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Aerin It Out
Dahlia’s First Anniversary and Best in the Nest Ring in Holiday Season
Introverts have a knack for agreeing to social plans while in a fleetingly social mood, only to later find that these so-called “surprise” plans, which lack any element of actual surprise, must be followed through on. Hello, it’s me, the introvert, undergoing my own self-inflicted torture. This past Saturday, while…
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Lifestyle
El Malo Tacos’ Hermanita Is a Not-So-Hidden Gem of Midwood Corners
Imagine sitting on a cozy patio under soft, glowing string lights sipping a grapefruit tequila cocktail from earthenware on a Sunday evening. The remnants of lime and tajín linger in the air after every sip, seamlessly blending with the pervasive aroma of savory meat and warm corn tortillas. As you…
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Lifestyle
Inside Farewell to Summer Foundation’s Annual LGBTQ+ Fundraiser
When my high school bestie left me a FaceTime voicemail asking if I wanted to be her +1 for a charity event, I sat on the invitation for over a month. Am I the only introvert who immediately hears “networking” and “stuffy” when someone says “fundraiser?” The invitation, luckily enough,…
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Columns
The Daily Tavern Completes Its Comeback In Uptown
Even as the humidity hung heavy in the air and sweat beads formed on my mustache, reminding me that despite the official arrival of September, the dog days of summer were still in full effect. Though hungover with a social meter on E, there was something so peaceful about returning…
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Columns
Scorpio Returns with New Location Just in Time for Pride
“To the haters: talk crap if you want to, but we were packed tighter than a drag queen’s suitcase!” – Scorpio Charlotte Facebook post on its recent grand opening success. I’ll never forget the first time I visited the original godmuva of LGBTQIA+ nightlife in the Queen City. My gaze…
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Columns
5th Street Live Brings Back Alive After Five Vibes
When I received an invite to check out 5th Street Live, the new Thursday happy hour hotspot, I was hesitant to accept. After witnessing the beautiful chaos of Uptown’s coveted weekly “networking” event known as Alive After 5 (aka AA5) in the 2010s, did I want to behold yet another…
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Columns
Maneki Pop-Up Set to Become Permanent Late-Night Spot in Uptown
Kushiyaki (noun) ku·shi·ya·ki: grilled and skewered meat or vegetables in Japanese cuisine; typically seasoned with soy sauce, salt, or other flavorings and cooked over an open flame or grill. “Sometimes you gotta pop up and sh(o)nigiris,” I jokingly said to the boo (sorry, not sorry, Kendrick Lamar’s “They Not Like…
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Columns
Sneak Is a New Meet-Cute Cocktail Lounge in Elizabeth
Tucked in the back of the Pecan Point shopping center at the corner of East 7th Street and Pecan Avenue in Elizabeth, next to longtime tenant Bang Bang Burgers, now stands a new kid on the block. What started as a deli bar concept, according to co-owner Jamil Whitlow, evolved…
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Columns
Substrate Delivers on Vermouth Cocktails and Cozy Vibes
In chemistry, a substrate refers to the substance an enzyme or microorganism acts on to produce a specific reaction. At Substrate, a brand-spanking-new wine and vermouth bar in Optimist Park, it’s clear the patrons are the catalysts and the reaction is … we’ll get to that. “What do you think…
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Aerin It Out
A Visit to Menya’s Omakase Speakeasy in Elizabeth
“We’ve got a birthday tonight, is that right?” I could feel the embarrassment rushing to my cheeks as I lifted my head and realized the question was directed at me. I’d forgotten that my girlfriend thought it would be funny to say we were celebrating my birthday when she secured…
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Columns
Raving at Blackbox Theater for Club Mythos Reunion Night
When you overhear your favorite larger-than-life barber telling someone, “OMG! It’s going to be the party of the century!” while getting your hair done, you turn your head (not too quick) and listen. I lifted my heavy head, keeping my platinum-blonde tresses dangling in the wash bowl, craning my neck…
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Columns
Taking on Tiki Sundays at Tommy’s Pub with Uncle Jerry
Asking your girlfriend what she wants for dinner usually sets you up for that scene-turned-meme from The Notebook in which Ryan Gosling pleads desperately with Rachel McAdams, “What do you want?!” In our house, the question is, “Let’s go somewhere new tonight. Got any ideas?” That’s when the deliberations begin.…
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Columns
Going to Frankie’s Fun Park in My 30s
As a 30-somethin’ who gives a suspicious side-eye anytime I’m carded, it was a surprisingly easy yes when I received an invite to a friend’s 40th birthday party at Frankie’s Fun Park. Your girl may not cave to rollercoasters, house parties, or large social gatherings in general, but when it…
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Nightlife
Losing Friends at a Country-Fried Chicken Chase Bar Crawl
A couple of weeks ago, the boo and I got a text from my girlfriend inviting us to a “Chicken Chase” bar crawl for her boyfriend’s birthday. Normally, we’re not the type to commit to a social gathering prematurely, especially when it involves day drinking — or chickens. It was…
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Nightlife
Morehead Tavern’s Haunted Cocktail Pop-up in Uptown Is No Drag
“Babe, wanna do me a huge favor?” I asked the boyfriend with a pleading lilt Tuesday night after getting a gentle tap from the head honcho, Ryan Pitkin, via text reminding me my deadline for the Halloween guide was fast approaching. “What’s that?” bae replied with a sigh. “Will you…
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Nightlife
Starlight on 22nd Is a North Star in North Charlotte
On a Saturday at 9 p.m., East 22nd Street tickled my “seedy” meter as we rounded the corner to a seemingly nondescript, dimly lit nook in Optimist Park. I bit my tongue, though I was convinced swapping out GPS for a “sense of direction” wasn’t the best decision. But…
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