The Gen X guide to Charlotte nightlife: Where to party if you’re 40+?
Recently, we took you on a trip back through time, revisiting Charlotte nightlife in the 1990s and early aughts. It was a magical sort of moment, with many CharlotteFive readers sharing fond memories of coming of age during a “dance like no one’s watching era” — well, we weren’t going to be on TikTok the next day!
But what about places to party now for the Gen X and elder millennial crowd? We asked you to let us know your favorite clubs for ages 40s and older — and yes, many of you offered versions along the lines of “my couch.”
One reader named Dan said “Sam’s Club or Costco is my ‘clubbing.’”
Another, Barb, wrote “Umm, I’m old. In a few years, a 55+ community rec center, I guess.”
But not everyone wants to hang up the weekend nightlife scene. We might not need fake I.D.s anymore, but this is the forever young generation — we still want places to party.
Not all of these places are “clubs” — some of your favorite hangouts include a live music venues and other places even have kitchens (but also DJs, so you’ve still got it!).
Here are 20+ of your favorites :
Bassment Charlotte
Location: 911 E Morehead St, Charlotte, NC, inside Dilworth Neighborhood Grille.
“They stay true to their love of music and their desire to share it with others.” — Anonymous Gen X.
Blackbox Theater
Location: 421 E Sugar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28213
Gen X reader Jason Hartigan cited the house vibrations at Blackbox Theater.
Bocao Sushi
Location: 1000 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd c1, Charlotte, NC 28206
Club 704/Club Royale
Location: 3930 Brookshire Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28216
“Sunday nights is Club 704/Club Royale.” — Laverial Williams
Club Nile
Location: 5741 N Graham St, Charlotte, NC 28269
“The Nile (now called Club Nile) on Graham and West Sugar Creek is a very nice clean exciting club for 40, 50s and up.” — Hope Caldwell
Crown Station
Location: 3629 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
The Evening Muse
Location: 3227 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC
“Dancing? Clubbing? Rather go to a performance at Snug Harbor, The Evening Muse or maybe The Fillmore.” — Bobby, Gen X.
“Low-key atmosphere and people, with good music and a good vibe.” — Dan Marks, Gen X.
The Fillmore
Location: 820 Hamilton St, Charlotte, NC
House Vibrations
Location: 5237 Albemarle Rd, Charlotte, NC
Lost & Found
Location: 332 W Bland St Suite E, Charlotte, NC
“Day parties.” — Natasha Nesmith, Gen X.
Middle C Jazz
Location: 300 S Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28202
“Middle C Jazz is nice now. ...” — wrote Vondecee Reese, who also said she enjoys going to concerts at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre, Spectrum Center or PNC Pavilion.
Neighborhood Theater
Location: 511 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC
“Low key atmosphere and people, with good music and a good vibe.” — Dan Marks, Gen X.
Novelty House
Location: 123 E 5th St Suite 500, Charlotte, NC
“Rooftop views and drinks.” — Natasha Nesmith, Gen X.
Petra’s Bar
Location: 1919 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC
“Diverse crowd. Fun music. Vinyl only DJs.” — Kris Krause, Gen X.
“Great people.” — Adam, Gen X.
The Press Box Bar & Grill
Location: 9609 N Tryon St A, Charlotte, NC 28262
“I’m in my middle 40s and currently I love to hang out at Press Box (on a good old Fri or Sat night),” Laverial Williams wrote a few months ago. Sadly, Laverial reached out on Wednesday to let us know that The Press Box had just announced it will close at the end of the month.
QC Social Lounge
Location: Alley Entrance, 300 N College St UNIT 105, Charlotte, NC 28202
SIP
Location: 200 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
“Oversized is overrated. Spaces like the basement at SIP always have the right vibe. The Music sets the mood. Anywhere that has the best playlist curated by some of Charlotte’s best. Shoutout to DJ Rwonz, DJ Red , and the god of House DJ Smitty.” — Martin Olivos, millennial
Seoul Food Meat Co.
Location: 1400 S Church St a, Charlotte, NC 28203
“Well now that I’m older and we don’t have any sophisticated clubs like Vegas if we go out it’s usually a hot bar or something fun like karaoke at Seoul Meat Co.” — Ali Amigoni, millennial
Snug Harbor
Location: 1228 Gordon St, Charlotte, NC
Trio
Location: 1513 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC
“Sound and visual production.” — Natasha Nesmith, Gen X.
“Lights and sound.” — Anonymous, Gen X.
Vinyl
Location: 1440 S Tryon St #105, Charlotte, NC 28203
Editor’s note: Quotes have been edited for style. Lorena Medley contributed.
Did we miss your favorite spot for Gen X and Xennials to go? Email us at charlottefive@charlottefive.com and let us know.
Looking to dance all night? Here are the 14 best nightclubs in Charlotte.
