Want to relive the glory days? Here are 70+ Charlotte area nightclubs you can look back on.
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Charlotte nightlife in the ’90s and early ’00s — and now
Relive the 1990s and early 2000s with CharlotteFive readers’ favorites. Where does Gen X party now? What was it like being paid to party?
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Want to relive the glory days? Here are 70+ Charlotte area nightclubs you can look back on.
Photos: Nightclubs in the ’90s and early 2000s in Charlotte
Paid to Party: What was it like covering Charlotte nightlife in the ’90s and early 2000s?
The Gen X guide to Charlotte nightlife: Where to party if you’re 40+?
Editor’s note: Lorenza Medley contributed.
Who remembers nightclubbing in the ’90s and early 2000s in Charlotte?
It was a wild time to be alive in the city that no longer shut down uptown at 5 p.m.
Uber wasn’t born yet and taxis were expensive, so someone had to D.D., or else you were piling into a room at the Holiday Inn next to the club.
Low-rise jeans and tight black pants were in, backless tanks and other “going out tops” were hot. You started the night with a bite at South End Brewery, Vinnie’s or Rock Bottom. Then you headed to the clubs, which were bumping with music, culture — and fish bowl drinks. One uptown nightclub had a 40-foot slide from the top floor to the bottom. Another was a deli by day.
Dancing on the bar was the norm (don’t fall off!).
And of course — no one was buried in their phones.
Recently, we asked you about your favorite nightclubs in Charlotte during the Y2K era, and the answers did not disappoint. Relive the glory days while going through this list of Charlotte’s favorite ’90s and early ’00s-era nightclubs, according to our Generation X, Xennial and millennial readers:
Charlotte clubs from the 90s and early 2000s
1313 Club
Location: 311 Arlington Ave, Charlotte, NC, the Park Elevator building
Status: Closed in 1993. It briefly reopened in 1994 at 607 W. 5th St.
What is it now? The building caught fire in Feb. 1997 (possibly intentionally) and then was torn down. The Arlington is in its place — 310 Arlington Avenue hosts a handful of small businesses and the former Lincoln Haberdashery is also nearby.
“They played the best music and had the most diverse crowds.” — Jonathan Byrd, Gen X.
“Great bands.” — Anonymous, Gen X.
300 Stonewall
Location: 300 E Stonewall St, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in 1997 in a former building built in the 1970s as a 3-story Chinese restaurant. After 300 Stonewall closed, it was The Connection (opened in June 2001), then Crush.
What is it now? Whole Foods (and it’s now East Brooklyn Village Avenue).
From Hope Nicholls, published in The Charlotte Observer in December 1997: Driving near Ericsson Stadium, I’ve often thought about that odd building on Stonewall, built in the ‘70s as a fancy Chinese restaurant, being transformed into a nightclub. At last my dream has come true, and Charlotte’s newest gay bar is also uptown’s hottest late-night destination. As a restaurant, it must have been a waiter’s nightmare - three levels, spiral staircases, nooks and crannies galore. But these features are just what make it an exciting addition to Charlotte’s night life.
Atlantic Beer & Ice
Location: 330 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Status: Opened in 1995 and closed in April 2001
What is it now? After ABI, it was a Fox & Hound, which closed in 2013, and now it’s a Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse.
From The Charlotte Observer, written by Bernie Kohn about Atlantic Beer & Ice’s opening and published August 17, 1995: NationsBank Chief Executive Hugh McColl Jr., who stopped by the new pub’s preopening gala Wednesday to tip a celebratory stout, said the brewpub will lend some needed nightlife to North Tryon redevelopment efforts. The pub will be across the street from the 30-story office tower NationsBank and TransAmerica are building at North Tryon and 7th Streets.
“It’ll be the kind of place people can have a beer after work with the people they work with, and maybe make a few deals over lunch,” McColl said.
He predicted the brewpub could become a watering hole for Carolina Panthers fans before and after games at Carolinas Stadium.
Told that would be a very long walk, McColl said: “In Charlotte, we think it’s a long way to walk. But after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (as he did this month), I don’t think it’s so far from here to the stadium.”
“There were tons of choices to suit everyone’s mood in uptown and most were always packed, especially ABI and Dixie’s. HAND and BAR had lines and were great for goofy fun. Cosmos and Tutto Mondo were for the “sophisticates” into electronica and sushi! Jillian’s was just a fun place to hang with the guys. Good memories.” — Eric Banks, Gen X.
Editor’s note: See below for details about Dixie’s, Have a Nice Day Cafe, BAR Charlotte, Cosmos, Jillian’s and Tutto Mundo.
Alley Cat
Location: 314 N College St, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in 2007. The bar closed so long ago it still has a Top 8 on MySpace (peep Forum Nightclub!). We can’t find an official closing date, but it was tweeting actively until December 2010.
What is it now? After Alley Cat, it was RE:Public, then Flight Beer Garden & Music Hall until 2019. For a brief moment it was Topgolf Swing Suite, and it’s now Encore Nightclub and XOXO Lounge.
From The Charlotte Observer, written by Tonya Jameson and published April 27, 2007, about Alley Cat’s opening: If every night at Alley Cat could be like Wednesday, uptown’s newest club would be my favorite spot in the city.
On Wednesday at the club’s VIP party, the crowd from Dish and the Penguin mixed with the young professionals and frat-types that usually hang uptown. Oh, and I can’t forget the artsy folks. On the patio, a mix of tattooed men and women (I mean tattoo sleeves, not teeny-weeny tats), pink hair and pierced folk mingled among golf shirts, khakis and gelled hair.
It was so awesome.
Alley Cat, the newest venture by the owners of the Forum and Cosmos, opens tonight where The Hut used to be on College Street, between Sixth and Seventh Streets.
It has an outdoor patio that will feature small bands, and a kitchen will be operated by The Penguin restaurant until 1 a.m. Yay!
“The double bars, the booths, the doubling as a live music venue.” — Elise, millennial.
“Perfect college spot. I just moved to Charlotte and attended UNCC. There was a party bus, QC Party Bus, that would come to U Village and pick us all up. We’d all be together from the start to the end of the night and make so many memories dancing the night away!” — Ali Amigoni, millennial.
The Attic Bar
Location: 200 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC
Status: Closed around in 2010 or 2011
What is it now? Prohibition
“Best music, fun vibes, and it had a good view.” — Sharon Carson, millennial.
“Loved the music, the staff, the vibe.” — Anonymous millennial.
Baha Club
Location: 4369 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28217
Status: Closed in September 1999
What is it now? After three bouncers were charged with murder (and later cleared) in the death of a patron in August 1999, the club closed the next month. It then became known as Club 4369 for a brief period, according to Charlotte Observer archives. After a “spiritual cleansing” in February 2000, it became Christian coffeehouse Rock ‘n’ Java. Currently, a building on the property houses Piedmont Natural Gas — Technology and Design Center.
BAR Charlotte
Location: 300 N College St, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in 1995, closed on May 28, 2016
What is it now? QC Social Lounge
“It was always vibrant and upbeat and fun.” — Josh Hicks, Gen X.
“Bar Charlotte was crazy — best bartenders, best beer tub girls, best fights ... best party.” — Jeff, Gen X.
“Fun nice vibes.” — Brian, millennial.
“Great music.” — Jarrod Hileman, Gen X.
The Breakfast Club
Location: 225 N Caldwell Street, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in 2001; Closed in 2012
What is it now? Brooklyn Nightclub and Lounge
“The Breakfast Club always had the best DJ — I never wanted to leave the dance floor! Awesome drinks and super fun decor with a huge dance floor. Best of all, growing up in the ‘80s, I was too young to club then, so it let me live out my inner kid’s ultimate partying dreams amongst all the neon and black light [that] small me would have wished for back in the day!” — A. Howard, Gen X.
“The Breakfast Club was fun also. Miss ‘80s music in the clubs.” — Jeff, Gen X.
Buckhead Saloon
Location: 201 E 5th St Charlotte, NC
Status: Closed
What is it now? After Buckhead was Fitzgerald’s, which opened in 2012 and closed in 2020.
Cans Bar & Canteen
Location: 500 W 5th St Charlotte, NC 28202
Status: Opened in 2006 and closed in 2009
What is it now? In 2010, 5th Element Restaurant and Lounge opened in the former Cans space, and then closed in 2013. It is now the home of Crave Dessert Bar.
The Cellar
Location: 300 E. Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC
Status: It was opened in the 1960s, then reopened in the 1980s before closing again.
What is it now? A few other concepts were tested out, including some restaurants, then Salamandra Latin Club in 1999. Morehead Street Tavern opened in 2004, then closed in 2011. It’s now home of The Tavern.
“It was multi-level and cheap beer on Thursday nights!! Great music and dancing.” — Julie Kerr, Gen X.
“Smaller, easier to get in.” — Jeff G., Gen X.
The Charlotte Eagle
Location: 4544 South Boulevard, Charlotte, NC
Status: Closed around 2009 or 2010, according to QNotes.
What is it now? Bar Argon opened in The Charlotte Eagle’s former location in 2017. It is next door to Sidelines Sports Bar & Billiards, Charlotte’s first and only gay sports bar.
“The Eagle was where you could go for fetish nights.” — Jeff, Gen X.
CJ’s
Location: Inside the Adam’s Mark Hotel; 555 S McDowell St Tower, Charlotte, NC 28204
Status: Closed December 2005 when Adam’s Mark Hotel closed and was bought by Chetrit Group.
What is it now? Adam’s Mark is now Le Méridien Charlotte
From The Charlotte Observer’s Tonya Jameson on Jan. 15, 2006: The line to get inside CJ’s snaked from the lounge’s door to the lobby. The crowd was a mix of button-down young professionals and people old enough to be my parents. I had a good time, and over the next decade, CJ’s became my Plan B nightclub - the place to go on the weekends when nothing else was happening. When you went to CJ’s, you always knew what you were going to get, nothing spectacular, just a good time with good people. During the whirlwind holiday season, that Plan B ended. The Adam’s Mark closed and an African American favorite faded into darkness.
- “The Adam’s Mark had a club inside of it that was a definite hot spot in 1998-2002 for sure.” —Vondecee Reese
Clarence Foster’s
Location: 4321 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209
Status: Opened in 1992; closed
What is it now?
From The Charlotte Observer, written by Dennis Romero and published Dec. 24, 1993: This 21-and-older spot isn’t a dance club. It’s a dance pub. Established last summer as a satellite of Clarence Foster’s in Atlanta, the Charlotte night spot features dancing in a college-bar environment. On a recent night, girls with teased hair and guys in Oxford shirts packed the 925-capacity club, which is lined with wooden bars, old-time portraits and candle-style lamps. The music is Top 40 and alternative, while an enclosed patio features classic rock.
Club 2000
Location: 5300 Old Pineville Rd, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in Dec. 1993; closed
What is it now? Club Onyx opened in 2006.
“It had so many music options and activities so you could wander from one thing to another. Although, the strippers did not like you just walking and gawking.” — Anonymous, Gen X.
Club H20
Location: 4445 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Status: Open in the early 2000s
What is it now? Pool Tables Plus and Jukebox Pros. It’s also been the home of The Underground, Samson’s Hole, Rum Runners and Studio 74.
Usher was once a guest at Club H20, as was O.J. Simpson, who visited in Sept. 2003, eight years after his trial. From The Charlotte Observer’s Tonya Jameson: One question lingers in the air at Club H2O. O.J. Simpson is supposed to be here any minute. Nearly eight years have passed since his trial, but Pam Rodriguez wants to know: “Did he really kill that white woman?” she asks. “I already know. I just want to ask him why he did it.”
A jury said O.J. didn’t kill his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson or her friend Ron Goldman, but that doesn’t stop many people from proclaiming his guilt. Funny thing is, O.J. rarely hears from them.
Rodriguez and several guys say they want to ask, “Did he do it?” But when O.J. finally gets to the hip-hop club on Independence about 1:45 a.m. Monday, the trash talkers line up with everyone else preening for autographs, hugs and $10 pictures. The Juice doesn’t live in that space — the one with a white Bronco, an ill-fitting glove, a racist cop and two people dead. He doesn’t have to. He’s a proud father, a businessman, an athlete and a celebrity bad guy.
Fans claim they want to confront him, but when they come face-to-face with his flirtatious grin and football talk, they all melt. Women who didn’t even know he was coming go home with autographed breasts Monday morning. Guys, who spent the earlier part of the evening perfecting steely stares, smile broadly at the Juice. He signs T-shirts, napkins, photographs and footballs. Nobody yells murderer or holds up protest signs.
Cosmos
Location: 300 N College St, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in 1998, closed in January 2016
What is it now? In November 2016, it became the home of Tavolo Italian restaurant, and now it’s Jimmy John’s and Sabor
From The Charlotte Observer archives, written by Tonya Jameson and published Jan. 8, 2016 as a goodbye story to Cosmos: Cosmos Cafe was more than a restaurant. When it opened in the late ‘90s, it established Sixth and College as an entertainment destination. … There was no EpiCentre or NC Music Factory. Uptown was deserted after 6 p.m. But brothers Gus and George Georgoulias and their friends Andy Kastanas, Tom Tsilimos and George Stergiou opened Mythos at Sixth and College in 1993.
Mythos welcomed everybody, black and white, straight and gay, and cross-dressers too. The music was pumping and the vibe was cool. But Mythos’ impact was mostly limited to the weekends. There still wasn’t much happening on weekday nights.
“Then came Cosmos with its small plates (in a town accustomed to heaping plates of food) and craft cocktails. (Yes, Stefan Huebner was making craft cocktails there before mixology was part of the entertainment lexicon). Suddenly, young people had a reason to hang out uptown. Cosmos was the cool spot.
“I met my husband there.” — Anonymous, Gen X.
“Great music and location.” — Anonymous, Gen X.
Coyote Joe’s
Location: 4621 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Status: Opened in Feb. 1991. Still open!
From The Charlotte Observer archives, written by Kathie Gimla on April 12, 1991, two months after Coyote Joe’s opened: You can’t miss it: Just look for the howling neon coyotes flanking the front door. This place is so new the house band doesn’t even have a name yet, and the novelty of a new place is still drawing a good-sized crowd, mostly mid-20s to mid-30s, even on weeknights. National acts come through regularly - right now, about once a week. Upcoming shows include Mel McDaniel (tonight), Billy Joe Royal (next Friday) and Shenandoah (April 27).
Coyote Ugly
Location: 521 N College St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Status: Opened in 2004; closed in 2008 or 2009
What is it now? It was Luna Lounge at one point then became Sports One
From The Charlotte Observer’s Tonya Jameson in September 2004 about Coyote Ugly: I’m torn.
I’m standing in Coyote Ugly saloon on College Street. A woman lies on the bar with freshly poured tequila spilling from her belly button.
A man slurps the tequila from her navel while other guys cheer him on. Testosterone permeates the air.
The woman towels off her belly, stands and dances until another customer shells out $20 for a body shot.
The partyer inside me briefly considers buying one, but the aspiring feminist in me screams - DEGRADING.
Like female Olympians half-naked in FHM magazine, “Girls Gone Wild” videos and bare breasts at Mardi Gras (or anything with free beads), Coyote Ugly exemplifies the complex success of the women’s rights movement today. …
Coyote Ugly, which has 14 establishments nationwide, is a moneymaking contradiction in girl power. The bar falls somewhere between Hooters and the Men’s Club because it uses cute women in tight clothes to sell alcohol to horny men. Unlike the other establishments, Coyote Ugly is primarily owned and operated by women.
Crush
Location: 300 E Stonewall St, Charlotte, NC
Status: Closed
What is it now? Whole Foods (and it’s now East Brooklyn Village Avenue).
“The music, the DJs, the bartenders ... the crowd it drew was a little bit of everyone.” — Marina, Xennial.
“Crush was great in its first spot on Stonewall.” — Anonymous, Gen X.
“Bring back club CRUSH.” — Brian, Millennial.
Dharma Lounge
Location: 1440 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Status: Opened in 2009; closed
What is it now? Tattoo Me Charlotte
Dixie’s Tavern
Location: 301 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC
Status: Held a grand opening on Dec. 3, 1998, closed in 2013
From The Charlotte Observer’s Doug Smith, written about Dixie Tavern’s opening on Dec. 3, 1998: Described as a casual dining experience with “a Cajun attitude,” Dixie’s Tavern serves lunch and dinner and also caters to the after-work crowd. Its signature drink: “Voo Doo Venom,” whatever that is.
What is it now? After its 15-year lease ran out, the bar closed. The building was recently the home of Google Fiber and now serves as WFAE’s community engagement center.
“Some dancing, but it was also a great bar with an endless playlist of singalong songs.” — Dave.
Double Door Inn
Location: 1218 Charlottetowne Ave, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened December 22, 1973; closed in January 2017
What is it now? CPCC’s Leon Levine Health Sciences Center
From The Charlotte Observer’s Kathy Haight (who was called the “popular music writer”) on Feb. 14, 1988, about Double Door Inn, 11 years after it opened: The audience has changed too, from hippies in jeans to baby boomers who are likely to have a kid or two at home.
“It was this tiny, hole-in-the wall, unassuming grungy place, and I couldn’t believe it was a music venue. It was the first time I experienced a sense of freedom to go deeper into the moment. I felt connected to the depth and beauty of life.” — Charlotte author Stephen Copeland told CharlotteFive early this year for a story about his book about the Double Door Inn.
“It was just a hole in the wall, and the smoke was as thick as soup. But the live music from blues to rockabilly pulsed inside my skin. We’d stay ‘til closing then, smelling of beer and cigarettes, head over to the Athens Diner for a 1 a.m. pancake breakfast.” — Elaine, 40s or 50s.
The Excelsior Nightclub
Location: 921 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in 1944; closed in 2016
What is it now? Plans are slow going, but eventually it is hoped to be converted back to a music venue, with a restaurant and boutique hotel.
From The Charlotte Observer’s Deborah Gates in an obituary published July 26, 1985, for The Excelsior Nightclub’s first owner, James Robert “Jimmie” McKee: In 1944, Mr. McKee paid $2,500 for a seven-room, two-story old house at 921 Beatties Ford Rd. on Charlotte’s west side, and converted it into the Excelsior. It became the stop before home for many Black teachers, preachers and business people. It also became the first stop in the Black community for many white candidates seeking Black votes.*
*Edited for punctuation and capitalization.
“They had ‘Dirty Thirty Thursday.’ I wanted to go from the time I was 25, but as the name indicates it was 30 and over. The Grown Folks party!!!” — Elaine Guy, Gen X.
Exit Lounge
Location: 4220 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Status: Opened in August 1999; now closed
What is it now? A field behind a brick wall on the other side of Independence Boulevard.
From The Charlotte Observer, written by Hope Nicholls and published Sept. 17, 1999 about the newly opened Exit Lounge: Located next to the popular Latino House on Independence Boulevard, the Exit Lounge opened in August (1999) as a haven for the party people who want to dance until dawn.
A bumping sound system fills the club with body-rocking vibrations, clear enough to lose yourself on the dance floor while others have a conversation at the bar. Resident DJ Jeff Nagel and guests spin wax worth surrendering to (a blend of deep techno and house that will leave you breathless). A diverse young crowd has already discovered the Exit Lounge. While not an after-hours bar per se, its late-night, semi-underground vibe makes this the last stop of the evening for many. At midnight, the crowd will start filtering in. By 5 a.m., it’s the place to be and the whole joint is jumping.
“Amazing music.” — Diana Z., Xennial.
Fat City
Location: 3123 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in March 1995; closed
What is it now? Fat City Lofts, which is over Protagonist Brewing — for now, anyway (the brewery is moving in October), Popbar and Drip IV. The plan was to incorporate the building’s facade into the new design. However, it collapsed during a windstorm during construction. A homage to the facade was later created and is the yellow part of the building today.
From The Charlotte Observer’s Pamela L. Moore, published Nov. 3, 1997: Fat City is the pulse of a neighborhood struggling to transform itself from a down-on-its-luck mill village to an artists’ community and restaurant/entertainment destination.
It’s hard to say just exactly what Fat City is, because it’s so many things. It’s a little patch of soul in a buttoned-down banker’s town.
It’s a music club that offers free food and board to visiting rock bands; an art gallery offering display space to fledgling artists, the summer home of Seat of Our Pants Players - in short, the cultural nerve center of North Davidson Street.
It’s a place that, in the words of businessman Herb Singletary, who loves to eat lunch there, “probably wouldn’t work in SouthPark. … Everybody’s equal weird.”
And yes, it’s a deli, too, drawing one of Charlotte’s most diverse lunch crowds. White oxfords and ties and worker’s uniforms and tie-dye and black and white and gay and straight are all here for lunch on any day. People say they come for the best sandwiches in town - the Parm Sandwich with Parmesan-artichoke spread, havarti cheese, onions and other veggies on foccacia bread, or the famous Fat City Muffalatta made with ham, salami, provolone cheese and Cajun relish on foccacia.
“My sh–ty punk band played a lot at Tremont and Fat City.” — Jay-Micheal Sutton, Xennial.
The Forum
Location: 300 N College St, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in Sept. 2005; held a few closing parties in June 2010, then a few “one-night-only” parties until officially closing in November 2010.
What is it now? After The Forum, the space belonged to Phoenix Nightclub. Now it’s The Imperial/QC Social Lounge
From The Charlotte Observer’s Tonya Jameson on Sept. 27, 2005 about The Forum opening: Ever since Mythos closed in the summer of 2004, the once-vibrant intersection of Sixth and College streets has been on a beer-fueled IV supported by Bar Charlotte and Have a Nice Day Cafe.
On Friday, the area gets a breath of funky-fresh air when The Forum nightclub opens in the alley between Sixth and Seventh streets.
Uptown club owners and DJs are excited about the new night spot, pointing out it will draw more customers to the entire area.
“The Forum will raise the overall bar of entertainment,” said Noah Lazes, uptown nightlife staple and owner of N.C. Music Factory. “They’ll set a new standard for nightlife and entertainment.”
Gilda Lounge
Location: 2909 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Status: Opened in March 2006; was closed by December 2006
What is it now? The building is now the home to Heist Brewery and Benny Pennello’s
Grand Central Deli & Spirits
Location: 101 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened May 2003 by Danny McNally, part owner of Tyber Creek Pub. It served sandwiches by day and the late-night crowd by night. Closed in November 2008.
What is it now? Business Development Corp of America
From The Charlotte Observer’s Doug Smith in July 2003, shortly after Grand Central Deli & Spirits opened: As customers peer outside, passersby look at the action inside.
If an urban planning seminar were in town, participants would be furiously taking notes.
This is what they call “celebrating the street” by pulling restaurant windows and outdoor dining patios close to the sidewalk.
Focusing activity on the street sounds simple enough, but for Charlotte, it has been a decadelong struggle.
That’s because the Overstreet Mall network of shops and restaurants has pulled pedestrians off the street and inside office towers since the early 1970s.
City leaders believed the enclosed overstreet walkways helped uptown survive the loss of key anchors such as Belk and Ivey’s department stores by providing services and security.
But the cost was high. In the early 1990s, uptown critics joked that you could roll a bowling ball down Tryon Street after 5 p.m. and not hit anything.
The pendulum is swinging the other direction now, thanks to the efforts of building owners and uptown supporters.
Charlotte Center City Partners President Tim Newman is keeping a list of restaurants that opened uptown this year or will open by year end. He’s up to 14. …
Grand Central serves lunch and delivers sandwiches in the center city, but it also caters to the late-night crowd with drink specials and live music until 2 a.m. six days a week.
“The location was great and you got to see the same faces in the crowd most weekends so your group for the night constantly grew. The staff was amazing and the bartenders were THE BEST.” — Marina, Xennial.
Hartigan’s
Location: 601 S Cedar St Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in March 1996 in the former Foundry Pub location; closed in March 2014
What is it now? After Hartigan’s closed, Draught opened in August 2014. It’s now Clutch Kitchen and Pour House.
“Hartigans welcomed everyone.” — Jeff, Gen X.
Have A Nice Day Café
Location: 314 N College St Charlotte, NC
Status: Closed in 2005
What is it now? After Have A Nice Day, the alley bar that was on the backside of The Hut was home to Alley Cat, then RE:Public, then Flight Beer Garden & Music Hall until 2019. For a brief moment it was Topgolf Swing Suite, and it’s now Encore Nightclub and XOXO Lounge.
From The Charlotte Observer’s Olivia Fortson in August 1997 about Have a Nice Day Café: Admit it. There are times when, in the immortal words of K.C. and the Sunshine Band, the poets laureate of the disco generation, all you want to do is “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty.” When the feeling hits, put on your boogie shoes and get down at Have A Nice Day Cafe, a nightclub that pays tribute to the 1970s. And yes, it does get its name from that annoying ‘70s icon — a bright yellow smiley face. …
No food is served, but the usual beer, wine and mixed drinks are. The signature drink is a Happy Bowl - a giant fishbowl with the Have A Nice Day logo on it filled with grain alcohol and fruit punch, suitable for sharing, that goes for $13 ($9 for a refill).
“Happy Bowls, Blue Motorcycles, Four Horsemen shots, fabulous music, Melissa the Bartender!” — Rodney Graves, Gen X.
“The free pizza and beer parties weekly. IYKYK.” — Courtney Nesmith, Gen X.
“The ambiance and the music. It was the coolest club to bring out of towners. Have A Nice Day was a guaranteed fun time after a few drinks because it [played] fun songs that everyone could sing to.” — Charles Thomas, Gen X.
“Loved the music, lots of beautiful women.” — Jeff Gibbs, Gen X.
“Great music.” — Jarrod Hileman, Gen X.
HOM
Location: 116 W 5th St Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in 2007 as a 3-level space with different “rooms” in the “HOM”: Liv was the basement-level lounge, Feast was the street-level restaurant and Play was the upper level nightclub, with champagne bar The Bubble Room also upstairs. The club closed in 2009 and then reopened two months later as an upscale urban nightclub, Club Hom. It closed permanently shortly after.
What is it now? After HOM, the space became Figi Sushi Bar & Lounge and adjoining nightclub Kashmere. After that it was Latorre’s nightclub (after Latorre’s restaurant portion closed next door in 2009) and Queen City Diner. Later it became Tequila House, which is still open, and Roxbury, which closed in June 2023.
“That venue was the most Miami/New York night club in Charlotte ever. It was comprised of three floors: Feast/Play/Liv. It also put House music on the map in Charlotte.” — Martin Olivos, Millennial.
The Hut
Location: 314 N. College Street, Charlotte, NC
Status: Closed
What is it now? After The Hut, the bar that was on the frontside of Have A Nice Day, the space was home to Alley Cat, then RE:Public, then Flight Beer Garden & Music Hall until 2019. For a brief moment it was Topgolf Swing Suite, and it’s now Encore Nightclub and XOXO Lounge.
“The music and vibe.” — Tim, Gen X.
“Loved the theme, music, open windows and dancing.” — Anonymous, Gen X.
Ibiza
Location: 3420 US-21, Fort Mill, SC 29715
Status: Opened late 2001; changed its name in 2003
What is it now? 1st Capital Auto Title Loans
“The place was HUGE, the hours were amazing. The music was fantastic. We never had a bad night there!” — Marina, Xennial.
Jeremiah’s
Location: 4110 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Status: Closed
What is it now? A median beside an exit ramp off of Independence Boulevard
“Lots of hard rock and metal shows.” — Dann Dunn, Gen X.
Jillian’s
Location: 200 E Bland St, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened Sept. 5, 1998; closed in Feb. 2010
What is it now? All American Pub opened in 2012
From The Charlotte Observer’s Doug Smith, published in August 1998 ahead of Jillian’s opening: With restaurants, a brewery, bars and a home furnishings marketplace, South End seems to have just about everything for adults who like to get out.
Now it’s adding yet another dimension - “an adult-driven destination offering food, beverage and socially interactive ice-breaking entertainment in an exciting yet nonthreatening environment.”
That’s how Jillian’s, a 20-restaurant, Louisville, Ky., chain, describes what you’ll see starting Sept. 5 at the 21,000-square-foot, “eat-play-drink” restaurant it’s opening in a renovated industrial building on Bland Street.
Under one roof, you’ll find:
Jillian’s Sports Video Cafe and Bar with 21 60-inch and 14 36-inch TVs.
Jillian’s Hibachi Grill, which includes dancing chefs “with an attitude,” a light-and-smoke show, guest participation and a sake bar.
An electronic-simulation game room with such challenges as Harley motorcycle racing, alpine skiing, soccer, basketball and football.
A “low-tech” game area with 14 billiard tables, Ping-Pong tables, a batting cage and darts.
A 5,000-square-foot outdoor patio that runs the length of the building and faces the trolley line through South End, offering magnificent views of the uptown skyline.
A private party room available for corporate entertaining.
And - if you run out of cash taking advantage of all that - an automated teller machine.
Jillian’s shares a 28,000-square-foot building that Browder-Harris Co. renovated for owner George Talbot at a cost of roughly $1.5 million. Guy Ciccone plans to open Guytano’s, a “northern Italian/American” cuisine restaurant, in the adjoining 7,000 square feet.
Steve Harris of Browder-Harris said he will be a part owner with Ciccone in the restaurant, which will seat about 200 people and probably will start hosting grand-opening parties by the end of the month.
The building at 200 E. Bland St. formerly housed Environamics Inc. It’s beside the Gin Mill South End and The Brewing Experience, which occupy 6,200 and 2,600 square feet, respectively, in another renovated warehouse at South Tryon and Bland streets.
Shawn McAllister, a partner in the Gin Mill with Kenny Nazemetz, says they’re working on yet another concept - a dance club - for the building next to them in the 1400 block of South Tryon.
The tentative name is Mile High Charlotte, a high-energy club featuring Top 40 music, but some details are yet to be worked out. McAllister said he’s aiming for a mid-September opening.
Kazba
Location: 210 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Status: Opened in 2010; Closed
What is it now? Part of Queen City Quarter
Kings & Queens Restaurant and Lounge
Location: 119 S Brevard St Charlotte, NC
Status: Closed
What is it now? The building was torn down in 2008 or 2009; it’s now a parking lot across from Charlotte Transportation Center.
“Thursday nights were legendary. It was small. Like small, and there was one way in and one way out!!!” — Elaine Guy, Gen X.
Lava Lounge
Location: 1400 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Status: Opened in April 2005; Closed in December 2005
What is it now? In early 2006, the Sky/Lava Lounge owners planned to close for a renovation then reopen as Eden. In March 2012, it became the home of Societe. Now, the building is gone and the property is green space belonging to CPCC.
Liaisons Restaurant and Bar
Location: 316 Rensselaer Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203
Status: Closed
What is it now? Before Liasons, it was Amanda Rose. Now, it’s The Bar at 316.
From The Charlotte Observer’s Lesa Kastanas, published in June 2008: Cheers: This 100-year-old pink house in South End is one of the Queen City’s oldest gay bars. Even if the barstools don’t have names on them, they should. Long before the hood was hip, Liaisons was holding court on its packed patio.
Liquid Lounge
Location: 127 W Trade St Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened December 17, 1999; closed in March 2007 and, after a renovation, the space reopened as Tilt.
What is it now? Tilt on Trade
Loft 1523
Location: 1523 Bartow Ct, Charlotte, NC 28204 or 1523 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Status: Opened in Dec. 2005; closed
Madison’s
Location: 115 E 5th St Charlotte, NC
Status: Closed
What is it now? The former entrance is now an unmarked door between The Local and Connolly’s on 5th
“Loved the music, the staff, the vibe.” — Anonymous, Millennial.
Menage Ultra Lounge
Location: 116 W 5th St Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in 2004; closed in 2007.
What is it now? After Menage closed, the space was renovated to become HOM (with restaurant Feast, lounge Liv, nightclub Play and champagne bar The Bubble Room as part of it). After HOM, it was Lattorre’s. It’s now Tequila House.
From The Charlotte Observer, published Nov. 28, 2004 about the opening of Menage: An Insider friend tried to get the VIP treatment at the opening of Stefan Latorre’s newest nightclub venture, Menage Ultra Lounge, but learned the Insider’s name goes only so far.
Our spy got to leapfrog the line outside the West Fifth Street club, but Latorre declined a request for a tour of the restricted VIP areas tucked around the building.
Seems we didn’t make the grade to hang out with NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, who Latorre said had stopped by for the opening. Undaunted, the Insider pal toured the parts of the three-story club open to the rest of the masses.
A favorite stop was the 40-foot slide, which sends guests catapulting down a darkened, twisted tube onto a cushion in the first floor’s cozy (and nonsmoking) lounge.
The guys in the crowd clearly enjoyed the scantily clad dancers performing on tables on the third floor.
Mez
Location: 210 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Status: Closed in 2013; Studio Movie Grill opened in its place and then closed in 2020.
What is it now? Part of Queen City Quarter
Midnight ’Til Six
Location: 431 E. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC
Status: Midnight ‘Til Six opened in 1999 after being called Stayin’ Alive; it closed January 2001
What is it now? Hyatt House Charlotte
“THE MUSIC, The atmosphere ... it was like going to another world!” — Marina, Xillenial.
The Milestone
Location: 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in 1969; still open!
From The Charlotte Observer’s Courtney Devores, in a story about The Milestone’s 40th anniversary celebration in October 2009: Known as the CBGBs of the South (and not just by its owners), the graffitied Tuckaseegee Road venue has seen its share of stars. Melissa Etheridge, R.E.M., Bo Diddley and Nirvana are among the Grammy winners to cross its stage - as did near-household names the Go-Go’s, the Bangles, 10,000 Maniacs, the Violent Femmes and actor River Phoenix.
In 1969, Bill Flowers bought the building, originally a store and home owned by the family of Jamie Hoover, frontman for Charlotte’s the Spongetones. Flowers turned it into a bar and live music venue.
“I designed it off a place I spent some time (at) in San Francisco where if you clapped right you might hear yourself on vinyl next month,” he recalls. “I didn’t care where you came from, but it had to be original material.”
Honky-tonk songwriter Wink Keziah played there as a 15-year-old in the mid-’70s and opened for Black Flag, Diddley and R.E.M. He says it hasn’t changed much.
The ‘80s and early ‘90s served as the club’s heyday with a who’s who of on-the-cusp alternative rock bands.
Penny Craver, who co-ran the club from ‘91 to ‘94, flips through contracts from her shows: “Cowboy Mouth, Afghan Whigs, Swervedriver, Fugazi, Supersuckers, Reverend Horton Heat, Archers of Loaf, Jawbox, Shudder to Think, Hole ...” Those acts form an impressive list, but folks who frequented the club rank regional artists like Southern Culture on the Skids, the Blind Dates, Hillbilly Frankenstein, Don Dixon, Marti Jones and the db’s as the most memorable.
“Although these were oftentimes cringe-worthy, there weren’t really any other options.” — Dan Marks, Gen X.
“People went to The Milestone for one thing: Music. The result was a comfortable atmosphere.” — Duante, Gen X.
Mythos
Location: 300 N College St, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in 1993; Closed in 2004
What is it now? After Mythos closed, it was The Forum, then Phoenix Nightclub, and now is The Imperial/QC Social Lounge.
From The Charlotte Observer’s Dennis Romero, published Dec. 24, 1993: Ten skylights let in a radiant view pierced by skyscrapers. Hipsters in platform shoes collide in the unisex washroom. Glamorous people dressed in black groove to a dance beat so thick you can taste it.
This is not some event out of ‘70s New York. This is Charlotte, today.
Clubs like uptown’s Mythos - which opened Wednesday under the glare of the uptown skyline - are popping up in Charlotte to meet a growing need for urban nightlife. In the past six months, spots including Clarence Foster’s, Club 2000 and The Underground have appeared, to the delight of young clubgoers and some civic boosters.
Mythos - set in an old paint-and-glass warehouse at 6th and North College streets - is vying to become the city’s hippest club.
What it takes is 10 loudspeakers with 2,500 watts of power (that’s about 25 times the power of the neighbor kid’s raucous home stereo), a light trellis that moves up and down on hoists, and $250,000 worth of renovations to a funky old building.
Oh, and the music.
Andy Kastanas - a veteran Charlotte deejay and the creative force behind Mythos - will be spinning the latest in Euro-disco, progressive house and hi-N.R.G. dance music. As Mythos opens to the public, Kastanas will put six months of planning to the test.
“Uptown closes at 5, as you know. So it’s exciting to have some more entertainment outside of the performing arts.”— Tracy Tilley, corporate sales manager at the Holiday Inn across 6th Street, told The Charlotte Observer for a story published Dec. 24, 1993 about Mythos opening.
“House & trance music.” — Chris D., Gen X.
“Cage dances, oracle, fog machine, glow sticks, house music.” — Jan, Gen X.
“Best music and most eclectic, diverse crowd in Charlotte. Great industrial space, and coolest VIP room.” — Jason Hartigan, Gen X.
“When the underground clubs like Park Elevator, 1313 and Pterodactyl closed, there was a weird transition time where clubs like Mythos would cater to more a more mainstream dance crowd. They would then close its doors at 2 a.m., then reopen for us ravers to dance until the same came up and beyond.” — Kris Krause, Gen X.
“Best music.” — Lori, Gen X.
“Great music.” — Jarrod Hileman, Gen X.
“2 genres of music playing in the different areas.” — Anonymous, Gen X.
The Palomino
Location: 9607 Albemarle Rd, Charlotte, NC 28227
Status: Closed in 2002 after being open for two decades
What is it now? Midnite Rodeo
Written by The Charlotte Observer’s Mark Price in Sept. 2002: A big part of North Carolina’s country music scene passed quietly and unnoticed last month. The Palomino Club, called the “first honky-tonk east of the Mississippi,” closed its doors Aug. 24 after losing its lease. The site at 9607 Albemarle Road will soon house an upscale Hispanic nightclub called Disco Rodeo. That leaves the city with just one major country music venue, Coyote Joe’s on Wilkinson Boulevard. In the 20 years the Palomino operated, it was host to many of country music’s greatest singers, including George Jones, Ray Charles, Travis Tritt, Ricky Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard.
Park Elevator
First location: 311 Arlington Ave, Charlotte, NC, the Park Elevator building; left there in late 1993 or early 1994
Second location: 601 S Cedar Street, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in October 1987; closed
What is it now? The building off of South Boulevard caught fire in Feb. 1997 (possibly intentionally) and then was torn down. The Arlington is in its place — 310 Arlington Avenue hosts a handful of small businesses and the former Lincoln’s Haberdashery is also nearby. The building on Cedar Street is now home to Clutch Kitchen & Pour House.
From The Charlotte Observer archives on Dec. 24, 1993, in a story written by Dennis Romero about Mythos opening: Even the Park Elevator nightclub — king of Mount Hipness in Charlotte for more than five years — welcomes the competition. “I’m not concerned because I know that there’s nobody in this town that can touch us as far as music goes,” says club manager Lisa Christenbury.
“Best music, Best staff. The glass wall.” — Kris Krause, Gen X.
Phil & Tony’s Brick Oven Pizza Bar
Location: Originally located at 15105 John J Delaney Dr Ste A, Charlotte, NC 28277 and later at 8136 Providence Rd Charlotte, NC
Status: Closed
What is it now? The Ballantyne location is now Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar and the Arboretum location is now a Chili’s.
From The Charlotte Observer’s Leigh Dyer in August 2000: Phil & Tony’s, a locally-owned Italian restaurant featuring wood-fired pizzas, has a regular schedule of nighttime entertainment.
Wednesdays, it offers live R&B, blues and funk from the Charles Hairston Trio. Thursdays, DJ “That Guy Smitty” spins “soul-soothing” tunes from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
From The Charlotte Observer’s Helen Schwab in October 2000: Later past sundown - about 10 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and about 9 on Thursdays - Phil & Tony’s turns more lounge-ish, and tables are pulled off what becomes a dance floor. Wednesdays, there’s live R&B, funk and blues; Thursdays there’s what Kovalkoski calls funk-jazz; and Fridays and Saturdays have DJs.
Not your traditional pizza joint, but from this group, in this place, who would have expected one?
Plum Crazy
Location: Tyvola Road at I-77
Status: Opened Oct. 1985; Closed
From The Charlotte Observer’s Kathy Haight in Feb. 1988 about the current bar scene: Plum Crazy is a three-story cavern of a building painted pale purple outside and every color of the rainbow inside. It offers live music on Friday nights, and its matchbooks have this fill-in-the-blank form printed inside: “I met – at Plum Crazy on – His/her phone number is -- Comments .”
From The Charlotte Observer’s Kathy Haight in Feb. 1988, in a story about bars attracting older patrons in light of the drinking age changing from 19 to 21: With classy new hotel lounges (not to mention restaurants and other nightspots) opening nearly every month, clubs have to watch their competition like a hungry tomcat. Format shifts and promotional gimmicks have become a way of life as nightspots struggle to one-up each other while responding to the changing lifestyles of their patrons. Club owners and national trend-watchers are quick to point out that the baby boom generation, that huge chunk of the population that nightclubs have catered to for years, has become stubbornly comfy at home these days. VCRs, compact-disc players and “cocooning” are in. Hanging out at clubs - where worries about AIDs and tougher drunken driving laws have dulled the party-animal spirit - is just not what it used to be. At the other end of the age spectrum, many 18- to 20-year-olds who once filled local nightspots are staying away too since the drinking age rose from 18 to 19 and finally to 21 over the past few years. …
As much as they like staying home, baby boomers can still be lured into the oldies club scene. Whispers and Plum Crazy — two of the hottest, most competitive singles bar-discos in town — know that. That’s why Whispers mixes oldies with newer tunes during its Wednesday night “Millionaires Club” promotions and Plum Crazy spins ‘60s, ‘70s and early ‘80s rock from 8 to 10 p.m. four nights a week.
In spring and summer, Whispers offers live jazz Wednesday nights on its outdoor patio to entice the thirtysomething crowd. Plum Crazy plans to add a two-level outdoor patio and bar by Easter.
Pterodactyl Club
Location: 607 W 5th St Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in May 1987; closed in 1999
What is it now? An empty lot next to 500 West Trade apartments.
From The Charlotte Observer’s Kathy Haight, published May 8, 1987, about the opening of the Pterodactyl: The Pterodactyl - a new dance club with a DJ spinning alternative rock music by Talking Heads, U2, R.E.M., the Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Psychedelic Furs and other groups - opens this week at the corner of Morehead Street and Freedom Drive. Owner Jeff Lowery, who also owns the Milestone Club at 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd., says the Pterodactyl will be mostly a dance club but will also book several live bands per month.
“We’re going to run it more as a dance club,” Lowery said. “But if we get a chance to book some bands that are too big to play the Milestone, we’ll put them in at the new club because it’s got a bigger stage and holds about 500 people. Hopefully, once we get going, we’ll get more and more bands.
“We’ll do enough music to try and appeal to the mainstream somewhat, but all in a new vein. What we won’t be doing is your disco - what your other clubs are doing.”
“The music of course!” — Jamie Young, Gen X.
“Charlotte had a cutting-edge punk rock/alternative dance club!” — Gary Mauney, Gen X.
“Always great music, Jane’s Addiction live in 1987, or was it 1988? 25¢ sake shots, and it’s where I met up with my wife of 27 yrs!” — Bobby, Gen X.
“It was always great later at night when it was less crowded and the DJ just played great dance music. Always good people watching!” — Kristen, Gen X.
“Friendly for an alternative crowd and variety of music.” — Will, Xennial.
Rí Rá Irish Pub
Location: 208 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Status: Opened March 1997. Closed briefly after a fire in 2009 but otherwise — still open!
Rocky’s
Location: 4220 E. Independence Blvd Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in 1992; closed in 1994 when Sugar Shack opened.
The Charlotte Observer’s Kevin Morgan, published March 20, 1992: Rocky’s advertises itself as Charlotte’s ultimate rock ‘n’ roll club; with about 19,000 square feet under its roof, Rocky’s doesn’t seem to be overstating things in terms of size.
In fact the club, which is in renovated digs where Connections used to be, is so large that it boasts two performance spaces: the massive main room and the smaller (but still large) Pit. Total capacity: 900 people. The second you enter, you know the club’s musical orientation. Pictures of long-maned heavy-metal rockers jam the wall of the en-tranceway, above display cases that proclaim similar upcoming attractions.
Though open for only six weeks, bands up-and-coming on the national scene - White Trash and Lillian Axe - having swung through. Owner Rocky Scarfone (who also runs Cadillac’s nightclub in Hickory) is quick to point out that his place isn’t exclusively a metal club. He lists his booking priorities as rock first, then metal and alternative. Rocky’s has already booked impressive nonmetal acts. Two weeks ago, hard-core rapper Ice-T whipped a packed main room into a frenzy. Thursday, the popular alternative rockers, the Smithereens, were here.
“ROCK MUSIC AND METAL.” — Monte, Gen X.
“Lots of hard rock and metal shows.” — Dann Dunn, Gen X.
Salamandra
Location: 300 E. Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC
Status: Salamandra opened in the former location of T-Bones restaurant and The Cellar on May 7, 1999. It was Charlotte’s first upscale nightclub dedicated to Latin music and dancing, according to Charlotte Observer archives.
What is it now? Morehead Street Tavern opened in 2004, then closed in 2011. It’s now home of The Tavern.
Savoy Nightclub
Location: 3930 Brookshire Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28216
Status: Closed
What is it now? Club 704/Club Royale
From The Charlotte Observer’s Tonya Jameson in October 2004: Savoy caters to people ages 25 and up, and feels like a juke joint. On the dance floor an old playa’ did the robot to “I’ll Take You There” and a wild auntie did a low-end wop in a circle. Men actually asked women to dance and the dancing wasn’t raunchy.
Adding to the vibe were the characters. A tall guy with a curl wearing a shiny, red suit reminded me of one of the pimps in the HBO special “Pimps Up, Ho’s Down.” A tall thin woman sported an afro that rivaled the one worn by Sly Stone at the original Woodstock.
Arrive early; by midnight the line stretches into the parking lot.
Scandal’s
Location: 527 Cherry Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732
Status: Opened in 1988; closed April 2011.
What is it now? An empty building.
“Cheap beer and fun vibe.” — Dan, Gen X.
The Scorpio
Location: 2301 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208
Status: The city’s oldest LGBTQIA+ nightclub recently left its home on Freedom Drive. The nightclub has been open since 1968, and it’s looking for a new home due to development in the area.
What is it now? An empty building
Snug Harbor
Location: 1228 Gordon St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Status: Opened in May 2007; still open!
From The Charlotte Observer, written by Tonya Jameson and published April 27, 2007 about Snug Harbor’s opening: Snug Harbor will be the newest addition to the Plaza-Midwood nightlife scene. It’s a live music bar at Central Avenue and Pecan. It used to be Fire and Ice. Scott McCannell, a bartender at Dish, and Daylon Brumfield, who worked for concert powerhouse Live Nation, own it.
It’s scheduled to open next weekend and will feature bands. Along with live music, Scott Weaver will DJ and have go-go dancers on Thursdays.
The Steeple Lounge
Location: 1212 Pecan Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Status: Opened in 2002; closed in 2005
What is it now? Eden
The Charlotte Observer’s Jodie Valade recently did a deep dive into the building’s history, including its days as The Steeple Lounge: Eden’s opening brings this Plaza Midwood building back to its biblical roots.
Sugar Shack
Location: 4220 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Status: Opened in 1994; closed and Exit Lounge opened in 1999.
What is it now? A field behind a brick wall on the other side of Independence Boulevard.
From The Charlotte Observer’s Jef Feeley in August 1996: In 1992, nightclub impresario Rocco Scarfone operated Rocky’s, a rock ‘n’ roll club, at the site. In 1994, he split the club into separate venues, the Sugar Shack and the Male Room, where male dancers performed for women.
Suite Charlotte
Location: 210 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Status: Closed
What is it now? Part of Queen City Quarter
Sunset Club
Location: 1820 S Blvd Charlotte, NC
Status: Closed
What is it now? 110 East
From The Charlotte Observer’s Sarah Aarthun about Sunset Club, published Nov. 28, 2008: This South End nightclub recently underwent an extensive renovation and attracts the who’s who of Charlotte on Saturday nights.
Time Lounge
Location: 514 N College St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Status: Opened in April 2001; Closed
What is it now? The Ellis Uptown luxury apartments
From The Charlotte Observer, published April 24, 2001: The young and beautiful turned out en masse for the opening of Time Lounge, the latest addition to the growing College Street scene. Friday saw plenty of boys and girls playing at the new joint - tastefully sexy would best describe the attire - and nearly all were on mobile phones. What gives? Call the Loopster old-fashioned, but it’s no longer impressive to be seen talking on the phone in public.
Tilt on Trade
Location: 127 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Status: Opened in 2007 — and still open!
From CharlotteFive staff in June 2017: This little uptown nook has no theme and no schtick — it’s just a beer and shot bar and doesn’t try to be anything other than that. It also still has darts, beer pong and Jenga, which is kinda rare these days (especially in Uptown). The staff make it a point to know you by name and even feature a ton of regulars in photos on the wall. It’s a fun, no-pretense place for a reasonably priced beer in shorts, flops and a tank top, or a suit. It’s just a bar, and a damn good one at that.
Tonic
Location: 1427 E 4th St Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in 1999; closed in 2004.
What is it now? Central Piedmont Parking Deck 2
“Hard to summarize Tonic’s dope ass vibe. ☺️ Tonic was never just a nightclub, it was an experiment. The building’s unassuming original mid-century modern exterior hid a vibrant nightlife inside. Combinations of inventive live entertainment and a beautiful crowd always served up fun as delicious as the mix drinks poured. That experiment was composed of: A beautiful lounge environment; a staff everyone knew like family; amazing live entertainment in the form of local and world renowned DJs; electroclash bands and theme parties (Chelsea, Freaky Wack, Monster SakiSashaSushi) all which leaned towards wild performance art. Mix these all together and you had a recipe for one hell of a good time. But it was Tonic’s patrons that made the spot so special. Unique, curious and always ready for the best of fun. And all this just scratches the surface.” — Christopher Frers, co-owner of Tonic
“Small club feel with an internationally renowned sound system (rated #2 in the world behind Montreal’s STEREO in Sound Systems International in 2002 or 2003).” — Anonymous Gen X.
“The scene really came to best DJs, sound, atmosphere in Charlotte.” — Ken Cawthon, Gen X.
“Hands down best music/DJs, best theme parties, best bartenders and best people/atmosphere. Incredibly diverse with the most cosmopolitan patrons and fashion.” — Brandon Lacy, Gen X.
Tremont Music Hall
Location: 400 W Tremont Ave, Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in 1995; closed Dec. 19, 2015
What is it now? Tremont Square townhomes
From The Charlotte Observer’s Kenneth Johnson, published on March 31, 1995, about Tremont Music Hall’s recent opening, along with Fat City: It’s encouraging news to followers of Charlotte’s original-music scene. “I think this will definitely pick everything up. It’ll make for a good spring and summer,” said Jeff Williams, guitarist and vocalist for Charlotte’s Iodine, which headlines a show at Tremont on Saturday. (Hardsoul Poets play there tonight.)
“Charlotte’s scene seems to have its ups and downs. There are always dry periods. But as the city grows, there’s going to be more of a market for it.”
“It has to be better, just by comparison with ‘94,” said Chris Piegler, bassist and vocalist for Proletariat Madonna. “Obviously, the more clubs there are, the more opportunities there are for local bands to play.”
The key is for fans to continue patronizing the clubs after the initial excitement of their openings wears off, according to Piegler. “Otherwise, it’s going to dry up again like it did in ‘94.”
Tutto Mondo
Location: 1820 S Blvd Charlotte, NC
Status: Opened in February 1998; closed in August 2010
What is it now? 110 East
From The Charlotte Observer’s Helen Schwab in September 1997, ahead of Tutto Mondo’s opening: Look for Tutto Mondo (“everything in the world,” roughly, in Italian) to open the first or second week of November beside Pewter Rose, upstairs at 1820 South Blvd. Owned by the same folks, this will be a little bar — “a sort of Parisian nightclub of the ‘50s,” says chef Blake Dewey — serving an American tapas menu.
That means appetizer portions of dishes from all over the place (and a lineup that changes frequently), says Dewey, plus champagnes (accompanied by caviars, natch), martinis, vodkas and more. Leather chairs and a gothic look, with velvet curtains and lots of gold and gilt, will be the setting; a DJ will be assigned to keep the 50-or-so-seat place high-energy. Hours will be in the 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. range, with music starting after 10 or so.
The Underground
Location: 4445 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Status: Opened June 1992; by 1994 it was Samson’s Hole
What is it now? Pool Tables Plus and Jukebox Pros. It’s also been the home of Samson’s Hole, Rum Runners, Club H20 and Studio 74.
From The Charlotte Observer, written by Dennis Romero and published Dec. 24, 1993: The Underground prides itself on its decor: Black walls, chain-link fences and 16 red lasers provide an atmosphere that co-owner Paul Samaras calls “the aftermath-of-a-nuclear-war kind of look.” It opened last June and soon found a market in the college crowd and other alternative-music lovers.
Whispers Sports Bar
Location: 4321 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209
Status: Closed
What is it now? Amélie’s French Bakery & Café
From The Charlotte Observer’s Kathy Haight in Feb. 1988 about the current bar scene: Whispers — a sea of tasteful blue neon, pale teal walls and postmodern mirrors at one corner of Park Road Shopping Center — has been locked in a king-of-the-mountain battle with Plum Crazy on Tyvola Road since Plum Crazy opened in October 1985. Right now, Whispers is on top, although Plum Crazy is making a strong showing, particularly on Saturdays. Both clubs cater to single, young professionals 21 and older. (Or as one Whispers patron put it, “People who want to be more aggressive in life.”)
Yesteryears Goodtime Pub
Location: 4508 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Status: Opened in 1996; closed around 2011.
What is it now? An empty lot; part of an exit ramp.
Editor’s note: Did we leave out your favorite spot? Email us at charlottefive@charlottefive.com with any details you remember, including the years you went. Bonus points if you have old photos to share!
This story was originally published November 9, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
