At-home coronavirus cocktail hour: It can be done, thanks to Charlotte restaurants

While several local restaurants and bars have been forced to temporarily shut down operations because of the statewide halt to dining in, many others have quickly sprung into action to provide alternative options — and they’ll still be open under Mecklenburg County’s new stay in place order.

As a way to keep business going while we navigate this new normal in Charlotte, some bars and breweries have decided to offer online, pickup and delivery options. This means you can still get your favorite brews and cocktails during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To help the employees of restaurants and bars affected by the shutdown, a website has been set up for people to donate tips. The campaign — called Help the Charlotte Service Industry — selects a displaced worker in need at random and allows you to donate to him or her by providing a name, or Cash App or Venmo information. Those in the service industry who have been affected by the closures can also sign up to receive financial help.

The Charlotte Independent Brewers Alliance along with Aaron Gore of Fresh Pitch Beverage Consulting, Todd Bowman of BeerCharlotte.com and Queen City Brewers Festival has also announced its HOPS program (Help Our People in Service). HOPS is a virtual tip jar, so the next time you pop open a cold one, give it a visit and tip a local bartender.

Charlotte Agenda also has a virtual tip jar for those in the food and beverage industry. Click the “meet your server” button to find out who you’ll be tipping for your at-home beverage.

Now that you know who to tip, here is a sample of what you can enjoy:

LOCAL BUSINESSES OFFERING DELIVERY OR PICKUP

If you are in need of your favorite IPA for Saturday night or mimosas for an at-home brunch on Sunday, these Charlotte-area businesses have you covered.

(1) BARDO

Bardo is offering cocktail kits meant for two people for $8 ‚ but you must provide the alcohol. Pictured are the ingredients for the Cooling Effect cocktail, including AAP syrup (aloe agave and peppers), fresh lime juice and “salt & peppers” garnish. Courtesy of Bardo CHARLOTTEFIVE

Grab an at-home cocktail kit via curbside pickup or delivery (within a 7 mile radius) for $8 each. Each cocktail kit makes two servings and will come with a recipe card and ingredients to create your drink at home. Alcohol is not included. You can also get the “No Fig Deal” cocktail kit for $12, which comes with fig, balsamic, honey syrup and bitters. It makes four cocktails (suggested spirit is bourbon). Orders can be placed Monday through Saturday between noon-4 p.m. by calling Bardo at 980 585-2433. Items can be picked up between 4:30-7:30 p.m.

(2) BIRDSONG BREWING

Pick up a four-pack of your favorite cans or a brand new 64 oz. growler via curbside (growler deposits are currently waived). All you have to do is call or text 352-472-3726 to schedule your pickup time. This option is available weekdays from 3-7 p.m. weekdays and Saturday and Sunday from noon-7 p.m.

(3) BREWERS AT 4001 YANCEY

Order and then pick up a four-pack by calling the taproom at 704-452-4001. Weekday hours are 11-6 p.m. and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

(4) CATAWBA BREWING

Catawba Brewing CLT IPA Cans — Courtesy of Catawba Brewing

Choose any of your favorite Catawba Brewing options in the can or opt for a growler. If you show a recent receipt from any local restaurant or business pickup order, you will receive 20% off any to-go beer purchase. Text your order to 980-349-6415 or order online, and it will be waiting for you when you arrive. Curbside pickup is available Monday- Thursday from 2-8 p.m and weekends from noon-8 p.m.

(5) THE CRAFTSMAN BEVERAGE CO.

Cocktail kits from The Craftsman Beverage Co. include free delivery to select locations. Courtesy of The Craftsman Beverage Co. CHARLOTTEFIVE

This Rock Hill, SC-based syrup company is offering new cocktail kits with free delivery in Fort Mill, Rock Hill, NoDa, South End, Plaza Midwood, Uptown and South Charlotte. Choose online from Spicy Margarita, Moscow Mule, Old Fashioned or Cucumber Mint Collins, but no alcohol is included. Prices vary from $10-25, and 5% of sales will be donated back to community causes.

(6) THE CRUNKLETON

You can order cocktail kits, beer and wine to-go. You can also pick up hand-carved ice, bloody mary mix, margarita mix and more. Your setup at your next Zoom party will be the envy of everyone.

(7) DILWORTH TASTING ROOM

For just $10, you can pick up a different cocktail kit at Dilworth Tasting Room on Tuesday (Cucumber Fresco), Thursday (Oh, Honey Beehave) or Saturday (Picante). You provide the liquor, and the restaurant provides the juices, syrups and bitters. A bonus: Pick up your kit by 7 p.m. and tune into a live demonstration on how to make it via Instagram.

(7) DIVING BARREL BREWING

Take advantage of the all new Ubeer home delivery service between noon-8 p.m. Deliveries will be made to all ZIP codes serviced by Divine Barrel, with a minimum order of $50. You can also call 980-237-1803 for curbside pickup orders.

(8) FIN & FINO

Create your favorite Fin & Fino cocktails in the comfort of your home with a cocktail kit. Kits include bitters, tinctures, amaro, infusions, vermouth and garnishes needed. You only have to supply the alcohol. Order online between 5-8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday for pickup.

(9) HABERDISH

As we roll into the weekend, don’t miss out on your favorite cocktail. To-go cocktail kits come with all ingredients to create cocktails using your own alcohol at home. You can also order pre-made grab-and-go dried fruit sangria. Pick it up on the patio between 4 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

(10) HEIST BREWERY

You can call ahead to 704-375-8620 to place your curbside pickup order of beer. Choose from for can options, as well as 12 crowler options. Kegs are available by special order. Curbside is open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

(11) IDLEWILD

Bring happy hour to your house with Idlewild’s to-go cocktail classes. For $65 per person, someone from the bar will come to your kitchen and teach you how to make drinks for 90 minutes. Classes are offered 7 days a week from 2 p.m.-10 p.m. Contact Idlewild directly to reserve your class.

(12) LENNY BOY BREWING

Lenny Boy Brewing Co new kombucha bottles 2 — Courtesy of Lenny Boy

This South End brewery is hosting a curbside pop-up shop all weekend. Stop by and grab your favorite kombucha, beer, hard kombucha and sours in a variety of sizes. You can also purchase items from Green Brothers Juice, Pure Intentions Coffee, Calvin’s Craft Cookies and True Flour at the pop-up shop. Hours are from noon – 6 p.m. daily.

(13) LIBERATE YOUR PALATE

If you need a new quarantine activity to get you through, Liberate Your Palate is offering virtual cocktail classes via Zoom and Google Hangouts. Simply email info@liberateyourpalate.com to book and get pricing info. Once booked, a cocktail kit will be delivered to your doorstep, but you must use your own alcohol. For delivery, must be within a 10-mile radius of ZIP code 28211.

(14) LINCOLN’S HABERDASHERY

Another option to keep your quarantine brunch plans rolling. For $15.99, you can order a mimosa kit complete with orange juice and bubbly. What’s even better is that all you have to do is call ahead to 704-910-4660 to place your order, and it will be brought out to your car on arrival. Daily hours are 8-5 p.m.

(15) NODA BREWING

Stay in your car and pick up your four-packs, crowlers, merch and even gift cards via the newly implemented drive-thru service. Most crowlers are only $10, and items can be picked up between noon and 7:30 p.m.

(16) PROTAGONIST BEER

Place your beer, glassware and gift card orders on the all new online shop. You can choose from curbside pickup or delivery. Deliveries will only be made on Tuesday and Friday between 4-8 p.m. to the ZIP codes of 28202-28211. Curbside is available between 4-8 p.m. Monday through Friday or noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

(17) RESIDENT CULTURE

Choose from 16 oz. four-packs, 25.4 oz. crowlers, cider and ginger beer, as well as non-alcoholic options for drive-thru pickup. The drive-thru is Mon.- Fri. 3-7 p.m., weekends 12-6 p.m. Delivery is available on Tuesday and Friday to ZIP codes 28202-28211. Call 704 333-1862 to place your order.

(18) SALUD CERVECERIA

Stop by and grab some beer or wine between 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. You can also text 704-578-2941 or call 980-495-6612 to place a curbside pickup or delivery order. There is a $5 delivery fee for each order, and you have a minimum purchase of $15. The delivery radius is anywhere within the I-485 loop.

(19) SNOOZE

While you’re picking up brunch, you can grab a mimosa kit for $25, which includes a bottle of prosecco and 32 ounces of orange juice or cold pressed watermelon juice. Bloody Mary kits come in two sizes: $25 for one bottle of vodka and 32 ounces of the restaurant’s Bloody Mary mix or $45 for two bottles of vodka and a gallon of mix. Order online or call (980) 243-5070.

(20) THIRSTY NOMAD BREWING

Head to the website to figure out what you’d like and then call it in to 704-940-0947 to have it walked out to your car when you arrive. You can also pickup inside the brewery to take home. It’s currently out of growlers, so you’ll have to bring your own. Temporary hours are Wednesday through Friday 4-7 p.m. and Saturday 1-6 p.m.