What’s new and coming soon in Charlotte

Brew through

Holiday travelers will find a taste of home this season at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Just in time for the busy travel season, Sycamore Brewing opened a taproom — its first outside the original South End location — on Concourse E. Along with Sycamore’s Mountain Candy IPA, Southern Girl blonde ale and seasonal brews, the 1,828-square-foot taproom also serves wine, appetizers, pizzas, salads — even breakfast daily until 10 a.m. Menu selections include an Uptown “burger” — an Impossible Burger patty with veggie mozzarella and kale slaw — and a CLT Chop Salad with bacon, avocado, egg and roasted corn. Owned by husband-and-wife duo Justin and Sarah Brigham since 2013, Sycamore is Charlotte’s top beer producer. 

Merchant & Trade’s cozy heated igloos are back: Guests can book a two-hour experience at the rooftop bar atop uptown’s Kimpton Tryon Park hotel. Igloos accommodate two to 10 guests and can be reserved Tuesdays through Sundays throughout the winter months. Reservation fees range from $750 to $850 and include a food and beverage minimum. Snag your spot at exploretock.com/merchantandtrade.

Summerbird, a fast-casual restaurant serving crispy chicken sandwiches and salads,is now open at the RailYard in South End. The new concept — former NASCAR CEO Brian France’s investment firm is behind the brand — was designed to evoke the nostalgia of summertime, with bright colors, warm lighting and natural wood tones. On the menu: fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, salads, and tenders, along with shakes and floats. eatsummerbird.com

On the move

Kayleigh Williams-Brown is the new bar manager at Leah & Louise. You may know her from previous stints behind the bar at Royal Tot and El Thrifty Social. The Tacoma, Wash., native joined the staff at Leah & Louise in May to assist Justin Hazelton, who left to focus on his cocktail consulting business. “Kayleigh was brought on by [Hazelton] to help out on the bar, and her talent and passion made it clear to us that she needed the space to showcase more of that ability,” co-owner Subrina Collier said in a news release. Diners can expect plenty of agave spirits and rum cocktails as Williams-Brown begins putting her stamp on the menu.  SP

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