We’re moving on up … to the East side. Or East Boulevard rather. East Boulevard is moving on up and becoming a source of nightlife in Charlotte. If Uptown is the heart of nightlife, then Dilworth — particularly East Boulevard — is a major artery.
A few Saturdays ago was Dilworth Alcohol Awareness Day (D.A.A.D). Awareness, as in making people aware there is alcohol in Dilworth.
The day’s itinerary looked a little something like this: Skip A and go to Plan B, then the Charlotte trolley transported them to Comet Grill, which by the way, recently switched management. But, they still have their Tuesday Bluegrass night with Red Rocking Chair and every Friday, they have a serenading shuffle of Lenny Federal Band, Mahlon and The Wicker Boys. D.A.A.D re-racked at Dilworth Billiards, galloped over to Ed’s Tavern and traveled the bases to Picasso’s. For a city that has more sports bars than good sports teams, Picasso’s trumps them all with televisions at each table, and visible from every angle you turn your head. The D.A.A.D crawl had a scavenger hunt, Flip Cup, Cornhole and a taco bar at Plan B.
Plan B, no, not the morning after pill, but the bar-a-rant that has replaced City Tavern. On Tuesdays, they offer half-price bottles of wine and half-price martinis on Wednesdays. They have live music on the rooftop every Friday, not to mention a rocking jukebox. Oh, and really good food.
When I went, I got my chicken “tiger style,” thinking it sounded like a crazy sexual position. It wasn’t, but it was an orgy in my mouth. Two of us filled our stomachs to maximum capacity and our bill came to a mere $20.
And on Aug. 12, Plan B is having its grand opening party. Write that down.
Also on East Boulevard is 300 East, which is popular for their half-price bottles of wine Wednesdays, as well as 131 Main; try their double dip — that too is an orgy in your mouth. Meanwhile there’s Zen’s Asian Fusion (I have an obsession with their creamy soy), Brixx and Cantina 1511. Although I heard Cantina, along with Alpine Ski Center, is being bought out — but that’s just the word on the street, or boulevard, if you will.
And then there’s my favorite thing about East Boulevard: Big Daddy’s — a diner joint that includes beers in their dinner specials. Wednesday is mug night where you can bring in a mug the size of a pony keg and they’ll fill it up for a few bucks.
Dilworth is definitely worth venturing outside of Uptown for because there are some cool people occupying all these cool venues.
To keep up on Brittney’s nightlife adventures, visit www.qcvibes.com.
This article appears in Jul 23-29, 2008.
