If you're smaller in stature and can't stand for hours, you're gonna have some pretty unpleasant…read moretimes claiming your stageside spot (which also depends on the setup - sometimes they make two stages), unless you pay for the upstairs seating. The artists don't start until about 2-2.5 hours after doors open, so keep that in mind. Found the opener performance for Santigold so boring/annoying after the first 15 minutes that I had to go out front and sit on a fold up chair with the bouncers to get away from it. Note also that you can't get back in e.g. with a stamp and new search; if you leave, you're out for good. Parking: pay for this, especially if you want to arrive later, but bring a smaller car. The guy parked everyone in so tightly and close to the fence we barely got out even with a small sporty vehicle. Purse: something around your neck with just ID and $/card. Don't bring even a clear purse as they'll stop you and go through your wallet anyway, and it's no fun to have on you when you're dancin' to the music. Artists: we've seen some pretty great concerts here, and it's always a more intimate experience. Feist was by far the best. Bring ear plugs to prevent hearing loss. Sound is superior.

If you like to dress the part for metal shows, stay far away from this place…read more If you are a metal fan who likes to express yourself through your outfits, the Ritz is not the venue for you. We came here for Hanabie and Nekrogoblikon and were treated like we were trying to breach a high security government facility. The security team here is something else. They targeted my girlfriend's outfit three separate times before finally letting us in. First it was the cuffs, then it was a studded bra that wasn't sharp at all, and finally a third guy decided her boots were a threat to national security. My girlfriend is autistic and she spent weeks meticulously putting this outfit together. For her, this is how she expresses herself and feels comfortable in a crowd. Watching these guards pick her apart piece by piece until she was in tears and having a breakdown was pathetic. They took the one thing she was most excited about and turned it into a reason to bully her. The logic was top tier. The guard told us she should just go to the Walmart across the street and buy a change of clothes. I really appreciated the fashion advice from a guy who looks like he spends his weekends LARPing as a riot cop. I was allowed in with a two pound metal wallet chain that was two feet long, but her 1/4 inch decorative studs were the real danger. My buddy has been in the metal scene for 15 years and has worn the same jacket to every show, but he was turned away too. I literally smacked his jacket spikes with my own hand a dozen times to show them it wouldn't even scratch a toddler, but they just stared at me with completely blank expressions. I guess their specialized training didn't cover physics. They only updated their website to mention sharp or spiked clothing after we made a scene about their nonsensical enforcement. The venue is nice once you get inside, but the security team's power trip ensured that my friends and I are never coming back.

Nice venue, loud music!…read more First, I highly recommend that you bring some ear-plugs with you, you won't regret it! I visited Kings on my last visit to Raleigh to watch Paerish perform. My only complaint was the maxing out of the volume on the sound system, when the bands all played, without hearing protection it was impossible to hear the lyrics. And those that didn't bring hearing protection ended up with a ringing in their ears the following day! The bar was great, I was dismayed when I found out that soda water had a charge above the entrance fee, since part of my tip went toward their register, but somebody has to pay for the bubbles out of their tap! If I go again, I will be certain to bring some extra sets of earplugs for the people that come with me.

Kings is not closed anymore!! Having great music summer of 2023!! Excellent sound. Great place. Go…read morethere

Friendly staff, awesome band, chill vibe! It was smaller…read morethan I'm used to but it made the experience seem more personal. Will definitely go back!

I came to see a tribute band and I was certainly among the younger people in attendance. By no…read moremeans is this is a plush, swanky venue. It's a little gritty, but hey, that's ok. The acoustics were solid, lights worked fine. The venue offers a reasonable variety of beverages for fair prices. And I'll just say you can park for free if you know where to go and get there early enough

I had a good time visiting the Pour House this past weekend, where they were featuring several…read moreIndie artists. I ordered the Cherry Berry Cheerwine Punch, it was very tasty. Service was quick. The crowd was encouraging and had good energy. I had a great experience.

I was torn between a show at the Lincoln Theater and a show at the Pour House on the same night…read more The show at the Lincoln started an hour earlier and when I wrote to the Pour House saying how disappointing it was that two classic rock shows were competing for audiences on the same night, It was suggested that many fans would bounce back and forth between the two shows so I got a ticket for both shows and hoped for the best. I found that I could not see the band at all when I left the Lincoln to try to catch some of the Pour House show. Both the downstairs and upstairs were packed and it was impossible to see the stage. Drinks were also overpriced. I was very unhappy that I had wasted my money on a ticket for a show at the Pour House when I couldn't even see it on the stage. Unless you get there early and find a prime spot at the bar downstairs or on the rail upstairs expect to be in the dark.

This is one of my favorite concert venues. No bad seats, great location although the parking…read moresituation does suck. The ambiance is fabulous, especially on a warm summer night. I try to see as many concerts as I can there due to the greatness. Wish their food options would expand a little.

Red hat has really great artists, mostly really uncomfortable seats (unless you are in the back…read morerows - those seats are nice), a teeny tiny lawn section, zero shade on hot or rainy days, very friendly staff, a mostly easy entrance experience, and a very limited bathroom situation. I'd like to give it a great review, as I go to a fair amount of concerts here and it's easy to get to, but honestly, in the summer for concerts I won't drink a single beer because I don't want to deal with the bathroom lines and it's sooooo hot. To their credit, they do have a lot of great food options though. Also, if you happen upon bad weather (calling for lightening specifically), they evacuate the whole venue and don't communicate well/often enough to figure out when to come back without missing the opener(s). Fun fact: you could watch the show from the parking deck across the street for $10 if you wanted to. I hope when they move they will work through the seating, the shade, and the bathroom issues.

Went there on a Friday night Feb. 13, about an hour after they were supposed to open. The place was…read morelocked down. No one in sight, no sign, nothing.

Terminal 8 is my hump day happy hour destination. Terminal 8 hosts City Soul Cafe's open mic night…read moreevery Wednesday night at 8:30. A friend suggested the event to me and I'm a fan. There are so many talented spoken word artists that grace the stage every week. I love this venue because it is modern, brand new and the bartenders are excellent. There is ample lot parking, and the drink specials are excellent. Consistently strong and worth your dollar. There is plenty of comfortable seating and I love the decor. Sometimes they serve food and outside food has been allowed. There is also a calzone restaurant next door. Make this your hump day destination.

You know it's good when you meet some people that know your home bar in a different city the minute…read moreyou walk up. I went and paid no cover for three great local bands. Nice people good service. Small, or cozy depending on your pov. Prices a little high but not awful. $4 beer and $9 whiskey. Ask first.

this is the worst bar I have ever been to. I was almost impressed by how bad the DJ was. it sounded…read morelike his Bluetooth was disconnecting for half of the show but he pressed on courageously. awful pool table with cheap sticks.

Came to Loafers for the first time for a Competitive Shaggers Association dance contest April…read more10-11, 2026. My wife and I loved the atmosphere and the Club really took great care of the Dancers, Judges, and Sponsors. The whole event was top notch and the staff were amazing! Great job done by all!! So glad we made the trip from Charleston!!!!!

No better place to socialize and partner dance than here in Raleigh. Wednesday a simple dinner…read moreincluded with dancing until the crowd leaves to Shag, WCS, cha cha, and the occasional Two Step. Thursday is Two Step night. Friday is WCS, and Saturday is Shag. It's a membership club with a low annual fee and a full bar with reasonable prices. Gary and Debbie have downed and run this place over 30 years. Low cost group lessons are available on Monday for WCS, and Tuesday for Shag. There are optional short $5 lessons before the social dances too.

I like this venue. We didn't really have an issue with parking, but the normal parking area is…read moreunder renovation. Plan ahead. The venue was serving food and had several options of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. There isn't a bad view. We sat in section F and had a good view of the stage. The audio was good, but at times it was difficult to hear. Can't wait to go to another event.

Wonderful concert hall. Comfy seats. Great sight lines and views. The hall is not too big but not…read moretoo small either. Easy parking and smooth security and entry process. Clean and tidy inside. Very reasonable pricing for the symphony. A "must do" for any Raleigh visitor (and resident!)