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Thursday, September 29, 2016

Out For The Night Weekend Curfew? That’s New

Posted By on Thu, Sep 29, 2016 at 11:59 AM

The past few days in the Queen City have been interesting, to say the least. The death of Keith Lamont Scott, a black male, at the hands of CMPD last Tuesday sparked #BlackLivesMatter protests throughout the city.

The #BlackLivesMatter movement was officially established in 2012 — following the acquittal of George Zimmerman who shot and killed Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old black male — in an effort to bring issues such as racial injustice, inequality and police brutality to the forefront of conversation. Last week, Charlotte brought the conversation back.

On Wednesday afternoon, a protest was scheduled for Uptown. Given the current social climate and media attention surrounding similar protests, many businesses, particularly in the Uptown area, made the decision to the let their employees leave early. As I stepped outside of my office and prepared to relocate I could feel the tension rising as Charlotteans piled into the light rail and police officers stationed themselves in front of buildings.

After receiving multiple texts from friends and family later on that night asking if I was okay and staying out of trouble, I knew that the protests had taken a turn for the worst. The next morning we were asked to work from home, learned that businesses in the EpiCentre had racked up damages and were alerted that the National Guard was on its way. That night, a curfew of 12 a.m. was instituted and would carry into the weekend.

After wrapping up work on Friday and welcoming my boyfriend home earlier than usual, we pondered on what we do. After all, neither one of us have navigated Charlotte nightlife under these circumstances, or had a curfew in a really long time. The football team he coaches had just won a season opener and our plan was to celebrate. But when we started to compile a list of places to go we became frustrated.

If we did go out, where would we go? Would the “riots” be the focus of every conversation? Would we want to have that conversation with every person, friend or foe, that we encountered? How quickly could we get from one place to another and make it home before curfew?
(Disclaimer: My boyfriend and I both have personal convictions about the events going on in our city and across the nation. Our commitment to enjoying the weekend in spite of, was in no way a dismissal. We were simply seeking opportunities to celebrate community instead of focusing our entire weekend on negative energy that wouldn’t fix the problems we all face.)

We decided to hit up a high school football game. Shortly before halftime, I was ready to leave. My hope was that we would leave the game, head straight to a bar, drink early and get home before 12 a.m. Later we were alerted that breweries, clubs and bars were closing early. We opted for a bottle of wine and $40 worth of snacks at a convenience store.

The following day and night was a complete wash. My boyfriend and I slept all day and the next thing you know, it was already curfew time. So we focused our energy on actually making something happen for Sunday Funday and yet another Panthers game. Again, we weighed our options. Head Uptown and deal with protest talk and crowded bars or stay close to home? The latter, seemed like a better idea.

I’ve mentioned Blue Olive Lounge before, but this time there was free food. I wasn’t even hungry, but I knew this was the best option for watching the game. We scored some Indian cuisine and mac and cheese. Talk about a killer combo! Not to mention, I made friends with some bar-goers and scored a slice of pizza, too. After a disappointing loss and only a couple drinks, I was tempted to keep the party going but followed my instincts and called it a night.

As I walked from the light rail to work on Monday morning, I went through the EpiCentre passing boarded storefronts — the aftermath of the actions of a small faction of protesters in Charlotte. I thought, ‘weekend number one of Q.C. social change is in the books.’

Regardless of your perspective on the social unrest in the Charlotte community, navigating the nightlife scene under these circumstances is very interesting, especially considering we have no real idea how long the protests will last.

How and where did you unwind after a long week given the current environment?

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Friday, September 16, 2016

Drunk Gab, Part Two

Posted By on Fri, Sep 16, 2016 at 10:56 AM

As I stared out of the window watching the familiar Queen City streets buzz by on my LYNX ride at 7:30 a.m. on Monday morning, I started to get nauseous. I get car sick fairly often, especially when I’m reading, but Monday morning’s nausea wasn’t caused by the blur of the city. Instead, the sick feeling I was experiencing was a direct result of too much “funday” on Sunday.

If you’ve had a chance to read any of my articles before, you’ve probably noticed I have a love-hate relationship with drinking on Sundays. On one hand, Sunday Funday keeps me from having to accept the fact that the weekend is over and I have to return to work the following day. On the other hand, if I don’t pace myself or stop the fun early, I’m usually hurting well into Tuesday.

Nevertheless, I knew this past weekend was going to be a challenge to avoid. Why? The regular NFL football season kicked off, of course! So I threw on some clothes and prepared for brunch at Draught in Third Ward. Three, if not four, bottles of champagne later, my friends and I thought it would be a good idea to take the party to Slate Billiards.

Remembering that’s where I had my last drink, I closed my eyes tight as the light rail passed Slate, Oak Room, All American Pub and Hot Taco. ‘I’ve never even had Hot Taco,’ I whispered to myself as we careened past the popular South End spot and I regained my composure. While I’ve taken my fair share of selfies with the “man in the sombrero” outside of the new-ish taco spot, I’ve never had the desire to stop in for a meal.

After arriving at the EpiCentre, derailing and heading to my nine-to-five job, I laughed thinking about the drunk conversations I’d overheard the day before. Over a year ago, I’d written an article entitled, “Drunk Gab: What I overheard one night in the next stall.” It was the first of what I’d hoped would be many installments all about the ramblings of drunkards as I explore venues, restaurants and libations in Charlotte. Needless to say, I’m well overdue for a follow-up.

Below are a few more drunk gab gems, organized by topic of conversation, that I collected this past Sunday:
Men’s attire: Despite popular opinion, women are not the only people spending an extended amount of time trying to figure out what they’re going to wear. “I couldn’t decide which Panthers shirt to wear. I mean, I knew we weren’t actually playing today, but I still wanted to wear something with ‘Panthers’ on it,” said some man. I looked up from my plate of pimento cheese bites in awe that two guys, seemingly uninterested in clothing conversations, were genuinely concerned about how to best represent their home team when that team wasn’t playing.

Potential hook-ups: Speaking of attire, while basking in the sun on the patio at Slate, I laughed with a complete stranger about a young man wearing a Buffalo Bills helmet. He’d just announced, “I’m really not a Bills fan, I’m a Panthers fan. But [since the Bills were playing the Ravens] I figured it’d get me some pussy.” I’ll let you decipher that one. Apparently, a hook-up is more likely to happen if you trick a sports fan into thinking you’re also a fan of that person’s fave team.

Phone apps: I don’t care what anyone says, Pokémon GO is not the most annoying phone application anymore. If I had asked for a dollar every single time someone said, “Is your ESPN Fantasy Football App working?” I would’ve made at least $100, easy. While I was looking for a new Pokémon to add to my collection, everyone else was obsessed with not being able to check in on their fantasy football leagues — “fantasy” being the operative word.

Poop: To poop in public, or not to poop in public, that is the popular question. “I’ve got the liquor shits,” I heard someone say as they walked away from their friends toward the bathroom. I laughed, because we’ve all been there. Even I was tempted to “make myself at home” in the enclosed, private stalls at Slate that are hard to come by in most public restrooms. And clearly, I wasn’t the only one. I walked into the bathroom at one point and I thought I would pass out from a pungent odor that filled the air — I guess the correct answer was “to poop in public.”

What’s the most hilarious drunk conversation you’ve overheard on your Queen City adventures?

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Thursday, September 8, 2016

Out For The Night Is It Time for Pumpkin Spice Lattes Yet?

Posted By on Thu, Sep 8, 2016 at 7:00 AM

The other day I was browsing Facebook when I came across a meme — a humorous image featuring text — that had a picture of a girl decked out in fall fashion, Starbucks in hand and a grocery cart full of pumpkins. The caption read: “Me, when I see one leaf on the ground.” I laughed hysterically and reposted it on my timeline. Shortly after, I started getting notifications from my Facebook followers, liking, loving and commenting on the picture. I guess I wasn’t the only one craving cooler weather, Halloween and the ever so popular, pumpkin spice lattes.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure I’ll be the first one complaining when my alarm goes off and I’m walking to the CityLYNX Gold Line freezing my tail off in the dark. However, nothing excites me more than being able to wake up in the cold morning, effortlessly throw on fall layers and walk into work looking and smelling like a warm, comfy bed.

And you can’t forget that with the start of fall, “cuffing season” is also in full effect. This is the time when promiscuous singles seek the comfort of snuggles, electing to be “cuffed” or tied down by someone else. Gone are the days of, “suns out, guns and buns out.” All of a sudden, your exes — and their mamas — will find someone to play big spoon and little spoon with.

Even though the leaves haven’t quite started to change, and the North Carolina weather has been anything but cool, I intend to welcome the fall season with open arms on Sept. 22. Below are a few activities that I’m looking forward to as the season of Uggs, sweaters, boo-loving and pumpkin everything starts up.

Wine festivals: Picture hundreds of wine connoisseurs sprawled out with wine glass holders wrapped around their necks on the lawn at Symphony Park at Southpark Mall. That was me, just two years ago. My co-worker and I had stumbled upon tickets for the Great Grapes! Wine and Food Festival. After multiple wine samples in the sun, I was spent. The last thing I remember was hanging onto a trashcan in a Jack in the Box drive-thru. Needless to say, I’d like to have a more mature experience on Oct. 1.

NASCAR: My family’s been into NASCAR all my life. Despite having lived in Charlotte for three years, I have yet to make it to a race. This year, my friends and I are planning on making our debut for the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 8. If we end up taking a party bus and tailgating, I’m crossing my fingers that we’ll actually make it in to the speedway to see the race. After all, if you’re not first, you’re last.

SCarowinds: Halloween is probably my favorite holiday of all time. That’s why I’m obsessed with SCarowinds. At night, the entire park, employees included, is decked out in Halloween gear, from costumes to decorations. While I’ve never been much of a rollercoaster-lover, I’ve always been intrigued by the costume choices, décor, mazes and fun houses. Get the jeepers creepers scared out of you at your fave amusement park Sept.16 to Oct. 30.

Halloween Pub Crawl: Two years ago, I managed to squeeze in four different costumes in a single weekend — mind you, I hadn’t dressed up for years prior to that. The most memorable day was getting dressed up with my partner in crime and her family for Rich & Bennett’s Halloween Pub Crawl. I skipped the festivities last year, so I think it’s about time I make a resurrection on Oct. 29.

Road Trip: Around Labor Day this year, my friends and I took a road trip to Asheville. We hadn’t gotten together in a while and needed a break. So we rented a cabin, grabbed lots of beer and hopped in our respective cars for the reunion. This fall, I see quite a bit of hiking, hammocks, beers and bonfires with great company. I’m hoping I can snag a hotel or cabin with an infinity pool. That’ll score more than my fair share of likes on #instagram.

Waterfall hike: Every year, I make a point to say that I want to get in shape or find more activities that will get me outside. After seeing one too many articles on the beautiful waterfalls throughout North Carolina, I’ve decided that’s one thing I want to see before it gets too cold. A cool day plus changing leaves plus a breathtaking waterfall equals heaven!

What activities are you getting excited about as we get ready for fall in the Queen City?

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Thursday, September 1, 2016

Out For The Night Panthers fans are on the prowl

Posted By on Thu, Sep 1, 2016 at 8:00 AM

Can I just say that this past week has been one of the craziest of my life? I interviewed for a promotion at my 9-to-5 job and guess what? I got it! The news was delivered to me on Friday morning, and on Monday I started my new role. After work on Friday, I was exhausted. I could’ve settled for going straight home to “Netflix and chill,” but I knew that wasn’t going to happen since the Panthers were playing the New England Patriots at Bank of America Stadium.

I’ve never been a huge sports fan. I know, I know, taboo for a third year Charlottean to admit, but it’s true. I cheered throughout middle and high school but let’s be honest, while cheerleading is a sport, I participated more for camaraderie and “fame.” The latter part of my high school career was spent at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. While we had a cheerleading team and a few sports, education was our top priority. And after going to Duke University for college, you’d think something would’ve clicked. Nope. However, I did learn the value of tailgating for sporting events.

Nevertheless, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that it’s almost impossible to have a conversation with another adult without sports coming up at some point. Especially while living in a city that’s home to a NFL sports team. And to top it off? My boyfriend is pretty much obsessed with anything to do with sports whether he’s participating or not. As we joked about my recent sports-immersion he asked, “Are you really watching though? Who did we play in the Super Bowl?” Granted, that day’s memory was tainted by my condo’s HOA-party police so I knew the answer immediately when I responded, “The Broncos!” Nevertheless, I’ve had to learn a lot very quickly in order to accommodate the growing adult obsession with sports.

Last Thursday night I pulled out my Christmas present, a Kelvin Benjamin jersey — we’ll pretend like I knew his number and full name ahead of time — in honor of his big return, and prepared to wear it for the next day. After work, I hopped on the light rail to meet up with my boyfriend and we prepared to head toward Uptown. One of his friends recently moved into a condo right down the street from Bank of America Stadium so they decided to break it in for a Panthers watch party. Even though we completely forgot how crazy traffic is during home games, we still sat down in time for kickoff.

“Are you excited about Sunday Funday?” one of his friends asked. Of course he was referring to festivities on Sundays once the regular season games begin. I rolled my eyes and responded, “So excited!” And the truth is, I am kind of excited. Mainly because those days will give me a chance to get off the couch, grab a few mimosas and watch sports somewhere outside of the house.
Below are a few of my favorite spots to catch a “big game” in the Queen City. There apply even if you’re not a Panthers’ fan:

1. Draught: Described as an upscale sports bar in Third Ward, Draught offers the perfect combination of food, fun, sports and most importantly, drinks. I watched the Super Bowl there two years ago and managed to snag an entire table under their outdoor tent — talk about a premier viewing experience. Since then, it’s become one of my favorite spots for grabbing brunch and listening to music. Parking is limited and traffic can be busy since it’s so close to the stadium, so I would suggest grabbing an Uber to get there. For those eating or interested in getting a table, they get really crowded so there’s most likely going to be a wait.

2. Slate Billiards: Located in South End, Slate is perfect for anyone looking for a variety of things to do and see on game days. Pool tables, arcade games, ping pong, Jenga and other games are placed throughout the large venue. If you’re bored watching a game, there’s plenty for you to do. Keep in mind, it does get packed on game days. You are guaranteed to be fighting for space at the bar, especially if you don’t have cash for the beer stand. Proceed with caution and go with the flow.

3. Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse: If you haven’t visited this Uptown location yet, you’re missing out. I’ve never been a huge fan of the locations on Montford or in Ballantyne, but the Uptown spot is amazing — minus the fact that you’ll have to fend for yourself as far as parking goes. There’s plenty of seating, bar space and televisions throughout the venue that make it much more manageable when it’s packed for game day.

Where will you be watching the Panthers in the Q.C. this season? Share your fave spots with me at backtalk@clclt.com.

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