OK, I know some of you doubted the credibility of the Axe deodorant survey showing Charlotte was one of the worst cities to hook up in, but guys we got slighted again.
This time by the respectable Nightclub & Bar trade magazine. They published their Top 100 bars and clubs in the U.S. and guess what - we're not in it. But guess who at least got a shout out -- Raleigh! Their Long Branch Saloon got a mention, but didn't make the top 100 list either.
Click here for the Top 100 Nightclubs and Bars for 2006. The list is in alphabetical order.
Here's a sample:
1. 115 Bourbon Street Pub (Chicago)
2. 32 Degrees Street Pub (Philly)
3. AJ's (Destin, Fla.)
4. Ampersand (New Orleans)
5. Ava Lounge (New York)
6. Aria (Boston)
7. Avala and Spider Club (L.A.)
8. Beach Bar at the W. Hotel (San Diego)
9. B.E.D. (Miami)
10. Billy Bo's Texas (Fort Worth, Texas)
Considering the Coyote Ugly's in New York and Jillians in Dallas made the list, I decided to call Tad Wilkes of Oxford Publishing, which publishes Nightclub & Bar to find out the deal, and if Charlotte sucks.
Wilkes was kind enough to explain that the bars were chosen for their innovativeness, uniqueness to the market and/or revenue. He assured me however that we're a great party town.
"We have not intentionally left Charlotte out," Wilkes said. We definitely don't think Charlottee sucks. I know that there are some good bars there, I can't think of them off the top of my head."
What do you guys think about this latest slight? Are we really lying to ourselves -- does Charlotte's nightlife really stink? If not, what clubs and bars should have made this list? Post your comments below.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
No Menage? No Forum? We stink -- again
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29 comments:
My opion of Charlotte nightlife can be summed up in one word.....SUCKS!
Uh, the list has a Dave & Buster's on it at #22 -- so there is hope for Concord in the future. Seriously, that deal was fun when I first encountered it in Houston in '96, or in Rockville, MD a few years later, but seems kinda played out now.
And for perspective, I remember when Charlotte's nightlife was a midnight movie at Charlottetown and then slamming donuts with the po-po over at the all-nite Krispy Kreme. (And there was only ONE Krispy Kreme in town.)
Good times.
To the previous poster, if Charlotte's nightlife is that bad, then leave, why don't you go to that place you think is all that and a bag of chips. For all of you people that finds Charlotte so bad, my question is this, why are you still here? The way you people keep whining and complaining, you would think that Charlotte is the worst city on the planet. It's plain and simple, if you don't like it in Charlotte, then move somewhere else, noone is forcing a gun to your head and forcing you to stay here against your will. Oh, and by the way, I've read other previous blogs where you all keep whining about what Charlotte lacks. I'm pretty sure when Charlotte finally gets all of those ameninties that you so crave, I'm almost certain you all would find something new to whine and moan about, 1st, you whined about not having anything to do uptown after business hours, now that uptown seems to have nightlife options and places to go after hours, it's not good enough to your liking. When will it end, you all are never satisfied.
I agree - if you don't like Charlotte - go away.
Plus, some of the clubs on that list suck. B.E.D in Miami? That is the most overplayed idea and far from unique. Very played out -maybe cool when it first opened what, 7 years ago? Please.
To previous poster:
Spoken like a true native. Glad to see there is at least one other in my hometown. Charlotte is a wonderful city with plenty of things to do if you take time to do something other than go to a bar and get stupid drunk. When you grow up a little, maybe then you'll appreciate how great this city is. To all you complaining northerners: Go back to the dirty, cold, stinky, crime infested city you came from... otherwise SHUT UP!
Looks like the list is alphabetical, genius.
Tonya, my quote was a bit out of context. I was asked the leading question "Is it true — does Charlotte suck?" and so I said that it obviously doesn't. We did not mean to "slight" Charlotte at all. It's a great city. — Tad Wilkes
And the list is alphabetical, with no venue taking a higher importance than any other. So there is not really a "Top 10" out of those. — Tad Wilkes
First of all, for all of you who think that bringing a hip hop club or a some other kind of club that you were used to where you came from uptown would enhance the quality of nightlife in Charlotte, here's a suggestion, why don't you and your friends pull all of your resources together and make it happen! But no, you don't want to hear that, it's just too easy to rip Charlotte for what it doesn't have rather than actually going out and getting it done yourself. If you're that passionate about wanting to see more diversity in the nightlife, then put your money where your mouth is. Whether you realize it or not, once you've set up residence in Charlotte, NC, you are now a part of the community. If you don't like what is offered, then do something about it, otherwise, just shut up and take what is given. That's the problem we have, too many whiners and not enough people of action.
To the poster who posted at the same time as I did, that comment wasn't towards you, it was directed towards the person who posted right before you, the one who posted around 12:56pm and said that charlotte's nightlife sucked. Just thought I'd clarify that and to ensure there's no confusion at all should you read over these comments again.
Tonya, tonya, tonya. Free yourself from sensationalist journalism. Sure this piece you just wrote will get as many comments as the it's-difficult-to-meet-people piece. What is your aim? Is it to rile people up? Then you've missed you're calling, AM radio should be your home.
Do you want to highlight and celebrate Charlotte's nightlife, then put this entry in context. First this list was put out by a trade magazine. Who reads trade magazines? Not the general public of America who's admiration for Charlotte you seem to so desperately care about. There's one of your primary rules of journalism right there consider the source. Nobody else cared to read it so just fess up it was a slow newsday and you had to go fetch a week old press release to come up with an idea to meet deadline. It's not a crime. Whining constantaly should be.
Second look what clubs are on that list. How many of those are massive chain generic nightclubs? Is that the ideal image you'd have for a Charlotte nightlife? So Raliegh recieved an honorable mention for the Long Branch. Well no shit if the criteria is based in part on revenue that place is massive. Again place the list in context. Look at the other bars in the list. Top of the Mark San Francisco. It's a small intimate bar with gorgeous views of the city. Go there at night and it's simply wonderous. But it's the place to go extremely late at night with your date or your grandparents before 8. It's not what I even call the best club in SF. The bar in Memphis? Memphis is not a sub-standard you do not want Charlotte to attain. A 18 months there taught me that.
Here's the article I want you to write. When is Charlotte going to get comfortable with it's own skin then constantly measuring itself against who it is not?
Not only does Charlotte's nightlife suck, the "city" sucks. The fact people think this is a city sucks.
And to those of you who say 'if you don't like it leave'. You are another reason Charlotte sucks. Can't you think of something a bit more inventive than that to retort?
And, yes we will complain when Charlotte (finally) gets what we whine about it not having now. By the time Charlotte has it - it will be outdated and something new will be out that we will be complaining about.
My suggestion is this: those of you who want us to leave - you leave. Move to a smaller, unicorporated town and complain about those pseudo city folks in Charlotte. We can get something done here and you can live in the dark ages.
The list is in alphabetical order? Ok..all creditability in the rankings immediately vanishes. So, with that said, I do think Charlotte has some cool bars. I have been to a wide variety of bars..and here are the coolest by category (in my opinion): Martini/To be Seen= Tutto Mondos Rave/Tech Beats= Sky & Lava Lounge Gay Dance/Techno= Velocity Straight Dance/Techno= Forum Drag= Scorpios (on Sundays/Holidays) Pure Straight Frat= Buckhead Chilled, yet Cool Crowd= Connellys. Live Music= Amos and Tremount Post Panthers= Tavern on the Tracks
Charlotte definately has better clubs than Destin Florida for sure! I am not sure how this list came about it rankings. It appears the rankings are in alphabetcal order? If so, then it really is not a ranking, right? LOL
To that disrespectful jerk who posted at 10:06pm, where do you get off telling people who've lived here much longer than you have where to move? Are you that arrogant! For those of us whose been here longer than you, we have that right to tell those who probably haven't lived in Charlotte a year yet, but is always whining and complaining about what Charlotte lacks and is always disrespecting our culture and way of life to go back where they lived previously, especially if they don't like it here. Why stay miserable in a place that you don't like? My question to you is, What brought you to Charlotte anyways? just curious! I don't mind people from New York or Cali or any other place moving here, but if all you're going to do is whine and complain, then go back to it, especially if those places were all that in the first place. Furthermore, if you all want the nightlife to improve, then make it happen! I'm pretty sure you all have some friends that share the same desires as you, and if you can pull your resources together, then surely you can get it off the ground. If you can't, then I'm sorry, I guess you all will just have to deal with our "sorry nightlife." I'm out!
Not sure I agree with the list..especially since a very small bar in the middle of Mississippi made the list! Oh, by the way, the org who did this ranking is also headquartered in Mississippi. Mmmmm..go figure. Cities like Destin Florida have the best bars? I seriously doubt that! Charlotte's bar scene is coming about nicely for the size of this city. I also am happy to see that the NC Music Factory is underway in uptown Charlotte. Yep, a who bar area is currently underway in some old mills known as NC Music Factory. I think the first one that has opened is Illusions (a gay bar/lesbian bar). Little E (Dale Earnhardt Jr) is also opening bar in the complex. Here is the web site for the new NC Music Factory district being constructed. http://www.ncmusicfactory.com/
For 'n_hater' you are so ignorant! What the heck was the point of your comment? I think Charlotte has a great nightlife to not be a 'BIG' city! there is something for everyone to do here, youjust have to find it. It is true that charlotte is a work in progress but we are getting better. I have friends come in town from all over and they think Charlotte is awesome! Personally, I am not a club person but Plaza Midwood has AWESOME bars there!!
This blogging is insane. Tonya loves to push the envelope, just as her haters do. When did Tonya's role at Charlotte "Disturber" lower it's standard to stir up hate. She is fully aware that such slanted opinions of hers will stir up hate..and as we can see, it has yet again. I like haters, and I love embracers! I tolerate all, therefore everyone who post her needs to totally IGNORE the n_hater. He/she is one bad apple, while the orchid is still filled with wonderful apples! Tonya, we all know your openly gay....and there is nothing wrong with that. You seem to be a little bit of a "militant or dike" type writer. If you are going to choose such anti establishment tatics, then please go to Creative Loafing. You will be a huge hit. There is a forum for everything, however the Observer should not be your forum. If you are going to be an entertainment writer, then be entertaining, not a militant grouchy dike type writer. Once again, your stuff is good, but should not be written in the observer.
Ground Zero in Clarksdale, Mississippi, is co-owned by Morgan Freeman and is a successful blues club in the heart of blues country.
Well, I don't know about the bars and clubs, because I don't like smoke, going deaf, paying 8 bucks for a shot or dealing with some random J Crew model looking for a fight but I will tell you that I am a huge live music fan. And the venues around the Queen City ain't exactly hoppin' with great music. Try and fool yourself, but it will wear on you. Charlotte still has a way to go as far as culture and until that happens we won't be on any top 100.
I am a Charlotte Native and I love this city. Not only is it a growing city, but there are a lot of things to do. If you look at this city 10 years ago and see how much it has grown, just think about it in 10 more years. City's like New York and other major metropolitan cities are so much older that Charlotte that you can't compare the two. Charlotte in my opinion is one of the best cities to live in because although it is a city, it is not dirty or overcrowded and there are a lot of really fun places to go.
I think the music that has come here (live music) is getting much better! I have seen some really good live shows here.
In Atlanta they came up with a saying for those who continually rip the city - "Delta is ready when you are"
I guess we can buy that line as well, but with ours saying, "USAirways is ready when you are"
I guess we can borrow that line as well, but with ours saying "USAirways is ready when you are"
Simply put Charlotte sucks! The reason being is that it is full of peeps who are the same, yuppies or bubbas who got a tie, or $30,000 millionaries.....And it seems to be getting worse....But the good news is that all you peeps like that need to stay there so you do not infect other cities who do not have issues like this!!!
I used to get upset when people continually bash Charlotte for being a dull place, but it's just evident, the locals are dragging Charlotte down, period. The fact that people there are still whining about an arena that is now open is just ridiculous to me. It tells me that things haven't progressed much in tems of the mindsets around here. When the locals finally realize that they live in a "Big City" and not "Podunk USA," then change can finally take place. I like Charlotte and I believe it has a wonderful future ahead of it, but I am tired of the small-minded attitudes of the locals here. C'mon now, why do we still have racists like Bill James in local politics? There is no call for that, especially for a supposedly growing and changing area like Charlotte. Why is Charlotte still lacking a lot of amenities that will attract a lot of people to Charlotte, like an aqurium or a retail district downtown? Why is Charlotte still lacking culture? Why are the locals still opposing new developments from going up, where they supposed to go when the city is growing at a rapid pace, duh? Greensboro will be opening it's Law School later this year and Charlotte still hasn't built it's Law School yet, what's wrong with that picture? It's about time for the Charlotte region as a whole to get it's act together and start acting more like a cosmopolitan region. Instead of telling those that want to help change this city for the better to "Go Back To Where They Came From," maybe some of you may need to leave the big city and go move to a smaller, more remote region, because the big city definately does not agree with y'all. Take your smalltown attitudes elsewhere and let the urbanites take over. C'mon Charlotte, please grow for me in 2006!
This may be late, but I love how all the mental midgets around here are letting themselves get riled up by a lesbian hack columnist whose attempts at injecting the occasional bit of ebonics into her writing literally make me throw up a little bit in my mouth. But then I swallow it back down, and gargle with some Listerine to get the bad taste out.
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