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Are you a nightlife aficionado who knows the Charlotte scene pretty well? How about taking part in a poll over on our sister site The CLog, where we ask the question: Do you think clubs, bars and lounges in Uptown Charlotte are racist toward black patrons?

Here's the tally right now.

There are so many great spots to hit up in Charlotte's nightlife industry, so it was indeed a task to pick the best. But congratulations to all of the nightlife venues that were picked by our critics and readers in our 23rd annual Best of Charlotte issue. Your continued good service, warm ambiance and welcoming staff made you stand out, so thanks for all that you do!

Critics Picks

BEST CONCERT VENUE (LARGE) ROAD RUNNER MOBILE AMPHITHEATRE

BEST CONCERT VENUE (MEDIUM) NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE

BEST CONCERT VENUE (SMALL) THE EVENING MUSE

BEST CONCERT OF PAST 12 MONTHS AVETT BROTHERS AT BOJANGLES’ COLISEUM

BEST CLUB FOR MUSIC SOUL GASTROLOUNGE

BEST CLUB FOR DANCING HALO

BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE CRAVE DESSERT BAR

BAR WITH HOTTEST MEMBERS OF OPPOSITE/SAME SEX BUTTER NC

BEST POOL HALL ELIZABETH BILLIARDS

BEST BOWLING ALLEY STRIKE CITY

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR COMMON MARKET, PLAZA MIDWOOD

To read more, click here.

Don't you love Groupon deals?

Today's deal is for Icehouse Southend, the newest sports bar to open in SouthEnd. Spend $15 for $30 worth of food, craft beers at more.

Not sure what you're getting yourself into? Here's the description from the e-mail blast:

A glowing blue sign above the front doors welcomes diners into a huge, swanky restaurant and sports bar with a gargantuan menu and beer list to match. The Icehouse menu mingles Far East fare and south-of-the-border savories with a sprinkle of American tastes to glue it all together. Start off with the slow-smoked hot-chili-garlic grilled wings ($5 half dozen, $10 dozen) or the Thai beef salad, a bounty of shaved cabbage, soba noodles, carrots, cucumbers, and sesame-ginger dressing ($12). Fulfill your dark desires with the blackened pepper-jack burger ($9 small, $12 large), which you can scotch tape to a cup of chili. Seafarers can sample a catch of oven-roasted rainbow trout ($12-$16) with smoked-tomato succotash and sweet-potato fritters, while pig-farers can nosh a savory smoked- and pulled-pork quesadilla, topped with cheddar jack, caramelized onions, fire-roasted salsa, and sour cream ($9).

Your Groupon is also good for drinks, which you can guzzle in modern sporty style among pool tables and two floors of hi-def TVs while a translucent roof shines rays upon the noggin of your unsuspecting neighbor. Icehouse's beer-slinging bartenders pour a dazzling array of more than 200 brews, including local suds such as the Big Boss Blanco Diablo on draft ($4.50) and the Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale in a bottle ($4). Or expand your beer horizons with a Japanese Kirin Ichiban ($4). Icehouse also features a massive outdoor patio for those tired of the monotony of indoor weather patterns.

What a great way to try out a new spot on the cheap!

Purchase here!

When I moved to Charlotte four years ago, the first nightclub I hit up was The Forum. Coming from dinky Augusta, Ga., where we had all of two places to go dancing, I was in awe of the three-level club (although I tried my best not to show it). I was 22 years old, in love with Charlotte's skyline and feeling on top of the world as I sipped some fruity cocktail on the rooftop, looking down at the street.

And then the EpiCentre opened up. No one could rival Suite's patio and view of the city.

But now that I've grown a little older and become a little less infatuated with Charlotte's skyline, I still find myself frequenting The Forum. Recently I checked out a DJ competition there, and hip-hop artist/actor Common did his thing a few weekends ago.

So I'm sad to report that The Forum is closing on June 19.

** moment of silence **

In a press release, managing partner Andy Kastanas states: “We wish to thank everyone for an incredible run. While the Forum’s closing is a bit bitter sweet, we are grateful to have surpassed our creative and financial goals with this project beyond our wildest dreams.” He goes on to say, “While this may be the last hooray for the Forum, we are very excited about our plans for the property located on the 300 block of College Street where the venue is currently housed. We have always prided ourselves on staying ahead of the curve and offering innovative entertainment options – our decision to close the Forum and forge ahead with a new concept is an extension of this philosophy.”

Your last chance to party at The Forum comes to you Saturday, June 19, with Miami’s three-time DMC champion DJ Craze, among other numerous special guests. Purchase tickets here.

The reality show Big Brother is casting for its 12th season tomorrow at Strike City. Casting is from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Download the application here.

And here's the press release:

Charlotte, NC (April 30, 2010) – Last year, Matthews native Jordan Lloyd suddenly found herself a half-million dollars richer, taking top prize on the popular reality show “Big Brother.” Now CBS is returning to the Queen City in search of a new set of House Guests to live together this summer and compete on its hit program.

Casting producers from CBS will interview potential House Guests on Saturday, May 1, from 12 to 3 p.m. at StrikeCity, inside EpiCentre in uptown Charlotte. According to CBS rules, applicants must be at least 21 years old, be a citizen of the United States and be available to live in Los Angeles for approximately 100 days. Further eligibility requirements are available online at CBS.com.

Entering its 12^th season, “Big Brother” focuses on a group of strangers, known as House Guests, living together twenty-four hours a day in the "Big Brother" house, isolated from the outside world, but under constant surveillance with no privacy for three months. House Guests compete for the chance to win a $500,000 grand prize by avoiding weekly eviction. More information about “Big Brother” is available at CBS.com.

Good luck!

Wow, it's hard to believe Tilt has been in business for three years. When it first opened, I was a little worried if they'd make it or not. I remember stopping through one night and the crowd was sparse.

But recently, my friends persuaded me to go on a Tuesday night, and my, how things have changed. Congrats Tilt for making it three years!

Celebrate with the Trade Street bar on Saturday, April 24, with their open bar party from 9 p.m.-11 p.m. There will be complimentary Three Olive vodka drinks (all their flavors), drafts and wine. DJ Precise will start at 9:30 p.m.