EpiCentre a nightlife center uptown

Ride the bull? Why not?

That seemed to be the motto of the night as some friends and I checked out nightlife at the EpiCentre uptown.

First on our list was Whisky River, NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s bar. To be honest, I was expecting more of a tavern vibe with bull skulls, girls in cowboy boots and a mechanical bull in the corner. While I definitely got the mechanical bull I was looking for, I was shocked to feel like I was in a sleeker dance club and not a honky-tonk country bar.

The crowd was also unpredictable, and had the most diverse group of people I've seen in a bar so far. A handful of partiers were in their 30s and a few ventured into their 40s. But after everyone had a few drinks, all ages blended together on the dance floor.

The highlight of the night had to be riding the mechanical bull with my friend Lindsey. We couldn't pass up an opportunity like that! It only took one guy slamming and bouncing off the inflatable bull ring to make Lindsey nervous; she wavered the entire time we were in line. But there was no way we could let an older guy show us up on the bull. We lasted about eight seconds before we were thrown off face first.

We also checked out Howl at the Moon, which semi-mirrored the crowd and popular dance music at Whisky River - the big difference is that there are live piano shows you can "howl" along to. Then we rounded out the night the only way you can after partying til 2 a.m.: a giant basket of nachos at Moe's.

The downside to the EpiCentre bars is the cover charge (not every night, but most nights). It's a bit outrageous to have expensive covers, but it didn't seem to deter anyone from going inside. The places were packed.



This Thursday, after Alive After 5 patrons can hop into Whisky River for Complete Thursdays. The bar offers $2 Bud Light bottles, $4 lemon drops, $4 vodka drinks and $99 VIP bottles. Those with Alive After 5 wristbands don't have to pay cover.

At Howl at the Moon this Thursday there's no cover. Specials include $1 Miller Lite cans, $4 Bacardi flavors and $2 Jello shots. The bar will also be home to "the world's most dangerous dueling piano show" that starts at 7 p.m.

BlackFinn is also located at EpiCentre; read my take on it here.

The EpiCentre
210 East Trade Street
Charlotte, N.C., 28202
704-749-1377

Brittany will blog about the Charlotte-area bar scene the month of July. Got a bar suggestion? Email penland.brittany@gmail.com.