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Sooooo, if you actually enjoy this newsletter, go to cool events because of it, or it just gives you ideas of things to do in Charlotte, please forward this link to a friend so they can sign up.

In today’s Charlotte Invite, you’ll find:

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok over the last year, you’ve seen the "girl dinner"—a chaotic but satisfying plate of whatever’s in the fridge that doesn't require much cooking. But in Charlotte, this isn’t just a viral trend; it’s becoming a strategic business move.

It’s a smart pivot. With the cost of living rising, a restaurant offering a good food deal is a major incentive to actually leave the house. But there’s a deeper layer to why this is working so well here: Charlotte is a city of singles.

According to census data, 47% of men and 44% of women in the Queen City have never been married. Businesses aren't just chasing a trend; they are catering to a demographic that is spending more time (and money) with their friends than on traditional dates. It seems the "Girls' Night Out" has officially dethroned the "Date Night" for the under-40 crowd.

Blinders, a local sports lounge, saw a surge during March Madness and MLB season last year, but then they hit a summer slump and realized they needed to appeal to more than just the typical sports fan.

So they rolled out their movie series. "We saw that it was a lot of girls coming with their friend groups," says Renee Nesbitt, Events Manager at Blinders. For $30, you get a street corn chicken Caesar wrap, fries, and a seasonal or espresso martini. The consistency has paid off, drawing crowds of up to 200 people.

Now Blinders draws a Wednesday crowd that is at least 70% women. They’ve even expanded the vibe to include reality TV watch parties for The Traitors and Tell Me Lies.

If you want to go to the next movie & girl dinner at Blinders, keep up on their Instagram page, and snag a reservation.

🚗 The I-77 expansion is on pause. After community backlash (particularly from historically Black communities) NCDOT has officially created a 3-month listening period. Giving local leaders more time to weigh in on how we actually want to move around the city.

✈️ CLT is headed to LAS. Local travel data shows Las Vegas is the most searched flight destination from Charlotte. We’re obviously all ready for summer, because the runner-ups were Miami, San Juan and Orlando.

🎪 Blume Studios just announced its next big immersive residency, and it’s a massive one. Horizon of Khufu officially opens on April 17. It’s a 42-minute VR "expedition" that lets you explore the Great Pyramid of Giza and ancient burial rituals without leaving Charlotte

Last week, I asked how happy you are with Charlotte’s nightlife options. 63% of y’all said “I don’t really go out much”. The rest of you were split between “we desperately need more options” and “I have go-to’s but could use more”

Now I want to know, is the Charlotte dating scene actually dead, or are we all just having more fun with our friends?

Here are our top five:

Here’s your under $50 weekend schedule:

The total for this weekend comes to $25 - $50, depending on your margarita and pickleball budget!

What’d you think? Love it? Hate it? Either way we want your feedback - email [email protected] with your thoughts.