Weekly Connections with Brian Lafontaine July 27, 2025
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Cornelius boasts some unique watering holes, everything from large venues with locally known bands to smaller, more intimate spaces tucked into unexpected areas. Bin 110 is one such place, offering a curated bar experience and live music Thurs.-Sat.
About a year ago, Andy Upchurch bought the bar with the vision to make it the kind of place that he would like to go to, a place where no one had to give up what they liked.
That means that Bin 100 has a drink for everyone. But let’s start with the bourbons. Upchurch says that his 70-strong bourbon list is as good as any in the Charlotte area, both in scope and depth.
His favorite bourbon? Blood Oath, which comes out once a year usually in March. Only 10,000 bottles of this 98.6 proof (get it? the temperature of blood) blend are made a year. He also likes Jim Beam Master Distiller at $66 for 2 oz., a blend of a 9-year-old Rye, 40-year-old Canada Whiskey, and 13-year-old Canada Rye. A perfect choice for a discerning palette. But if you’re looking for something in a less pricey range, Upchurch is happy to make a recommendation. He likes to get to know his customers and their orders and then based on their palettes suggest something new they haven’t tried.
Wine
For Chardonnays, Upchurch personally likes the Phantom, which is big and buttery, and Stags’ Leap, which is delicate and less in your face with the butter and oak—both at $15 a glass.
For reds, he likes Lithology from world-renowned winemaker Phillipe Melka, who crafted this Cabernet from grapes sourced from some of the most esteemed vineyards in Napa Valley. But at $175 a bottle, it may be out of reach for some budgets. He also frequently recommends Elyse C’est Si Bon, which translates to “It is really so good!” This red blend comes in at $15 a glass, making it both really good and affordable.
With more than 80 wines by the glass, he can find the perfect fit for each person’s palette and price point.
Spirits
Maybe you prefer the taste of a perfectly mixed drink. Upchurch emphasized, “We’re going to make your drink right every time.” Whether you order a vodka tonic or one of his signature martinis, he’s committed to pouring the perfect cocktail. In this day and age, everyone orders their gin, vodka, rum, or spirit of choice by brand. Upchurch speculated that it’s because people are both loyal to brands and often don’t know about other choices. Marketing plays a big role in making a spirit an “it” brand. He mentioned that everything distilled is essentially gluten free, but Tito’s has made an entire advertising campaign out of the fact that it is gluten-free. Tito’s makes its vodka out of corn, and other vodkas are made out of wheat. But the distilling process kills all the wheat, rending all distilled spirits gluten-free.
For a decadent cocktail he recommends the Godiva Chocolate Martini, Stoli Vanilla, Kahlua, and Godiva Chocolate Liqueur mixed in perfect proportion for a smooth, chocolatey finish. Again, it’s going to be mixed perfect every time.
Stop in and see for yourself. Bin 110, located at 19712 One Norman Dr. in Cornelius, is open Mon., 4-11pm, and Tues.-Sat., 4-midnight.
