Slowly, but surely, more and more venues are opening at the new EpiCentre uptown.
Thursday, nightclub/lounge Suite opened to the public with an invite-only party. Tonight, the Pavilion, the rooftop bar at the entertainment complex, holds its first live-music event (Piedmont Boys and Old Plank Road) and next Thursday kicks off its EpiCentre at 5 series, sure to be a competitor to the popular Alive After Five, with Pat McGee.
(I'm surprised Pavilion is opening, considering the bar isn't even built yet. A BMG rep told me staffers will improvise tonight with beer tubs.)
I checked out Suite on Thursday and was impressed. It's a beautifully designed cross between the Forum and Loft 1523 and has a big-city feel to it. It was smaller than I thought it would be, but the patio area more than makes up for the intimate space inside. Other quibbles: It's not smoke-free and seating is limited -- unless you want to pay $300 and up for bottle service. My feet are still aching today.
It definitely had more of a loungy feel to it early in the night, with house music playing at a reasonable decibel, before the DJ cranked up the energy (and the volume) with Britney Spears, Madonna, Kanye West, Nelly Furtado and Snoop Dogg.
I'll have a full review in next Friday's CLT, so be sure to check it out.
If you want complimentary tickets to Suite's grand opening parties tonight and tomorrow, click here.
What do you all think about EpiCentre at 5? Will you go? Will it be more popular than Alive After Five? Post your comments below.
4 comments:
Heck no! Who wants to party in a construction zone? Alive After 5 is already up and running strong. I dont see Epicentre After 5 pulling that many people into their smaller and unfinished space. Next year when everything is finished and rocking at Epicentre, you can bet it will be nuts. I just dont see it quite yet.
Sarah rocks! Hot dress on Thursday!
Hunter
Yeah if it wasnt beside the freakin bus station! I walked thru there Saturday night and it was NOT pleasant....
I may go b/c of Pat McGee...he's awesome...if you guys can, go check him out! Definately better than any band they'd have at Alive After Five.
My friends and I unanimously agree that it's a horrible idea to compete with AA5. Why have an event at the exact same time as the only other respected social gathering Uptown after work? I get the reason, but I think it's a poor motive and decision to compete head-on with AA5. Uptown would do very well to have another venerable social event say, on Friday at 5! Can we complain to someone to get it changed??
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