Lavender cocktails, half-price food and parties in the Coal Pit, whet your appetite and unwind at one of our five nighttime hotspots.
The Innovation Quarter isn’t just home to a thriving 9 to 5 scene—we are also home to several late-night hangouts. If you work in or around the Quarter, extend your time here, and you’ll quickly see how our community evolves as the sun sets. Here’s a glance at the hottest after-work spots you need to visit in our neighborhood:
Lill Dipper
Got a late-night sweet tooth? Head over to Lill Dipper to enjoy hand-dipped soft-serve ice cream with an assortment of 20+ toppings and 10+ dippings—ranging from sweet to savory. Whether you’re in the mood for the summertime nostalgia of a classic soft-serve cone, or if you’re feeling more adventurous with your frozen desserts, they’ve got you covered. Open daily until 9 pm, dine al fresco under the Italian lights while enjoying innovative toppings such as potato straws, Fruity Peebles and animal crackers. Plus, look out for special ice cream cocktails—in partnership with Fair Witness—in time for the Shalom Project’s Big Chill in July. Be sure to follow them on Instagram to stay up-to-date on this ice cream shop’s events and new offerings.
Alma Mexicana
Already a lunchtime favorite for downtown workers, Alma Mexicana is ideal for bringing your family (and friends) out for after-work and weekend libations—featuring half-price food from 10 pm-midnight every Friday and Saturday. With a full menu and full bar, Alma Mexicana is the perfect spot to meet up for great food—no matter the time of day.
Whether you stop in for las chuletas (a fan favorite consisting of lamb chops topped with tomato crema with spicy guac) or specialty cocktails such as the rhubarb, prickly pear and mezcal cocktail Laredo, use your evening to sit out on the front or side patio and take in all of the lights of the Innovation Quarter. They also host Club Alma, a bimonthly party that goes until 2 am and includes a live DJ plus a custom menu themed for the festivities—the next one is June 29. Follow them on Instagram to keep up with the latest happenings.
Krankies
Who doesn’t love a cup of Krankies coffee in the morning? But if you live, work or play in the neighborhood, you can change into your flip-flops when the sun gets low and enjoy a glass of wine or beer on either the porch or patio. If you’re in need of a cooldown, try the Brazilian Limeade (made with lime, sugar and coconut milk) with or without a splash of rum to quench that summer thirst. Grab your friends for their revolving dinner specials—and with a 10 pm close time every day except Sunday and a seasonal menu, there’s no better time to end your day at Krankies. Get teasers of their daily food specials on Facebook or Instagram.
Incendiary Brewing Company
Incendiary Brewing is leading the beer culture of the Innovation Quarter, bringing the craft brew scene to the district since its Labor Day 2018 opening. Incendiary Brewing regularly fills the Coal Pit with people for after-work drinks and live music. One of their in-house beers is the SHIfT: NEIPA—and it ain’t your average brew. As part of a rotating series, this beer has flavors of mixed tropical and citrus. It’s the perfect way to end a summer day.
So, grab a brew (and a pizza pie from its neighbor Cugino Forno) and enjoy rock or reggae music, friendly dogs on the patio, people and the evening #UndertheStacks. Their weekly programming includes Yoga and Brews on Mondays at 6 pm, Open Mic Night on Tuesdays at 7:30 pm, Trivia on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm and live music either on Thursdays or Saturdays. Follow Incendiary Brewing on Facebook to stay up on special tappings and events.
Fair Witness Fancy Drinks
Quirky, cozy, Southern décor and creative cocktails mixed with homemade bitters and infusions made by co-owner and “evil flavor genius” Tim Nolan, as well as the humor of co-owner Blake Stewart await you at this corner bar. Fair Witness’s Lavender Fantasy cocktail is a summertime crowd favorite with the classic refreshment of lemonade and the extra flavor note of lavender vodka (yes, this infused liquor is also made in-house).
If you’re a fan of one-of-a-kind, handcrafted cocktails and hanging with one of the most eclectic crowds in the Camel City, Fair Witness is for you. With an abundance of outdoor seating and beautiful blooms that line the corner of Patterson Avenue and Fourth Street, this is the perfect spot to people watch, relax with new (and old) friends and take in all that Winston-Salem has become. Be sure to grab a pack of souvenir matches on your way out. Find them on Instagram to check out pictures of their custom concoctions.
With new developments on the horizon such as Bailey South and the Link Apartments, nightlife in the Innovation Quarter has never looked brighter.
Visit our calendar to stay up-to-date on everything that’s happening in the Quarter—day and night.
