Raleigh’s music scene is one of the best in the state. You’ll find concerts and gigs happening almost every night of the week in the City of Oaks, and there’s no shortage of awesome music venues in Raleigh.
If you’re looking to let your hair down and rock out to big-name touring artists or local bands, Raleigh has an exciting array of concert venues – from huge arenas to small local bars, from indoor venues to outdoor performance grounds. If you’re not sure what music venues have artists that suit your tastes, we’ve created this overview of Raleigh’s music venues so you can check them out and discover the local music scene at its finest.
Indoor Music Venues in Raleigh NC
Lenovo Center (formerly PNC Arena)
- Address: 1400 Edwards Mill Rd #3624, Raleigh
- Website: pncarena.com
Lenovo Center is most well known for being the home to Raleigh’s hockey team, the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, as well as the NC State University Men’s Basketball team, but when hockey matches are over, the ice is covered, and the stadium is transformed into an intimate yet spacious live music venue.
With a seating capacity of approximately 20,000 people, it’s the largest music venue in Raleigh for national touring artists and hosts up to 150 concerts per year. It’s hosted concerts for big names such as Mariah Carey, P!nk, and Nicki Minaj. We’ve seen Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons, Greta Van Fleet, and more here ourselves.
PNC Arena has state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional acoustics, with modern amenities such as a huge parking lot that can fit 14,000 cars, 20 permanent concession stands, and a further 50 portable concession stands. For those who want a more VIP experience, there are 51 suits and 7 loge boxes where you can watch gigs in style. See what concerts are coming up at PNC Arena.
Read more: Best Hotels in Raleigh Near LEnovo Center (Reviews + Top Rated) and our guide to the Lenovo Center (includes parking and more).
Lincoln Theatre
Lincoln Theatre is a small music venue in Raleigh that’s known for its intimate atmosphere. With a capacity of around 1,000 people over two levels, it offers concertgoers a chance to connect with artists in a unique setting.
It caters to all genres of music and is often used as a venue for Raleigh’s Hopscotch Music Festival and the IBMA Bluegrass Festival (changing to Raleigh Wide Open in 2025), as well as hosting lesser known, visiting bands and local bands, mostly in the rock, metal, folk, country, hip-hop, and EDM genres.
We’ve seen American Aquarium and local band; Sleeping Booty play here. It’s a really cool old-school style venue! Although it looks small and unassuming from the outside, the Lincoln Theatre is a well-known and celebrated music venue with excellent acoustics, with modern sound and lighting systems, and a warm ambiance. And affordable ticket prices!
- Address: 126 E Cabarrus St, Raleigh
- Website: lincolntheatre.com
Read our guide to the Lincoln Theatre.
The Ritz
Don’t let the name fool you, The Ritz is not a fancy establishment, but it is one of the best indoor music venues in Raleigh, especially if you’re into rock or metal music. The Ritz opened up around 2015 and is owned by Live Nation, who renovated a 1960s commercial building in Raleigh’s Midtown district.
Although only a small venue with a capacity of 1,400 people, it has welcomed some top-rated artists such as Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and Lizzo to its stage. And a couple of years ago Sabrina Carpenter played here – she’s upgraded to the (sold out) Lenovo Center two years later. Let’s call that the Swiftie Effect.
It’s most synonymous with rock and metal music though and has seen legendary metal bands perform inside its walls, from Slayer to Marilyn Manson to Motorhead to Slipknot, as well as rock bands like Fall Out Boy, The White Stripes and Foo Fighters.
I attended two concerts here for the first time last year with my daughters to see David Kushner and Inhaler (7ou may hear the lead singers voice and think it’s Bono. Close – it’s his son!)
I fell in love with the Ritz and think it’s Raleigh’s best indoor music venue. It made me feel like I was in my twenties back in Sydney hopping around the live music scene there. It’s unpretentious with great sound and awesome views no matter where you stand (or sit in the balcony) The industrial-style venue has two levels, multiple bars, and parking. See upcoming events and get your tickets here.
Read our guide to the Ritz in Raleigh with everything you need to know!
- Address: 2820 Industrial Dr, Raleigh
- Website: ritzraleigh.com
The Pour House
If you’re looking for a classic, small-town metal bar where your feet stick to the floor from spilled beer and sweat, then look no further than The Pour House.
Record store by day, music venue by night, this intimate, 300-capacity venue is the place to go for a fun night out, bouncing in mosh pits, and making new friends while discovering new bands.
The Pour House hosts a diverse lineup of mostly local musicians and some national artists across various genres including rock, blues, folk, rap, and indie music. The venue is particularly known for showcasing emerging talent, and it’s the best place to be if you want to get familiar with the local music scene.
The Pour House has a full-service bar with five craft beers on tap, a lounge area, and a high-quality sound and lighting system. It’s another music venue in Raleigh with affordable ticket prices.
- Address: 224 S Blount St, Raleigh
- Website: thepourhousemusichall.com
Read our guide to the Pour House with everything you need to know before you go!
Tin Roof
A small live music joint in downtown Raleigh is Tin Roof, which is a vibrant restaurant and music venue known for hosting lively weekly events, from karaoke to DJ nights, and of course, live music acts.
Tin Roof has an approximate capacity of 300, offering an intimate experience for concertgoers. It features both local talent and touring acts, but it’s primarily focused on showcasing local and regional bands and artists, making it a popular spot for music lovers looking to discover new artists and enjoy a fun night out. As a restaurant venue, it has a full-service bar and a menu featuring a variety of food options, from appetizers to hearty meals.
Although known as a nightlife venue, it’s not only on weekends that the Tin Roof blows its top off, on weeknights, they open their stage up to original songwriter nights, acoustic sets, and other more intimate music experiences.
We were really surprised by the quality of the artist when we went one night. Good music and a rocking vibe! Country is often the flavor of music here – makes sense since it’s a Nashville chain! What’s great about this Raleigh music venue are concerts are either free or a small cover charge! After the bands have rocked the stage, the 2nd-floor rooftop patio keeps the party going. It’s location on Glenwood Ave South only enhances its party vibe.
- Address: 300 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
- Website: tinroofraleigh.com
Meymandi Concert Hall
Meymandi Concert Hall is a premier music venue inside the renowned Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. It’s known for its exceptional acoustics and elegant design and is the place to go to watch a symphony orchestra or classical music concert.
Home to the NC Symphony, this 1,587-seat venue is not only a place to watch national and international talent, but also to admire the incredible architecture of this performance venue.
It has a huge, 65-ft ceiling, and shallow balconies, allowing for everyone in the room to receive the best sound possible. Some well-known artists who have performed here include the Backstreet Boys, Merle Haggard, and Bryan Adams.
- Address: 2 E South St, Raleigh
- Website: martinmariettacenter.com
Kings
Kings has been a staple music venue in Raleigh since 1999 and is known for its eclectic atmosphere and commitment to supporting local emerging artists.
The space in Kings is unique, in that it has three floors with two venues and a restaurant. On the ground floor, there is a restaurant, and on the second floor, there is the largest music venue in the building. It features a large stage upstairs with seemingly “floating walls” which are designed to enhance the acoustics, with a steel bar and state-of-the-art sound system.
In the basement, there’s another music venue, Neptunes, which has a more relaxed, speak-easy vibe with custom cocktails on the menu.
- Address: 14 W Martin St, Raleigh
- Website: kingsraleigh.com
Slims
Another great place to discover new local bands on the rise is Slims in downtown Raleigh. This dive bar is one of the oldest music venues in Raleigh and has a capacity of only 100 people.
The intimate setting, created by the moody decor and a design layout that encourages interaction between the audience and performers, is what makes Slims unique. As well as the main stage area, it also has a large patio where you can mingle with the artists between sets, as well as an upstairs lounge with a pool table.
As a music venue, Slim’s hosts a diverse range of events, including soul nights and open mic nights, and opens its stage to various genres such as rock, blues, country, and folk. Our long-term Raleigh friends visit Slims regularly and they vouch that it’s one of the best music experiences in Raleigh.
- Address: 227 S Wilmington St, Raleigh
- Website: slimsraleigh.com
Will travel for live music? Some big artists will play at the Greensboro Coliseum, just over an hour away from Raleigh. I recently went with my daughter to see Zach Bryan. Check out our 24-hour guide to Greensboro. We also love the small, intimate Cat’s Cradle Venue in Carrboro (near Chapel Hill.) It’s a great place to see your favorite indie band! We saw Australian, John Butler Trio here playing to a crowd of about 50. In Australia, it would be tens of thousands!!!
Chapel of Bones
Chapel of Bones is a unique hidden gem in Raleigh’s live music scene, offering an unexpected contrast between day and night. By day, it operates as a cozy coffee shop serving up fairly decent coffee in an intimate, moody setting. But as the sun sets, it transforms into a haven for heavy metal fans, hosting electrifying performances from local and touring metal bands.
If you’re looking for a spot where caffeine and chaos collide, this is the place to be. This Raleigh music venue was inspired by the 16th century architecture of “Capela dos Ossos”, a chapel of human skulls and bones built by monks as a reminder of the fragility of life and mortality, in Evora, Portugal.
- Address: 658 Maywood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
- Website: https://www.chapelofbones.com/
Moon Room Jazz Bar
On the other end of the musical spectrum, The Moon Room in Smoky Hollows has quickly risen as Raleigh’s premier jazz venue. Tucked behind red drapes, this intimate space brings an old-school jazz club feel to the city, with dim lighting, smooth cocktails, and an ever-evolving lineup of talented musicians.
Whether it’s classic standards or avant-garde improvisations, The Moon Room offers a soulful escape for jazz lovers looking to lose themselves in the music. See more in our date experience at Madre (also owned by Moon Room) followed by jazz at Moon Room.
- Address: 500 N West St #150 Raleigh
- Website: www.moonroomraleigh.com
Outdoor Music Venues in Raleigh NC
Koka Booth Amphitheater
Just outside of Raleigh in the town of Cary is Koka Booth Amphitheatre, an outdoor amphitheater that sits in a serene, 14-acre pine woodland and next to a beautiful lake, the aptly named Symphony Lake, allowing concertgoers to watch their favorite artists whilst being soothed by a symphony of nature around them.
Because it’s an outdoor music venue, the Koka Booth is only open from the months of April until January, during which it hosts around 60 events a year. The venue can sit up to 7,000 people comfortably on its spacious lawn or on their Crescent-shaped deck.
The Koka Booth Amphitheater hosts a range of artists and performances from big-name touring artists of all genres, such as rapper Pitbull to legendary rock guitarist Slash. They also host kids’ concerts and community events. We attended the John Legend concert just last week, and one of our favorite concert experiences ever was seeing Jack Johnson here in 2005!
It’s known for hosting the NC Chinese Lantern Festival, as well as the Triangle Oktoberfest, Hum Sub Diwali Celebration, Asia Fest and Dragon Boat Racing, and the NC Wine Festival. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s an onsite cafe called Cobblestone Courtyard where you can purchase snacks such as hot dogs, pretzels, and waffle fries.
- Address: 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC 27518
- Website: boothamphitheatre.com
Read our full guide to the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary (it’s unique so come prepared)
Red Hat Amphitheater
Another large music venue in Raleigh where high-profile touring artists play is the Red Hat Amphitheater, located in downtown Raleigh in the nightlife district of Glenwood South.
It’s most well-known for hosting our favorite festival in Raleigh, the IBMA Bluegrass Festival (soon to be Raleigh Wide Open in 2025), which takes place here every September. It has a seating capacity of 5,000, and although it’s small, it has an agreement with entertainment company Live Nation, so the acts that perform here are usually some of the best!
Some well-known artists to have rocked the stage here include Vampire Weekend, Kaleo, and Meghan Trainer. Next month we’ll be seeing Stone Temple Pilots and Live here, and our daughter recently saw Chappell Roan.
The venue doesn’t allow food or drinks inside, except for a sealed bottle of water, but there is a food truck inside selling nachos, popcorn, and hot dogs. Its location in downtown Raleigh means you’re never far away from restaurants and breweries, including one of our favorites, Crank Arm Brewing if you prefer to eat or drink before you enter the venue. The venue has gone cashless, so bring your debit and credit cards! See upcoming events and get tickets here.
Due to its outdoor setting, concerts take place here from April through to October. It’s important to note that this season 2024 will be its last at this location. There are currently plans to relocate it a block over to make way for convention center expansion. Residents are not happy, especially since City Council is talking about eliminating it forever! Which would be DISASTROUS as it brings in a lto of people and money to local businesses.
- Address: 500 S McDowell St, Raleigh
- Website: redhatamphitheater.com
Read more: Everything you need to know before attending a concert at Red Hat Amphitheater and The Best Downtown Raleigh Hotels (Business or Leisure)
Downtown Cary Park
Downtown Cary Park, which sits in the heart of downtown Cary, is a vibrant outdoor venue that serves as the community hub for events, festivals, and live music. While it does not have a fixed capacity like traditional indoor venues, the seven-acre park has a grassy area that can accommodate large crowds making it an ideal setting for concerts and festivals.
Each year, it hosts The CaryLIVE! Concert Series which is a collection of free concerts taking place between April and October. They also have Jazz’d Up Sundays, where jazz artists take the stage on, you guessed it, Sundays.
The park has a small stage overlooking a grassy lawn area where you can lay down your own picnic blanket or camping chair. Since it’s located in downtown Cary, you can easily find restaurants and cafes around.
I attended CaryLIVE last month and was so impressed with the quality of the sound and lights, the casual relaxed vibe of the concert goers, and the incredible up and coming acts.
Read our guide to the Downtown Cary Park.
- Address: 327 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511
- Website: downtowncarypark.com/
Coastal Credit Union Music Park (Walnut Creek Amphitheatre)
The Walnut Creek Amphitheatre, also known as Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, is a large outdoor amphitheater that was built in 1991 and is operated by the City of Raleigh.
It can host up to 20,500 people, both in its undercover area and on its grassy lawn area, where visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs and picnic blankets.
It welcomes some of the biggest bands to its stage such as Aerosmith, B.B. King, Bon Jovi, Britney Spears, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Kings of Leon, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Who, Usher, and many more. We have seen countless artists here and LOVE it as a music venue.
It has hosted many notable festivals, including Lollapalooza, Mayhem Festival, Ozzfest, SoulFest Uproar Festival, and Warped Tour.
There is an onsite kiosk where you can purchase snacks and drinks, including alcoholic drinks. Unlike other outdoor music venues in Raleigh, events take place rain or shine at Walnut Creek Amphitheater… so check the weather before visiting! See upcoming concerts and get tickets here.
Read our full guide with everything you need to know for a concert at Coastal Credit Union Music Park.
- Address: 3801 Rock Quarry Rd
- Website: coastalcreditunionmusicpark.com
The Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Theater at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA)
The Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Theater at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) is a standout outdoor music venue in Raleigh for its unique blend of natural beauty, cultural ambiance, and diverse concert lineup. Nestled within the Museum Park, this unique Raleigh music venue offers a relaxed, open-air environment surrounded by lush trees and sculpture gardens, creating an immersive experience for music lovers.
The venue features a large lawn where attendees can spread out on blankets or lawn chairs, providing an intimate yet spacious setting for live performances. A stage is set against the backdrop of the museum’s expansive green space, and with excellent acoustics, it becomes a magical spot to enjoy live music under the stars.
Concerts at the Bryan Theater span a wide range of genres, from classical to contemporary, jazz to folk, and indie rock to world music. NCMA often partners with arts organizations and hosts notable performers, making it a cultural hub for both locals and visitors seeking a unique, art-centric concert experience. Previous acts have included American Aquarium, NC Symphony, Babyface and more.
This setting, combined with the variety of performances and the cultural vibe of the NCMA, makes the Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Theater one of Raleigh’s premier outdoor music venues.
- Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Road Raleigh, NC 27607
- Website: https://ncartmuseum.org/events-and-exhibitions/programs/performances-and-concerts/
Map of Music Venues in Raleigh
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