As the search for my perfect Queen City condo ensues and my savings account continues to dwindle, I’ve been seriously examining my spending habits. And while I’m no stranger to online shopping, I’ve had to face facts that I am currently spending an HOA payment on alcohol each month. So, this weekend, I vowed to focus on spending less while still trying to maintain my level of fun in the Q.C. I managed to stay under $50 for the entire weekend, so I feel I’m well on my way to the second step — realizing that saving will pave the way to becoming a homeowner.
Thursday night, my work team was celebrating our last month’s achievements. We were awarded with free bowling at Sports Connection in Ballantyne. This included three free drink tickets which is perfect for a work-night turn-up. I don’t particularly care for bowling, but I still managed to snag a spare — while holding a beer in one hand I might add. For two hours, I managed to stay entertained before heading to Montford Billiards for a couple more cocktails. One of my coworkers bought a round of shots and even though pool is yet another game I fail at, I walked out tab-free! #winning
I may or may not have been slightly hungover on Friday when I began making plans for the night. I was nervous about expenses because my cousin was coming to visit and our time together usually involves copious amounts of alcohol.
Don’t get me wrong, much of our savings can be attributed to luck, but still I count our weekend as a success. We started out by going to Science on the Rocks: Fright at the Museum. I’ve talked about my experience at this adults-only event before, but this time the theme revolved around my fave holiday, Halloween.
I dialed it back, drinking only one cocktail and a beer before we watched the costume contest and Zombie makeup demonstrations. It was fun to experience something with my childhood cousin for her first time in a place that’s reminiscent of the many camps we were forced to go to, but, this time, we were tipsy! She was always the activity type so, of course, we had to take part in the spider web obstacle course race — which is just a better way of asking drunk adults to bust their asses. And as huge Walking Dead fans (thanks to her forcing me to watch) we practiced our target-shooting skills at the Zombie Shootout before making our next move.
We grabbed an Uber and headed to the Fillmore at the N.C. Music Factory. Shout out to CL’s previous editor, Kim Lawson, who convinced me to RSVP for Jack Daniel’s Honey Art, Beats and Lyrics, a free traveling art and music tour. I’ll be honest, I was quite reluctant when I saw the feature was 8Ball & MJG. Not that I’m not a fan, I just didn’t know what kind of crowd to expect. To my surprise, the event brought out a diverse audience from all corners of Charlotte. There were multiple exhibits to peruse while listening to anything from Stevie Wonder to Drake. Did I mention we got two free drink tickets? I don’t even like whiskey, but I wasn’t about to turn down two-$9 drinks.
By the time we reached Thomas Street Tavern, the only thing I was focused on was spicy boneless chicken tenders and mac-n-cheese. So I managed to leave there only paying for food and one drink. And I didn’t have to pay a cover because the bouncer who kept my ID while I got cash back disappeared for an inconvenient amount of time. Some call it luck, I call it reaping the benefits of “the customer’s always right.”
Saturday, we linked up with my P.I.C. (partner in crime) with her parents, who never let me grab the tab. They treated us to cocktails and apps at The Cellar at Duckworth’s uptown. I managed to make the grand opening of Duckworth’s but hadn’t had the chance to peek into the newest addition to the venue. At the bottom of the often-rowdy sports bar is one of Charlotte’s latest hidden gems with an intimate, N.Y.-style atmosphere. You would never know the prohibition-style speakeasy is there if you don’t keep your ears to the ground. The perfect date spot, they specialize in small plates and cocktails — of which I had one.
And in true P.I.C. style, my friend, along with a generous acquaintance of hers, got us into Roxbury and treated us to a couple rounds of RBV to end the night. Needless to say, Q.C. nightlife — alcohol included — on a budget is achievable. True, it may take, the generosity of a few familiar faces and research, but still it’s possible. #roadtorecovery
