Tips on Enjoying Nightlife in Charlotte, NC

In every major U.S. City, the scene for leisure activities and nightlife is constantly evolving, because it has to. This is especially true in the Southeastern US due mostly to old-money entrepreneurs staying ahead of the hustle and newly transplanted young professionals pretentiously keeping their noses wide open. From Southern Virginia to North Florida there is money being freely spent and easily taken. Those of us in the middle of this epicurean class struggle are left with two options. We can either join the crowd or go against popular opinion.

I would like to present a third option. Be an individual. Scout various scenes in different neighborhoods on your own, get info from multiple sources and put things in perspective from your point of view. Non-indigenous towns are built to be generic, almost like burger franchises. It is important to break that stigma while maintaining some individuality.

Here are some tips that may help you on the scene in Charlotte, NC.

1. Lower your expectations.
Having professional sports teams is great. Being the center of banking in the region is swell. As a general rule however, Charlotte has an obscure and misleading social scene as compared to Atlanta, Miami and DC. Beyond the obligatory after-work unwinding, the balance of nightlife leans toward civic groups, private parties and intimate social occasions. Unlike the obvious tourist traps of Charleston and Myrtle Beach or old school harbor cities like Savannah and Wilmington, Charlotte is newly refined and traditionally less accustomed to hosting social gatherings of a refreshing nature. There is nothing wrong with being new on the scene. You have to crawl before you can walk. Just don't expect every new rub joint with a 60 second radio plug to be the next Copacabana. I'm not saying "prepare for disappointment", I'm just suggesting that you have some foresight into the probabilities. If a nightclub has been around a while and does not have a website, expect the unexpected. Check online menus for restaurants and bars, as well as ratings and reviews by prior patrons. Never be afraid to call and ask as many questions as needed. If they want your business, it's in their best interest to give you good answers. You can afford the luxury of being picky while living here, so take advantage of it.

2. Be reasonable.
When dining out, if you don't know what something is or what it's supposed to taste like, you probably shouldn't order it in an establishment you have never visited before. If something sounds so interesting that you cant resist, ask enough questions to eliminate any surprises. Most people who are looking to play it safe, generally stick to the recognized big name franchises and their often predictable menu items. That's not necessarily a bad thing, I know this entire country was built on cookie-cutter Orwellian monotony, but it's no way to develop a nightlife scene. Local flavor is the key to longevity, regardless of its' mass appeal or lack thereof. You must also remember that Charlotte has always been an industrial and occupational town as opposed to a college town, the one large University that bears its name being a lone exception. But tiny private schools and one large State school do not "an art and music scene" make. Unfortunately, there is little we can do about that. The BOA and TIAA-CREF crowd here is a little different than the Athens/SOHO/Austin crowds elsewhere in their demand for diversity and cutting edge cultural expression. We do have NODA and identical scenes springing up around the metro, so it's best to at least understand the social and cultural movements from which they originate even if you do not support them.

3. Support Local & Regional Establishments
When traveling, especially with small children, it is perfectly natural and generally accepted to patronize identically designed comfort food restaurants because of their predictability and familiarity with the menu. At home, however, it is mutually beneficial to do 5 or 10 minutes of research on local family-friendly establishments that may be closer, more convenient and may actually support the community or elements thereof. You can definitely find places identical to the large franchises that offer the same food (or usually better) and also sponsor charity drives or youth sports or anything else that may increase the value of the area properties in general and thereby improving the overall quality of life in your neighborhood. If you do not take part in local events or civic organizations, this is a good way to contribute.

4. Stay Savvy
Do not think because you have seen every episode of iron chef and hell's kitchen that you are some sort of pseudo-professional freelance food critic. On the other hand, watching cooking and entertaining shows along with reading up on trends in dining out does help you to understand the basics and differentiate between foods such as pigeon and game hen, lamb and beef, hikima and bok choy, and so on. If something does not look right, do not be afraid to question it. If it is raw or burned, speak up immediately. If something doesn't taste the way you think it should, send it back - with that exact explanation. There is no shame in letting someone know how you feel - if you do it politely. You also have to keep in mind that you will probably get overcharged at some point. It happens to everyone and there is no need to swear a vendetta and disappear into the hills with a shotgun. A developing scene is going to have growing pains, as if it were a micro-society. Have patience and be smart.

5. Express yourself well
The club scene in Charlotte at this point is fairly easy to get a grip on in terms of fashion and style. If you are a man, you can't go wrong with a nice shirt (button-up, pressed collar) and fashionable jeans (no tapered leg Lees with a crease or pleated acid wash Wranglers). I prefer tight bell-bottoms made from quality denim worn with a pattern or pin-striped shirt. Nice shoes with a matching belt are a must. Better a $45 pair of dress shoes than a $75 pair of sneakers any day to keep the look intact. You can always play it safe with flat-front slacks and tuck in that shirt, but make sure the belt is on point. I love chinos (khaki is a color - chinos are pants), but they are for work and sometimes play, not for the nightlife scene. On the flip side, ladies get much more latitude, they can typically use their best judgment. But just know that musketeer boots with a denim skirt and knit belly top will get you ridiculed - until you get tipsy - at which point it may draw praise.
In the style aspect, represent well in regards to tipping for reasonable service. This is a huge reflection on you, your date and the entire scene in general, as it speaks to the mentality and attitude of all regional patrons. My system is flat-rate; 10% at the bar, 15% at a table or booth. If you are making a name for yourself go up to 20% on both. This works unbelievably well and saves time and money in the long run, as managers and staff begin look out for you in particular.

I admit these are broad categorizations and sweeping indictments, so my best advice overall is trial and error. Find out what works best and then attempt variations on the same theme. Don't be afraid to try something new. Get recommendations from credible people and do a few minutes of homework. We are all in this together. The goal in 10 years is to have other towns aspire to that which we are building here now.