In the days of yore, there were two beer haunts in a two story building (since torn down) at this location on E. Morehead in Charlotte. Cardinal was located maybe a half mile to the right, toward town.
The haunt on the first floor (I don't remember the name) was the more acceptable place. We usually went there straight after work. Sometimes McGaughey and other management people joined us (or, more correctly, we joined them). There was something tartan or plaid about the place. But maybe I'm just dreaming that.
After an hour or so downstairs, we climbed the foul smelling stairs to the Upstairs Lounge. It was a topless joint and pool hall. You entered the place into the pool hall. Sometimes we played pool with the girls. A few, despite their attire (or lack thereof) were gimlet eyed pool sharks, not to be fooled with.
To the right was the place where the girls danced. For a time Jones announced the performances for free beer. Slick Eddie knew all girls. Maybe he had a professional relationship with some of them. Two were memorable, Little Miss Concord and a mountain girl whose name I don't remember. Little Miss Concord was small and exquisite. She could dance well. The mountain girl had a pretty face and large silicon breasts. She wore soiled lime green underwear. Generally the whole thing was dispiriting and sad.
The place downstairs was also a decent place to get a steak. I never felt dressed right in there. It was like you say sort of a management joint. The adjacent Upstairs Cue & Brew topless lounge was run by One-Armed Frank. Starr was a featured dancer and did a fire act. You're right: it was a seedy and depressing place. One-Armed Frank managed another tit bar, the Carousel on South Blvd. It was modern and not as foul, but the dead looking merry-go-round horses scattered throughout the bar gave the place a freakish quality.
ReplyDeleteYes, Star was her name. I also remember her sitting backwards on a straight back chair (in her slightly soiled lime green panties) and eating a banana.
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