Humbug, a bar that operated as a pop-up within the Refuge hotel on Central Avenue for the past six months, announced Monday that they will be shutting down that temporary space on Jan. 30 and moving to a new, permanent location in Villa Heights.
After seeing success during the second half of 2022, including a Critics Pick for Best New Bar in Queen City Nerve’s Best in the Nest as well as being recognized by Forbes for its “highly anticipated bar concept,” Humbug, whose motto is “Always Delicious, Never Pretentious,” signed a permanent lease at 2501 The Plaza, above Summit Coffee, where they plan to move in this summer.
Humbug specializes in craft cocktails, classic beers, and sustainable wines.
The new location is just one mile away from their previous space in the Refuge hotel. The design plan is already in progress and will be orchestrated by the Beck Group starting in February, according to a release put out by the Humbug team on Monday.
Humbug’s owners, bartenders Larry Suggs and Andrew Schools, plan to take part in every aspect of the new location from design to drink menus, the release states.
“During our time as a pop-up we have gotten to meet so many wonderful people and share a preview of what Humbug is going to bring to the Charlotte market, an approachable, yet refined concept that bridges the gap between the modern American cocktail bar and your favorite neighborhood pub,” Suggs stated in the release.
Suggs, who is a Charlotte local, joined the craft cocktail scene after spending some time in the craft beer industry. He apprenticed under Bob Peters at the Ritz Carlton, and has since consulted on and managed various cocktail programs.
His business partner and Humbug co-owner Schools made his way to Charlotte from Greensboro, where he worked at the renowned MACHETE restaurant. There, he held a bar program that featured an innovative approach to service and unique cocktail ingredients.
“We have laid the groundwork for a successful concept with true staying power,” Schools said. “We’re excited to continue to entrench ourselves in Plaza Midwood and the surrounding neighborhoods like NoDa, Belmont and Plaza-Shamrock.”
The existing pop-up will host a grand send-off on Jan. 30 with a collection of cocktails labeled Humbugs “Greatest Hits.”
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This is excellent news, I look forward to my first visit. Congrats to Larry and Andrew! Great article and pictures! Well done.