08.19.2024

Today’s Weather

87º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:46 a.m. | Sunset 8:06 p.m.
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Food

Go to dinner with strangers in Charlotte with Timeleft

Presented by a CLTtoday Partner

a gif featuring images of people in a restaurant

Step out of your comfort zone, meet people you may not have met in your daily life, and connect on a deeper level at a Timeleft dinner. | Photos courtesy of Timeleft; GIF by 6AM City

Did you know that every Wednesday night at 7 p.m., small groups of strangers sit down to enjoy a meal together at several restaurants across Charlotte?

Aside from living in the same area, there’s one thing they indubitably have in common: they’re all meeting for the first time.

How it works

Timeleft is an app on a mission to curb modern-day loneliness (and help solve that tricky question, “How do you make friends as an adult?”) by building connections through shared experiences + genuine interactions.

Users start by creating an account and completing a short personality test, where they share their age, career field, interests, diet, religious beliefs, and more. Based on their answers, Timeleft’s algorithm chooses five locals they’re most likely to enjoy conversations with. Tickets are $16 per booking (monthly packages are also available), and attendees are responsible for their bill at the restaurant.

a hand holding a phone with timeleft's app open, which shows the seat confirmation, the group and the restaurant — Timeleft emails you all of the information you need to prepare for your evening.
|
Photo by ATXtoday

The day before dinner, participants learn more about their mystery guests broken down by percentages (i.e. 33% of the table works in the medical field) and receive safety tips for their excursion. One secret is revealed on the morning of the dinner: where the group will eat.

Timeleft picks the restaurant based on the general area the user chooses in the survey and how much they normally spend on a night out. You might be dining at local establishments like Aria Tuscan Grill and Fin & Fino.

Participants arrive at the restaurant at 7 p.m. and meet the five strangers — er, new friends — in their group. During the meal, Timeleft provides a game (think: fun icebreaker questions like “Explain your job to the table as if you were talking to a 5-year-old.”) for everyone to play.

At 8 p.m., the app reveals the location of the “Last Drink” — an optional after-dinner meet-up point that’s sent out to all dinner guests in the area, so people can meet up with other Timelefters if they want to keep the party going.

Keep reading to learn what sparked our interest in participating in this fun social experiment, or go ahead and book an upcoming Timeleft reservation.

See you at dinner, Charlotte

Asked

Would you try dinner with strangers?

A. Yes
B. No

We're dining to know

Events

Monday, Aug. 19

SkillPop: Summer Citrus Watercolor | Monday, Aug. 19 | 6:30-8 p.m. | 201 Camp Rd. | $42 | Paint with the colors of summer as you create citrus fruits on canvas.
Trivia Night at Suffolk Punch Brewing South End | Monday, Aug. 19 | 7 p.m. | The Suffolk Punch | Cost of purchase | Test your knowledge with friends in this fun weekly series.

Tuesday, Aug. 20

Social Media Club Charlotte Marketing Mixer at Flight Wine CLT | Tuesday, Aug. 20 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Flight Wine CLT | Cost of purchase | Join the Social Media Club to network with other creators in the Queen City.
Wine Tasting and Combo Board | Tuesday, Aug. 20 | 6 p.m. | Corks, Cooks & Books | Cost of purchase | Savor new wines and bites in this intimate tasting event.
Thirty Seconds To Mars - Seasons World Tour | Tuesday, Aug. 20 | 6:30 p.m. | PNC Music Pavilion | $35+ | You’ll think “Life is Beautiful” jamming to Jared Leto and this iconic rock band.

Wednesday, Aug. 21

Free Wednesday Evenings | Wednesday, Aug. 21 | 5-9 p.m. | The Mint Museum Uptown | Free | Explore the many works of art in the Mint’s collection in this free, weekly event.
Paddle to Table | Wednesday, Aug. 21 | 6-9 p.m. | US National Whitewater Center | $75 | Savor a three-course meal after a leisurely paddle on the flatwater.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

WCNC Meteorologist KJ Jacobs is forecasting some changes this week — cooler temperatures and lower humidity. Plan your week.

Development

Construction is starting on new apartments in Plaza Midwood. Atlanta-based Wood Partners is spearheading Alta 10th and Seigle + a Mint Hill property called Altera Mint Hill. The Plaza development will be ready for move-ins toward the end of 2025. (Charlotte Business Journal)

Edu

Ballantyne Ridge High School is ready for its first student class. The $159 million school has 100 classrooms, fitting 25 students per class. The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 26. (WCNC)

Job

Speaking of school. Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools is looking to hire 35 bus drivers. The district is 82 bus drivers short ahead of the new school year. At least 10 are currently in training. (WCNC)

Sports

Carolina Ascent FC won 1-0 against DC Power FC in their inaugural home opener. Charlotte’s only women’s professional soccer team made their debut on the pitch to a sold out crowd. The next game is Sunday, Aug. 25.

Closed

After 40 years in business, Beauregard’s Restaurant & Bar is closed. The owners listed the business for sale on Instagram. The restaurant at 3030 Freedom Dr. is listed for $2.5 million. (The Charlotte Observer)

Family

Carowinds’ pass-holders have the chance to access all 42 of Six Flags and legacy Cedar Fair parks in 2025. The company introduced an “All-Park Passport " add-on for Gold or Prestige passes.

Fun Fact

You can now recycle wood. Mecklenburg County expanded its enhanced recycling program, allowing drop-offs at three full-service centers. The first item is free to recycle, multiple items can cost $8. See what’s allowed.

Listen

The Panthers played their second pre-season game against the Jets, falling 15-12. What worked and what needs improvement? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Health

Hey, back + neck pain sufferers: You can get the relief you need — as early as today or tomorrow. Novant Health’s spine specialists offer same or next day appointments for pain management, physical therapy, advanced treatments, and more. Find a location (and get back to life).*

Wellness

Rave reviews are already rolling in for INTENSE — a powerful new skin serum that uses exosomes (particles extracted from living cells) to smooth + rejuvenate. Stop by Synergy for a vial.*

Plan Ahead

🥇 GOAT in the Queen City

Simone Biles, Olympic gymnasts to perform at Spectrum Center

American gymnast Simone Biles dressed in a Wonder Woman leotard, flexing her arms and smiling.

The Gold Over America Tour stars Simone Biles and is bringing a heart-pounding, high-energy show to 30 cities across the country. | Photo via Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour

Fresh off the plane following the 2024 Paris Olympics, Team USA’s Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles will be tumbling through the Spectrum Center in Uptown this fall. The pair will lead a full cast of gymnasts for the Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour.

“This tour is not only about amazing performances, connecting with communities and building up the confidence of the next generation of athletes,” said Simone Biles, an 11-time Olympic medalist. “We are so excited to be a part of the Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour and can’t wait to take a victory lap around the US and celebrate with all the fans this fall.”

Fans can expect a jaw-dropping show filled with tumbles, high jumps, and “gravity-defying” moves. Athletes joining the lineup include Asher Hong, Hezly Rivera, Shane Wiskus, and Yul Moldauer.

The tour comes to Charlotte on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Tickets are on sale now.

The Buy

The Buy 8.19.24 (Affiliate)

These reusable food storage bags. They’re made from food-grade silicone, making them dishwasher and microwave-safe, leak-free, and an eco-friendly solution to disposable plastic bags.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Maria

From the editor

What. A. Weekend. Attending Pride events is always a great time. But to be in the stands for Carolina Ascent FC’s first game ever was an amazing experience. I’m so excited to see what this team can achieve for women’s pro sports in Charlotte.

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