According to Jay-Z, “after the party it’s the hotel lobby” ... or, you can just have the party at the hotel bar.
BLT in the Ritz Carlton just opened, and pretty much the entire hotel lobby is a lounge. It stands for Bistro Laurent Tourondel — not bacon, lettuce and tomato. In fact, a BLT in that joint would probably cost you $15, for lunch.
It’s not cheap... it is at the Ritz after all and the lounge is well, rather ritzy. And their organic cocktails and premium wine list of the lobby-lounge correspond with the price range of a steak house.
It’s been open a few weeks and since then has been the hot spot for N.Y. Knicks and pretty much every celebrity that comes through Charlotte.
The Ritz also has live music in the lobby-lounge on weekend nights
Meanwhile, the Aloft Hotel is opening in Ballantyne. And just like uptown it has the w xyz bar.
Since it’s at a hotel you can grab a complimentary USA Today or Wall Street Journal, sit down at the lounge and read it... or, play pool. The furniture at the aloft is unique — I was sitting on the cushioned coffee table, and one sofa looks like something straight out of psychiatrist office. It made me want to lay down and talk about my problems. They were smart not to keep it far away from the bartenders or else someone really may.
Also, you can purchase a snack at the hotel general store, or jump on the computer and check your Facebook. I learned it’s not a good idea to change your facebook status after a few drinks.
The grand opening party for Aloft Ballantyne is Nov. 12
Cason-Point: you don’t have to be checked in to check out the nightlife within hotels.
There’s also Café Sienna at the Holiday Inn, Chambers in the Crowne Plaza, Champions and Cutter’s Cigar Bar in Marriot Center City, Bar 10 at the Westin, Coastal Bar at Hilton Center City and the more appropriately titled Lakefront Lounge at the University Hilton …. and if you’re staying at the Days Inn on Woodlawn you can go to the Azteca restaurant for a little fiesta fiesta.
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