NFL Draft Parties, Fashion Shows, Friday Live At the Factory, a Big Bachelorette Party, and More May 8-11

Make Mom proud by proving you have a sophisticated social life. Your itinerary awaits. 

 

 

Overtime – The Professional Happy Hour

You’re invited to mix and mingle over martinis and small plates, at this recently opened Uptown bar. Presented by C Squared Events. 5:30-9 p.m. Free admission. Sydney’s Martini and Wine Bar, 401 N. Tryon St., sydneysmartiniandwinebar.com, c2entevents.com.

 

Weekend Warmup (weekly event)

There’s live music by a different band each Thursday, in addition to the good food and drinks this bar is known for. Music this evening by Heroes At Last. Also, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 6-8 p.m. Free admission. Icehouse South End, 2100 South Blvd., icehousecharlotte.com, historicsouthend.com/hse_ww.

 

NFL Draft Party (Kennedy’s)

Watch day one of the highly anticipated NFL Draft on the multiple TVs at this bar, including its great patio. Plus, there’s a $25 all-you-can-eat wings and draft beer special. 6 p.m.; NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. Free admission. Kennedy’s Premium Bar & Grill, 366 N. Caswell Rd., kennedyscharlotte.com.

 

Sunset at Metropolitan (weekly event)

A new live music series kicked off last week in Midtown. Music this evening by Hot Gates, and you’ll want to grab food and drinks from one of the surrounding restaurants and bars. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free admission. Metropolitan, 1111 Metropolitan Ave., metmidtown.com/events.

 

Fashion Pop

Vestique Fashion Boutique will showcase its latest and trendiest spring styles during this fashion event. Complimentary champagne and prosecco will be served during the first hour, and complimentary appetizers all evening. 7-10 p.m. (fashion show begins 9 p.m.). Free admission; RSVP to lauren.flack@vestique.com. Bubble, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., bubblecharlotte.com.

 

NFL Draft Party (BlackFinn)

Enjoy $4 craft beers or a $12 craft beer/burger combo while you watch the nationally televised NFL Draft. 7 p.m. Free admission. BlackFinn American Saloon, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., facebook.com/BlackFinnCharlotte. 

 

NFL Draft Party (Carolina Ale House)

There are dozens of TVs throughout this two-level restaurant and bar, and you can treat your palate to great specials, including $3.50 martinis, and 22-ounce beers for the price of a 16-ounce. 7 p.m. Free admission. Carolina Ale House, 201 S. College St., carolinaalehouse.com.

 

 

Friday Live At the Factory (weekly event kickoff)

This outdoor party and live music series has become a tradition for many to kick off their weekends during late spring/early summer. Bands perform on the Fountain Plaza stage, several mobile bar stations are set up, and the doors open to the surrounding venues such as Osso, Wet Willie’s, Small Bar, and VBGB. Live music this Friday by Cowboy Mouth. 6-11 p.m. General admission, $5; VIP, $40;  Fountain Plaza at NC Music Factory, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., ncmusicfactory.com, ncmusicfactory.ticketleap.com.

 

Southeast’s Largest Bachelorette Party

Brides-to-be and any ladies who want to have a fun night out with their girlfriends are invited to attend this over-the-top bachelorette party. There’ll be a scavenger hunt through 12 bars in the EpiCentre, where ladies will meet up with secret “hot agent” guys to find clues, enjoy drinks, play games, and compete for a prize. A dance party with DJ will follow, and guests will take home goodie bags. 7 p.m.-midnight. General admission, $20; VIP, $50. Rooftop 210, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., cltbacheloretteparty.com.

 

Make It a Montford Night

In between bar-hopping, Montford Drive dwellers drop in to this lounge for good cocktails and dancing. Music by DJ J-Good. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission. Southside, 1600 Montford Dr., facebook.com/southsideclt.

 

Beach Glow

This beach-themed dance party will feature nine DJs: Danny B, Killtrak vs. Thrillian, Freaky, Jaws, SeanT, Vexation, Osiris, and Kiing Boo. Beach wear is encouraged but not required, and you can expect glow sticks, beach balls, and inflatables. The Chaotic Cupcakes (go-go dancers) will also be there. Presented by S.P. Entertainment and Team No Sleep Charlotte. 10 p.m. $10. Phoenix, 300 N. College St., phoenixcharlotte.com, spententertainment.com.

 

 

Carolina Panthers 2014 Draft Party 

Fans will be able to watch the NFL Draft on big screen TVs inside the bar as well as outside at the Bud Light Beer Garden. Outdoor activities during this family-friendly event include face painting, a bounce house, and field goal kick. There will also be a Panthers Pride costume contest, cornhole tournament, and appearances by the TopCats, Sir Purr and PurrCussion, and current and former Panthers players. Fans can bring three non-perishable food items or donate $3 to Second Harvest Food Bank to be entered into a raffle for a chance to win autographed items and Panthers gear. Noon-5 p.m. Free admission. Hickory Tavern, 9010 Harris Corners Pkwy., facebook.com/htavern.harris, pnth.rs/1iAc0DK. [photo credit: facebook.com/CarolinaPanthers]

 

Third Annual Pass the Purse Empowerment Tea

Girl Talk Foundation, Inc. hosts this high-tea fundraiser, highlighting several of the organization’s participants paired with influential “Women of Inspiration,” who will pass along their wisdom to the girls. The event will feature both a silent and live purse auction. 1-3:30 p.m. $100. The Ritz-Carlton, 201 E. Trade St., girltalkfoundationinc.com.

 

MayDay! The Day Party

Experience this popular nightclub during the day, with music by the renowned DJ SNS. Presented by Blue Goose and Status Inc. 2-7 p.m. $10; VIP tables available, party@suitecharlotte.com. Suite, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., suitecharlotte.com, maydayparty.eventbrite.com.

 

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

It’s a fun-filled afternoon of beer sipping, bourbon tasting, barbeque eating, music listening, and even cigar smoking. Guests will receive a souvenir sampling glass, and there’ll be 40 bourbons and 60 beers on tap. There will also be seminars by master distillers, brewmasters, and pit masters, as well as a Best Beer Belly and BBQ Babe contests. 2-6 p.m. $40. Symphony Park at SouthPark, 4400 Sharon Rd., beerandbourbon.com/north-carolina/show-info.

 

Phoenix On SaturDAY

Part two of this day party series is going down, from the dance floor to the patio. Music by DJ Shaun Nyce. Presented by PME, Round Table, and The Sol Kitchen. 3 p.m. Free admission with advance registration. Phoenix, 300 N. College St., phoenixcharlotte.com, ez-tixx.com/phoenix-on-saturday-ii.

 

LACE: A Lingerie and Swim Fashion Show

Enjoy an elegant 1950s Old Hollywood evening, featuring 10 collections and designers, and more than 100 looks from Lola Haze, Plumeria Swimwear, Tara Grinna, Krystyna’s Treasures, Naked Underwear, Erica M, Andrew Christian, and Yummie Tummie. Proceeds will benefit Carolina Breast Friends. 7-9 p.m. General admission, $20. Oak Room, 200 E. Bland St., oakroomclt.com, laceclt.com.

 

A Taste of Collins

The Legacy Committee is hosting their annual event, combining music and fashion on a rooftop in the heart of the city. Models will walk the runway in swimwear from Montce, DNA Swim, Uli, Vizcaya, and more. After-party at Suite. 7-11 p.m. $5-$15. Rooftop 210, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., facebook.com/Rooftop210, tasteofcollins2014.eventbrite.com.

 

WYKAU Live! The Experience

WYKAU WAM (What You Know About Us We All Matter) is an African American trivia game created by North Carolina native Vicco Barringer, with the goal of keeping African American history alive. Start Something will host this festive night, featuring the live trivia, a comedy show, music by DJ Double D, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. 7:30 p.m. General admission, $5 in advance; $8 at the door. Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, 551 S. Tryon St., wykaulive.eventbrite.com.

 

Signature Saturdays

Taking place the second and last Saturday of every month, this edition features live jazz by 5th & York, followed by music from DJ Freedom. Drink specials include $6 martinis and $99 Moët bottles, and the food menu is available until midnight. Presented by Eddietainment. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission before midnight; for VIP tables, eddiet456@gmail.com. Vapiano, 201 S. Tryon St., facebook.com/VapianoCLT, eddietainment.com.

 

 

Sarah Nowicki has compiled a great list of Mother’s Day brunches on the Dine & Dish blog. Click here. 

 

Sunday Fundae (weekly event)

Service industry night has been revamped, with popular Charlotte DJ duo Wiggz N Wonz (go on at 10 p.m.), and different guest bartenders every week. Drink specials include $3 U-Call-Its and $5 Vodka Red Bull Slushies. There will also be games such as beer pong, cornhole, and flip cup. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission. Prohibition, 200 N. Tryon St., prohibitionclt.com.

 

Label On Sunday (weekly event)

Some of the region’s best hip hop DJs are brought in here on Sunday nights, and it continues this Sunday with DJ Skillz. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $10; ladies free before 11:30 p.m. VIP tables available, shawn@labelcharlotte.com. Label, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., labelcharlotte.com, thesolkitchen.com.

 

Verify dates, times, prices, and other info at the web addresses listed for each event.

 

Be sure to bookmark www.charlottemagazine.com/Blogs/Dusk-Till-Dawn to stay plugged into Charlotte’s nightlife and social scene. Click here to sign up to receive the weekly Dusk Till Dawn e-newsletter. Follow me on Twitter @HollidayInk; email me at jarvish@grownpeopletalking.com.