Update: see the first shots of the opening party, with Black Eyed Peas. With Butter keeping momentum in the Concrete Playground for what is now a solid seven years, it's no surprise that owners Scott Sartiano and Richie Akiva decided to expand the venue to additional cities. A frequent host to company including LiLo and Gossip Girls, this weekend it launched in North Carolina, and we've got a first look.

We'll be back with more soon, but until we can judge for ourselves, reports from a friend who prepped the opening said it's,

"the effing coolest club I've ever been to. I don't even know how to explain."

And this girl knows her stuff, so she's setting the bar high.

Charlotte is the city from which Sartiano hails, so it makes sense that this locale would be the first move. If the Southerners approve, could Butter be the next big, national star-studded franchise? Hey, you bring Leo, we'll bring Diddy.

And the opening party:

The Black Eyed Peas

Scott Sartiano, Nicky Hilton, Richie Akiva

Fergie

[Photos via George Lainis, Catch Light Studio].