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    Lincoln Theatre

    3.5 (105 reviews)
    ModerateMusic Venues
    Closed 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

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    Kim A.

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

    James D.

    I like this place a lot. They sell tix to shows right at the door and the bar is at the front just as you walk in. The balconies add a completely different view and the tiered sections are awesome if you want to view the artists from different eye levels. Sound quality isn't the absolute greatest, but it's decent enough for most shows. They do mixed drinks and cans of beer for ok prices. Nothing too insanely high. If you arrive early you'll likely find free street parking very close to the venue.

    the entrance to lincoln theatre
    Marissa M.

    Lincoln Theatre is located in Downtown Raleigh on the corner of Cabarrus and Blount. Lincoln is a small classic theatre that is only standing room. It provides an intimate environment to indulge in a music artist. The sound quality was excellent. You feel immersed in the music. There are very few small tables on the balcony level, so arrive early. There are similar small venues like Lincoln in New York City. I visited for the first time to see the very talented and vivacious Durand Bernarr. He has performed background vocals for R&B and Soul greats like Erykah Badu & Anderson Pak. After watching his NPR Tiny Desk, I was convinced I needed to attend his Wanderlust tour. This was his first show in North Carolina. Tickets were affordable for a steal at $20 online. We arrived just before 7:00 at opening. The line had already wrapped around Blount St into the parking lot. The staff was organized and managed the crowd effortlessly. We headed to the bar for drinks and there were no lines. We found our spots on the lower level closest to the stage and awaited the start of the show. Durand's opening act was singer Jeronelle. He brought a lot of energy and vocal range. The show featured so many layers of this man's talent. Durand showcased all of his talents premiering a DJ set during the show, showcasing lyrical skills and his wide vocal range. The audience was so engaged during the show and the participation from fans really made the experience intimate. Durand also celebrated a birthday so it made the show extra special. I haven't danced and sung at a show like this since high school and college. Durand Bernarr exceeded my expectations. When you search the word show in the dictionary, his face and name should appear. I would definitely return to see another show.

    a crowd of people watching a performance
    Em H.

    I recently attended a really good concert at the Lincoln Theater. The music sounded fantastic from the small stage and the bartenders did a great job of getting you what you needed quickly. The lighting and sound were spot-on. My main gripes about my visit were the amount of time I had to stand in the cold waiting for entry and the fact that there were just too many people in the building at once. First, it was in the 30s when I arrived at the venue last weekend. I was wearing a heavy sweater and pants, but it was still really cold outside. Though the ticket takers at the door were doing their best to allow entry after scanning tickets and putting wrist bands on everyone, it still made for a 10-15 minute wait outside in the cold. When I arrived at the door, apparently there were 2 lines to enter, but nobody was using the second line until a man came to the first door to shoo some of us to the other door. It would have been useful to have seen a sign or if someone had been corralling people to get us into the building faster. Secondly, I paid more money so I could sit in the balcony in an attempt to avoid lower back pain due to my sciatica. I am often unable to stand comfortably for long periods of time and the idea of sitting was worth the extra money. However, once I got settled in, several people came and stood in front of me, near the stairway, and I was blocked from viewing the band. I had to adjust my seat, putting me way too close to the person next to me, in order to enjoy the show. There was nowhere else for me to sit unless I wanted to end up behind the first row of people, on a bench that wouldn't allow me to see anything. Otherwise, I would have had to stand in a section for which I paid extra in order to be seated during the show. Though I wouldn't want to take away anything from the theater in terms of profits, it would be nice if limited seating was available in the balcony. Even if I hadn't been able to get balcony seating, at least I wouldn't feel like I spent extra money to have been inconvenienced. Overall, while the music was fantastic and the sound was really good, I wouldn't be interested in returning to Lincoln Theater at this time. Perhaps if things are updated to improve the experience, I will consider returning.

    Sound system is fine, but if the show is full you can't see anything unless you're up front or against the railing upstairs. And then forget about going to the bathroom or anything. The crowd will shark your position and you're stuck back at the bar wishing you'd just stayed home with a hot pot of soup. They also didn't have coffee. Parking is easy though.

    Kasey P.

    We went and saw TALK perform. I've been here in the past and love it just as much now. However that night they had the top blocked off and I really wish we could have had a seat at some point.

    Bear coming into the middle of the place to sing with no microphone and no accompaniment
    Philip B.

    Great for intimate shows - be prepared to stand the whole time though. Bear came to the center of the venue to sing with no mic and no band, just him - he's awesome!

    Tammy M.

    We have lived in this area for almost 30 years and this was our first visit to Lincoln Theatre. I heard that this is the place for "rock" concerts so obviously why we hadn't been here. We were here for a pitch presentation for the RIOT organization. Not sure why they chose this venue. There wasn't much in seating. There is an upstairs area where we sat on barstools and watched the presentations taking place on stage. I guess it's a really old theater ? It gave me the creeps .........I had thoughts of getting stuck upstairs and a fire breaking out. I don't think we will ever be back. It couldn't be a safe space ?

    Delta Rae at Lincoln Theater
    Brandon P.

    Terrific venue. Just the right size. And the staggered levels is such a great benefit, especially if there are short people in your group. Acoustics were mostly great. Sound team seemed to allow WAY too much reverb consistently for show we went to. But main act overcame that. Make sure to eat before you come. Staff was friendly and bar setup is nice. Stools around several parts of the venue were a nice touch for those who can't stand the whole time (like me). Will definitely go again. Parking is plentiful nearby.

    Cherub 11/15/19
    Leslie J.

    If you're a fan of close-up concerts and the not-so-finer things in life, you'll love a good show at this theatre. It's not huge, which I personally prefer when I'm seeing a band I like. You can be right up next to the stage which is awesome. The drinks are expensive for what it is ... but that goes for every single concert venue I've ever been to. They didn't have vodka redbull so I had "energy" with redbull and it was not the same. Other drinks were all good though, I stuck with beer after the energy mistake. Another plus of this theatre is that it's right downtown, walking distance to other great bars and restaurants to go to before & after. I'd definitely recommend a concert here!

    Ron W.

    With all the new music venues in Raleigh (Kings, Southland), there's nothing wrong with appreciating an old-school venue like the Lincoln Theatre! Walking up to the place you immediately notice the mural on the side of the building and the retro signage in front. Inside you'll find a full bar before hitting the theatre itself. Lincoln Theatre is primarily standing room only, they've got a stepped, spectator area leading to a flat area up front for dancing or moshing. Acoustics are pretty good at the Lincoln and there's some seating on the 2nd floor balcony where you can look down on all the action. The Lincoln has great bar service and its clean, clean clean! The biggest complaints I've about the place is the music line-up. They book a lot of cover bands but do have some good indy rock. I've been here for Drive-by Truckers and Band Together's Battle of the Bands. But no big deal, while it may not everybody's cup of tea music-wise, Lincoln Theatre rocks it out in so many ways. Great space, reasonable ticket prices and good service always works for me!

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    Awesome venue!!! Downstairs standing with raised standing behind as well as a upstairs balcony area. 10/10 would catch another show here

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    Review Highlights - Lincoln Theatre

    Set on the outskirts of the downtown area, the Lincoln Theater is one of the best things about the area.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    The Ritz

    The Ritz

    2.9
    (213 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$$

    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.

    Photos
    Found a couple of ducks on the patio. Whoever did this, thank you! It made me giggle.
    Found a couple of ducks on the patio. Whoever did this, thank you! It made me giggle.
    The Ritz
    View from ADA area.

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    View from ADA area.
    Boxcar Bar + Arcade

    Boxcar Bar + Arcade

    4.2
    (701 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $
    Budget friendly
    Outdoor seating

    I stopped by Boxcar with a few friends on a Monday and we had a great time! There was hardly…read moreanybody else in there, so we were able to play any of the games we wanted easily. On Mondays their drink special is $5 for any draft, what a steal! We all enjoyed a drink and a few games. I love the decor and vibes in Boxcar, the artwork is really punk and cool looking. My favorite game, The Lucky Duck, was broken (the claw wouldn't extend far enough to reach any ducks). I reported this to a staff member and she let me pick out any 2 ducks I wanted! The Pokemon pinball was fun too, I love the variety of pinball machines.

    We came here for the first time last Sunday afternoon. It was a very cool spot and a great value!…read more The arcade is pretty big, with a wide variety of games. Tokens are reasonably priced and older style arcade games only take 1- the more interactive or multi player games (think air hockey, basketball, dance dance etc) take 4. They have free popcorn, daily drink specials, and drinks were very reasonably priced. Despite being fairly busy, service at the bar was friendly and fast- I was impressed! Not much else for food here from what I can tell, so don't plan on having your meal here. I brought two teenage boys and we hung out for almost 2 hours- I think I spent about 40 bucks including tokens and a couple of drinks for myself. I really liked the street art vibe, especially all of the murals and the Instagram wall. They've done a great job with ambiance! The outdoor patio adds a lot of additional chill space. When we were there they didn't have a band playing, but I think they do often. I almost want to give it 5 stars, but several of the games were not working properly and ate our tokens. That say you can grab someone to fix them, but nobody appeared available, and I wouldn't have wanted to bother them multiple times anyhow... Would be great if they were proactively checking and fixing them. More snacks would be great too! Other than that it was a really great experience, I would definitely go back.

    Photos
    Heated, year-round patio
    Heated, year-round patio
    Entrance to Boxcar
    Entrance to Boxcar
    Boxcar Bar + Arcade

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    Lincoln Theatre - musicvenues - Updated July 2026

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