Despite the fact that winter is still trying to remain a part of the conversation, spring officially started on March 20, and you know what that means: brewery season will soon be in full effect.

That's right, welcome back babies, dogs and craft beer baking under the Queen City sun.

I've never been much of a brewery gal – blame it on the fact that I lack the proper uniform (don't act like you don't know what I mean). Nevertheless, it's hard to avoid the popular pastime during the summer months. All of my friends enjoy drinking the day away on one of many patios across the city.

This past Sunday I realized I hadn't even been to Birdsong Brewing, one of the OGs of the Charlotte brewery scene.

The boyfriend, who isn't much for the brewery scene either, was still surprised I hadn't at least visited the Belmont neighborhood staple (sometimes confused for still being a part of NoDa). After all, they've been open in that location since April of 2015, and before that spent four years at their original location a little further up North Davidson Street. Crazy right?! It seems like only yesterday I remember seeing the Angry Bird-esque signage going up during a trek to JackBeagles.

Combine the fact that I'd tasted their famous Jalapeno Pale Ale (quickly deciding it was an acquired taste) with its location being just outside of my NoDa comfort zone, it shouldn't have been surprising to anyone that I hadn't made the trek.

This past Sunday, however, the stars aligned. My darling and I were trying to figure out what we were going to eat for lunch when I scrolled past Papi Queso's Instagram: "MELTing 2-6pm @birdsongbrewing." That was the caption underneath a tantalizing picture of an ooey gooey grilled cheese sandwich. (If you haven't tried this grilled cheese streatery, you have no idea what you're missing out on.)

"Papi" hadn't tasted Papi Queso before so it was only a matter of minutes before we were in the car and headed down North Davidson Street for our own respective first-time experiences.

We pulled into a front row parking spot just a few feet away from the food truck. We've usually investigated a menu and decided on exactly what we want before we step foot in a restaurant. That's why there was no hesitation when we walked up to the window and ordered two bacon jalapeno grilled cheeses, coriander dill pickles, tomato soup and two cokes.

We grabbed a spot at a picnic table on the spacious outdoor patio while we waited for our food.

The boyfriend brought it to my attention that the type of brewery-goers in our presence were quite unlike those we'd seen at other breweries like Sycamore. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly why the crowd was so different (for one, everyone wasn't dressed alike), but you can see it for yourself if you stop by.

For one of the first times, I was actually enjoying a brewery atmosphere. Sprinkle in the fact that the sun was actually warm enough to keep us outside, and you had the makings of a great day for visiting a new spot.

We enjoyed our meal and decided that we were having such a good time that we'd stay for a beer and watch the first half of the Duke/Kansas NCAA tournament game on his phone.

I stepped inside the 17,000-square-foot building and was utterly impressed. Despite a decent amount of #sundayfunday traffic, the spacious interior was bright and inviting. Perfect for lots of puppies, private events, live music and quite a few beers right by the taps behind the curved bar.

I stood at the bar for just a matter of moments before someone was asking me what I'd like to order – a rare experience at a venue like Sycamore Brewing.

The boyfriend had already told me what he wanted but I, on the other hand, wanted to see if they had a sour I could try. And guess what? They'd just released a new one on March 10. Lucky me! I ordered Pink Robots Raspberry & Blackberry Kettle Sour and again, I was impressed.

I took the beers outside and then walked back in for one more peak as I scooped up a bowlful of peanuts.

Yep, you'll see a large majority of Birdsong patrons munching and crunching on free peanuts. Who would this local tourist be not to give them a try?

The time passed quickly and slowly all at the same time on the patio that afternoon. It wasn't long before I accepted the fact that I'd be back very soon.

In fact, I may just become that brewery girl I've always tried to avoid after all.

Believe it or not, I survived St. Paddy's Day. Why? Because I wasn't in the Queen City. No, I had no feelings of #FOMO, I was actually excited about the fact that a wedding and a trip to Asheville would whisk me away from the madness that are the bar crawls in Uptown Charlotte. However, when I returned, I was itching to try out a new nightlife spot in the Q.C.

I ended up deciding on Caswell Station at the corner of 7th Street and Caswell Road. As an Elizabethan (yes I just made that up) who became a homeowner just two short years ago, I was livid when I found out they were closing all of the bars within walking distance of my new residence. Jackalope Jack's, Philosopher's Stone (aka P-Stone) and Kennedy's – RIP. That's why I was intrigued to walk by what was Kennedy's this past fall on my familiar walk from the trolley and see what looked like renovations.

For months, I would walk by wondering if they were tearing it down or building it up. The next thing I knew, there was a fresh coat of paint on the building and a sign with a logo that read: Caswell Station. In November of last year, they finally opened up. Brought to you by the owners of Bradshaw's in Ballantyne as well as The Trail House in Indian Trail, Caswell Station is sure to reinvigorate the nightlife/bar scene in the Elizabeth community.

I hadn't heard much buzz myself about the new spot and wondered how they were doing and what secrets they were keeping in my neighborhood. I hit up the gal pals and pulled up on a Monday night. As I walked up the ramp to the beautiful patio, I looked up at the string lights everywhere and fell in love. (Bitches love string lights.)

I joined the patio table my girl (aka my CL nightlife hypebeast) and pretended like I'd never seen the menu before (I always look at menus beforehand when I'm hungry and visiting a new spot). I knew the Philly cheesesteak rolls were going to be my first stop, but the main course was up for grabs. That's until my friend pointed out the fact that they had one of my fave dishes outside of pizza – meatloaf! And even though I should've opted for the strawberry salad, I was more than satisfied with my decision after my first bite.

Our amazingly sweet server, Brittanie, showed me around the spot, highlighting the upstairs private event area complete with another bar (score!). Later, I found out you can reserve this space for about $200 or less depending on the details. Totally worth it in my opinion. On my way upstairs, I couldn't help but notice how bright and inviting the atmosphere was. (#theplug: follow @omgclt_ on IG to see the pics I took on my story.) Updated/repaired hardwood flooring, orange metal chairs/stools, a plethora of TVs (inside and out), high top tables, booths, a game lawn and bright lighting are just a few renovations that add to the allure of this new venue.

After grabbing the signature Caswell Mule and a beer, I was ready to sit down with the man-who-wears-many-hats of this establishment, Daniel, and give him a survey-style grilling.

What's his name? Daniel Vitacco

What's his role? He's the magician-on-the-ground. Doing everything from helping wash dishes to growing the business.

How long has been there? Since opening. However, he's been with the umbrella group for eight years.

His favorite menu item? It was hard to choose so he went with two: buffalo chicken flatbread and the tachos.

Most popular menu item? Cheesesteak egg rolls (I chose the perfect tester once again, score!)

What kind of crowd is the venue attracting? Everyone 25 and up. There's something for everyone at Caswell Station. And I can say I doubt you'll find just the stereotypical frat guy still hanging on to his college days that Irish pubs (RIP Kennedy's) tend to attract.

Success thus far? The weekends have been crazy, and foot traffic from the neighborhood has made a huge impact.

What kind of entertainment will you find? I personally can attest to the fact that the music selection is diverse – the "Thong Song" by Sisqo came on while we were enjoying our meal. However, they also bring DJs and live bands.

I'm not going to spill all the secrets, but those are the most important deets. As Daniel pointed out a couple times, this property just needed "a big old hug." And I can't say I disagree given the fact that Kennedy's was never my go-to spot. Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think!

Okay, so I know I'm going to get ostracized for admitting this — probably by my CL editors who teased me when I "discovered" Snug Harbor last year — but last Friday was my first time going to The Evening Muse in NoDa. There, I said it. Before I end up having to adorn the scarlet letter for the rest of my career as a nightlife writer, give me a second to explain my social faux pas.

I only recently got to the point in nightlife where I actually enjoy going to "shows" with my friends. As someone who's known to consume rap, trap and all things hip-hop, I think I can safely say there's a huge difference between going to see Lil' Wayne perform at PNC Music Pavillion and the SoFar shows I've been attending over the past few months.

Maybe you disagree. However, there's a deeper level of intimacy you'll find at a "show" than you'll find at a concert, and I've grown to appreciate it completely. And that's even when I don't know anything about the artist/band performing.

Anyways, I've talked often about my SoFar Sounds Charlotte experiences in the Queen City and how the allure of "not knowing what you're going to get" has led to sold out shows twice a month. And on this past Wednesday, the boyfriend and I experienced déjà vu and nostalgia when we watched a couple familiar faces performing once again: Mo Lowda & The Humble.

The first time we saw them was on Halloween at Camp North End. It was my first show and I wasn't exactly in the right headspace to pay attention to anyone performing (it was BYOG – bring your own goodies), but I remembered one thing: he loved them. When I heard them at the show this past Wednesday (for my first time) at the Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Studio in South End, I was taken aback.

The sound was pure and paralyzing. Next thing you know, "the band we didn't know" was announcing that they were playing at The Evening Muse two days later. I'd already alerted my sweetheart that a band that had played at the show in October was going to be returning, but it wasn't until that moment that he realized it was his favorite act of the entire show. (Side note: I almost suggested we abandon the show when I noticed that Futo Buta was only a stone's throw away and we haven't tried it.)

After hearing them perform, it was confirmed. We were going to the show at The Evening Muse. I grabbed tickets Thursday night and before you know it, we were in an Uber heading to NoDa Friday night. I'm not going to lie, I was shocked at how small the venue was. I pictured something along the lines of the Visulite Theatre or The Fillmore Charlotte. But no, this was tiny. The bar, which is on the right when you enter, was simply a wooden shelf with stacked bottles and glasses. And the stage? A three-inch platform. Other than that, there were stools scattered along the left-hand side and two single bathrooms in the back right corner. No bells and whistles for this music venue, and that's why I loved it. (Especially when I decided to make the switch to a tall boy PBR.

You enter at the corner of North Davidson and East 36th streets across from The Blind Pig. We had to pay a dollar for membership and then the boys headed straight for the bar. As a latecomer to the pregame, I needed to rely on an RBV to get me through. While I ordered, I watched the crowd slowly trickling in while bobbing their heads to Pierce Edens, another familiar face from the Camp North End SoFar show. We had no idea there would be an opener, so while we started to get antsy, we definitely enjoyed getting our money's worth.

By the time Mo Lowda & The Humble came on, I was ready for a sound that was more my style. You'll have to Google these artists if you haven't heard of them and experience their music for yourself. I'm no music writer.

Once they started playing, I looked over at my boo thang and he seemed to have the same look of confusion on his face as I had. Their sound was more rock 'n' roll than the sweet melodies I remembered from two nights prior. Don't get me wrong, I like that they can cater their music to the listening audience. However, we were looking forward to a repeat of the intimate atmosphere we experienced in the cozy space at the trolley museum.

Nevertheless, I'll definitely be returning to The Evening Muse for a show very soon. Share your favorite intimate venues with me at backtalk@clclt.

When I was growing up, my mom and I used to go to a local laundromat at least once a week. Naturally, a child gets stir crazy in a space like that. Luckily, our laundromat had a PAC-MAN arcade game. My mom would even join in the fun, using the extra quarters we had to play one of her fav games: Galaga. Two decades later, I'm obsessed with playing Galaga every time I notice it in a room.

Recently, The Corner Pub — one of my constant hangouts for you non-readers — got rid of a Golden Tee game and replaced it with a multicade machine complete with Galaga! Enter: the resurgence of my passion. Usually, I'm a person who hates games. Anytime someone mentions playing beer pong, flip cup, cornhole, etc., I'm always the one that rolls my eyes and opts out. That's why my boo was shocked that I was flipping out over this new discovery.

Next thing you know, we were creating our own tour of a handful of arcade game bars in the Queen City. A couple I'd been to before, and I visited one new one. Check out three of my go-to arcade bars instead of hitting up your usual spots this weekend.

Lucky's Bar and Arcade

Lucky's is your best choice for gaming if you're looking to stay Uptown. It's conveniently located where the old BAR Charlotte was in North Side Station. This spacious venue has been open for almost two years.

Pros: Convenient location. Unlike some of the divier arcade bars across the city, Lucky's has plenty of space for you to move around. While I'm not a huge fan of the taste of the cocktails I've tried, their drink menu features "interesting" drinks like the martini with a piece of Nerds rope. While you can't get food direct from Lucky's, you can order food from Flight Beer Garden & Music Hall. You can check out some of their games online before you visit. Also, the '90s pop culture mash-up murals adorning the walls alone make it worth at least one trip

Cons: There's a minimum purchase upon entry. Instead of quarters, you get tokens, so you'll have to hang onto them and hope you don't lose them before your next visit. Most people avoid the specialty cocktail menu. Also, on several occasions multiple games have been out of order during a visit. Overall, I'd argue most patrons are more interested in the "clubby atmosphere" versus the gaming experience. (300 N. College St. #104, luckycharlotte.com)

Abari Game Bar

Charlotte's first true game bar. Let's be real, most of y'all bit off owner Zach Pulliam's innovative idea. If you remember, I interviewed him before the spot opened and got the inside scoop. Three years later, this intimate arcade and game bar is the preferred choice for gamers when overhearing conversations between true gaming geeks.

Pros: Memberships are $1 (bring cash). Private parking. You can get cash back at the bar by using your debit card. You put quarters, not tokens, in the machines so you can take home the extra cash at the end of the night and actually use it. They serve craft beer, cheap domestics and liquor. This venue is perfect for experienced gamers. Check out all of their games — including rare machines like 10-player Killer Queen — on their website.

Cons: No food, womp womp womp. Even Joe's Doughs next door is officially closed, although a food truck is sometimes parked out front on busier nights. While the small space is cozy, the game space can feel a bit congested. (1721 N. Davidson St., abarigamebar.com)

Palmer St.

This was the only arcade bar that I hadn't been to yet. I was in South End and the boo thang suggested we go try our hand at pinball and arcade games at a different spot. The latest addition to the arcade scene, this spot is an underrated choice for gaming in the Q.C.

Pros: Memberships are $1 (bring cash). Private parking. No cash back at the bar for games. But all vintage games are FREE. Yes, I said free.99! And pinball is only 50 cents. Not to mention, the setup of the venue leaves plenty of elbow room while you're playing. They do have a food menu, however, it's not the one you'll find on Yelp: pretzels, pretzel bites, corn dogs and chips.

Cons: There weren't any corn dogs left when we went and I left my card. *insert sad face* Game selection was limited to 40 machines. While vintage games were free, there were only a few. Other than that, based on the time we went on a Saturday until 6ish, I have no complaints. (412 W. Palmer St., facebook.com/palmerstgamebar)

Now get your game on, Queen City!