Diversity uptown

The accusations of racial discrimination at Menage couldn't have come at a worse time for the city. In three months, Charlotte will host the CIAA tournament and thousands of African Americans are expected to be here for a week of partying.
Whether the accusations are true or not, they reinforce an existing perception among some African Americans that blacks aren't welcome uptown. The issue of diversity uptown surfaced last month, when I wrote about a poll showing that Charlotte is one of the worst places to hook up. Several people complained that uptown isn't diverse.
So, I'm putting the question out there to you. To me uptown's nightlife is more ethnically diverse today than it was five years ago, from Phil's Deli to Crush to the Forum, you see range of ethnicities partying.

No More Have A Nice Day Cafe

This weekend I have to pour out a little liquor for my homey -- Have A Nice Day Cafe.
The popular College Street nightclub closed after Halloween weekend because business was slow, said BAR Charlotte manager Joe Salamino.
The folks at Bar Management group, which ran the club, blamed the customer drought on the nearly four month shut-down of the club last year when the roof of the Hut collapsed, and forced Have A Nice Day to close. Salamino said business never picked up after that.
I think Have A Nice Day Cafe fell victim to increased competition. It was competing for the same dollars as BAR Charlotte, Dixie's and Buckhead Saloon.
Bar Management group plans to keep the lease and is trying to figure out how to replace Have A Nice Day Cafe. They won't do anything until the first of the year, Salamino said.
So, what do you think should go in there?
I'd like to see a place for people over age 40. I get emails all the time from people in that age range looking for a nice place to go. Another cool Latino club like Salamandra would be great too. And of course, I'm always pushing for a true hip-hop club.
What do you think? Post your suggestions below.

Got the hook up?

Hellooo, party people.

Welcome to the Humpday edition of Paid to Party. Along with my blog about nightlife stuff, you'll also find links to Paid to Party Humpday and a guide to weekend activies.

This week's blog topic is living single:
I wanted to follow up the blog I wrote a couple of weeks ago asking whether Charlotte was the pits for singles. We ranked in the bottom 25 in an Axe survey of best cities to hook up. Party peeps, man did that item strike a nerve. You guys blew up the blog with comments about how the city stinks for single people. Now, I'm wondering where is the best place to hook up here?

I've always had good luck in the clubs, but last Thursday I tried something different. I was the guest bachelorette on WLNK's Matt & Ramona show.

It was weird.

I love Matt & Ramona, but talking to callers about what I like in a woman made me feel desperate. And I'm not even pressed like that. Just last week, Just Woo Me added its name to the list of groups doing the Speed Dating thing, and V101.9 rejuvenate its V Singles Connection.

Here's my thing, if I felt desperate on the Matt & Ramona show, I'm wondering if speed dating, personals and dating services really work.

What do you think? Why or why not? And if you don't use matchmaking services, where is the best place to hook up in Charlotte? Post your replies below.

Charlotte's the pits for single

Forget landing a NASCAR museum or passing school bonds, we've got bigger problems here. I've never been one to lack a date, so I was stunned to read a new survey showing that Charlotte stinks for singles.

According a national survey by AXE deodorant, Charlotte ranked No. 65 in "AXE's Best Cities for Hooking Up in America." We ranked so low, we could've been in the Top 25 for worst places to hook up. That dubious honor went to Birmingham, Ala.

No. 1 hook up city? Seattle, Wash.
How can you even tell if a shorty is cute, underneath all that rain gear? Heck, even Raleigh-Durham ranked ahead of us (They'd better thank all the drunk college coeds).

I know Charlotte is great for couples and families, but it can't be that bad for singles.

What do you think? Is Charlotte one of the worst places to hook up, and if so why? Post your comment below.

Top 25.
1. Seattle, WA
2. Honolulu, HI
3. San Francisco, CA
4. Austin, TX
5. San Diego, CA
6. Portland, OR
7. Providence, RI
8. New York, NY
9. Denver, CO
10. Baltimore, MD
11. Oakland, CA
12. Buffalo, NY
13. Los Angeles, CA
14. Rochester, NY
15. Dallas, TX
16. Tacoma, WA
17. Milwaukee, WI
18. Boston, MA
19. Fort Worth, TX
20. New Orleans, LA
21. San Antonio, TX
22. Salt Lake City, UT
23. Oklahoma City, OK
24. Phoenix, AZ
25. Raleigh-Durham, NC