Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Hot spots for the grown and sexy

I've had a couple of readers recently ask me about places to go for the over 30 African-American crowd.

I consulted my self-proclaimed "urban guide" Michael Kitchen about hot spots to help me round out my own list.

In no particular order:
  • Allure, especially on the weekends. The lounge also hosts a regular R&B Live party on Wednesdays. (South Mint Street)
  • Tempo, any time. The party starts Thursdays with a karaoke talent showcase, continues with Flirtatious Fridays and Sophisticated Saturdays, and ends with Jazzy Sundays. (Wilkinson Boulevard)
  • Excelsior Club, any time. Founded in 1944, Excelsior -- on Beatties Ford Road -- is one of the oldest clubs in the country.
  • Liv, weekends. The downstairs lounge at Hom draws a diverse crowd, depending on the music the DJ is spinning. (West Fifth Street)
  • Loft 1523, especially on Wednesdays. Kitchen's Pop Life, along with Creative Loafing's Carlton Hargro, is the place for young urban professionals to mingle and network. (Elizabeth Avenue)
  • House of Jazz. The club recently made a move from uptown to the University City area.
  • Wine Up, any time. This smoke-free NoDa billiards bar features open mic poetry night on Tuesdays and books live entertainment regularly.
  • The Grape, either University or SouthPark location.
  • Therapy's half-price martini night on Wednesdays draws a crowd of young professionals of all races.
  • Cosmos (North College Street) on Wednesdays after work attracts a similar crowd as Therapy.
Also, check out parties thrown regularly by such event planners as InnerCircle Events, Six Figure Entertainment and Thomas Washington.

What would you guys include on the list? Anything I missed?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Scorpio

Anonymous said...

Very thorough list. I’d also add to check the calendars of the two places below.

Stir Concert Theater
3500 E. Independence Blvd, 28205
http://www.stirnc.com/

Ruby's Dinner Club
9 Union St. N Concord, NC 28025
http://www.rubysdinnerclub.net/

And also Charlotte Vibe is a good place to check for all types of events

http://www.charlottevibe.com/

Anonymous said...

Thirsty Beaver Saloon

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to add that Charlotte has the most diversity on paper of any city I've ever lived in, but I see the fewest minorities of any city I've lived in. So rarely do I see an African-American in a bar. Why so segregated here? No, I'd never lived in the South before moving to Charlotte.

Anonymous said...

"Sustained" Billruth McMichaels....I second that comment. I rarely see African-Americans in bars in Charlotte as well.

Jarvis Holliday said...

Good list.

My blog is all things "grown" in Charlotte: www.GrownPeopleTalking.com