Greensboro's Downtown Comes Alive on the Second Floor

Street level on South Elm looks quiet after 10 PM. Walk up the stairs and you'll find the actual night. Boxcar Bar + Arcade stuffs 80+ classic arcade cabinets into a former warehouse and the beer list is legitimate. Crafted does elevated bar food and a cocktail program that belongs in a bigger city.

For live music, The Blind Tiger on Walker Avenue books national touring indie and Americana acts four or five nights a week. Little Brother Brewing on East Lewis turns into a late-night hang on weekends and the beer is made on-site.

The college crowd (UNCG, A&T, Guilford) thickens the scene Thursday through Saturday. Parking downtown after 7 PM is mostly free. The Uber pool out to Westover Terrace after 1 AM can stretch, so budget the wait.