Live Music Venues in Raleigh 

Are you searching for the best place to listen to live music in Raleigh, NC? Here are ten great live music venues in Raleigh to see your next concert! 

Raleigh, North Carolina, might be best known for its affordable cost of living and plenty of job opportunities in the Research Triangle, but it is also home to a rising live music scene and offers the most live music in the state. Not only does Raleigh have beautiful homes for sale, but it also has more than 80 live music venues for residents and visitors to see both local artists and famous musicians perform throughout the year. 

From large arenas and concert halls to dive bars, hidden gems, and live music restaurants, there are more ways than one to enjoy live music with friends and family. Offering a diverse music scene, Raleigh has a lot to offer and welcomes all genres to its stages, which is just one of the many pros of living in Raleigh. 

If you love live music and are looking for a great place to see a performance, here are ten of Raleigh's best live music venues. Each venue has an online schedule of upcoming performances. Tickets can be bought online ahead of time or at the venue's doors the day of. 

Check out these live music venues in Raleigh 

1. The Ritz 

Location: 2820 Industrial Dr, Raleigh, NC 27609 

Hours: Open when there is a show 

The Ritz is a popular live music venue in Raleigh that hosts some of the world's greatest musical entertainment. This 12,000-square-foot venue is best known for its industrial-style space and features multiple bars and VIP seating options, making it the perfect spot to catch live bands. 

Located four miles from the Raleigh Convention Center, the Ritz is an ideal destination close to Downtown Raleigh. With the space to accommodate up to 1,400 guests, the Ritz features full-service event production, state-of-the-art sound and lighting, and custom drink menus that everyone can enjoy. 

Not only is The Ritz a premier concert venue, but the space can also be rented out for special events, including corporate events, weddings, holiday parties, and social gatherings. Visiting The Ritz for a concert is a great summer date idea when living in Raleigh. 

2. The Pour House Music Hall and Record Shop 

Location: 224 S Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27601 

Hours: Closed Monday, 7 PM to 12 PM Tuesday, 12 PM to 6 PM and 7 PM to 12 AM Wednesday and Thursday, 12 PM to 6 PM and 8 PM to 12 AM Friday and Saturday, 12 PM to 6 PM and 7 PM to 11 PM Sunday 

The Pour House Music Hall and Record Shop is a local venue in Raleigh that features regional and touring music acts throughout the year. A record shop by day and a live music venue by night, this is one of Raleigh's best live music venues for its great location, friendly staff, and good vibes. 

Located close to Watts and Ward, which is one of the best bars in Raleigh, the music hall and record shop has been a home for all things music in Raleigh since 1997, making it a local favorite. 

Whether you love rock shows or country music, The Pour House Music Hall and Record Shop feature artists of all genres. Check out the calendar on the venue's website for information about upcoming shows. 

3. Tin Roof 

Location: 300 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603 

Hours: Closed Monday, 4 PM to 2 AM Tuesday through Friday, 11 AM to 2 PM Saturday, 11 AM to 12 AM Sunday 

Tin Roof in Downtown Raleigh is found on Glenwood South and is best known for its great atmosphere, live music, and affordable drinks and food. This two-story music venue is Southern-inspired and is a great place for musicians to play, hang out, and gain exposure to the local community. 

Featuring mostly country music artists, this live music joint has live music on the weekends, and fun events planned all throughout the week. Over the years, the Tin Roof stage has hosted both local and famous musicians. 

Offering drink specials from $5 margaritas on Tuesdays and $3 Mimosas on Sundays, there is nothing better than hanging out with friends and enjoying good food and drinks while listening to live music. 

4. Red Hat Amphitheater 

Location: 500 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC 27601 

Hours: Open when there is a show 

Red Hat Amphitheater is a live music venue and immersive entertainment experience in Downtown Raleigh's heart. Located directly across from the Raleigh Convention Center, everyone who comes to see a concert at this venue can enjoy beautiful views of the Raleigh skyline. 

Owned and operated by the City of Raleigh and acting through an agreement with Live Nation, Red Hat offers great acoustics and easy parking nearby. Only for the season from April through October, this outdoor amphitheater welcomes various musical acts of all genres. 

Seating up to 5,000 people, concertgoers can pick between lawn seating, traditional outdoor seating, or premium box seats. 

5. Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek 

Location: 3801 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610 

Hours: Open when there is a show 

Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek is a beautiful outdoor amphitheater in Raleigh that hosts large concerts. As one of the best outdoor activities in Raleigh, this sizable outdoor music venue hosts concerts by well-known artists and music festivals. 

As part of a 77-acre complex, the Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek features a large lawn where concertgoers can bring their own chairs, blankets, and covered seating closer to the stage. 

Welcoming bands of all genres, this live music venue is a fun place to bring the family and to hang out with friends during the spring and summer when the weather is enjoyable. 

6. PNC Arena 

Location: 1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607 

Hours: Open when there is a show 

PNC Arena is a large indoor arena in Raleigh that is used for concerts, events, hockey games, and basketball games. As the home of some of the best sports teams in Raleigh, which are the National Hockey League team, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the NC State Mens Basketball team, PNC Arena can seat up to 18,700 people for hockey games and 19,500 for basketball games. There are 61 suites, 13 luxury boxes, and 2,000 club seats. 

Welcoming famous musical acts that vary in genre, there is always an event or concert happening throughout the year since the venue is indoors. Located across the street from the NC State Fairgrounds, plenty of parking is available for concertgoers. There are many options for food and drinks throughout the arena to enjoy. 

7. Kings 

Location: 14 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601 

Hours: Open when there is a show 

Kings is a fun live music venue in Raleigh and an intimate club and bar that is perfect for a night out on the town. As a key figure in the Raleigh music scene since 1999, Kings is a favorite venue that hosts local, national, and international bands of all genres. 

With a capacity of 250 people, most shows at King's are open to all ages, but some are 18+, depending on the performance. Though many shows are musical performances, King's hosts stand-up comedy acts and game show nights. 

8. Lincoln Theatre 

Location: 126 E Cabarrus St, Raleigh, NC 27601 

Hours: 4 PM to 2 AM Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday 

The Lincoln Theatre is a premier Downtown Raleigh music venue that is best known for its live music, events, and concerts. Offering a great atmosphere, friendly staff, nice acoustics, and decently priced drinks, the Lincoln Theatre is the place to be for live music and good times. 

From metal to bluegrass, this music venue welcomes musical acts of all genres and can fit up to 750 people standing and 130 to 350 seated. The Lincoln Theatre is for all ages unless otherwise stated. Tickets can be bought online ahead of time or in person the day of the show after the doors open. 

9. Meymandi Concert Hall 

Location: 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC 27601 

Hours: Open when there is a show 

Meymandi Concert Hall is located in the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts and is the state headquarters for the North Carolina Symphony. This 1,700-seat concert hall has a contemporary setting. It is not only the home of the North Carolina Symphony but also a popular venue for musicians and bands from around the world. 

With a 65-foot ceiling, shallow balconies, and a unique shoebox shape to create a clear and immersive sound experience for visitors, seeing a live performance at the Meymandi Concert Hall is a must whether you live in Raleigh or are just visiting.

Welcoming both national and international performers and artists, some of the most notable are the Backstreet Boys and Bryan Adams. Make sure to check the venue website for information about upcoming shows and ticket options. 

10. Slims Raleigh 

Location: 227 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601 

Hours: 4:30 PM to 2 AM Monday through Saturday and 1 PM to 2 AM Sunday 

Slims Raleigh is a cool bar and live music venue in Downtown Raleigh. Voted as one of the best dive bars in Raleigh, Slims offers an intimate stage where upcoming and local bands on the rise can play. 

Slims Raleigh is the place to be for a good time, featuring a private patio in the back and an upstairs lounge area where visitors can play pool and hang out. Since Slims is a smaller venue, visitors can see the bands perform up close. This is a 21 and up-only music venue. 

Methodology 

We used data and information from various local sources, including PNC Arena, Red Hat Amphitheater, and The Ritz, to determine the best live music venues in Raleigh, NC. 

FAQs 

What is the biggest venue in Raleigh, NC? 

PNC Arena is the biggest venue in Raleigh since it can seat 20,000 people and is used for concerts, ice hockey games, basketball games, and other events throughout the year. 

What is the best area to live in Raleigh, NC? 

Raleigh is home to some of the most sought-after neighborhoods and up-and-coming communities. Raleigh's best areas to live in include Historic Oakwood, Cameron Village, Boylan Heights, and North Hills. 

How do I find good local music? 

Some of the best ways to find good local music are to join local Facebook groups, follow local live music venues on social media, and browse through online forums such as Reddit. 

Best Live Music Venues in Raleigh - Final Thoughts 

Whether you are a metal head or a country music fan, Raleigh features tons of concerts each year and welcomes bands of all genres to the area. Listening to live music is a great way to relax if you are stressed and is looked at as an enjoyable and immersive experience. 

Most live music venues in Raleigh provide friendly service, great food and drinks, and nice acoustics with either seating or standing room. If you are moving to Raleigh, make sure to go to a concert and check out the many live music venues that the city has to offer. 

If you are relocating to Raleigh and want to find your dream home or learn more about the area, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty. We are here to help and are ready to answer any questions.