If you’re looking for a place that supports independent music, has craft beers on tap, vintage vinyl records for sale, and a stage where local and national touring artists can entertain an intimate crowd of 289 guests – you need only go to one place.
The Pour House Music Hall and Record Shop is a local treasure for music lovers in Raleigh. It’s not just a live music venue, but a record store by day, a bar, and a vinyl record printer, all wrapped up in one.
The Pour House isn’t just a place where music is heard — it’s celebrated. So whether you’re looking to flip through the records or dance along with Raleigh’s intimate indie music scene, this guide is everything you need to know about visiting The Pour House in Raleigh.
About The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop, Raleigh
The Pour House Music Hall is a music venue in downtown Raleigh in the historic Moore Square District, which also serves as a record shop during the day.
The venue was first opened in 1997 by Eric Mullen but was bought by the current owner, Adam Lindstaedt, in 2012.
Originally, it was a sofa bar with live jazz, serving only beers and no liquor. Since Lindstaedt took over, the venue was transferred into a venue for all music genres, from regional bands to national touring artists.
Couches were removed to allow for more seating, and although there are still 30 beers on tap, there is now liquor available on the drinks menu too.
As of December 2015, The Pour House has hosted a weekly event called Local Band Local Beer in collaboration with North Carolina State University radio station WKNC-FM, which is a night of – you guessed it – local bands performing with local brews on offer.
In November 2019, the second level of the venue was transformed into a record shop, selling both new and second-hand vinyl. We love to go vinyl shopping here with our music-loving daughters! Don’t miss the bargain bins down the bottom, you can find some classics in there!
There’s also another bar in the record store, making it the only record store in Raleigh to feature a bar in the store. This bar has 5 draft beers on tap and a selection of liquors.
As well as being a venue and record store, The Pour House Music Hall further contributes to the independent music scene by offering Pour House Pressing, a pressing shop where bands can get their music put onto vinyl records.
Concerts at the Pour House
The Pour House is all about supporting local, lesser-known artists, and smaller national touring bands.
We recently attended a powerful fundraising concert here for a legendary local rapper Jooselord’s four-year-old son, Onyx, who is battling brain cancer. It was heartwarming to see the community come together to raise funds.
Throughout the night, we watched several rap and punk rock artists take the stage—some even came out onto the floor, where we circled around them and danced. I loved the casual, intimate, and connected feel of the concert.
No matter where you stand, you get a great view. We also enjoyed sitting up top for a more relaxed experience, looking down at the stage, the band, and all the younger folks having a good old time in the mosh pit.
So far, this is the only live music venue in Raleigh where I’ve experienced proper moshing—just like we used to do when I was younger, seeing bands in venues like this back in Sydney.
Upstairs lounge
The Pour House attracts an eclectic mix of musicians and fans. It’s the kind of place where you can show up just as you are, feel welcomed, and let the music speak to your soul. They also have a lot of great cover bands, dance party nights (like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga) and even comedy shows. And it’s a concert location for the unique and popular Hopscotch Festival in Downtown Raleigh held in the Fall.
The Pour House really is a venue for people! It’s one of the few music venues in Raleigh where you can see live music nearly every night of the week, year-round! The other two music venues in Raleigh with a similar experience, but with a larger capacity are The Lincoln Theater in Downtown Raleigh and The Ritz in North Hills.
Opening hours
The record shop is open from 12:00pm – 6:00pm Tuesday – Sunday. The music hall is open from between 7:00pm and 8:00pm, depending on the event, with shows starting between 8:00pm and 9:00pm. If there’s no concert, the venue will stay closed.
Things to know before you go
If you’ve never been to The Pour House Music Hall and Record Store, there are a couple of things you should know before you go:
- Doors open 1 hour before the show starts.
- Doors closed 30 minutes after the last band has finished.
- You must show a ticket to enter the venue – either online or a printed-out ticket.
- You will be asked to show your ID. Bring your driver’s license or passport, as you may be turned away if you can’t show ID.
- You can bring cameras to photograph the band, but if you have a professional camera kit, you should contact the band to confirm they are happy to be photographed and photography and recording policies are at the discretion of the band.
- You cannot use flash photography.
- There is no smoking (including e-cigarettes) inside the venue, but there is a designated smoking area on the sidewalk outside.
- No smoking or vaping is allowed inside the venue, but there is an outdoor patio inside the venue where you can smoke.
Bag policy
Bags will be searched upon entering the venue.
What you CAN’T bring
The following items are prohibited:
- Outside drinks
- Weapons of any kind
What you CAN bring
But the following items are OK:
- Cell phones
- Medical bags or kits
- Outside food
Where is The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop, Raleigh?
The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop is located at 224 S. Blount St. Raleigh, NC 27601. Drive times to the Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop from nearby towns:
- From Cary to the Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop: 12.3 miles (17 minutes drive)
- From Apex to the Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop: 15.5 miles (22 minutes drive)
- From Wake Forest to the Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop: 18.5 miles (35 minutes drive)
- From Durham to the Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop: 25.4 miles (36 minutes drive)
Where to park for The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop
There is no parking at the venue, but there are many parking lots in downtown Raleigh, and if you are attending a concert in the evening, most street parking is free after 6:00pm in downtown Raleigh. You might find it easier to find a park a couple of blocks away and walk in.
You can read more about parking options in downtown in our complete guide here.
Where to eat and drink nearby
There is no shortage of places to eat and drink in downtown Raleigh, and fortunately, many of the top restaurants in downtown are within walking distance of The Pour House.
Here are some of our favorite places to grab a bite to eat or a pre-show drink within a couple blocks of The Pour House.
Brewery Bhavana
Located right next door is Brewery Bhavana, one of the top breweries in Raleigh. It’s the perfect spot to kick off your night by fueling up on unique craft beers from Asia and Belgium, expertly brewed in-house, and filling up on their delicious dim sum menu.
Brewery Bhavana and The Pour House have something in common – they both offer a combination of entertainment with retail therapy. Brewery Bhavana is a brewery with a book and flower shop attached.
The Raleigh Times
Before heading to The Pour House Music Hall for a show, make sure to swing by The Raleigh Times, located just one block away, for a drink and a light bite to eat.
This iconic spot in downtown has a lively atmosphere and a wide selection of craft beers, cocktails, and hearty pub fare.
Set in a historic building, it’s both charming and cozy – the perfect place to fuel up and unwind before the music starts at The Pour House. On a warm evening, we recommend sitting on their rooftop patio to soak up the sun and views.
MECCA Restaurant
This is one of Raleigh’s G.O.A.T restaurants and is a historic restaurant that has been an integral part of the community since the 1930s.
Also located only one block away, this old-world spot offers traditional Southern comfort food and has a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that makes for an ideal gathering spot with friends to enjoy a drink or two.
City Market
If you’re on a night out with some friends, and everyone has different tastes and requirements, why not head to City Market and see what you can all agree on? It’s located across the street from the Pour House Music Hall, making it a convenient spot to find a place to eat and drink nearby.
City Market has a collection of restaurants and bars, from Mofe Shoppe (dumpling house) to Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, to City Market Sushi so there is always something for everyone.
If it’s a warm summer’s evening, grab something to take away, and then sit in Moore Square and eat together.
Watts & Ward
Just a few steps away from the Pour House is one of our favorite speakeasy type bars – Watts & Ward. We’d recommend grabbing a pre-show drink and enjoy it in their beer garden (if the weather is nice).
Where to stay nearby
For those who are visiting Raleigh to attend a gig, why not make it a staycation and spend the night in one of the nearby hotels in downtown Raleigh? These are some hotels we’ve stayed at.
Sheraton Raleigh Hotel
The Sheraton is just a few blocks away from the Pour House Music Hall and is one of the closest luxury hotels to the venue. It has small but comfortable rooms, and the best part – a buffet breakfast each morning with tons of options.
If you’ve had one too many craft beers the night before, you’ll be welcoming in the morning at The Sheraton because of this breakfast buffet.
Read our full review: Sheraton Raleigh Hotel Review: The Heart of Downtown Convenience
2 BR Flat in downtown Raleigh
This two-bedroom flat is in the perfect location in downtown Raleigh in a two-story walk up building. It’s right across the street from the PNC Plaza and is within walking distance of The Pour House, as well as the bars, restaurants, and nightlife of Moore Square area. You can also walk to Morgan Street Food Hall, Transfer Co. Food hall, and the Marbles Kids Museum. The condo comes with a fully stocked kitchen, smart Tv’s, and a laundry room.
Raleigh Marriott City Center
Less than a 10-minute walk from the Pour House Music Hall is the Raleigh Marriott City Center hotel, a 4-star hotel with modern and spacious rooms, perfect for stumbling into after a late night out at a rock show!
It boasts an onsite restaurant serving Southern cuisine, a fitness center, and an indoor pool. It also has parking, which is a bonus for anyone driving into downtown Raleigh.
Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown
The hotel we highly recommend to anyone visiting Raleigh is the Residence Inn in downtown. We’ve stayed there a few times and have always found it to be cozy and welcoming.
It’s a Marriott hotel, so you can expect luxury without the pretentious tag. You also get a suite room with a kitchen and living space, so if you prefer to cook your own meals rather than eat out, it’s the best option.
It also boasts a splendid rooftop where you can enjoy a drink before walking for 12 minutes to The Pour House Music Hall.
Read our full review: Reasons To Stay at the Residence Inn, Raleigh Downtown
You can use the following map to find more Raleigh hotels as well as vacation rentals.
FAQs about visiting The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop
Is The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop accessible?
There is accessible seating available on the upstairs balcony, which is on a first come, first serve basis. So if you require seating, you should contact the venue beforehand to reserve a seat.
Is The Pour House Music Hall 21+?
Yes, The Pour House Music Hall is a 21+ venue unless stated otherwise by the artist. All under 21s should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The record store is open to everyone.
What is the dress code?
There is no dress code as such, but the “no shirt, no shoes, no service” rules apply at The Pour Music Hall. Do not wear club/gang clothing, or merch for any band/group that promotes hate, violence, or antisemitic ideology.
Does the Pour House Music Hall have seating?
The music hall is generally standing only, and there is a small amount of seating in the upstairs balcony, which is on a first come, first serve basis.
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