Nightlife Readers’ Pick Winners: Best in the Nest 2021

Best in the Nest Readers’ Picks were chosen exclusively by readers through a one-month nomination process followed by a one-month voting process. The nominations were not tampered with by Queen City Nerve staff at all — save for removing ourselves from a few categories to proactively dispel any notions of favoritism. In other words, if you disagree with these ones, that’s on your fellow reader, not us.

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BEST ARCADE BAR

Winner: Abari Game Bar
Runner Up: Pins Mechanical Co

BEST BOWLING ALLEY

Winner: 10 Park Lanes
Runner Up: Queen Park Social

BEST CIGAR BAR

Winner: The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar

BEST COCKTAIL BAR

Winner: Soul Gastrolounge
Runner Up: Dot Dot Dot

BEST DIVE BAR

Winner: Thirsty Beaver Saloon
Runner Up: Snug Harbor

BEST DOG BAR

Winner: Lucky Dog Bark & Brew
Runner Up: Hattie’s Tap & Tavern

BEST HOOKAH BAR

Winner: Crave Dessert Bar
Runner Up: Red @ 28th

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

Winner: Snug Harbor
Runner Up: Hattie’s Tap & Tavern

BEST POOL HALL

Winner: Smokey Joe’s Cafe
Runner Up: Montford Billiards

BEST SPORTS BAR

Winner: Brazwells Pub
Runner Up: Sidelines Sports Bar

BEST STRIP CLUB

Winner: The Men’s Club
Runner Up: Paper Doll Lounge

BEST WINE BAR

Winner: Dilworth Tasting Room
Runner Up: The Artisan’s Palate

BEST CLUB DJ

Winner: That Guy Smitty
Runner Up: Flock of Slagles

BEST DANCE CLUB

Winner: The Roxbury
Runner Up: Lost & Found

BEST KARAOKE BAR

Winner: Snug Harbor
Runner Up: NoDa 101

BEST ANNUAL PARTY

Winner: Charlotte Pride
Runner Up: Durag Fest

BEST BAR TO MAKE A NEW FRIEND

Winner: Snug Harbor
Runner Up: Hattie’s Tap & Tavern

BEST PLACE FOR A QUICK DRINK

Winner: Hattie’s Tap & Tavern
Runner Up: Growlers Pourhouse

BEST SINGLES BAR

Winner: Snug Harbor
Runner Up: The Peace Pipe

BEST BAR TO PEOPLE-WATCH

Winner: Sanctuary Pub
Runner Up: Hattie’s Tap & Tavern

BEST BARTENDER

Winner: Chris Burns
Runner Up: Nadira Martin

BEST LGBTQ-FRIENDLY BAR

Winner: Petra’s
Runner Up: Hattie’s Tap & Tavern

BEST MIXOLOGIST

Winner: Nadira Martin
Runner Up: Bob Peters

BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE

Winner: Camp North End
Runner Up: The Artisan’s Palate

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