MORE THAN AN EVENT
Carolina Friends is more than a place to attend an event - it's a community built on friendship, trust, respect and memories. Although Carolina Friends has been connecting people in the lifestyle since 1991, our chapter began in 2016. When we learned the club was on the verge of closing its doors, we couldn't imagine seeing such an incredible community disappear. We had already been hosting Carolina Friends Greensboro events, but this felt different. The people, the friendships and the history deserved to continue. So, we stepped in. Since then, our goal has been simple: preserve everything that made Carolina Friends special while continuing to grow it for future generations.
WHAT WE DO TODAY
Today, Carolina Friends hosts full hotel takeover events throughout the Triad, creating a private, welcoming atmosphere where adults can relax, socialize and enjoy the lifestyle without judgment. Every event is designed to feel like a getaway with friends. Depending on the event, you'll find:
• Live DJs and dancing
• Private couples' activity areas
• Member hosted social rooms
• Clothing-optional pool parties
• Late night breakfast
• Themed entertainment
• Plenty of opportunities to meet new people
Our members travel from across North Carolina and surrounding states, creating a community filled with different personalities, backgrounds and experiences.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
The foundation of Carolina Friends has never changed. We believe everyone deserves to feel welcome, respected and comfortable exploring the lifestyle at their own pace.
Whether you're brand new or have been in the lifestyle for years, our goal is to provide an environment where friendships happen naturally and every member is treated with courtesy and respect. Privacy has always been one of our highest priorities. Creating a safe space where people can truly be themselves is what has allowed Carolina Friends to thrive for more than three decades.
OUR PROMISE
Everything we do centers around one question: "Will this make our members feel welcome?" From selecting venues to planning events and enforcing our privacy policies, every decision is made with our members in mind. Our community has continued to grow because of the people who believe in what Carolina Friends stands for. Their support and trust have allowed us to carry this tradition forward. We're proud of where we've been, excited about where we're going and grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey.
A LOOK BACK
Carolina Friends began in 1991 when eight Charlotte-area couples wanted something simple - a private place where people in the lifestyle could meet, socialize and build genuine friendships. The very first hotel event welcomed just over thirty couples. Word spread quickly and before long the club had outgrown its original venue. Larger hotel takeovers soon became the norm, with monthly attendance climbing to nearly 200 couples.
In 1997, Carolina Friends expanded again by adding monthly nightclub events, giving members even more opportunities to connect.
By 1999, the community had grown beyond Charlotte, hosting successful events throughout North Carolina and neighboring states, including Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach and Augusta.
GROWTH THROUGH CHANGE
As hotels became more difficult to secure, Carolina Friends looked for a long-term solution. Construction began on a permanent home known as The Estate, which opened in 2001. The Estate quickly became one of the best-known private lifestyle venues in the Southeast, allowing the community to continue growing while maintaining the privacy members valued. Around the same time, Carolina Friends launched its first online community, Friends United, which later evolved into Club Nexxus, helping members connect long before social media became common.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Like any organization with a long history, Carolina Friends has faced its share of obstacles. The loss of The Estate in 2012 could have marked the end of the club. Instead, it became another chapter in its story. Rather than giving up, the community came together. Members remained loyal, new venues were found and Carolina Friends continued hosting successful events throughout North Carolina. That resilience continues to define who we are today.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
When Shane and Bobbie Wilson became owners in 2016, their mission wasn't to reinvent Carolina Friends - it was to protect everything members already loved while continuing to improve the experience. Today, Carolina Friends continues to host private hotel takeover events that bring together hundreds of like-minded adults from all over. More than thirty-five years after it all began, the mission remains the same:
Provide a private, welcoming place where adults can build friendships, create lasting memories and enjoy the lifestyle with confidence, respect and discretion.
