Tuesday is traditionally considered an off-night in the world of bars and clubs. Places that are open daily feverishly try different gimmicks to get partygoers in the door. Some succeed (Rusty Rudder, Whisky River and the Flying Saucer), but most fail miserably.
Relatively new to the tricky Tuesday is Petra's Piano Bar & Cabaret in Plaza Midwood, which holds a weekly trivia night hosted by funny drag queen Roxy Moorecox. Petra's was just voted last week as Best Gay/Lesbian Bar in Charlotte by Creative Loafing. And judging by the overflowing tables and standing-room-only status at this week's one-year anniversary party, Moorecox has done for the gay community what Whisky River has done for the under-21 crowd: A fun Tuesday night that packs the house.
In just one year, the bar has gone from hosting four teams for a total of 10 people to regularly bringing in 20 teams or more each week. (The record is 32 teams for Roxy's birthday a few months ago.)
What sets Tuesday Trivia at Petra's apart from other similar game nights is Moorecox herself. The larger-than-life drag queen plays the part of trivia hostess, cabaret singer and stand-up comic all at once, turning trivia night into an entertaining show.
Questions range from the biblical (What was the angel's name who visited Mary?) to literary (What current magician has the same name as a historic novel's character?), and this week included a Name That Tune round.
To break up the game, Moorecox leads singalongs ("Karma Chameleon" and "You Don't Own Me") and toasts (usually raunchy in nature), making a competitive event into a -- cheesy as it may sound -- community bonding experience.
The fun continues next week starting at 9 (team sign-up starts at 8:30). Roxy also leads the bar's karaoke nights on Wednesdays, and this Sunday she'll be performing a live cabaret at Petra's starting at 8 p.m. ($5 general admission).
12 comments:
This is a great event, highly recommend it to anyone free on a Tuesday night. Plus the bar is non-smoking in the main area.
Soooo, what if you go there are you expected to be homosexual or is it a mixture of straight and gay folks?
I was there that first night 1 year ago and it truly is amazing what Roxy has done to grow the show and create something to do on a Tuesday night. Gay or straight, give it a try, it really is a lot of fun!! Keep up the good work Roxy and Petra's.
Moorecox? Are you serious? How did the conservative Observer let a name like this appear on it's site?
Petra's is always a great mix of gay, lesbian and straight people. Everyone is welcome and everyone has a great time!!
Trivia is always a blast!!! And it's definitely a mixed crowd.
Sounds like a lot of fun.
Always a great time...where else can an entire bar sing the Golden Girls theme together! It's worth going even if you're a little tired at work on Wednesdays!!!
Expect rudeness & way too much smoke! I'm surprised they are even still open. Rent must be cheap. I wanted to like this place but I couldn't stand it.
Anonymous poster who talked about the rudeness and the smoke apparently hasn't been there in a while and further doesn't know what he/she is blabbing about. The main bar where Trivia is held is smoke free, I have never really seen anyone being rude, and not only is the place still open, it packs people in pretty much every night of the week. Could this be sour grapes? The last year has seen extensive renovations and improvements to the bar. I go there several times every week and love this place.
We had a terrible time there too! Agree with poster about too much smoke and bad staff. Much better places to go in that neighborhood that are still gay friendly! Scott Weaver at Snug Harbor!!!
Just got linked to this, but had to comment about the 'rennovations'. Yes, there have been some, but the people on here promoting this is obviously the bartender/manager! The smoking, which is now in the side room, is so strong with no ventilation, it comes over into the next room since the door is always open. They also failed to mention that in order to go to the restroom, you have to walk into the side room which is so smoky, it's like going into a burning building!
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are so crowded that you can't get a drink at the bar, find a place to sit, or really even stand for taht matter. Their idea of air conditioning are floor fans blowing down on you so hard it will make you sick.
Don't dare think about getting there later in the evening. Even though they say they are open until 2, right after the show, the bartenders run to stack chairs, turn the lights up, and start mopping around customers! No, I am not kidding! The managers don't seem to care.
Finally, they have added dancing to the back room, but look out.......the bartender/manager wants to keep the huge outside door open so you will literally freeze on cold nights.
This is a really nice place, but just a shame to see the mis-management (or lack thereof). I have been going to this place since it opened, but it's really now a sad situation that things are handled better. Thank you.
Post a Comment