A new neighborhood dive bar is preparing to open at the Joinery, real estate developer Space Craft’s mixed-use development in Optimist Park. Small Bar NoDa will open in the development in Q1 of this year, providing a new gathering space for residents.
Small Bar NoDa will offer lunch, dinner, ice-cold beer, handcrafted cocktails, games, karaoke and live DJs, according to a release. This will be the third location for the Small Bar brand.
Construction is ongoing in the space, according to update posts on the brand’s Facebook page. What Now Charlotte confirmed the forthcoming location with ownership and has reached out for additional information regarding menu and design.
Small Bar NoDa is one of multiple tenants joining the development this year. Roz Cafe from the Roz Grill team is slated to open later this year. Handroll sushi spot Sharigato and brow studio Beauty Embrace are both opening in the Joinery, as well. These businesses join existing tenants Nightswim Coffee, BK Pilates and Ridpath Insurance.
The new tenants are part of an ongoing expansion for Space Craft in the Optimist Park neighborhood. The Joinery opened in 2022 and launched the second phase of the development last year. Now, the development offers almost 450 units and it will eventually offer space for 14 retail tenants.
The Joinery is also designing a pedestrian-only retail corridor, Joinery Alley. The space will feature a spot for food trucks, concerts, farmers markets, artist showcases and pop-up events. Space Craft will continue to expand its buildout in Optimist Park into 2027.
