This past weekend, I was able to check out Phoenix, formerly known as The Forum at 300 N. College St., for a CIAA party.
The place looks awesome. The vibe is fresh, and now when the owners redid the place, they took into consideration one of the primary reasons people will hit up their spot: to drink! Both bars downstairs have been revamped to allow for more accessibility: the bar on the right, once entering the club, has been pulled away from the wall so that patrons can chat up their favorite bartenders on all four sides. (Shout out to dude who kept us going on those pineapple vodka shots!) The bar that used to infringe upon the dance floor has been elevated (watch those stairs, ladies in heels who've had a bit to drink!), so now you can order without being bumped into by someone trying to master the Cupid Shuffle.
The grand opening party will be hosted this Saturday, with house DJ/producer Antoine Clamaran. Here's a teaser video from from Rebrand Media on Vimeo. Purchase tickets at Wantickets.com.
The top five nightlife-related events going down tonight, March 8, as chosen from the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Fat Tuesday celebration at Whisky River
• Triple Tuesdays: Fat Tuesday Edition at Pub at Gateway
• Fat Tuesday Bash with Hollyweird (a Poison tribute band) at Dixie's Tavern
• Intermezzo Awards Fat Tuesday Fundraiser at BlackFinn
• Fat Tuesday - Saints & Sinners Party at Butter
CIAA has taken over the city, so that means many of your favorite nightlife venues are hosting private parties. If you want to avoid the crowd (and the increased ticket prices), here are some non-CIAA nightlife events going on this weekend. Have a great weekend!
Friday, March 4
• Tyberpalooza at Tyber Creek Pub, courtesy of Rockhouse Events. (Friday and Saturday).
• SpinFest, featuring live music, art, beer and bikes at Espada Bikes in NoDa
• Mardi Gras Party Cruise up at the lake (hosted by Elevate)
• Gorilla Preschool Improv Show at Petra's
• Bad Dogs College Night
Saturday, March 5
• "I Bleed Blue 2011" Part 2 at Wild Wing University
• Mardi Gras Ball 2011 by Guys With Ties
• Free show at Common Market PM: Electric Coma
• 90's House Producer and DJ Ken ECB "Love Dancin" LP Release party at Dharma Lounge
Charlotte has amplified its nightlife scene once again with Prohibition Bar (formerly known as The Attic), an establishment that, in my opinion, is going to play a major role in evolving nightlife’s backdrop altogether.
I’m constantly on the club scene, and for a while I’ve been contemplating becoming more of a bar guru. Already convinced I was going to love this place because of its balcony that features a walk-up and order window, I met Joel Wisdo, my new favorite bartender, who mixed me up what he calls “a can of whoop ass.” Big surprise, a few “cans of whoop ass” later, I was totally captivated.
The atmosphere is fitting and includes dim lighting, candles lining the bar, wooden kegs, and did I mention draft tables? Prohibition Bar is one of a few places in Charlotte to offer tap tables, and Moonshine, two perks that I’m sure future “table tenders” will appreciate. The building's largest wall is characterized by projections of quotes from notable people such as comedian W.C. Fields, that encompass Prohibition in American history. My favorite, by Al Capone, reads, “Prohibition has made nothing but trouble.” That's a quote I feel perfectly sums up the bar's future impact on Uptown.
Jason Astephen, general manager, was more than enthusiastic about what Prohibition plans to offer:“This place is going to be a fun alternative to the nightclub scene, and no one is going to be turned away.”
At 10 p.m. on the weekends, they plan to clear the dance floor and bring in a DJ, giving the bar that nightclub twist. Astephen mentioned providing personal name engraved mugs to club members that will hold 20 ounces of beer and include no cover charge. He also plans to offer “Beer Nerd Classes,” for all you beer nerds intoxicated with questions about your ale.
In the words of Wisdo, “Prohibition is the perfect place to let your hair down and get wasted,” and I couldn’t agree more. The bar has been slammed packed since their soft opening. They cater to a very diverse crowd and are exhibiting elements that city has never seen before. Prohibition Bar has planned its grand opening for March 11. For now, patrons are encouraged to check out their Facebook and look out for their website that should be up and running within the next week. Open Mon.-Sat 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Sun. 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
— Morgan Jones
A Cirque du Soleil production means extravagance, and in our Corporate America world, that should be celebrated.
Head out to a kickoff party on Wednesday for the upcoming event (which will be going on all month).
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