Ri Ra Irish Pub: A Fun Jazz Brunch in Uptown Charlotte Slice of Jess

How do you make that hangover breakfast a little more special? Insert some live, smooth jazz along with a killer brunch menu that appeals to the masses. Here I’ll be dishing out the details behind Ri Ra’s Jazz Brunch in Uptown Charlotte. This restaurant review has been compensated by Ri Ra Irish Pub, but all opinions are mine alone and I will never promote a restaurant or product I don’t enjoy myself.

There’s just something extra special about enjoying that morning Mimosa with a side of jazz, am I right? My friend and I have been looking to spice up our weekend brunch routine for a while now, so when we heard that Ri Ra had started a Sunday Jazz Series, we just had to check it out.

Sunday Funday is here and we both had free babysitters for the afternoon!

(Insert Best Husband Awards Here)

LET’S START WITH THE BOOZE:

First things first, this place has a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, ya’ll.

Ahem, I repeat, a BUILD-YOUR-OWN-BLOODY MARY BAR!!

This is the ultimate game changer in my opinion. They offer your choice of pre-made mixes or their own scratch-made Bloody Mary mix. Of course, we chose to sample the house-made blend and it was pretty stellar. You can easily down a few of these bad boys.

Another favorite was their fun spin on the traditional Mimosa, hello grapefruit! Because Sunday Funday isn’t complete without a Mimosa in hand, this slightly bitter bubbly was the perfect addition to our festivities. A few of the other morning libations that patrons can partake in include the build-your-own Mule bar, Spiked Sweet Tea and Orange Crush Cocktail.

THE GRUB: GO FOR THE IRISH SPECIALS

This uptown Irish haven offers an eclectic, reliable menu with a variety of sweet and savory items to accommodate multiple cravings. I’m glad that I pulled out my fat pants, because the portions here are plentiful! Every item on Ri Ra’s menu is made completely from scratch, using the freshest ingredients and cooked to perfection when ordered.

For our first course, we started with the Freshly Baked Scones and Chicken & Waffles, both delicious and both on opposites sides of the flavor spectrum. While the Scones were slightly sweet and elegant, the Chicken & Waffles were rich and savory with a touch of Irish charm that came from the traditional Sausage Gravy.

When dining out, we usually choose a few items to split; this way, we get to taste the best of both worlds. We generally call this family-style, and I highly recommend eating this way with your next brunch companion, it’s fun!

For our main course, we opted for the Irish Benedict (above) and Guinness BBQ Burger (below). At first bite, we could immediately taste why the Benedict is their most popular item on the menu. What makes this dish stand out from the traditional version is that it is served over a Pan Seared Potato Cake instead of a biscuit. D-E-L-I-S-H.

What’s the best cure for a hangover? A Fat, Juicy Burger. Ri Ra’s knows how to serve one massive beast of a handheld that goes by the name “The Guinness BBQ Burger”. This leaning tower of lip-smacking fun is compiled of a grilled Brasstown house beef burger topped with melted cheddar, crispy onion rings and their very own secret Guinness BBQ Sauce. Throw in the usual burger toppings of Lettuce, Tomato and Onion and you’ve got yourself one damn good sandwich.

THE ATMOSPHERE & OUR OVERALL EXPERIENCE:

The space is free-flowing, with your choice to sit at the bar, a high-top table for two or one of the many communal tables throughout the space. In addition to the indoor seating, Ri Ra’s also has a rooftop terrace that’s primarily open during the summer and available for private parties. The plethora of seating, extensive menu, creative cocktails and music makes this place a great choice for Sunday Brunch.

What’s better than scarfing down Irish-style Egg Benedicts with your gal pal?

Scarfing down Irish-style Egg Benedicts with your gal pal to some sweet jazz. Yeah, baby!

Ri Ra Irish Pub is located at 208 North Tryon Street in Charlotte. Sunday’s Jazz Brunch runs from 10am – 3pm, with live music starting at 11am. As you can tell from my review, we immensely enjoyed our outing and I recommend visiting them for your next brunch adventure.

To get more information, please visit their website, Facebook or Instagram.