We’re so close to waking up Saturday morning to 66° and sunny - so hang in there. 🌞
In today’s Charlotte Invite, you’ll find:
$7 latte > $15 cocktail in more ways than one
Quick local news you should know
Our top 5 event picks
A budget friendly weekend
Charlotte’s parties are starting at 10am
Gen Z is partying and drinking less. Here in Charlotte one option seems to offer a replacement: morning hangouts.
These aren't just quiet coffee dates; they are full-blown parties. Imagine DJ sets, R&B throwbacks, and the high energy of a club, but with a latte in your hand instead of a $15 cocktail.
Note: these don’t apply to all morning hangouts or nightlife options
☕️ Luckily there’s no shortage of morning hangout hosts here in Charlotte:
4C’s The Coffee Set - DJ sets and coffee at Lottie’s
RnBrew - coffee, cocktails and R&B
CLT Social Club’s Morning Mix - offers coffee & alcohol
Coffee Beats CLT - coffee + electronic music at Salud
🕺🏾Nightlife still has its appeal — wearing that one dress, getting ready with your friends while making espresso martinis, and having a fun night that could lead anywhere.
But, with the expensive drinks, club entry fees and section prices, nightlife math just isn’t mathing.
👯♂️ Also, these morning hangouts may be solving another problem: the friendship epidemic. For 6 years, I’ve worked in media here in Charlotte, and this city has become notorious for how difficult it is to make friends and meet romantic partners.
I spoke to Rod Carter from the 4C about their Coffee Set events:
Q: What is the Coffee Set? What makes it different?
A: The coffee set is an alcohol free party, because it’s like start your morning off fresh, so you can come dance and have fun. Plus after you can still go have a full day
Q: What’s the typical demographic?
A: Honestly a range because we’ve had aunts and grandmas come, but really it’s mostly 22 to mid 30s
Q: How do these parties compare to nightlife parties?
A: No section culture of course, we also try our best to have no line culture. We try to help attendees leave with a sense of new community, cuz how often are you actually like making friends at the bar or the club?
What do y’all think? Let me know.
Just so you know…
🏙 Local nonprofit, Do Greater CLT, is opening its Uptown Creative Lab, where people can co-work, enjoy coffee, use a digital studio, and get entrepreneurial support. Its grand opening event is on Friday, where you can get coffee, donuts, work, hear a live DJ set, photo sessions & more.
🛍 Popular monthly street festival, Front Porch, is leaving South End en route to Charlotte's west side. It's also moving from Sundays to Saturdays. The first event will be Saturday, April 4. Expect 125 local vendors. Some South End residents are not happy.
Weigh in
Last week, 90% of y’all said Optimist Hall “actually does have good food!
Are you happy with Charlotte's nightlife options?
Events
Here are our top five:
SOLO: Thursday 🎨 Craft and mingle at a Solo Date Night at La Bodeguita at Camp North End. Tickets are $27 and include a craft.
GAME NIGHT: Friday 🎤 Black Trivia Night will have categories like for the culture, growing up black. Tickets are $14.
SKATE: Friday 🛼 Rent skates for $20 or bring your own to skate, sip cocktails, get food and hear hip hop & R&B. Free entry.
PLANTS: Saturday 🪴 Am I the only one seeing gardening videos on TikTok recently? This plant sale has houseplants & tropical plants, plus a cash bar.
COFFEE: Saturday ☕️ Coffee Beats CLT will have DJ sets, coffee and cocktails at Salud. Entry is free.
A budget-friendly weekend
Here’s your under $50 weekend schedule:
Since y’all love Optimist, try Papi Queso’s Frosé, which is $2 off on Fridays, making a small $8, plus grab their “Lil Cheesy” sandwich for $7.
Get your coffee or matcha fix ($8) at Sugar & Sip, on Saturday, a DJ will play jazzy amapiano from 11am-3pm, RSVP here.
On Sunday, start with a walk at the Whitewater Center ($13 parking) where you can hopefully see the highland cows. Grab lunch there ($7 - $15).
The total for this weekend comes to $43 - $50, depending on your food and coffee budget!
Enjoy a blurry photo of the highland cows at the Whitewater Center
That’s it for this week.
What’d you think? Love it? Hate it? Either way we want your feedback - email [email protected] with your thoughts.
