I work downtown (uptown, whatever!) and spend much of my free time there as well going to games, so many friends, professional aquaintences, family, etc. are constantly asking for advice on what to see, do, and eat in Charlotte.  So I figured, hey, why not compile a list of places to endorse for fellow Checkers fans!  I know the team has their own list of partners, and they actually get money for having them… I wish I could have money from these friends of Chasing Checkers, but honestly, I just like to support the great, locally owned places near the arena!  (This is a very rough beginning… I plan to update it as I think of more places to endorse!)

Pubs:

Courtyard Hooligans – When I’m not at work, or at a game, you can often find me at Courtyard Hooligans.  It’s a great pub, in one of my favorite little strips of downtown Charlotte.  It’s in the Brevard Courtyard, near the intersection of Church and Third St.  You’ll find great sports fans, especially of soccer, in there every night of the week (and weird theater geeks like myself!).

Valhalla – Newly opened, Valhalla is owned by a friend of mine, and is a viking-themed pub and restaurant.  Their veggie burger is the best one I’ve ever had, hands down!  They have great Scandanavian dishes, and traditional pub fare.  I hear the burgers are incredible, but as a vegetarian, I can’t personally vouch for them.  They are just a couple steps away from Hooligans, and make for a fun place to get a pre-game meal and beer!

Good Eats:

Soho Bistro is one of the best Chinese food places I’ve been, world wide, and I’m not even kidding.  Their menu is fresh, and the food is great.  It’s not really a hockey kind of place, but if you want a nice meal that is reasonably priced, check this place out.  It’s in the Hearst Building on College Street, across from the Holiday Inn and just a block or so from the Time Warner Cable Arena.

KO Sushi is a great sushi take-away place, on Third Street between Tryon and Church.  They have sushi rolls named after all of the pro sports mascots in North Carolina.  The Grasshopper roll is my favorite! (Eel and some other stuff, with avocado on top!)