How did Take Over start?

Well basically, we (Rodney, Dan and Rodney) were bored on Friday’s after work because there was NOTHING to do in this town.  So instead of complaining (yes, shocking for 3 gay men) we decided to make something happen. We started calling all of our friends to meet for cocktails after work. 

The groups started small, only 5-10 people and it grew quickly to around 50.  As word got out and being afraid of losing our jobs because we spent most of Friday afternoons calling everyone (and we sounded like total lushes), we mixed our personal email address books together and started emailing all of our friends.

Therapy Café opened up-town and we fell in love with the location, staff and owners, we thought this would be the BEST place ever!  Everyone agreed and we decided to “take it over” Friday after work.  And that is how it happened... we have been taking over Charlotte ever since! 

To date, our email list and our friends have grown to over 1,500 of the greatest guys and gals in the Charlotte region stretching to Columbia, SC, Greenville, SC , Winston Salem, Raleigh and Greensboro!   See what happens when you don’t just bitch? 

Why are you trying to put the gay bars out of business?

We hate this question. 

We are NOT trying to close any gay business in Charlotte.  

We are NOT trying to close any gay business in Charlotte. 

We are NOT trying to close any gay business in Charlotte.

What we are doing is giving our friends a fun party at the coolest clubs/bars/restaurants in Charlotte.  Let’s hear it for gay power!  They want us and they are willing to hire DJ’s, give GREAT drink specials, theme parties, FREE appetizers and dinner specials.  PLUS we get to show Charlotte the power and presence of the gay community (why do they call it the Queen City if we don’t rule the town!)

What you probably didn’t know is most of the Take Over sites have been gay owned, managed and ALL of them have gay staff (so YES that cute bartender WAS flirting with YOU)

Why don’t you promote other gay events with the Take Over list/web site?

We are all really active with different organizations and fundraisers. So when we started “Take Over Friday” we were very clear (with him and HE AGREED) that we would NEVER use Take Over as a fundraiser, it’s just to promote having fun.

Of course we always defer Take Over on Friday’s that conflict with other major events in the community (that’s just good karma).  

So we don’t pass out cards, fliers, try to take your money or push agendas of different groups NOR DO WE OR WILL WE EVER SELL YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.