How This Charlotte Bar Owner Turned Unused Hours Into $2k a Month With Peerspace

Scott Lindsley didn’t originally set out to become the host of an award-winning event space. As a full-time real estate broker with a background in hospitality, he and his husband Joey opened The Canteen, a beer and wine bar in Charlotte, North Carolina, to serve their local community. But when they noticed their beautifully designed space sat empty during slower hours, they saw an opportunity.

By listing The Canteen on Peerspace, Scott found a way to turn off-hours into real income. The result? An extra $2,000 per month, on average, from event bookings alone.

“It fills in gaps for periods of time that we otherwise probably wouldn’t have any income,” says Scott. “And we get not just the rental income but also bar sales from those events.”

An Award-Winning Space, Put to Work

In 2025, The Canteen was named one of Peerspace’s Open Door Award winners—recognized as one of the best event spaces in Charlotte. Located in a revitalized 100-year-old warehouse campus in uptown Charlotte, the bar sits beside a bustling plaza that regularly hosts concerts and festivals. Scott’s husband, Joey Hewell, is an artist who painted and decorated the entire space, giving it a vibrant atmosphere that guests instantly fall in love with.

After listing on Peerspace, the results were immediate. Bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties—even production shoots from popular reality shows—began filling up the calendar. Peerspace not only brought in new customers with every event, it allowed Scott and Joey to share their uniquely designed space.

“The shows that filmed here didn’t need to do much. The space is already lively and colorful,” says Scott. “We’ve had everything from bachelorette parties to NASCAR video shoots—and even Love Is Blind.”

Low Effort, Real Results

Despite their packed schedules, hosting on Peerspace doesn’t take over their lives. Scott estimates he spends about 5–10 hours per week managing bookings, depending on the season. Thanks to their on-site manager and staff, he doesn’t even need to be there for the events themselves.

“We just do the booking. Our staff handles the rest.”

They’ve also found that being user-friendly keeps guests coming back. The bar is fully stocked, no drink minimums or packages required. Guests can bring in their own catering, and the existing decor means many don’t need to lift a finger beyond setting the table.

“We try to make it as simple as possible. People enjoy the event more when they’re not stressed about setup.”

Advice for Future Hosts

Scott’s advice for fellow small business owners is clear: “Make it user-friendly.” The easier you make it for guests, the better the experience—for them and for you.

And for those wondering whether it’s worth it? Scott says yes. The added income has helped support their business during slower periods and introduced them to people—and even production teams—they otherwise never would have met.

“Peerspace brings in a steady stream of bookings. It’s exactly the kind of support we were looking for.”

Want to turn your space into a side hustle? Learn more about hosting on Peerspace.