scooters allowed," and the furniture is perfectly worn in. I guess the owner of the place has a personal vendetta against scooters...? Haha.
The drinks are reasonably priced for the immediate area regarding the black stuff, coming in at $7.00. For reference, not too long ago we stepped foot inside a total piece of crap in Indianapolis who had a lousy pour of Guinness, almost no Craic, and wall decor from Hobby Lobby (no kidding), and they charged $7.00 for their Guinness. So, when you look at the price with that perspective then it makes you feel like you've won here at The Belfast Mill in a sense. The pour itself here is average with room for improvement. The beer and whiskey selections are both average at best, although if you're not a snob and you're looking for a good time then your counterpart will find something they like and you yourself will be quite pleased overall. People aren't coming here for craft cocktails; they're coming here for the Craic, darts, soccer, and conversating alongside the other locals.
If you're looking for a craft cocktail then you're actually in luck, as the place offers an upstairs bar called, The Cotton Room. It's designed for party rentals and it has a marvelous selection of spirits to keep everyone satisfied. However, all of the magic is downstairs so let's continue with the meat and potatoes.
When you walk through the front door you'll notice the L-Shaped/Horseshoe bar to your left and tables to your right. There are a couple of steel tip dart boards in the back and a tiny toiletry for those drinking light beer. As mentioned earlier, the place is small. It doesn't take much to make it a packed house, and when it becomes really crowded to where everyone is standing like a sardine then you're not going to have the best time of your life. If you do happen to grab a barstool here at around 3pm with about 10 other patrons lingering inside then you could very well be looking at an overdose on the Craic! The bartenders are very engaging during those moments and they'll even throw a game of darts with you if you need a partner. It's certainly a cozy spot that makes it hard on Craic addicts like me to close out their tabs.
The city of Charlotte has many benefits and one of them is that the local bargoers can be very inviting. Every city has its annoying crowds, however, whenever I find myself sipping on some Paddy's alongside Charlotteans I seem to always end up with a fantastic conversation and a friend or two as well. You'll find your mix of transplants from NY and California, you'll find natives, and you'll find almost every demographic known to man.
Every once in a while, you'll find a darts tournament going on. The place does currently have plans to throw a few dollars at the dart boards and lighting display to provide a better dart throwing experience for everyone (which is awesome). If you're into soccer, then this is definitely a place to watch it in. I wouldn't have told you this a decade ago, but as today stands, The Mill does a great job focusing on the Irish culture. No, it doesn't stand on the same pedestal as Crowley's Highland House in Cincinnati or The Erin Rose in New Orleans, but it definitely deserves its place in Charlotte, NC.
When you think of what it takes to make a great Irish Pub you think of a few things, most importantly, the Craic and its authenticity. Just because a Pub has eye candy and a good pour of Guinness that doesn't mean it's a good Irish Pub. You need to provide that perfect touch of Irish hospitality alongside a pinch of the "if you act like an ass then you're getting your ass kicked" aura. The Belfast Mill provides what's needed and I can confidently put my stamp of approval on this place. If you're traveling to Charlotte, then you should probably grab a pint of Guinness and throw a dart at The Belfast Mill.
Thanks, TBM staff, you guys are solid. Slainte!
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