Best Arts Haven
UpStage
Staff Pick
It isn’t a malevolent plot, but it’s no accident that most of Charlotte’s new guerilla theater groups are gravitating to UpStage. Since taking over the upstairs joint on North Davidson, Michael Ford has created a uniquely welcoming atmosphere for theater artists and audiences alike, one that is sparking new experiences and collaborations for all.
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City Life
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- Best Modern Incarnation of Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond
- Most Audacious Ask
- Best Reason to Start Saving Quarters
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Arts & Entertainment
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- Best Theater Show of Past 12 Months
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- Best Charity Event
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After Dark
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- After Dark
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- Best Place to Watch Soccer Again in Four Years
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- Best EpiCentre Dance Club Alternative
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- Best Concert Hack
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- Best Grown and Sexy But It’s Not That Serious, Tempo, Venue
- Best Place to Pregame Before a Concert at the N.C. Music Factory
- Best Bar for Meeting Your Future Ex
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- Best Novelty Drinks
- Best Bar for Brews and Brussels Sprouts
- Best Weird Party Theme That Some people Didn’t Know How to Dress For So They Just Came Naked
- Best Place to Turn Down
- Gone too Soon
Food & Drink
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- Food & Drink
- Best New Restaurant (Opened in Last 12 Months) AND Best Farm-to-Fork Restaurant
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- Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
- Best Hangover-Friendly Restaurant
- Best Farm-To-Table Restaurant
- Best Restaurant in Lake Norman Area
- Best Restaurant in NoDa
- Best Restaurant in Plaza Midwood
- Best Restaurant in SouthPark
- Best Restaurant in Uptown
- Best Waitstaff/Service
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- Best Breakfast
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- Best Appetizers
- Best Barbecue
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- Best Seafood Restaurant
- Best Selection of Oysters
- Best Vegetarian-Friendly
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- Best Pizzeria
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- Best Health Food Section
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- Best Chef
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- Best Local Coffee Shop (tie)
- Best Wine Selection (Restaurant)
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- Best Local Brewery
- Best Bottle Shop
- Best Place To Get A Bloody Mary
- Best Place To Get A Martini
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- Best Charlotte Beer
- Best North Carolina Beer
- Best Frozen Treat
- Best Food Truck
- Best Domestic Beer
- Best Import Beer
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- Best Tequila
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- Best Scotch
- Best Barbecue
- Best Japanese
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- Best Central American/Latin American
- Best Middle Eastern
- Best Indian
- Best Place to Get Dessert (Retail)
- Best Frozen Treat
- Best Rise from the Ashes
- Best Person to Pack Your Lunch
- Best Al Pastor Taco
- Best Uni
- Best Use of North Carolina Sweet Potato Leaves
- Best Cheap Dinner Date
- Best Sunday Brunch for the Fam
- Best Gourmet/Specialty Food Store
- Best Farmers Market
- Best New Artisan
- Best Makeover
- Best Place to Get Your Snack On
- Best One-Stop Shop for Spices
- Best Place for a Crafty Coffee
- Best Wine Selection (Restaurant)
- Best Retail Shop to Get a Bottle of Wine at Any Price
- Best Year-Round Charlotte Beer
- Best Local Brewery
- Best Quality of Beer Selection
- Best New Charlotte Brewery
- Most Impressive Taproom
- Can’t-Miss Beer Festival
- Best Overall Bottle Shop
- Most Inventive Cocktail List
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- Best Place for a Twilight Drink
- Best Neighborhood Patio to Have a Cocktail
- Best Response to a CL Food Article
Consumer Culture
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- Consumer Culture
- Best New Store
- Best New Store (Opened in Last 12 Months)
- Best Local Clothing Store
- Best Local Consignment Shop
- Best Place to Buy Vintage
- Best Gift Shop
- Best Shoe Store
- Best Jewelry Store
- Best New Independent Boutique
- Best Independent Men’s Retail
- Shoe Shop That Makes Us Salivate
- Best Revived Vintage Clothing
- Best Resale Therapy
- Best Thrift Store
- Best Resale for a Cause
- Best Pop-Up Retail Event
- Grandest Opening That Maybe Could’ve Marinated A Little Longer
- Best Used Bookstore
- Best Indie Bookstore
- Best Bookstore That’s Not Really a Bookstore
- Best Comic Book Shop
- Best Gaming Shop
- Best African American Hair Salon
- Best Natural Hair Salon
- Disneyworld of Salons
- Best Charlotte-Centric Retail
- Best Tattoo Shop
- Best Gift Shop for your BFF
- Best Gift Shop for your Mom
- Best Place for a Nontraditional Engagement Ring
- Best Zumba Teacher
- Best Way to Sweat It Out
- Best Local Fashion Designer
- Best Home Accessories Store
- Best Furniture Store
- Best Adult Ed
- Best Bicycle Shop
- Best Hair Salon
- Best Natural Hair Salon
- Best Comeback Shop
- Best Hair Stylist
- Best Adult Novelty Shop
- Best Makeup Artist
- Best Barber Shop
- Best Underwear
- Best Nail Salon
- Best Massage Therapy
- Best Tattoo Shop
- Best Piercing Studio
- Best Dry Cleaner
- Best Shoe Repair
- Best Alterations
- Best Realtor
- Best Bank (Specify location)
- Best Auto Dealer
- Best North Carolina Product
- Best Car Wash (Specify location)
- Best Vet
- Best Pet Store
- Best Doggie Daycare
- Best Fitness Studio
- Best Yoga Studio
- Best Bookstore (New or Used)
- Best In-Store Pet (TIE)
- Best Record Store
- Best In-Store Pet (TIE)
- Best Vape Shop (TIE)
- Best Head Shop
- Best Sex Paraphernalia Store
- Best Dentist
- Best Plumber
- Best Car Mechanic
- Best Heating & Air Repair
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