A 100% self-serve craft beer and wine bar is coming soon to South End.

Hoppin’, located at 1402 Winnifred Street, will be utilizing iPourIt technology and smart wristbands to create a drinking experience unlike anything else in Charlotte.

It’s in a jackpot location a block from Seoul Food Meat Co. and a stone’s throw from Bulldog Beer & Wine and Wooden Robot.

So how does a self-serve bar work?

You’ve probably seen automated taps around town already.


There’s one at Whole Foods where you can swipe a pre-loaded card for a pour of wine, for example. But Hoppin’ will take it to another level with 60 self-serve taps on two floors, which will include local and regional beers, wine and even champagne.

Instead of waiting in line at a bar, you’ll link a smart wristband to your credit card, swipe the band at the tap and start sipping. Wristbands are preloaded with 32 ounces in pours and you can pour by the ounce or 16 ounces at a time.

The technology pairs with a mobile app that will build your personal drinking profile and can even send you push notifications when your favorite drink is running low on the tap.

Hoppin’ is under construction now and targeting a late summer opening.

Inside, they’ll have a stage for live music, mezzanine-level seating, taps upstairs and downstairs and a second-story patio.

The decor will be bold with a large statement wall and some unexpected design elements. They’ll also have two 80-inch televisions.

Outside, they’re working on turning the entire parking lot into a gorgeous patio along the Bland Street side of the building. This is a South End neighborhood hangout rooted in walkability.

Food plans aren’t firmly nailed down yet, but they’re working on a regular food truck schedule as well as some pop-up-style food events. I’m also told the weekend champagne taps will be complemented by free-flowing OJ.

Hello brunch.

Ok, but how exactly do you prevent belligerent drunkenness at a self-serve bar?

It’s all in the wristbands, which are capped at 32 ounces. When you run out and go back to refill your wristband limit, Hoppin’ staff will use the same discretion that a bartender would to determine if you’ve been over-served.

Cheers. 🍺🍷

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