A double-duty hotspot with a James Beard Award-winning chef at the helm is opening in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood in early 2026. We knew Japanese fine dining restaurant Uchi was on the way to the Commonwealth development from James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole. Now, Hai Hospitality has announced that an izakaya-style cocktail bar named Uchibā is coming along with it.

Uchibā — which loosely translates to “Uchi Bar” — will hold a 24-seat bar and a 38-seat dining room in its 2,200-square foot-interior, offering a more intimate experience for guests than the larger Japanese restaurant a floor below. The cocktail bar serving casual fare will also boast a 1,500-square-foot rooftop that seats 60, offering views of Plaza Midwood and a glimpse of uptown Charlotte. “It’s a little bit more relaxed atmosphere, especially with the outdoor area,” Hai Hospitality CEO Tony Montero told CharlotteFive. “It’s one where on a Saturday afternoon, you could come in shorts and a T shirt.”

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