When we moved to the quaint town of Belmont, North Carolina from New Jersey, one of the first things I researched were places to visit for happy hour. While we were looking for a place with craft cocktails at the level we were used to in the NYC metro area, we were doubtful a small town could deliver. Boy were we wrong! We found The Jailhouse Spirits and Lounge and it quickly became our favorite cocktail bar in all of Charlotte.

About The Jailhouse

The Jailhouse is the brainchild of Linda Matinata and Matthew Matinata, a mother-son duo. The Matinatas have owned Old Stone Steakhouse, situated in the building that used to house the Belmont Police Department, since 2007. In 2016, they began work to reinvent the town’s former jail as a whiskey and cigar bar, and The Jailhouse Spirits and Lounge launched in April 2017.

In addition to offering a variety of rare beers and high-end wines, The Jailhouse features an extensive collection of 150+ whiskeys as well as a creative craft cocktails list.

The Jailhouse is a three-story building housing a full-service bar on the top level, a cigar lounge on the second floor and offices on the ground floor. There are also a few tables on a small outdoor patio.

The Jailhouse is run as a private club, so a membership is required to enter the premises. A one-day membership is a mere $2 and a yearly membership is a nominal $12, and well-worth it. In North Carolina, bars and lounges that don’t prepare food on the premises must operate as a private club. The membership fee addresses this rule.

The Cigar Lounge

Cigar aficionados will rejoice is the selection of cigars for purchase in the walk-in humidor upstairs. A speak-easy inspired cigar lounge is located on the second level for those who wish to enjoy their sticks alongside The Jailhouse’s craft cocktails.

The Libations and Food

The list of cocktails is creative and showcases some of the extensive spirits on hand, masterly-prepared by friendly bartenders, Erin and Chris. There’s a section of Signature Whiskey Cocktails featuring the Angel’s on a Board, a drink smoked by burning bourbon barrel shavings and served with a glass of Angel’s Envy bourbon mixed with a berry syrup made in house. From the “standard” Signature Cocktails list, some favorites are the Pisco Sour, a classic sour made with Barsol Pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, egg whites and angostura bitters and the gin Campari Sour, a classic with a touch of tan, made with Uncle Val’s botanical gin, Campari, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, egg whites and Regan’s orange bitters. Whiskey and Scotch flights are also available and a great way to compare between brands of spirits at various stages of ageing. A refreshing drink that’s not always on the menu but is our ultimate favorite, especially on a hot Charlotte day, is the Bee’s Knees, made with rare bitters and a touch of honey.

For those who want food to go along with their libations, the full menu from the Old Stone Steakhouse is available at The Jailhouse. We’ve enjoyed having a couple appetizers and also a full steak supper in the lounge that we could pair with the fantastic drinks.

Everyone in the Charlotte metro area, or folks passing through, should stop and enjoy a cocktail at The Jailhouse. It’s truly a special place.

WED: Half off wines by the glass

THURS: Bartender’s Choice Cocktail

Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 5pm – 10pm and Friday and Saturday 3pm – 11pm. The Cigar Lounge closes one hour prior to closing time.

23 S Main St, Belmont, NC 28012.

Cheers,

Veronique