Panthers vs. Bills Tailgate Party, Draught Bar Opens, WelcomeFest, Maverick Rock Taco Beach Bash, and More – Aug. 7-10

It’s a festive next few days in Charlotte, and this list features more than 20 events, representing traditions, new beginnings, team pride, and all-around good times. 

 

 

Neighborhood Throw Down Thursdays (new weekly event)

It’s all-you-can-eat, picnic-style, during happy hour at this Uptown wine bar, and each week offers a different featured menu selection. This Thursday is beer and brats–hand-stuffed bratwurst and featured growlers (upcoming: August 14, oyster roast; August 21, suckling pig pickin’; August 28, fish fry with Mexican street corn). 5-7 p.m. $10. The Wooden Vine Wine Bar & Bistro, 231 N. Tryon St., thewoodenvine.com.

 

Thursday Night Flights 

There are only three more opportunities to check out this weekly summer series on the raptor trail (ends August 21). This Thursday will feature live music by Chas Willamon, a “Summer’s End” wine tasting, and Hot Box Next Level Street Food. 6-8 p.m. Adults, $10; kids admitted free. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Rd., Huntersville, carolinaraptorcenter.org.

 

The Not Wedding

This is Charlotte’s inaugural Not Wedding, a bridal show alternative in the form of a big, fake wedding, where “wedding guests” are brides-to-be who enjoy an emotional ceremony, dinner, and a dance-party reception while experiencing wedding vendors in action. About 40 local vendors will be on-hand. 7 p.m. General admission, $30; VIP, $40. Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. Seventh St., thenotwedding.com/events/the-1st-charlotte-notwedding.

 

Brew & Fondue

This dessert restaurant and bar is partnering with NoDa Brewing Company for a palate-pleasing evening. A four-course fondue dinner is being paired with local beers. 7:30 p.m. $50. The Melting Pot – Midtown, 901 S. Kings Dr., meltingpot.com/charlotte/specials.

 

 

Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills Tailgate Party

It’s the Panthers’ first preseason game of the 2014 season (game time is 7:30 p.m.), and this big tailgate party takes place in the shadows of the stadium, featuring a full bar, food from local restaurants, indoor seating, live music on an outdoor stage, a live WFNZ broadcast, and several TVs. 2 p.m.-until. Free admission. The WFNZ/Coca-Cola Doghouse, 401 W. Morehead St., facebook.com/cbsradiodoghouse. 

 

Draught Charlotte Opening

Described as an upscale sports and craft beer bar, Draught embarks on a two-day soft opening Friday and Saturday, having taken over and renovated the space formerly occupied by Hartigan’s Irish Pub. This new bar is offering 34 craft beers on tap, daily cocktail and draft specials, and lunch and dinner menus. And since it’s in the backyard of Bank of America Stadium, look for it to host plenty of Panthers fans on game days. Draught Charlotte, 601 S. Cedar St., draughtcharlotte.com, facebook.com/draughtcharlotte.

 

Red @ 28th – University Grand Reopening Weekend (Friday-Sunday)

The University City location of this “multicultural literary lounge” (the original is in NoDa) celebrates the opening of its new bar. There’ll be $1 beers and $5 hookahs on special. Red @ 28th – University, 9539 Pinnacle Dr., redat28th.com.

 

National Dollar Day

In honor of the dollar, this Uptown bar is offering $1 draft beers and $1 shots all day/night. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission before 9 p.m.; $5 after. Prohibition, 200 N. Tryon St., prohibitionclt.com. 

 

Howl At the Moon’s Six-Year Anniversary Party

The popular dueling-pianos bar celebrates another anniversary, with a party featuring great drink specials and a complimentary appetizer buffet (until 8 p.m.). 5 p.m.-2 a.m. RSVP for free admission. Howl At the Moon, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., howlatthemoon.com/charlotte, 6thyearbash.splashthat.com.

 

Happy Hour with Live Music

Scoot Pittman plays old- and new-school acoustic jams, while guests enjoy drink specials under $5 and $6. 5:30-8 p.m. Free admission. Phil’s New York Deli and Tavern, 105 E. Fifth St., philsny.com, facebook.com/philstavern.

 

Haunt Pop-Up Bar (Friday and Saturday)

This pop-up bar, inspired by those who believe cocktail creation is an art, sets up for two nights at this north Charlotte restaurant. 6-10 p.m. Free admission. Haunt Bar, at Nano’s Dominican Cuisine, 3428 N. Tryon St., nanoscharlotte.com, hauntbar.com.

 

11th Annual Black and White Party

Come dressed in your trendiest black and white attire, and dance the night away at this Latin nightclub. Music by DJs Cali, Chaos, and Chaka. Presented by Ultra Entertainment. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Ladies dressed in black and white admitted free before 11:30 p.m.; general admission, $10 and up. Latorre’s, 116 W. Fifth St., facebook.com/latorresdisco, ultracharlotte.com.

 

Robbie Rivera

The San Juan-raised, Miami-based house music DJ headlines, with opening sets by DJs Rob Reeves and Jason Fotizo. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. General admission, free in advance with RSVP, donations accepted for the Bob Moog Foundation; VIP admission, $30. Label, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., labelcharlotte.com.

 

 

WelcomeFest '14

This inaugural event celebrates this region’s love for college football. Alumni and fans from more than a dozen colleges are invited to participate, including UNC, N.C. State, USC, Clemson, UGA, Virginia Tech, ECU, App State, and more. There’ll be a volleyball competition ran by SportsLink, bar Olympics by Bar Athletes, a DJ, drink specials, and giveaways. 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Individual registration, $20; team registration, $75. VBGB Beer Hall and Garden, at NC Music Factory, 920 Hamilton St., vbgbuptown.com, gradtapevents.com.

 

Maverick Rock Taco Two-Year Birthday Beach Bash

A Montford Drive hotspot celebrates turning two with a day filled with live music from Strange Brew, a pig roast, drink specials, a dunk tank, games, and prizes. You’re encouraged to wear beach attire. Noon-midnight. Free admission. Maverick Rock Taco, 1513 Montford Dr., facebook.com/maverickrocktaco.

 

RockHouse X Dodgeball Tourney 

RockHouse Events continues to celebrate 10 years of bringing some of the biggest parties and social events to the city, and this dodgeball tournament is an ode to the promoters’ first-ever event. Put together your team of six and come out for an afternoon of fun competition, which also includes drink specials and prizes. 1-5 p.m. $30 per team. Tyber Creek Pub,  1933 South Blvd., tybercreek.com, rockhouseevents.com/events.

 

Grin Kids Charity Casino Night and Celebrity Auction

Part of Ace & TJ’s annual Grin Kids Charity Weekend, which also includes a golf tournament Monday, this night features casino games, entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and a silent and live auction. 7 p.m. Free admission, RSVP requested, info@galwayhookerpub.com. Waterford Hall, at Galway Hooker, 17044 Kenton Dr., Cornelius, waterfordhall.com, grinkidsgolf.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.

 

Dolcé – The All White Soirée

It’s a summer night in the city, prime time to wear your chic white attire. This party offers a complimentary dessert bar, music by DJ Complete, glow in the dark lighting on the dance floor, and more. Presented by King Entertainment. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $25 and up in advance. Blue Restaurant & Bar, 206 N. College St., bluecharlotte.com, kingentevents.com.

 

 

Tin Roof Sunday Summer Series (weekly event)

There’ll be live music by The Wilhelm Bros. (3 p.m.) and Elonzo (6 p.m.), and drink specials. 3 p.m. Free admission. Tin Roof, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., tinroofbars.com/Home/Charlotte.

 

Moxie SunDAYs

This edition of the Sunday afternoon social series is an ode to next month’s Funk Fest, and DJ Paradime will spin music by several of the artists (including Funk Fest headliners Outkast). There will be ticket giveaways to the concert and cocktails courtesy of Ciroc. Presented by Moxie Society. 3-8 p.m. Free admission with RSVP; VIP tables, $25 and up. Sydney’s Martini and Wine Bar, 401 N. Tryon St., sydneysmartiniandwinebar.com, moxiesundays.com.

 

Young Adult Tu B’Av Mixer

In honor of Tu B’Av, often referred to as Jewish Valentine’s Day, matchmaker Laurie Berzack and Chai Expectations are hosting a party for Jewish singles in their 20s and 30s. Enjoy light appetizers and a cash bar. 6-9 p.m. Free admission, RSVP requested. 5Church, 127 N. Tryon St., 5church.com, chaiexpectations.com.

 

Soul Clap Sunday Cool Out

It’s an evening of classic soul, R&B, smooth grooves, and house music spun by DJ Justice. Presented by The JETA Team. 6-10 p.m. Free admission. Crown Station Coffee House & Pub, 1425 Elizabeth Ave., crownstationpub.com.

 

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