The life of a promoter in Charlotte has all the makings of a scene from a sexy music video: women, money and power. But with that lifestyle comes high stakes, and Henry Grier knows them well. This Charlotte native is part of a small fraternity of local businessmen that throws some of the hottest parties in town, taking over nightspots like Club Ice, Loft 1523 and RE:Public. Grier gives his take on the party life, love in the club, and how to make the most of your next night on the town.
Creative Loafing: How did you get into club promotions, and more importantly how did you become so successful at it?
Henry Grier: A childhood friend and I had this vision to throw parties in the city, but at the time we didn't have the capital. So when Dee Autry of Club Ice, which at the time was Club Crush, saw fit to give us our first chance, we took it. Since then, I've become successful by making the most of all my opportunities. Every opportunity that comes my way, I try to make the most of it.
The mixture of cocktails, late nights and early mornings has a tendency of speeding things up. Does your life ever feel like a whirlwind?
If I stop for a second and think about it, probably so, but unfortunately and fortunately, I don't really have a lot of time to stop or rest. There's Pop Life, and then we have Loft 1523, and then it's Club Ice. It's like one of those things when you're doing so much, you don't have time to sit and think about the successes and failures. You're just going. If I think about it, sure, it's a whirlwind, but I've had some of the best experiences of my life in the past year and I love it.
Where does your love life fall into all this?
Well, you know that is probably the area where I admittedly lack. I don't truthfully have a love life. It's very hard to date when you work in nightlife, and people in this city kind of all intermingle. Plus, there's a real stereotype put on promoters. No one wants to date a promoter. You would want to for one reason, but most women don't really want to be involved with this lifestyle or what it appears to be. I'm giving myself seven years, and then I'll have to retire so I can get married.
What's your best advice for people looking to party in the Q.C.?
The main thing that I always tell people when they're thinking about going out is to relax and let loose. People come in to a club and ask questions like, "Where's all the seating?" But you're there to party and have a good time, not sit around, so enjoy yourself. Also, sometimes people are way too dependent on the crowd. If you walk in the club at 11:30 p.m. and it's not packed, don't leave. Stay, chill out with your friends and have a couple of cocktails. If you create your own party within the party, then you'll always have a good time.