The Dharma Lounge, Dharma Lounge is located in the heart of the Camden Rd District on the corner of West Summit Ave and S.Tryon Street. Dedicated to stylish nightlife without all the fuss, dharma is the perfect place to dance and mingle without worrying about velvet rope lines, VIP sections, or ridiculous cover charges.
Pretty but not pretentious, Dharma Lounge prides itself on being truly about the nightlife. Dharma has nightly events Wed thru Sun and the doors open at 9pm. Equipped with one of the best sound systems (Turbo Sound) in the Carolinas, Dharma is the perfect place to hear world class djs and cutting edge new talent.
Dharma Lounge
1440 South Tryon Street, Suite 105, Charlotte
(704) 334-8336
At Cuban Pete’s Café, we offer a diverse menu of Cuban cuisine classics and we let the exceptional quality of ingredients take center stage. We work closely with area growers and purveyors to ensure the produce, meat, fish, and chicken are of the highest standard. Everything is prepared from scratch daily and expertly presented. A long-standing interest in art and design also factor into the dining experience to enhance the senses and transport you to “Old Cuba”. Whether you are new to Cuban food or just want to enjoy our signature Sangrias and Mojitos, we are where you need to be.
Cuban Pete's
1308-E The Plaza, Charlotte
(704) 910-5233
The heartbeat of uptown Charlotte, Cosmos Café is located at the corner of Sixth and N. College streets. Our eclectic eatery offers daily drink specials as well as cuisine from around the world. Wood-fired pizzas, fresh sushi and delectable desserts are only a small part of the continental flair of our diverse menu. Wander through the Microcosm Art Gallery or relax in the Thirsty Camel Lounge, which showcases specialty martinis and fine cigars. For a quick lunch, a gourmet dinner, or just hanging out with friends with a great drink late into the evening - Cosmos Cafe has it all.
Buckhead Saloon has been rocking Uptown since 2003. Home of 50 cent drafts every Thursdays. We keep the party going all night by offering Great Live Music, Ice Cold Beer and a DJ spinning Top 40 in between band sets. Charlottes only weekly indoor Cornhole Tournament where we give cash prizes every Tourney. Question on parking Uptown? We got it covered. Free parking with validation. We are steps away from the Time Warner Cable Arena.
Buckhead
201 East 5th Street, Charlotte
(704) 370-0687
Boardwalk Billy’s is a unique bar and restaurant in the University area. You voted us Best Drink Specials in Charlotte and we feature 24 great beers on tap. Billy’s rocks live music Wednesday to Saturday and there are 25 TVs that are always showing your favorite sports. We have two huge patios overlooking the lake (Voted Best Waterfront Dining). Boardwalk Billy’s provides a relaxed atmosphere for outdoor dining or the perfect place to watch a game. Don’t forget to check us out for lunch, we’ve got an outstanding eight item $5.99 menu that includes a drink.
Address:
9005-2 J.M. Keynes Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28262
Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace
Signature Drink Specials:
Wednesday: $1.50 Domestic Bottles and Bombs
Thursday: $2 Well Liquor, $2 Domestic Bottles and $3 Draft
Welcome to the home of the World Famous BAR Charlotte, where the Jager flows freely and the party never ends!!! Often imitated, but never duplicated, BAR Charlotte and its extreme staff excel at throwing the sickest party in Uptown. From the sexiest beertub girls to the hottest bartenders. Imagine New Years Eve, Mardi Gras, Spring Break all wrapped into one...well, you get the picture. Destination BAR Charlotte---the best party you will NEVER remember!! Because what happens at Bar Charlotte.....Stays at Bar Charlotte!!
300 N. College Street, Charlotte
(704) 342-2557
Located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte’s nightlife district between Sixth and Seventh Streets, The Alley Cat is home to a nightly raucous party where attitudes and inhibitions alike are checked at the door in exchange for the wildest party in town. The Alley Cat is a place to enjoy stiff drinks, DJ’s, and the area's hottest staff! TEXT “ALLEYCAT” TO 25827 for exclusive party invites and guest list.
By Sarah Coombes
While the wait for Ri Ra’s reopening has made their closing feel like a lifetime ago, it was only nine months prior that the pub closed its doors to renovate after the fire. But now, just in time for St. Paddy’s Day, Ri Ra has finally reopened. So in order to get in a quick pre-Paddy’s celebration, as well as check out the latest restorations, my fiancé and I headed over for the grand re-opening party last night.
It turns out Ri Ra is just as popular as ever. When we arrived, there was already a line out the door. But luckily, the sounds of the Irish jig inside had made it out onto the streets, so the wait was like a pre-party of its own. Once inside, I learned the music was Bobby Houck (of the Blue Dogs), and they had their own stage at the back of the pub. It was a rocky grotto, built kind of like the secret pool at the playboy mansion, just with a different kind of entertainment.
Complimentary drinks covered all of the Irish favorites, from Guinness to Harp, Killkenny to Smithwick and a fine selection of wine for the non-beer drinkers. Unfortunately, we were too late for the good eats, but rumor has it there were sampler trays of the pub’s menu going around. I did notice a platter of mini brownies float by me at one point, but I wasn’t quick enough to grab one.
The crowd varied from the after-work crew to singles and plenty of couples. One thing was for sure: The place was packed. But instead of feeling forced into a corner, there was plenty of room to move around. The upstairs was one of the newly renovated spaces, and the room was open and inviting. One of the Ri Ra employees informed me that not only had the area been brightened with new chandeliers, but the ceiling had been raised, and a new bar added. My fiancé and I had plenty of space to relax and lose ourselves in the corner, while also getting a feel for the busy bar, too. Even though my fiancé and I stood for most of the night, it is apparent that Ri Ra has lost none of its comfortable ambiance.
And while some places like to start over, the owners of Ri Ra want guests to remember where the establishment has been. That’s why the bar has kept some of its damaged décor. From smoke worn posters to disfigured bottles, Ri Ra kept many of the items that had been ruined by the fire, and it really added a taste of something different. Of course, the biggest restoration was of Saint Patrick himself. Split in half by the fire, he has now regained his rightful place behind the bar, pardoning all those who eat, drink, and end up shitfaced.
Overall, the pub was warm and inviting. People were laughing and drinking as if Ri Ra had never closed in the first place. And having been born and raised in England (not Ireland I know), it was like walking into a pub from across the pond. Of course, the rainy weather didn’t help the delusions there.
But I think the Ri Ra experience captures what a good night at the pub can inspire in people. Even when everything goes up in flames, you can always rebuild, and throw a damn good party when the rebuilding is over.
Here are some photos of the interior of Ri Ra, courtesy of Ciaran Sheehan.
The top five nightlife-related events going down tonight, March 12, as chosen from the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Spring Break Foam Party at BAR Charlotte
• Flavor Factory at Halo
• Suite and the E Modeling Agency present the Models Mingle
• Five Star Fridays at The Blvd
• Ani DiFranco at Neighborhood Theatre
St. Patrick’s Day is just a time to wear green and drink beer to most of us, but the religious Irish holiday itself is rich in history and honors the death of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. Whatever you’re celebrating, you should be in attendance at one of the many shamrockin’ shindigs happening around town.
March 13
• 14th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Charlotte Goes Green Festival — Huge. The parade features greenly decorated floats, dance troupes, bands, clowns and more, while the Charlotte Goes Green Festival, which consists of Irish music from a number of music acts (Grandfather Mountain Pipe Band, Federal Clan Kings, Jimmy Brown & The Balladeers), as well as Irish dancers (Rince Na’ Eireann Dance School, Walsh-Kelley School of Irish Dance), vendors, food and beverages, and other activities. It’s a fun way to spend the day. Free. The parade will start at 11 a.m. at Tryon and 9th street and continue south to Tryon Street and 3rd Street. The Festival, from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., is located on South Tryon Street, between 1st Street and 3rd Street. For more information, visit www.charlottestpatsday.com.
• Rich & Bennett’s 10th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl — This ultimate pub crawl was featured on the Travel Channel’s Extreme Wild Parties and stops into seven bars within a seven hour time period. Folks attending get a T-shirt and koozie, free admission to all bars and the chance to win giveaways. We can’t forget to mention the drink specials, including $3 Bud Light aluminums, $4 vodka drinks and $5 Pub Crawl Shots. $20-$30. 1 p.m. Begins with registration at Dixie’s Tavern, 301 E. 7th St. For more information, visit www.rockhouseevents.com.
• ”The Curse of the Brawling Irish” St. Patrick’s Party at The Ultimate Gym — Known for doin’ it big with themed parties (like focusing on the ‘70s, ‘80s, White Trash, etc.) around town, Nasty Promotions presents its ”The Curse of the Brawling Irish” St. Patrick’s Party ... in a full-sized boxing ring. Iron Cordoba will be there performing its own Irish tunes, twisted parodies and rock spankin’ takes on covers, in addition to music by Snowfight and DJ Mick’s Masta. Add to that a cash bar, live fights and demos by Ultimate Gym fighters and instructors, and more, and you’ve got an original, fun, freaky shindig. The event also raises money for the N.C. Firefighters Burned Children’s Fund, so it’s for a good cause, too. $10. 9 p.m. The Ultimate Gym, 401 E. 35th St.
• St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Connolly's — Irish pub Connolly’s has the true atmosphere of a nightspot across the pond in that wee country called Ireland. Add to the celebration, traditional Irish food (corned beef and cabbage), Irish dancers and bagpipers, and live music by Vertigo, a U2 cover band, and you’ve got a good party. 9 a.m.-2 a.m. (Vertigo starts at 9 p.m.). 115 E. 5th St. 704-358-9070. www.connollysirishpub.com.
• Beertopia Beer Fest — Sham-rockin’ festivities are in order for St. Patrick’s Day. Grapevine’s Beertopia Beer Fest will offer 100 beers, barbecue and live music by U-Phonik. $20-$25. 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Grapevine Wine Shop & Wine Bar, 1012 Market St., Fort Mill, S.C. 803-802-9989. www.partylikealeprechaun.info.
• 2nd Annual EpiCentre Green Party — Featuring music from Breakfast Club on the Bud Light Stage and music from DJ Supa Skip. Sat., March 13, 5-7 p.m. EpiCentre, 210 East Trade St.
• St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Morehead Street Tavern — Live Irish traditional music by the Federal Clan Kings gets the party started and it will continue late into the night with the Lenny Federal band and the Part Time Blues Band. 6:30 p.m. Morehead Street. Tavern, 300 E. Morehead St. 704-334-2655. www.moreheadsttavern.com.
• St. "Practice" Day at Town Tavern — Doors open at 7 a.m. Bagels, beer and booze all day long. Enter Irish raffle to win prizes. Boondocks Saints marathon running all day. Town Tavern, 200 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3324. www.towntaverncharlotte.com.
• St. Patrick's Party at Providence Road Sundries — Guiness girls with gifts. No cover. 18 and over after 9 p.m. $5 Car Bombs, $3 Harp Beer. 8:10 p.m. Providence Road Sundries, 1522 Providence Road. 704-366-4467. www.providenceroadsundries.com.
• St. Patrick's Day celebrations at RiRa — Breakfast until 11 a.m. St. Patty's Day menu, music by Acme Celi, Dallas Reece, Beautiful Day. Irish Dancers. Doors open at 9 a.m. 208 N. Tryon St. 704-333-5554.
• St. Patrick's Day party at The Gin Mill — Doors open at noon. Live music with Patrick McKenna. $3 Irish Pints, $5 Baby Guinesses. The Gin Mill, 1411 S. Tryon St. 704-373-0782. www.ginmillcharlotte.com.
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