The photo in this post represents the typical Barmuda Triangle customer...the result of promotions like that taking place tonight at Locked & Loaded.

Karaoke is what works, but I can't find a single place any more that is consistent in having it. Tonight at Locked & Loaded, it's a so called "Cougar Night. "

There IS an alternative, that I will tell you about in a second, but first...

The working definition of "cougar" for THIS event is a woman over thirty, but as I understand the street defininition, it means "an older woman in search of a younger man" (the chronology thing AGAIN) So tonight, with the prizes to be awarded and stuff, L&L is trying to appeal to their idea of older women.
An older man, interested in younger women, either gets the reaction, "EW!" or is called a dirty old man, unless he's some muscular dude who owns a gym (Wayne) CC, or some RICH older dude or one who PRESENTS himself as being wealthy.
Traditionally, only people like Elvis or Bing Crosby would be tolerated with this behavior because of fame and fortune.
Since by definition, a cougar is only interested in men younger than herself, only guys between fifteen and say, twenty-eight should feel welcome tonight. So that, and the interruption of karaoke, leaves me and any other male singers above that age out of it.
So people outside that demographic shouldn't feel welcome tonight and should examine alternatives for karaoke. Pipsqueeks between fifteen and twenty-eight will be the only males feeling welcome, (except CC and Tony Stone, who's hosting this bonanza)
So, by way of review, Locked and Loaded is appealing to 1) Women over thirty and 2) Males between fifteen and twenty-eight
There will also be the "OH! Are they havin' kerr rocky tonight? Hot Dag Alighty, me an' Agnes jess decided to git sumthin' te-eet and a berrr! Yew wanna stay ferr kerr rocky, Agnes?" (Agnes won't say much except with her eyes)

With that said, I will be just outside Locked & Loaded tonight with a rented tour bus, to carry any female karaoke singers to Pastimes near Clayton that is having normal (whatever THAT is) karaoke. I will not charge for this service, but if any of the lovelies feels such gratitude that they wish to show their affection, I totally understand and will NOT be offended.
My pal, Scott EE is hosting it tonight, but I warn you, you may be a little hoarse tomorrow if you're not used to singing more than one or two songs of a Friday.

Pastimes was once "The Sandtrap Lounge" and after that, "Vic's" and is owned by a man named Henry, who used to own "Breakers" in Garner on Tryon Road.
From Garner, the easiest way there is take Hwy 70 toward Clayton, left at the light at Penny Road, across the tracks. You'll "tee" into Old Garner Road. Take a right and Pastimes is less than a mile on the left. If you get to the Course, you've overshot it. Scott will do karaoke with a minimal amount of dance breaks, because Henry won't tolerate a lot of them from about eight until two. Someone's always willing to sign you in as a guest. You may wish to get a membership for the next time L&L decides your demographic is not welcome.