Summer Kickoff Parties, Martini and Margarita Events, Festival Fun, and More – June 19-22

According to the calendar, summer officially begins this weekend. And on Charlotte’s social scene, the activity is heating up. Below are 25 events you should know about. 

 

 

National Martini Day Celebration

Thursdays at this University City bar usually feature the Blues and Brews series, but this go-round is also a celebration of National Martini Day. Martinis will be half-priced all day and night, and the happy hour specials (4-7 p.m.) offer half-price select appetizers and flatbreads. And at 9 p.m., the live music begins. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission. Bar Louie, 8760 JM Keynes Dr., barlouieamerica.com/locations/university-city.

 

Business After Hours

The Charlotte Chamber’s monthly networking social travels to SouthPark for an evening of mingling with fellow business professionals, complimentary food and drinks, and prizes. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free admission for Chamber members; $15 for nonmembers. Maggiano’s Little Italy, 4400 Sharon Rd., charlottechamber.com/events.

 

Cufflinks & Cocktails

The Charlotte Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity invites guests to a different restaurant or bar each month for this after-work social. Enjoy good drinks and hookah. 6-10 p.m. Free admission. Stache House Bar & Lounge, 1520 South Blvd., stachehouseclt.com, cufflinksandcocktails.com.

 

Eighth Annual Bottoms Up For Booty 

As a fundraiser for cancer-fighting organization 24 Hours of Booty, Team Gita hosts an evening of fun, featuring cold beer from the brewery, food from The Herban Legend food truck, and a road bike will be raffled off. 6-9 p.m. $35. NoDa Brewing Company, 2229 N. Davidson St., nodabrewing.com, eventbrite.com/e/eighth-annual-bottoms-up-for-booty-presented-by-noda-brewing-co-tickets-11695203669.

 

RAW Charlotte Panorama

RAW: Natural Born Artists is an international independent arts organization that hand selects and spotlights creative people. This night will feature nearly 40 artists in visual art, film, fashion, music, hair and makeup, photography, and models. There’ll be a cash bar, and dress code is fashionable attire. Music by DJ Super and hosted by EB. 7-11:30 p.m. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., rawartists.org/charlotte/panorama.

 

 

Frock Shop Summer Solstice

This eclectic evening features an opening reception for Arthur Brouthers' newest collection, “Swelter,” live music from The Business People, food from Pint Central, and a lounge atmosphere on the lawn by ReDunn Designs. 5 p.m. Free admission. Frock Shop, 901 Central Ave., facebook.com/frockshoprevival.

 

Live at The Q

The Sulkes Band will play on the patio, while you order from a menu of some of the city’s best barbecue and burgers. Drink specials include $1.75 Bud Light bottles. 5:30 p.m. Free admission. Queen City Q, 225 E. 6th St., facebook.com/queencityq.

 

Friday Live At the Factory (weekly event)

This is the second-to-last week for this outdoor live music and party series. Performances on the big stage by Charity Case with special guests Fiftywatt Freight Train. Several mobile bar stations will be set up, and the doors open to the surrounding venues such as Osso, Wet Willie’s, Texicali, and Small Bar. A portion of proceeds will go to charity. 6-11 p.m. General admission, $5 in advance; VIP, $40;  Fountain Plaza at NC Music Factory, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., ncmusicfactory.com, ncmusicfactory.ticketleap.com.

 

Phillips Place Showcase

Several of SouthPark’s finest fashion boutiques and restaurants are coming together for a fun evening to benefit Carolina Breast Friends. Participating locations include Modern Salon & Spa, Taylor, Richards & Conger, Brooks Brothers, Windsor Jewelers, and Hampton Inn & Suites. Guests will enjoy food, beer, and wine at each stop. 6-10 p.m. $20. Phillips Place; registration at Modern Salon & Spa, 6908 Phillips Place Ct., ticketssoeasy.com/ppshowcase2014.
[photo credit: Paschal Promotions]

 

Martini Mayhem

Indulge in good drinks and desserts at this special event, where your ticket gets you six martini tastings and sweets from a chocolate fountain, The Secret Chocolatier, Twenty Degrees Chocolates, and Amelie’s Bakery. 8-10 p.m. $30. Bubble, 210 E. Trade St., bubblecharlotte.com, bubblemayhem.eventbrite.com.

 

Retro-Rama

This 1980s and '90s themed bash takes partiers across two decades with two DJs at this two-level Uptown nightclub. Come dressed in attire from those eras and enter to win prizes for best group and individual costumes. 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m. $5 in advance. Roxbury Nightclub, 116 W. Fifth St., rockhouseevents.com/events.

 

Dada Life Live

This acclaimed Swedish DJ duo will get the party rocking at Charlotte’s mega nightclub. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. General admission, $30 in advance. VIP admission, $45; VIP tables also available. Label, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., labelcharlotte.com, sugarsociety.com.

 

Eighth Annual White Party

KISS 95.1, Reyka Vodka, and Elevate Lifestyle present this annual party, where guests are encouraged to where their finest all-white summer attire (preferred by not required). Music by DJ A Minor. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission; VIP tables available, party@suitecharlotte.com. Suite, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., facebook.com/suiteclt.

 

 

South End Soul 

This annual, all-day event showcases one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods. The festivities will kick off at 11 a.m. with a skateboarding event in the parking lot of All American Pub, hosted by Black Sheep Skate Shop, Nike SB, and Vitamin Water. Then at 4 p.m., all along Camden Road will be vendors displaying local art, sampling of local brews, music from the Charlotte Folk Society, food trucks, fashion, games, and once the sun sets there’ll be an outdoor screening of The Blues Brothers movie. Followed by an after-party at the Common Market. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Free admission. South End, Camden Road, historicsouthend.com/soul2014.

 

Metrolina Auto Group and Eurowise Grand Opening Celebration

A luxury automotive sales company has teamed up with an auto service and performance group to create this state-of-the-art facility and enhance car culture. This grand opening event will feature complimentary food by Curbside Deli, Umai Sushi & Asian Bistro, and Fuji Hibachi; champagne by the beautiful servers from Vault, live music, and prize giveaways. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission. Metrolina Auto Group and Eurowise Inc., 6010 Kenley Ln., facebook.com/metrolinaautogroup, facebook.com/eurowise.

 

Margarita Wars

Bartenders from 15 Charlotte bars will battle it out to concoct the best margarita in the city, while guests partake in the samples and get to be the judge. 1-7 p.m. General admission, $20 in advance; VIP admission, including open bar and buffet, $75. Rooftop 210, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., facebook.com/rooftop210, margaritawars.com.

 

Summer Solstice Festival

Spend the day supporting a good cause, while frolicking in a beer garden, enjoying live music by Chris Sanchez (1-4 p.m.), a DJ, a cornhole tournament, silent auction, raffle, and more. Fundraising event by Project HALO (Helping Animals Live On), a nonprofit animal rescue and sanctuary. 1-10 p.m. Free admission. Pint Central, 1226 Central Ave., pint-central.com, facebook.com/pintcentral.

 

Seersucker & Sundresses: A Day on the Lake

The Urban League of Central Carolinas Young Professionals invite you to join them for an afternoon cruising the waters of Lake Norman. This yacht party will feature complimentary food, an open bar, and music. Proceeds will benefit the programs and services of the Urban League. 3-6 p.m. $30. Shuttle pick-up, 19901 Holiday Ln., Cornelius, ypulcc.eventbrite.com. 

 

Day Javu: Dear Summer Edition 

Five of the city’s leading party promoters unite to present the next installment of their monthly day party series. Music from DJ NGenius and DJ Shaun Nyce. 3-8 p.m. RSVP for free admission before 5 p.m. Label, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., dayjavudayparty.com.

 

Third Annual Super Hero Bar Crawl 

With the annual HeroesCon taking place a few blocks away, this bar crawl through Uptown will draw out the super hero (and villain) enthusiasts, dressed in creative costumes. Presented by Carolina Nightlife. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. $15. Check-in at Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub, 201 E. Fifth St., superheroclt.eventbrite.com. 
[photo credit: carolinanightlife.com]

 

Second Annual Shades of Summer Party

It’s time to celebrate the official first day of summer. There’ll be great drink specials, including $3 Coors, $4 summer passion shots, and $5 Malibu drinks; a limbo contest, giveaways, and music. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission. Mortimer’s Cafe & Pub, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., facebook.com/mortimerspub.

 

Plies Single Release Party

The Florida-based, chart-topping rapper hosts this party to celebrate his latest single. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. General admission, $10 and up in advance; VIP admission, $40; VIP tables also available. Re:Public, 314 N. College St., thebgrayexperience.com.

 

 

Sunday Funday (weekly event)

Sundays during summer are always lively at this Lake Norman bar. The afternoon will feature live music by Scott and Woody, and drink specials such as $3 mimosas, $5 Bloody Marys, and $5 Fireball. 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Free admission. The Rusty Rudder, 20210 Henderson Rd., Cornelius, therustyrudder.net.

 

1 Bourbon, 1 Scotch, 1 Beer Dinner

Treat your palate to a great evening, featuring five gourmet courses—from foie gras torchon and honey glazed pork to marinated lamb and cherries jubilee—and three carefully selected drinks. 6 p.m. $75; advance purchase recommended. The Wooden Vine Wine Bar & Bistro, 231 N. Tryon St., thewoodenvine.com.

 

Social Life SunDaze: The Day/Night Event (new weekly event)

Party on the rooftop, and then make your way inside to the lounge. Two floors, two bars, two DJs, and hookah. Complimentary Coco Loso slushies and mimosas. 4 p.m.-until. Admission varies. Doma Lounge, at Phoenix, 300 N. College St., phoenixcharlotte.com, instagram.com/p/pHrSI0RzQ2.

 

After a surprising victory in their matchup against Ghana on Monday, Team USA takes on Portugal Sunday at 6 p.m. #IBelieveThatWeWillWin! Click here for Dusk Till Dawn’s list of the best places in Charlotte to watch the World Cup. 

 

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