Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileSoul Gastrolounge
Charlotte, NC · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Soul Gastrolounge's cocktail program is the clear draw: twelve seasonal cocktails at $17 each, mixing mango, basil, strawberry coriander, and sesame leaf syrups into drinks like the Barrel Aged Cynar Boulevardier. The brunch menu adds five more cocktails, and a dedicated NA list offers four non-alcoholic options. Wine spans $12 to $275, with a sangria on brunch. Beer is minimal but affordable.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Barrel Aged Cynar Boulevardier, a bourbon-cynar-vermouth blend. The Seasonal Mule (vodka, mango, basil) and Berry Me in Coriander (vodka, strawberry coriander, prosecco) showcase the menu's fruit-and-herb bent. For brunch, the Asian Bloody Buddy with kimchi and sesame oil is a savory standout. If abstaining, the No-Groni mirrors the classic with NA spirits.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking inventive, seasonal drinks will find plenty to explore. The dedicated NA menu and THC seltzers cater to non-drinkers and the curious. Wine lovers have a broad list, though not the focus. The vibrant atmosphere and DJs (per the homepage) suggest a social crowd, but the beverage program stands on its own for those who care about what's in the glass.
- When should I go?
- Visit for brunch to sample the five-cocktail brunch list, including the wine-based Summer Sangria. Evenings are likely livelier with DJs, but the cocktail menu is available all day. No specific timing is supported beyond these menu offerings.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails are uniformly $17, brunch cocktails $14–$16, NA cocktails $14. Wine by the glass runs $12–$18, bottles $36–$275. Beer is cheap, with PBR at $3 and Sapporo 22oz at $12. A round of drinks for two could easily hit $50–$70 depending on wine choices.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail menu's creativity—mango-basil, strawberry-coriander, sesame leaf—sets it apart from standard bar lists. The inclusion of THC seltzers and a full NA cocktail menu with NA spirits is progressive. The Barrel Aged Cynar Boulevardier and Seasonal Milk Punch show depth beyond simple fruit drinks.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Creative, seasonal cocktail menu with 12 offerings at a consistent $17. Uses unusual syrups (mango-basil, strawberry-coriander, sesame leaf) and includes barrel-aged and milk punch styles. Brunch adds five more cocktails.
Menu strengths
- — Seasonal variety with 12 distinct cocktails, all at $17
- — Innovative ingredients like sesame leaf syrup and strawberry coriander
Standout selections
- — Barrel Aged Cynar Boulevardier – 1792 Bourbon, Cynar, DeMuller Sweet Vermouth
- — Seasonal Mule – Deep Eddy Vodka, Mango, Basil Syrup, Lime, Ginger, Soda Water
- — Berry Me in Coriander – Tito's Vodka, Strawberry Coriander Syrup, Lemon, Prosecco
Pricing: Seasonal cocktails $17; brunch cocktails $14–$16
Wine
Wine list includes a range of international selections, from Vinho Verde to Champagne. Prices span $12 glasses to $275 bottles. Brunch features a wine-based sangria. Community evidence is limited to one positive mention, so the program is competently broad but not deeply reviewed.
Menu strengths
- — International selection including Portugal, Oregon, and France; Price range accommodates casual and celebratory bottles
Standout selections
- — Casal Garcia Vinho Verde – Portugal, $12/36
- — Stoller Family Estate Chardonnay – Oregon, $15/45
- — Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque (Fleur) – Champagne, $275
Pricing: Glasses $12–$18; bottles $36–$275
Beer
Small but varied beer list: domestic and imported lagers, one IPA, and a non-alcoholic stout. Prices range from $3 PBR to $12 Sapporo 22oz. Adequate for a cocktail-focused venue, but not a destination for beer enthusiasts.
Menu strengths
- — Includes local Wicked Weed IPA; Affordable options starting at $3
Standout selections
- — Wicked Weed Pernicious – IPA, $8
- — Sapporo Japanese Lager – 22oz, $12
Pricing: $2–$12
Nonalcoholic
Dedicated NA cocktail menu with four creative options using NA spirits like Kentucky 74 and Lyre's. Also offers THC-infused seltzers. Priced at $14, these are serious drinks, not afterthoughts. No community feedback yet, but the menu's ambition is evident.
Menu strengths
- — Four dedicated NA cocktails with NA spirits; THC seltzer options for a unique twist
Standout selections
- — No-Groni – Lyre's Pink NA Gin, Sofia NA Aperol, Lyre's NA Sweet Vermouth, NA Bitters
- — Spicy Fargarita – Amethyst Serrano Cucumber NA Spirit, Lime, Orange, Agave Syrup
Pricing: NA cocktails $14; THC seltzers $11–$12
Spirits
The cocktail menu reveals a wide spirit range: vodka, bourbon, gin, genever, mezcal, tequila, rum, cognac, and NA spirits. No standalone spirits list exists, so the program is inferred from cocktail construction. This suggests a well-stocked bar, but without direct evidence of a spirits program.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse spirits across multiple categories; Includes barrel-aged and NA spirits
Standout selections
- — Bols Genever in Passes the Mustar(d)
- — Elijah Craig Bourbon in Seasonal Milk Punch
Pricing: No dedicated spirits pricing; used in cocktails only
How it sits with the food
Given the venue's sushi and small plates focus, the cocktail program seems designed to complement. The Asian Bloody Buddy with kimchi and sesame oil would pair with savory dishes, while the Seasonal Mule's ginger and basil could cut through rich fish. The Summer Sangria offers a lighter, fruity match for brunch items. No specific pairings are stated, but the menu's ingredients suggest a cohesive Asian-influenced approach.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
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