Essex Bar & Bistro Shuts Down as Wave of Local Closures Hits Uptown Charlotte

Another Uptown Charlotte dining spot bites the dust. Essex Bar & Bistro will soon shut its doors at the busy Trade and Tryon corner, marking yet another closure in the city center.

"Essex will be permanently closing in the coming weeks, with an unconfirmed date," said Toni Shaw, the restaurant's event coordinator, according to Axios.

While the final day remains unclear, they're still booking private events through early August. The news hits hard as four other local spots went dark this week alone.

Without warning, Bella Ciao vanished from the old Vapiano site. Resident Culture South End stopped pouring beers at its taproom. Mazi couldn't make it past six months in South End. Plaza Midwood's wellness spot, Okra, closed up shop, leaving staff without work.

Back in 2016, when food picks were slim, Essex opened its doors beneath the Omni Hotel. It quickly turned into a favorite for downtown workers seeking good food and drinks after hours.

As Essex prepares to exit, Uptown's food scene keeps shifting. Big names like STK, Dos Caminos, and Kitchen + Kocktails moved in last year. Local talent stepped up, too: Dogwood from Rare Roots opened shop, while Joe and Katy Kindred brought both Milkbread and Albertine to the mix.

The tough market hits small spots the hardest. Each closing reminds us how tricky it is for independent places to stay afloat in Charlotte's packed food scene.

Until the final service, Essex runs as usual. Staff will contact guests with existing event plans to sort out next steps.