One of the most renown Wednesday night parties is returning after a short break to a new spot.
Pop Life, sponsored by the good folks at The Sol Kitchen, has certainly made its rounds at different venues around the city. Why, I remember the good ol' days at Prevue ... then Apostrophe Lounge ... then Loft 1523 ... then Luna Lounge.
And now, five years later, Pop Life is taking over Re:Public, starting this Wednesday, March 30.
Yeah. It's gotten to be that big of a deal.
The biggest after-work/happy hour/kickoff to the weekend party on Thursdays is coming back in April.
On April 7, Alive After 5 returns to the streets of Uptown, kicking off with a live performance by N.C.-based band Liquid Pleasure. Through the month of April, Alive After 5 will be hosted at Wachovia Plaza, its home for the first eight years (by the way, did you know Alive After 5 has been going down for 10 years now? Crazy, isn't it?). Beginning Cinco de Mayo, the party shifts down the street to EpiCentre at the Pavilion. And here are some of the upgrades you'll find at the Pavilion party spot.
When AA5 returns to EpiCentre, guests will notice significant enhancements to Pavilion, including the addition of greenery, cherry trees, permanent water features, welcoming shaded areas and relaxing seating. A new Beer Garden is also on tap for Pavilion, which will serve import, specialty and craft beers during Alive After Five.Weather won’t dampen Thursday afternoons at Pavilion in 2011 with the implementation of a new When it Rains, We Pour promotion. Pavilion has purchased two huge tents to keep guests sheltered from the elements during summer showers, so when it rains, Alive After Five will pour with drink specials, including discounted beer prices any time there is inclement weather during Alive After Five.
There will also be added dining elements once Alive After Five returns to Pavilion in May. Each Thursday during the Alive After Five EpiCentre season, all restaurants at the popular entertainment destination will offer special $20 menus, allowing guests to enjoy multi-course feasts at their favorite EpiCentre eateries. All restaurants at EpiCentre will also offer complimentary passed hors d'oeuvres during Alive After Five the first Thursday of every month from May through September.
Other special themed nights are also in the works for Alive After Five, as is a new Business of the Week program, which will reward one business each week with complimentary VIP access and drink tickets. Details on these and other special events will be posted on AliveAfterFives.com as they become available.
Yeah, sounds like Alive After 5 has taken it to another level. Will I see you out there? You know spring hasn't truly sprung until you're hanging out at the Pavilion with an icy cold Budlight in broad daylight.
CIAA partiers got a sneak peek at Lux, the spot formerly known as Jillian's over in Southend. But now you, the average partygoer, can check out the spot this weekend. Friday and Saturday will be the grand opening celebration.
And bonus: hip-hop artist Trina is on tap to stop through.
Here's the press release:
LUX Opens This Weekend in Historic South End
Premium ultra lounge hosts two-night Grand Opening Celebration
Charlotte, NC (March 23, 2011) – LUX opens its doors in Charlotte this weekend with a two-night Exclusive Grand Opening Celebration, ushering in a new urban-chic style in historic South End.
The Exclusive Grand Opening Celebration begins this Friday night, March 25 and continues Saturday night, March 26. Both events are hosted by No Limit Larry from Power 98 and will feature music by DJ Incognito. Doors open at 9 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.
Friday night’s event offers complimentary drinks and passed appetizers from 9 – 10 p.m. and a special appearance by hip hop star Trina is on tap for Saturday night. Trina has released five studio albums, four of which have entered the top 10 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart. Her 2008 album, Still da Baddest, hit No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200.
Tickets for both Grand Opening Celebrations are available at LUX, or online at LUXCharlotte.com. Open every day 7 p.m. – 2 a.m., LUX features a full kitchen and catering options for special events. LUX is located at 200 East Bland Street in Historic Sound End, just outside uptown Charlotte, and is easily accessible from the Bland Street Exit on the LYNX Blue Line.
“LUX draws much of its inspiration from old school urban culture, blended with a new school focus on service and hospitality,” said Raymond Dover, Operating Partner at LUX. “We offer sleek, comfortable surroundings to enjoy a birthday party, corporate event or just a night out with friends.”
See and be seen at LUX, a premium ultra lounge that caters to discerning clientele. Drawing inspiration from affluent urban culture, LUX takes nightlife to new levels of grandeur with fashionable décor, modern amenities and guest-driven hospitality. Dine on a variety of delectable small plates from the LUX menu, mingle with the crowd or escape to one of LUX’s exclusive VIP sections for a more private nightlife experience. Plus, LUX offers elegant banquet facilities and on-site catering, perfect for weddings, corporate events and private parties.
As my co-worker so aptly put it, how many times is this place going to change? First it was the Garden & Gun Club, then it transformed into Halo, and now an "all new" Halo is coming? I'm interested to see what the owners are planning to step up their game. While folks have been flocking to Butter around the bend since it opened, Halo has always been a comfortable, low-risk place (as in, you're more than likely not going to risk utter embarrassment by being turned away at the door by big, bad door men) that's all about the fun. I hope "ultra exclusivity" isn't on the new menu.
Halo is advertising a new format coming soon. Currently, they are searching for "a few great people to add to our fabulous staff." If you're interested in working in the nightlife industry, hit up Halo's open call:
March 28: 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
March 29: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
March 30: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
March 31: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Or e-mail a resume to haloclt@gmail.com.
The best answer, obviously, is going to be The Breakfast Club. '80s music and right across the street from the Arena? Do it.
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.
Two recently closed nightlife venues are reopening next week, newly revamped, just in time for the CIAA crowds.
Phoenix, formerly known as The Forum at 300 N. College St., will be the spot for numerous CIAA parties. Their doors will be open Wednesday, March 2, for The Sol Kitchen's Pop Life (dubbed by many to be THE kickoff party for CIAA). Phoenix's official grand opening will be March 12, with world renown French house DJ/producer Antoine Clamaran.
On the other side of Uptown, the spot formerly known as Jillian's (right in front of the light rail on Bland Street) has now transformed into Lux. The venue will open Tuesday, March 1, hosting Tone-X and Friends Comedy Show. The grand opening date hasn't been announced, but in the meantime, Lux will host a variety of CIAA events, including bringing R&B crooner R. Kelly on March 5.
Black Finn is hosting a party to celebrate Charlotte being named the city site for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Yay!
The party starts at 7 p.m. and will applaud the efforts of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte Center City Partners, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, City Council and DNC Committee.
The venue formerly known as Alley Cat will reopen next weekend. RSVP for grand opening tickets here.
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