VINYL — Restaurant in Charlotte

Vinyl Bar – Elevated Bites, Creative Cocktails & Exceptional Hospitality

Vinyl Bar in South End continues to impress with its elevated bar bites, inventive cocktails, and welcoming atmosphere. From the moment we walked in, the energy was vibrant, the music was just right, and the service was top-tier. A huge shoutout to Ozzie, the manager, who was incredibly hospitable, friendly, and on top of everything, making the experience even better. And let’s not forget Sarah, who was absolutely amazing and made sure we were well taken care of all night.

The Food

The menu at Vinyl Bar strikes the perfect balance between classic comfort and elevated flavors. We dove into: • Fried Fish Sandwich – A beer-battered filet of cod served on a Golden Grains brioche bun with crisp lettuce, house-made tartar sauce, and a squeeze of fresh lemon. The fish was flaky and flavorful, with a light, crispy batter that didn’t overpower the delicate texture. • Nachos Rancheros (GF) – A colorful mix of yellow corn tortilla chips piled high with grilled Springer Mountain chicken, black beans, salsa roja, hatch chili queso, pickled red onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and thinly sliced radish. Every bite had the perfect combination of crunch, spice, and creamy goodness. • Garlic Parmesan Fries (V) – Crispy, golden fries tossed in garlic and Parmesan, served with a decadent garlic aioli. Simple but so satisfying. • Hot Honey Chicken Sliders – Crispy fried Springer Mountain chicken breast tossed in hot honey sauce, sandwiched between Golden Grains mini brioche buns. The sweet heat from the sauce made these sliders dangerously addictive.

The Drinks

You know I’m an espresso martini girl, so of course, I had to try their version—with a hint of cinnamon on top. Let me tell you—it was smooth, bold, and the touch of cinnamon added the perfect warm finish. Highly recommend!

Other standout cocktails included: • LA BAMBA // Smooth & Funcy – A refreshing mix of Patrón Reposado Tequila, pomegranate, and Verjus Rouge. It was tart, slightly sweet, and incredibly smooth. • SEX, DRUGS & TAYLOR SWIFT – A well-balanced blend of Sutler’s Gin, Oak City Amaretto, spiced pear, honey, lime, and Regan’s Orange Bitters. It had the right amount of warmth from the spices while staying light and citrusy. • SPAGHETTI SPAGHETT – Definitely the most unexpected drink of the night! A playful twist on an Aperol Spritz featuring Spaghetti Aperol (yes, with roasted Roma tomatoes, Calabrian chilies, and spaghetti noodles) served with a Miller High Life Pony. Quirky, fun, and very on-brand for Vinyl Bar.

Final Thoughts

Vinyl Bar isn’t just about great food and drinks—it’s about the experience. From the music-inspired atmosphere to the outstanding service, this place hits all the right notes. Ozzie’s leadership and hospitality truly set the tone for an incredible night, and Sarah made sure everything was seamless. Whether you’re craving a delicious steak, a creative cocktail, or just a place to vibe, Vinyl Bar is an absolute must-visit in South End. I’ll definitely be back soon for another espresso...

An avid music lover, I always wanted to visit Vinyl, as the bar was highly recommended, but it took longer than expected for me to get there. For one, I forgot the bar was located next to Pie.Zaa, meaning I could’ve been visited a long time ago on one of my pizza runs. Nevertheless, I have now made it and since their hours are so convenient, my visits will be more frequent. I also love that the bar is easily accessible from the light rail (Bland St.) so I never have to worry about finding parking. I visited on a Tuesday evening after work with a friend, which definitely impacted my experience. There wasn’t a large crowd which allowed me to engage more with the staff and get a rundown on the bar. I met the Hospitality Coordinator, Alley, who gave me insight on the bar’s artwork, Sarah, one of the bartenders, who was knowledgeable about the menu, friendly, and patient, and the manager, Mark, who is passionate about the bar as well as the experience of his guests.

The bar is vibrant and trendy as the décor fits the theme. The artwork, which I learned is by local artists and artists based in other cities, features musical artists ranging from hip-hop (i.e. Nipsey Hussle, The Notorious B.I.G, Tupac Shakur), to rock (Freddie Mercury of Queen, David Bowie, Janis Joplin), to reggae to soul (Bob Marley, Amy Winehouse).

While all of this contributes to the vibe and experience, my favorite part of my visit was the food and drinks. I wanted to try their THC Cocktail, but when I saw there was a cocktail called Sex, Drugs, & Taylor Swift, I had to get that as I am a self-proclaimed Swiftie. I also tried Four Sticks and sampled La Bamba, which my friend got. What I liked about their drinks is that the cocktails are well-blended, not too strong or too fruity. The food was delicious, too, flavorful and crispy in all the areas where needed. My favorites, which was almost everything I tried, were the Steak Frites (steak was very tender and flavorful, make sure to dip it in the smoked ketchup!), the Garlic Parmesan Fries, the Hot Honey Chicken Sliders, the Fried Fish Sandwich (fish sandwiches are a personal fave so I’m biased because it’s my preference to eat at any venue), and the Nachos Rancheros. The Latin Street Corn is good as well, but I must admit I expected a more traditional dish, and not a dip. When I return, which I hope will be soon, I hope to try the THC cocktail, the Hatch Queso Fries, and the Peri Peri...

On a laid-back Sunday, I took a stroll down South Tryon Street in South End and found myself at Vinyl, a bar with a clear love for music. Behind the bar, vinyl records are on display, and the walls feature striking abstract artwork of musicians, creating a cool, creative vibe that instantly draws you in. The music playing in the background set the perfect tone.

Vinyl offers a brunch menu that looked seriously tempting—I almost ordered the Shakshuka—but I was craving a burger or wings, and luckily, their regular menu was also available. The bar staff, especially Jamie, were super friendly and accommodating. Since I’m not into spicy foods, Jamie let me sample their Peri Peri sauce (from their newly added wings) before making a decision. While it was flavorful, the kick was a bit too much for me.

On to the main event: I’m on a mission to try all the smashburgers in Charlotte, and Vinyl’s VINYL Burger was just what I needed. It features double smashed patties, pickle chips, red onions (which I swapped for grilled onions), white American cheese, and Biggie sauce, all served on a toasted brioche bun. I added ketchup and mustard to round out the flavors.

The smash patties were on point—thin, crispy on the edges, and juicy in the middle. My only critique is that I could’ve used a couple more slices of cheese to really amp up the gooey factor, and maybe a leaf of lettuce for a little extra texture. Next time, I’ll definitely request those extras to hit the sweet spot.

The burger comes à la carte, so I added a side of fries, which were fresh, crispy, and perfectly seasoned—no complaints here!

I’ll definitely be back soon, probably to give that brunch menu a try. One tip: from what I’ve seen driving by at night, Vinyl can get pretty lively and loud, so if you’re looking for a more laid-back vibe, I’d recommend stopping by in the early afternoon.

Vinyl’s smashburger passed my test, and if you’re a burger lover in South End, it’s a spot...