The Scorpio — Restaurant in Charlotte

“Scorpio” Charlotte, North Carolina

Cover: $12 (Cash Only) Music: Rap/Hip-Hop Ratchet Level: Medium

Whew chileeee! I finally made it here after a failed trip to Charlotte where I ended up falling in the hotel after a day in the amusement park! Irreverent now, lets break down the club. I arrived around 1am. The line wasn’t long and progressed fast. I am going to fail security. We were patted down before entering. I was wearing a lot of garments and a jacket with something in just about every pocket to include a flask. I was able to bring everything in without my pockets being checked. Honestly after the horrific events in Orlando, FL I challenge venues to step up security for events. After you enter you must sign in on a tablet. It is a local law that requires memberships to enter facilities serving alcohol with no food after a specific time frame. I was education on this topic earlier in the day. The cover charge was cash only with ATMs available. Afterwards there are three doors. The door on your left is the main room. The door forward is a stairwell that leads upstairs to the balcony overseeing the main room and a small bar. The door on the right leads to an outside smoking area with a bar. This venue is a nice size. The DJ was playing all the ratchet hits. The crowd was loving it. There was a good male to female ratio with a diversity in age with everyone for the most part being African-American with a mix of Latino and white. Everyone was vibing. The music was great. Money guns were shooting at the crowd. The hosting was walking around with a mic. I had two drinks at the bar. They were good. The restroom seemed clean. The venue was well kept. I was getting Marquette (ATL) vibes but bigger and better. I danced a lot. No drama. No issues. This was an authentic good time. The people I interacted with were very nice and social. I did feel safe and inclusive. Everyone just wanted to enjoy a night out. This was black gay culture at its best honestly. From the music, drinks, and dancing this is where you want to be. There was seating against the wall with trade posted up on the left, a stage to the front, and VIP section to the side with a dance floor in the middle. If you’re in Charlotte this the the only club you want to hit. I do have to shoutout Argon though (a white gay bar on the other side of town). I went there for a drink before making my way to Scorpio. The staff was very nice with history and rules and spoke highly of Scorpio for a young African-American gay like myself. I hope everyone shares the same, if not better experiences I had. Your favorite critic Shamel Jones. Trust me...

Visited Sat 8/17 @1030 pm Club packed already, line was to the street . Parking is a issue, recommend a Uber or pay $15 to park if your lucky, get there early. Not very organized with the line or taking of Cash at entrance .(Which is card only and posted in small lettering at bottom of website.) Better lines could have been formed and faster process with people checking licenses and unorganized to pay at entrance. 3 different people taking cards but 2 lines.. Was highly upset , because the elderly lady tipped herself 20% without asking or explaining.. with the card machine when entering... so $15 for parking , $18 to enter due to her tipping herself and most won't pay attention or even notice this is being done until after the fact. I'm wandering how many got ripped off from this? Why would you tip someone entering a club? ( I suggest everyone check their bank statements for over charges at bar or entrance.) The club itself was nice ! But how long will this last? Upstairs outdoor lounge should not be a smoking area, people who don't smoke are still in area and don't want to be around that. A separate outdoor location SHOULD BE CREATED FOR SMOKERS not anywhere in the club. Drinks should not be allowed on dance floor !!! Alot was getting dropped , glass broken and poured on floor... stage entirely not tall enough or to small for any show. Not enough security 2 fights, same girls- 2 different times. Gender neutral bathroom downstairs was unusual . The Upstairs bathroom was supposed to be designated for men and women separate but that was not taken place and needs to be respected for women's privacy not everyone is comfortable sharing a restroom with opposite sex.

Undercover cop kept asking our group for drugs Upstairs! None of our group uses , so was annoying!! The club itself is nice!! The gentleman guiding traffic after you enter in a blazer did a great job but people need to be informed of correct exits, which will come with time , but he had his hands full. Lol.. Dj and music was fine!! Dance floor stayed packed. I understand new and learning process , hopefully this helps in...

My experience at Scorpio was a disaster, and I need to warn others. First, the $15 parking fee for a dark, unsafe lot is outrageous—our friend’s car was broken into, and the ignition system ripped out. Security at the entrance was rude and aggressive. They yanked my ID and questioned me multiple times, accusing me of using someone else’s ID. As a trans person, it was humiliating to explain my identity at an LGBTQ+ club. No understanding or respect was shown.

Once inside, we paid $10 cover, then were asked for a tip, which felt like a joke. Drinks were outrageously overpriced—$24 for a weak double tequila sunrise. We tried to enjoy the night and celebrated my friend’s 21st birthday. However, the bartenders didn’t offer water or slow him down as they poured shot after shot, leading to him getting way too drunk. The drag shows were great, but the stage is so low you can barely see unless you’re in the front.

Around midnight, things went horribly wrong. My friend, celebrating his 21st, had too much to drink. I followed him to the bathroom to help, but security started yelling at us for being in the “wrong” assigned gender bathrooms. It’s 2024, and yet this LGBTQ+ club still enforces gendered bathrooms, which is baffling and outdated. Instead of offering any assistance, security violently dragged my friend by his feet, his head slamming on the floor, out of the bathroom, through the club, and then onto the pavement outside. He hit the ground twice, bleeding and unresponsive, while I screamed for help. Rather than assist, they yelled at us to leave.

I’m writing this from the hospital. Scorpio is not safe, LGBTQ+, or trans-friendly. The straight, aggressive security staff showed no compassion or basic humanity. This place is dangerous. Avoid Scorpio and support real LGBTQ-owned venues that respect and protect...