Spanky’s Hangout Matches Nicely on Storied Nook of Central Avenue

After being a skeptic-turned-lush for dive bars round Charlotte, it’s uncommon I’ve had a type of “on a first date, kinda nervous” moments strolling into one for the primary time. Yet, one way or the other, I discovered myself adjusting my leggings and butt cheeks to get spanked at Spanky’s Hangout on Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood.

For years, I watched the parking zone wedged between Skylark Social Club and Midwood Country Club fluctuate between utterly full and barely there, relying on the period, the virus and the vibe. I witnessed regulars hovering in that in-between area like divorced dad and mom selecting custody, squinting towards whichever one felt much less like betrayal.

There was a hierarchy: a consolation and a backup plan.

I may visibly see the query marks swirling as Skylark familiars lingered about, curious if it was open as they settled into the sobering actuality that there was just one different choice as they turned towards the doorway of MCC, figuring out it wasn’t the worst determination, whereas absolutely acknowledging that not less than it wasn’t the top of the night time.

I remembered the sensation as I watched with what was a half-smile within the second, recalling how on my first go to to MCC on a day-drinking tour of the neighborhood my crew received turned away as a result of we have been too early … then seemed towards Skylark as a possible final resort and ultimately have been welcome with open arms.

Months later, nicely after Skylark shut down and the Spanky’s signage took over, IG posts flooded the soon-to-be “spank-your-liver” hangout’s account promising a gap.

The boo and I noticed in anticipation, questioning if this was merely a rebranding, a “land grab” or a promising new watering gap that felt simply as at dwelling as the lounge subsequent door.

And right here we have been, a month-ish into Spanky’s residency, millennial judgey, as if we had any proper to poke our noses into the glory gap that had popped in subsequent door to Midwood CC.

Kudos to boo ordering a “respected” dive bar staple, whereas I used to be requesting a “Pinot Grigio or Sauv Blanc.” *insert eye roll to myself* Our whole tab was ~$14.50, based mostly on reminiscence, however don’t fact-check me on that!

In true dive style, the bartender had no Fs to present. Respect. Also, simply coming off a dive tour in NYC the place “white wine” was an unstated given versus a Southern anti-gospel, I’d count on nothing much less.

The scent of contemporary paint nonetheless lingered within the air, serving to anybody neglect in regards to the bar that took up area inside the identical 4 partitions prior. The debauchery that spilled from one bar into Central Ave. or the long-standing institution subsequent door.

The 24-bun get together pack of “pre-dog-stuffed” glizzies everybody’s grubby palms reached into after day ingesting or the dwell music that was missed from corners of Amos’ Southend and Double Door. All of it felt acknowledged however not embalmed.

The inside nonetheless speaks to every part that was, whereas additionally screaming “polished without being pretentious.” From the up to date, Nokia-style “snake game” bar full with epoxied retro collective stickers to the picture sales space, pinball and foosball desk, Spanky’s begged me to ask all of the questions.

But after following their IG, after which being served by the tall, tattooed bartender, I knew this was a brand new child on the block I’d ask nothing from.

The chaos of Canva-adjacent posts with no context have been mirrored contained in the curious hub of a solidly neon-lit bar for the pretty blind, thick-glasses wearer that’s Spanky’s. It asks the common Joe to outline it with out the query, which I absolutely co-sign.

My takeaway: It’s not your stereotypical cursed nook. The ‘hood survives an era, and thank God it ain’t doing what the remainder of Charlotte is doing. I’ll take one other spanking.

Read extra: Frank’s Beer Shop Is the Cozy Bar Commonwealth Park Needed

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