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Wikipedia says that Marigny is a neighborhood in New Orleans, and Charlotteans can now get a taste of that New Orleans flavor here in Charlotte.

Marigny is a new dance club in South End (owned by the same folks who own Dharma Lounge). Opened this past Saturday, it was a celebration complete with Mardi Gras beads (which you could get without lifting your shirt up) and masks.

By the way, I've yet to actually HEAR how the name of this new nightspot is pronounced. Anyone?

Before checking out the place with the boyfriend, I had heard someone call this new spot a "mini Butter," and I can kind of see where he got that from. On approaching the front door, there is a scary doorman who looks like he wields the power to veto your entry — although I haven't heard anything about a dress code here. Inside, the place is beautifully done. The walls are splashed with velvety colors like red and purple and, to evoke the spirit of New Orleans, adorned with intricate patterns.

As for the layout of the club, as soon as you enter, you're lost in a sea of dancing souls, having almost immediately stumbled onto the dance floor. The VIP tables are lined to the left, giving full view of the dancing shenanigans. The DJ booth (who was thumping house music that I find difficult to dance to) stands to the back, and the bar to the far back right. A patio for smokers and those who just enjoy the night air exits right past the DJ booth and bar.

One patron commented that the layout was a bit disorienting, with the dance floor spilling so close to the bar. As he waited to get a drink, he wasn't sure if the people around him were also waiting to be served or just dancing. He also mentioned that he'd heard the owners planning to open up an upstairs lounge area — I don't even know if that's possible, judging from the outside of the building. But that's what I heard, anyway.

If you've seen the photos from the grand opening gala, you'll likely assume that Marigny is another gay club on Charlotte's map of nightlife. And yet, you'd be wrong. While this new nightspot does host a few gay-friendly nights (Bar Curious Thursdays and Krewe Saturdays), it is not an exclusive spot for the "alternative lifestyle." In fact, tonight is the grand opening of Divino Wednesdays, Marigny's Latino Night ($3 Coronas, Margaritas and Sangria).

And although my boyfriend admitted being a tad nervous (we don't frequent places with gay men very often), and holding onto me tighter than usual to fend off any potentially interested men, he also said the place looked great and he had a good time. And that's all that matters.

The top five nightlife-related events going down tonight, Oct. 13, as chosen from the folks at Creative Loafing.

• Grand opening of Divino Nights, Marigny's Latin and International Night

• Drinking Liberally with speaker Justin Krebs at Dolce Vita

• Adult Night Rollerskating Party at Kate's Skating Rink

• Most Wanted Wednesdays with Calvin Richardson at Loft 1523

• Laugh Your Ass Off at Suite

Have you ever noticed how nightlife venues almost always use some sexy girl's image on their promotional flyers?

Let's look at a few, shall we?

First off, here's a flyer (with the name of the venue edited out) snagged from an EpiCentre club's Facebook. A naked girl wearing red heels laced up the thighs is drenched in water. The text promises us that this place is "redefining nightlife." But tell me, have you ever seen a wet T-shirt contest going down in the EpiCentre? In fact, I'm pretty sure if patrons dressed up to club standards and paid good money to get into the establishment, they'd be pretty pissed if they were doused with a bucket of water.

"What's your story baby? For real, not the stuff you tell these other n*ggas..."

I was more surprised than the woman this was actually whispered to at a semi-upscale birthday party I went to recently. But I soon realized this was just another lesson in "old head" game.

How can you spot "an old head"? It's a little more complex than looking for Ed Hardy stragglers who two-step to every song. Completely ignoring just the old, creepy guys at the bar making references to things that predate your birth sometimes by decades, I, personally, break them down into five major categories and, ironically, I've seen all of them recently in Charlotte party spots.

Daddy Warbucks

In my mind, this guy was a lame in high school but used that scorn to power his successful climb up the corporate ladder, and now, the girls he couldn't get when he was 21, he'll buy the affection of their daughters. He's so quick to flash cash or plastic, it screams desperation — but the women benefiting from his eagerness to impress them aren't bitching. They'll run his tab up and leave with a dude that didn't buy them shit.

Dance Fever

There are two versions of this guy. There's the one who's embarrassingly bad but nonetheless committed to dancing to every song — he's usually dressed like the era he came of age in, in this case, the House Party 1, Martin Seasons 1 and 2 era — and is the living definition of the anti-poon with his over-energetic dance moves and advances. The other version is a little more suave. He also doesn't need an excuse to cut a rug. It can be Earth, Wind & Fire or Wacka Flocka Flame; either way, he's on the dance floor and really good. He's going to smoothly grab any woman in the vicinity, pull her out on the floor and get in a song or two. The advantage he has over the young dudes: He knows not to dance with that one girl all night. He ends his run with a chivalrous, "thank you," then walks to the bar. I can dig it Class of '87, I can dig it.

Seasoned Game Spitter

Not to be confused with the old man making awkward passes at the bar, this guy is a pro. His sense of humor, conversation starters, image and style have been impeccably crafted over decades of scooping women at the bar.

Forever Young

Pretty self explanatory. This guy is grasping to every bit of youth he has left. Whether it's wearing "what the kids wear" or blindly ignoring the fact that his 50-year-old physique isn't exactly what designers had in mind when they thought about the cut of those jeans. He's tries to stay as current as possible, which is cool enough, but every time he brings up "seeing that young cat" on 106 & Park, all you can think is, I stopped watching 106 & Park in high school.

Confident Coug

There's no rule saying that oldheads are exclusive to men. Confident Cougs are the women who may be committed to the single life or hot divorcees that are at times jarringly upfront but also admirable aggressive. They don't need to see ID — they know you're old enough drink and that's old enough for them. You may be rough around the edges but they have the bank account and keen eye for fashion to fix you up. Let's just hope you don't end up dressing like Forever Young.

When it comes to bars and clubs, there’s one thing you can always rely on (and I’m not talking about leaving with a good buzz, either): There will always be weekly events or promotions. And for a lot of the nightlife hotspots in Charlotte, trivia night is one of the most popular weekly events there is. Since the events are everywhere, you would think that means they are pretty popular, right? Well, when I worked Uptown, guests HATED trivia night. They thought the announcer was too loud, and most of the groups that came out on Tuesdays didn’t even participate. After a while, Trivia Tuesdays changed back to just regular old Tuesday nights.

I felt that was a sign that trivia night was dwindling out ... until I checked out O’Shea’s Irish Pub. The atmosphere was completely different from my Uptown experience. The space was small and intimate, and the loud, vibrant voices of the crowd greeted you the moment you walked through the door. But when trivia started, the music dimmed and the bar crowd hushed — well, all except for the toasted trivia guy whose answers were no secret to me ... or half the bar. But everyone there, whether overly drunk or sober, was completely involved in the competition.

After two different experiences, I couldn’t help but wonder, which experience was closer to the truth? Is trivia still popular, or is it on the decline?

If you can’t quite make it to South Africa this year to catch some World Cup action first hand, Connolly’s on 5th Street in Uptown offers up an authentic Irish pub atmosphere for a celebration of the world’s biggest sports tournament. It is one of only 18 “official” U.S. Soccer bars in the country recognized by the U.S. Soccer Federation that televise every match that the U.S. competes in.

The World Cup of soccer only comes around every four years, so parties of this magnitude are worth checking out — even for the most moderate of sports fans or partygoers. To be a crazed soccer fan thirsty for a pint and even thirstier for some “real football” action will help your attempt at mingling and fitting in, because that’s what you’re going to find in every stool, corner and every other square inch of this little Irish niche. Of course, everyone is welcomed — just be prepared to be immersed into a true pub atmosphere where pints of Guinness flow rampantly and soccer is always coerced into the conversation.

Last Saturday, old but friendly rival England came calling first for the Yanks. Fans had been ready for this match-up for six months. On the day of this much anticipated contest, Connolly’s came prepared. The first group of American fans was there at 6:55 a.m. for the first game of the day. (Connolly’s is open every day at 7 a.m. for the group stage of the tournament and will gladly serve you coffee or any other beverage of your choice.) USA vs. England wasn’t until 2:30 p.m., yet fans slowly trickled through the morning hours wearing United States soccer garb.

Two guys came draped in American flags and covered with “Stars and Stripes” face paint to support their team. Man, woman, and an occasional child bore jerseys of their favorite American players — Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan and Jozy Altidore were well represented. All day long chants of “USA, USA” engulfed the room. A country’s pride for their team bubbled over.

Of course, a few England fans showed their faces and jerseys as the day progressed — this which was always met with boos of discontentment. In order to have a good showing of fans, though, it’s good to have both sides represented, even as a minority. It makes the party even livelier.

Finally, game time approached and the match was underway. The upstairs and downstairs of the bar were packed wall-to-wall, elbow-to-elbow. The energy in the place was electric, palpable almost. Every fan from both sides were oohing and aahing in reaction to each play and counter play from the competing teams.

The Brits scored in the 4th minute unexpectedly to take an early lead. The ever resilient Americans struck back when Dempsey scored right before halftime on a mishandled ball by the English keeper. The place erupted in a unified celebration (with the exception of the English fans, of course). The score was 1-1, and it stayed that way for the remainder of the match. Not a bad result for the Yanks, considering the overall quality of the English squad.

For a beer in your hand, soccer chants in your ear, true World Cup action, come check out Connolly’s on 5th for the length of the tournament. You’ll want to change your last name to O’Hanahan and behave like soccer hooligan. Enjoy!

The U.S. plays Slovenia in Group C action on Friday, June 18 at 10 a.m., and Algeria on Wednesday, June 23 at the same time.

— Chris Triplett

Soccer matches are better watched with friends, if not a crowd to full-on angry mob. So we at Creative Loafing decided to help by compiling a short list of local venues that will be packing in fans for coverage of the World Cup, starting this weekend, Friday, June 11.

Connolly’s on 5th

Full coverage: open at 7 a.m. for every early match.

Everyone Receives a Pint for every goal Uruguay scores against France for the 2:30 p.m. match-up on Friday, June 11.

$2 Bud & Bud Lights for all games. Coffee will be served for early games.

115 E. 5th St. 704-358-9070. www.connollysirishpub.com

Courtyard Hooligans

Full coverage: open at 7 a.m. for every early match.

Homemade brats cooked fresh will be on-hand — all proceeds go to the Red Cross.

Daily drink specials: low uptown prices, plus $4 Guinness, $3 Yuengling

140 Brevard Court. 704-376-2238. www.courtyardhooligans.com

Dixie's Tavern

Coverage of USA vs. England match, June 12. Open 11 a.m., kickoff at 2 p.m.

$0.35 wings, $2.50 drafts, $2 Miller Longnecks, $3.50 Corona & Corona Lights

301 E. 7th St. 704-374-1700. www.dixiescharlotte.com

Fox & Hound

Full coverage: open at 7 a.m. for every early match.

Daily drink specials:

Breakfast specials for early matches: Scrambled egg platter, Pancake platter, Black forest sandwich platter, Breakfast Burritos

330 N. Tryon Street. 704-333-4113. www.foxandhound.com

Jackalope Jacks

Full coverage: open at 7 a.m. for every early match.

$3 Carlsburg bottles, $3.50 Newcastle draft, beer truck & tents outside on terrace.

1936 E. 7th Street. 704-347-1918. www.jackalopejacks.com

Mortimer’s Café and Pub

Full coverage: open at 7 a.m. for every early match.

Mortimer’s will be serving an exclusive breakfast menu along with beers served specific to the countries playing that day.

Saturday specials: In honor of USA vs. England — $2 Bud Lights vs. $2 Newcastles

210 E. Trade St., Suite C148. 704.688.0366. www.mortimerspub.com

Ri’Ra’ Irish Pub

Full coverage: open at 7 a.m. for every early match.

Traditional Irish breakfast served $6-10,

Drink specials: $4.50 Bloody Marys for breakfast, $3 Widmer Bros. draft.

Heineken bottles $3.50, Budweiser 16 oz. special WC bottles for $4.

Irish Trio: 7oz of Guinness, Harp, or Smithwick for $6.

Purchase Yuengling mug—get $5 refill for $3 for length of World Cup, daily giveaways. Champions Table Contest: correctly guess the most "man of the match" picks for the whole tournament and win an all expenses paid party for you and twenty friends on the day of the WC Final July 11. 208 N. Tryon St. 704-333-5554. www.rira.com

Recently, I got into a conversation with a guy about the ever popular "Ladies' Night." He said that ladies' night was sexist because girls get in free, and at some places, even get their favorite drinks half price. But guys not only have to pay to get in, their drinks are full price, and if they are interested in a girl, he’ll pay for her, too. I’m not bashing the ladies' night traditions, or chivalry for that matter, but he does make a point. Other than when a guy wants to pick up a date, what’s out there to inspire him to go out on an evening especially marketed toward women?

While there are places that appeal more to guys than girls, like The Men’s Club or Uptown Cabaret, what about the guys who want to do more than look at naked women (they exist ladies, I swear). If bars and clubs were to create a guys' night ... what would that be like?

I instantly think poker or pool night. I know a lot of guys who have a love for both games, and it’s something where guys can sit back, drink a beer, and do something that most men love to do — compete. And as for the perks, well, why not go for half price or free games for one evening. Clubs could even hold a mini tournament, and let the top three competitors win a free game tab. If nothing else, why not remove the cover charge for everyone. After all, that’s what the guy I was talking with wanted.

However, I’m not a guy, so I did get a few perspectives from the owners of nightspots on why ladies' night has been more of a reoccurring trend, and what a guys' night would be like if they made one.

With the weather getting as warm as it’s getting, I can’t stop thinking about possible summer vacations. I’m thinking a luxury villa in Tuscany, enjoying the beautiful scenery, and sipping on a glass of wine. Well, luckily for me, and anyone else taken away by that image, there’s D’Vine Wine Café, and it’s a heck of a lot closer (and cheaper) than heading over to Tuscany.

D’Vine Wine Café is located in Ballantyne Village, in the space right above Dilworth Coffee. The most noticeable, and alluring, feature of the wine bar is, well, the bar. The bar easily sets the warm and classy Mediterranean feel of the place. I was instantly attracted to the interchanging golds and browns that made up the bar’s mosaic edge: a style that, instantly took my thoughts to Italy or Spain. And my favorite feature was accented nicely by paint splattered glass lighting. The oranges and yellows, combined with the golds and browns of the mosaic tile, gave the bar a warming glow which made for an inviting place to sip wine.

As for the wooden display behind it, I could easily imagine that a wine barrel was the inspiration: the wood finish was the same color, there was a slight curve like shape to it, and the taps are exactly like what you find on a wine barrel. The bar and its wooden wine display were so eye-catching, that I found it hard to tear myself away.

However, that warm Mediterranean feel was carried through the rest of the vicinity. While the bar area caters to more of a high-top table and lounge chair mix, the back of the café houses a full-on dining area. There was large, dark wood furniture, with some metal furniture mixed in, too. But the furniture against the soft yellow walls was reminiscent of what I would expect in a Tuscan villa. I guess I cheated a little bit though, as the mural on the wall really gave that villa image away.

Painted on the wall closest to the bar and lounge was a mural that almost spanned the entire wall. The picture itself was of a long, stone corridor, with large stone columns. At the end is a balcony with a scene that looks like you’re looking onto a Tuscan vineyard.

This week is the two-year anniversary of Comet Grill.Well, OK, they’ve actually been open for 14 years. However, it is the two-year anniversary of Tommy Noblett becoming the new owner. During its lifetime, the bar has earned several awards, like the best place to listen to bluegrass by Southern Living and the best French fries in the city, by Elevate Lifestyle. After hearing all these great reviews, I went and talked business Noblett ... in-between his celebrating that is.

Just in case you haven’t been before, the Comet Grill is a two-story bar nestled in a shopping complex on Park Road. The bar provides for an intimate and private nightlife experience. “We’re your true neighborhood bar and grill,” Noblett said. And Comet Grill really lives up to that title. In the time I spent speaking with the owner, his appreciation for the bar and its history shone through. “I’ve worked here for 10 years, and when the previous owner talked about selling, I took over,” he said. And even if I’d never spoken to Tommy, the passion the owner has for his bar would come out in the décor.

The entire entrance wall is covered with music memorabilia from all the bands that have played at the Grill. From black and white photos, to eye-catching paintings, the wall shows a pride for their local artists. In fact, one of the paintings showcases the bar’s most beloved musician — the previous owner, John Wickes. There’s even an old poster for the Lenny Federal band, who play alongside Wickes at the Grill every Friday night.