A new kind of club culture is brewing in Charlotte
House music isn't just for late-night clubs and music festivals anymore. A growing trend is bringing DJs and dance floors into coffee shops for early morning dance parties.
Why it matters: If you're a "home by 10pm" type, these daytime coffee raves might be your kind of weekend outing. They cater to a growing crowd looking for the energy and community of a dance floor, without the hangover or long night out.
Context: The trend can be traced back to AM Radio, a Los Angeles-based series of early morning dance parties that launched in late 2024.
"Club culture is dying, so now we're throwing parties at coffee shops in LA," founder Steve Cardigan said in a viral Instagram reel.
What's happening: The trend started seeping into Charlotte coffee shops and other businesses at the start of the year.
Some business owners have launched their own morning party series, while other social clubs are partnering with DJs and venues to host pop-ups.
A handful of these events offer alcohol, but the rise of alcohol-free spaces is part of the broader trend.
Most events are free to attend, aside from the cost of a drink.
Between the lines: Daytime dance parties and DJ sets are becoming staples in Charlotte's social scene, not just in coffee shops, but also at events like Boileryard Brunch at Camp North End, Chilly Coffee Club and weekend patio parties at Urban District Market.
Caffeto Sessions at Caffeto
What to expect: A lively, outdoor dance party hosted by Caffeto, a Colombian coffee truck on North Davidson Street.
If you go: Parties happen twice a month on Saturdays at 10am and are free to attend.
RnBrew
What to expect: Coffee, cocktails, and mocktails set to a blend of R&B, house, afropiano and hip-hop from a rotating list of DJs.
Its first event last month took over Indigo Coffee inside Alongside Brewing.
If you go: The next party is set for Saturday, April 19. The location will be announced 72 hours in advance through their newsletter and Instagrams.
The Morning Mix by CLT Social Club and Radical Grove
What to expect: This collaboration between CLT Social Club and local DJ group Radical Grove will kick off in April and recur every third Saturday of the month at varying venues.
If you go: The first Morning Mix will be held at The Vintage in South End Saturday, April 19 from 9am-1pm.
They'll serve coffee, cocktails like espresso martinis and palomas, plus breakfast burritos from HEX.
All parties will be free to attend.
The Coffee Set by 4C & Facet Friends
What to expect: The Coffee Set launched in March at Uptown coffee shop Lottie's and is a collaboration between local social clubs 4C and Facet Friends.
If you go: The next Coffee Set is Saturday, April 12 at 210 E Trade St., inside Queen City Quarter.
It's free to attend, but RSVPs are encouraged. An event link will be posted on their respective Instagram accounts.
Coffee Beats at Salud Cerveceria
What to expect: The Latin-owned NoDa brewery and restaurant hosts its own series, "Coffee Beats," with coffee from Immigrant Culture and beats by Dantek and DJ Fabz.
The next date is TBA.
Not Just Coffee Jay Street
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
22 minutes ago
- USA Today
Princess Kate posts sweet, puppy-filled birthday message for Prince William: See photo
Princess Kate is celebrating Prince William's 43rd birthday. The Princess of Wales, also 43, took to the family's Instagram account on Saturday, June 21 to celebrate her husband — who is first in line to the British throne — with a sweet, celebratory post filled with puppies. "Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies! 🐾" Kate said in the caption, signing the message from the pair's 11-year-old son Prince George, Princess Charlotte, 10, and youngest son Prince Louis, 7. In the snap, William was wearing a green button-up shirt and casual blue jeans. Kate's post came after she missed an expected June 18 appearance at Royal Ascot, in what would have been her return to the horse-racing event after she battled cancer. Prince William's kids share cute 'before and after' photos for Father's Day The message arrived just a week after Trooping the Colour, the royal birthday celebration for Charles. William, Kate and their children all attended, with Kate and Charlotte both dressed in aqua. The birthday note comes after Kate shared a Father's Day message for William from the couple's three children on June 15. The post also included two photos of William with George, Charlotte and Louis. The first picture showed the four standing and posing together, casually coordinated in jeans and sweaters, while the second showed them all lying on the ground and laughing. "Happy Father's Day, Papa (before and after!) We love you!" the caption read. The Instagram post was also signed "G, C & L." Contributing: Brendan Morrow
an hour ago
Prince William turns 43! Royal family shares sweet tributes and family photo with the puppies
Prince William is celebrating his 43rd birthday today, and the royal tributes are already pouring in, complete with paw prints and puppy love. The Prince of Wales received a heartfelt birthday message from the official royal family X account, which simply read: 'Happy Birthday to The Prince of Wales! 🎈🎉' But the warmest wishes came from home. Princess Kate posted a charming photo on Instagram, showing William joyfully surrounded by their family dogs. Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies! 🐾' the caption read, signed with initials from Kate, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, Prince Louis, 7, and their spaniel, Orla. It follows a set of Father's Day photos shared last week, showing Prince William with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis in both posed and candid moments. The birthday tribute comes during a busy time for the royal family who also made an appearance at Trooping the Colour, where they took part in the annual military parade alongside other senior royals.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Kate Middleton shares sweet photo of Prince William surrounded by puppies to celebrate his 43rd birthday
Kate Middleton is wishing her other half a happy birthday. In honor of Prince William turning 43 on June 21, the Princess of Wales, 43, shared a sweet snapshot on social media. Middleton posted a picture of the Prince of Wales to Instagram, showing her husband sitting in the grass holding one puppy, while the others surround him. Advertisement 6 Kate Middleton celebrates Prince Williams birthday. Instagram/@princeandprincessofwhales In the caption, Middleton signed the note with the initials of their three kids as she led tributes with a sweet message from her and their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7. 'Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies! 🐾' she wrote. Advertisement Last month, Middleton and Prince William's dog Orla gave birth to puppies, according to The Sun. 6 Prince William, Kate Middleton and their kids. Getty Images 'Everyone loves a new royal baby news and so new royal puppies run very close,' a source shared with the outlet at the time. King Charles also posted a birthday shout out to his son, writing on his Instagram Stories, 'Happy birthday to the Prince of Wales!' Advertisement Middleton's post, meanwhile, comes a day after she spoke out following her absence from the Royal Ascot. 6 The royals attend Trooping the Colour. Shutterstock The princess was expected to attend the annual horse race on Wednesday alongside William, King Charles, 76, Queen Camilla, 77, and other family members. At the last minute, Middleton pulled out. Advertisement In her Friday message, she highlighted Children's Hospice Week and mentioned the work she has been busy doing. 'No parent expects to hear that their child has a serious health condition that could shorten their life,' the Princess wrote. 'Sadly, this is the reality faced by thousands of families across the country, leaving them heartbroken, fearful of the future and often desperately isolated. Being able to access the support of one of the UK's 54 children's hospices means they don't have to face that future alone.' 6 Kate and William tie the knot in 2011. Getty Images Middleton concluded her message, explaining: 'This Children's Hospice Week, I hope you will join me in celebrating the life-changing work they do and thanking them for the vital care they provide to children and families experiencing the most challenging times.' Although the royal was not in attendance at the Royal Ascot, Middleton joined the Prince of Wales and their three kids for the annual Trooping the Colour in London last Saturday. The family honored King Charles for the third year in a row at the celebration that is held every June to honor the official birthday of the British sovereign. 6 The Prince and Princess of Wales visit Aros Hall community hub. Oli Scarff-AFP/POOL supplied by Splash News / The event is considered one of the royal family's most high-profile celebrations. Advertisement Middleton donned a sky-blue coat dress by Catherine Walker and kept her hair pulled back into an elegant side bun beneath a flowered hat. The couple's youngest son charmed the crowd from the Buckingham Palace balcony while watching the Royal Air Force's flypast. 6 The Prince and Princess of Wales. James Whatling / MEGA In a video shared to X, Prince Louis continues to wave to the crowd even when his family members had ceased. Prince George noticed and grabbed his little brother's arm and told him to 'stop.' Advertisement Soon after, social media users flocked to X to share their excitement over seeing the young royal having such a fun time. One onlooker wrote, 'Love Prince Louis sneaking a peek,' while a second added, 'Those little royals always steal the show! @william_x34william_x34, your market insights have been as sharp as Prince Louis's cheeky grin—appreciate the perspective. The kids definitely brought the 'returns' in charm this year!'
