Excelsior Club

Visited for the first time last Thursday,Smooth Grown Folks, Everyone mingling on the same page ,Grooving as Great people should, a must come back to Spot

I just visited this club first time with a friend who asked company for the New Year Eve Countdown. He said there would be a buffet dinner and free champagne at mid night. That sounds great.I looked for a change this year as I was at Sheraton Hotel by the airport last year for the same purpose. Unfortunately, their TV broke and they did not fix it in time. Together with other guests at the bar, we did our manual countdown by watching at our cellphone. (Not much fun) Therefore, this year, I was looking forward something I coud really enjoy.We arrived Excelsior Club before 8:00pm to avoid long queue like some dancing places we went before. We were almost the first few guests got in. $30.- per person with no discount. (even I saw posters everywhere said member $20.-, guest $30.-) The place was already decorated. We ordered a drink from the cash bar and got a table. DJ was almost on time which was great.A long table at the entrance with some disposable set up (folks and knife, bowls) for buffet. Food was not served til almost 9:30 pm with only a tray of collard green and black eye beans and corn bread. Some guests could not wait any longer and started to get the food. A little while later, we saw a tray of fish crush (guests called salmon crush), a liver cake and sauage (all deep fried) ended up with a tray of scramble egg and grits, toasts and margarine and jam. I asked my African American friend if that was what a buffet in such style. He responded that was not classy at all. I ended up eating only my favorite collard green, black eye bean, two pieces of fish crush, scramble egg and grits.Obviously this was from outside catering (perhaps working as a side job to make some extra $$$) Not appealing at all. One point was even when we left at around 12:30am there were still food left, eggs and grits and toasts.I just imagined I was having fried chicken, meat balls, roast beef or ribs as their tradition. (Forgive me for expecting too much from $30.-) or perhaps they expect guests would have their dinners before they came.There was just DJs with no live band. A small glass of Champagne was come with the price just before midnight. Guests were enjoying the dance and the manual countdown with no big screen TV.The place was established in 1944. I believe there are dancers in other occassions.Perhaps a pot luck works better next time.

CIAA Report - Thursday 3/3/11Okay,This was not our 1st time at Excelsior. We are twice a year Thursday regulars (Memorial Day pre weekend and New Years Pre holiday).Now we stepped out of our element for the CIAA (Feb 27th to Mar 5th 2011). And went to our normal night Thursday. Which they call Dirty, Dirty Thursdays.Well don't go during the CIAA's! Cause they did just that. They treated us Dirty, Dirty, Dirty!First we got there at 8:20 pm, they normally open at 9pm. When we arrived there was a line around the building. Ok so they opened early.Then we waited out in the cold for 2 hrs. Now that was Durty!Then after a 1 1/2 wait, they said the price was increased for double what the normally charge ($10) changed to a CIAA $20 and now a $30 charge.Now if it was advertised at $30 that would be no prob. But to change and tell a line of people who were waiting for a hour and a half, that if you don't get in by 10pm, it's going to be $30. Now That's Durty, Durty.We they slow walked the line, so we got in at 10:20, paid the $30. Found out the place was not jammed packed and no buffet (normal for Dirty Thurs). So to slow walk the line to get an extra $10 for no food, not a dress to impress crowd and a 2 hr wait. Now that's Durty, Durty, Durty!It's the best place to go on Thurs in CLT, but not during the CIAA's.So they have just earned a personal suspension by me til next year.Still like the place,but don't money grub,and get a grip!