Monday, April 7, 2008

Whisky River opens

Whisky River, Dale Jr.'s new concept in the EpiCentre uptown, had its soft opening over the weekend.


Bar Management Group's Bob Durkin said they pulled in a great crowd Saturday, but the weekend was really all about working out the kinks.

Expect to see the bar start to heavily advertise its official opening next week with a week of parties planned. 

The bar's pre-grand-opening VIP party will be held April 17. The grand opening will be April 18 and the bar will also host the Keith Urban/Carrie Underwood after party.

Did anyone stop in over the weekend? What did you think?

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmmm. Appears Jr's crowd doesn't read or the printed word makes them dizzy this close to Saturday night.

Anonymous said...

how can this place work in charlotte? We need more nicer places to go, not hick bars.

Anonymous said...

More nicer? That makes since, Charlotte needs something new downtown, everything else is becoming repetitive and boring! Hopefully bringing a new bar or two downtown will create a better atmosphere.

Sarah Aarthun said...

Just a clarification: I wouldn't really describe Whisky River as a hick bar. I took a tour a month ago and found it to be really upscale. Read it here: http://obsent.blogspot.com/2008/02/dale-jrs-epicentre-adventure.html

Anonymous said...

I would say that Charlotte has plenty of alternatives for people wanting to avoid the "hick" crowd. When the rest of Epicentre opens, there will be other places to venture that might be more within the realm of what you're looking for. I'll admit I haven't been to Whiskey River, but I've seen pictures and it looked rather nice inside.

Anonymous said...

charlotte has a night life?

Anonymous said...

Face it folks, Jr's bar is a step back in time, to the late 70's. lol
Its a Cowboy Disco/Basement/playroom with a Gay sub-title. Jr and his tighty whitey Buds, should feel right at home.

Anonymous said...

JR SUCKS, AND SO DOES HIS BAR. stay up at the lake and quit tainting the nightlife with your hick-babble.

Anonymous said...

Whisky River is what would happen if you gave Dixies a bath and dropped it in Manhattan. Of course if that happened it would be out of business after the first weekend. It tries to bring a trendy hipness to the middle America crowd. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a bust, but it just feels a bit forced and is heavy on the cheesiness.

Anonymous said...

what do you mean about Charlotte nightlife and Jesus Freaks?

Anonymous said...

Last time I checked Dale Jr. has a thick southern accent and a seven to nine figure net worth.

I don't know how "hick" is defined in other areas of the country, but that is nice. He is also a second generation millionaire.
NASCAR is everywhere from Charlotte to New York to freakin' wine country California. Dale Jr. has a marketing presence in all of those areas.

Plus, it isn't nice to disparage other cultures.

If you think you are so much better than those who would be interested in frequenting Whiskey River, check the nightly take during the month of May. I would bet it would pay the rent the rest of the year for the ownership group.

Anonymous said...

I will have to say I was not impressed. I was really expecting something on a grand scale considering it IS a millionaires bar! It was very plain with a few TVs, a projection screen, and some VIP seating behind the bar. The stage is way to small to hold any major acts, which was what I heard was planned. Don't expect anything different from Dixies or BAR Charlotte if your planning to check it out. I will hold out hopes for some of the other places slated to open there.

Anonymous said...

Jesus freaks don't go out at night because drinking and dancing is "the devil".

Anonymous said...

how come no one ever discusses the article but instead uses these comment sections to fight over the biggest ego?

Anonymous said...

Why do people from here think that Charlotte is heaven on Earth? GUESS WHAT!? It isn't perfect and it has its faults like everywhere else. If I want to complain about the crappy nightlife I can complain about it! It has gotten a lot better and I know it will continue to get better as more people move here and more places open up. Get over yourself - this is America. You can live wherever you want and complain about it too!

Anonymous said...

Exactly what is a Jesus freak? If you consider that someone who believes in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and knows that Jesus died on the cross for OUR sins, then count me in. If we ruin this area for you then take the advice given and LEAVE. A smarter choice would be to worry more about where you soul will spend eternity than to argue about your opinion of the new bar.

Anonymous said...

I was there on Saturday night with some friends and we all had a great time. It's not a hick bar. It's a just fun place to drink a beer and party with some friends. Let's face it, we haven't had a heck of a lot of new bars to try recently so it's a nice change of scenery. I do think the so called VIP section is a joke considering it's basically the only place to sit down in the entire bar. Maybe that will change down the road, I don't know why you should have to pay to sit down. Anyways, everyone putting it down should go and see what it's all about first. You may be surprised...

Anonymous said...

i'm not impressed with whisky creek. charlotte can do better.

Anonymous said...

Why criticize Charlotte? You chose to live here and you can choose to leave if you don't like the people. It makes no sense to be rude and make fun of them. Interstates 77 and 85 will take you anywhere you want to go.

Anonymous said...

Lol, Charlotte's biggest "celebrity" goes by the name "Junior". Sorry, I just had to laugh.

Anonymous said...

2 words: I-77, I85