Explorer Lounge — Restaurant in Charlotte

When you have time to exhaust at an airport, you need ways to expend those extra minutes. You may also need a quick boozy fix and a quick meal and one place that is ready to satisfy both needs is the Explorer Lounge.

The Explorer Lounge is located in terminal E and it is right out in the open, ready to service you. This is an establishment without walls and it is ready to make your time at the Charlotte airport as convenient and efficient as possible. This, in fact, is he establishment’s best quality. There is usually no wait at all, and it is wide- open and ready to serve. You just walk up and place your order, then sit back and imbibe at your leisure.

With Explorer Lounge, you get a full service bar and a good selection of craft beer. The draft selection of craft beer isn’t as good as I would like, but there is a good selection of craft beer in canned form. As a beer lover and beer blogger, I love that they serve so many different beers from nearby craft breweries, several from the Charlotte area. They also serve a few from well- known breweries like Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada, and others.

If there is one negative point with Explorer Lounge, it would be the prices. A single draft or can of beer sells for about ten bucks. This is more than most other taverns- including those in airports- and multiple times more expensive than buying beer from a store. Cocktails are also quite pricey. It’s the price you pay for convenience and that is the way I view this establishment. It’s great for a last- minute beverage, but the cost could easily make you change your mind about stopping here.

Airports are known for their easily accessible food and drink, but they are also known for their higher than average prices. If you’re in the Charlotte airport, terminal E, and need a quick drink or food, Explorer Lounge is a place to consider. It is quick and efficient, just be wary of the sticker shock and you...

If I could post a zero I would. Not bc of the place but bc of the bartender (black guy with a beard) who just berated and embarrassed me in front of other guests. He said hi when I walked in and asked what I wanted. I told him I needed to eat my food before I was ready to order as I didn’t want to drink on an empty stomach. He said ok and allowed me to sit down and take out my food, my computer and get nice and set up and right when I opened my food to eat it he asked again what I wanted. I told him I Just needed to get a few bites in before I ordered a drink and before I finished speaking he spoke over me and started yelling “mam if you want to sit here you have to order something” mind you - people were only sitting at the bar and the other tables were all open. Not like I was taking a seat from a patron. He also allowed a dog (not a service dog) in there to be freely walking around the bar. He knew bc he screamed at me in front of everyone that I couldn’t combat him with out making a scene. Then was condescending in tone and screamed “have a safe flight mam!” As I pulled together all my opened things and was forced to leave. I felt like I was being treated poorly based on biased or prejudicial reasons. The sad thing is I have a long layover and was truly planning on getting a drink and being there for a long time - and he would have made good $ off of me. I am a resort manager so I understand the industry and it was hard to watch someone just ruin the energy of place simply bc he has power issues he is taking out at his job. Should be fired bc no one needs that kind of person as an employee. I have attached a photo of who he is for reference as I’m clearly not allowed to walk anywhere near there unless I am immediately...

The one star isn't due to pricing or flavors or anything like their bad reviews already, but because of their poor customer service. The gentleman working at 3:30pm April 15th is a complete waste of employment. The lady was ok. The gentleman lacks customer service skills and basic skills to engage with people. It is not appropriate or professional to shake your head when someone asks for a drink you can't remember how to make or because you ran out of mint leaves. It's not appropriate or professional to act like you don't want to be there when you chose the job and you're being paid to perform. It's not appropriate or professional to ask someone to leave because there are too many people in the bar and you want more personal space. Maybe you should ask people to leave who are just sitting there without drinks wasting time, instead of those to purchased high priced drinks AND tipped your sorry excuse of a bartender. Will NEVER spend my money here again...and I'm in Charlotte airport dozens of times a year. Best thing this guy can do is go home and think about what he needs to do with his life, because he absolutely hates this job...it's...