Lincoln is my favorite music venue. I recently saw Trial by Fire, a Journey tribute band, and On the Border, an Eagles tribute band (my second time seeing them) and last night The Ultimate Doors tribute show (my second time seeing them) I love that Raleigh has a reasonably-priced place to go to hear great live music! read more

Lincoln Theatre - Trial by Fire, Journey tribute band, May 2026 - Music Venues Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I came to see a tribute band and I was certainly among the younger people in attendance. By no means 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 read more

I had the opportunity to check out The Lincoln theater for the Pancakes and Booze Art Show, one of the largest pop-up art exhibition events. There were 100+ local artists showing over 500 pieces of art. They had free pancakes. There was alcohol for purchase at Lincoln theater bar. The staff here were pleasant, attentive and welcoming. The Lincoln theater was not the best venue for this event but they did the best with would they had. The space seems most ideal for the concerts and for standing but was very difficult maneuvering around freely. Needed more physical space to consume and fully appreciate the art. I enjoyed engaging with all of the artist. One of my favorites that was an extreme stand out was Ankit Nagar. Many of Ankit's pieces were so calming and the colors spoke to me. I do recommend the Art Show. Overall, I enjoyed the experience. I enjoy Art. I purchase prints whenever I feel moved but I have yet to be able to obtain original Art. That's a goal of mine. read more

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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! read more

Lincoln Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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. read more

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Staff was friendly and super easy-going. They allow in-and-outs, so I bought a ticket at the door, went out to grab a bite around the corner and came back for the main show. Sounds was clear and balanced. Lighting added a lot to the show. As some have pointed out...it's all GA, very limited seating, and not very ADA friendly. If you need to sit, arrive very early or you will be stuck standing. Great venue. Will definitely be back for another show. read more

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. read more

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I had a sorority function here. My name was supposedly on a "list" for which I could not get in but I paid my dues and did everything. When I got proof from the president I was still not allowed in and they made me wait in the cold 45 degree weather in a tiny dress. When I asked in I could wait inside while my ride was coming they told me no and that I had to wait outside. They let my date in but not me and was overall extremely rude and treated me poorly. Do not recommend. read more

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. read more

Lincoln Theatre - a crowd of people watching a performance - Music Venues Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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. read more

Lincoln Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The theater is a really cool space. It's right downtown and next to a parking lot so it's easy to get to. It's small, which is generally a good thing. The downside: it's a really inaccessible venue. I have arthritis and cannot stand for a whole concert. When I arrived I inquired about accessible seating, and I was told they might have some stools upstairs. There was no apparent elevator and stools aren't accessible seating. They're also first come first served and I came later, so I got screwed. I ended up having to sit on a bench in the lobby (directly next to the men's bathroom) trying to catch glimpses where I could. Then a guy let his kids sit on the wall at the back of the venue that connects to the bar and I couldn't see at all. I guess it's allowed because security never said boo to them, but it really sucked. I mostly just listened to the show and periodically saw the heads of the band members. Lincoln Theatre: you HAVE to do better for your patrons, particularly those with accessibility needs. read more

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. read more

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Great view of the stage there's a bar and upstairs is plenty of seating to watch the show read more

Service was TERRIBLE. The main bartender/ manager of the night was the rudest woman I've ever met. She gave mean girl that never had friends in high school so she takes it out on pretty girls vibes. The drinks were overpriced and weak. The live music was great but the bartender of the night was just terrible. She should be fired! read more

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! read more

Lincoln Theatre - Bear coming into the middle of the place to sing with no microphone and no accompaniment - Music Venues Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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 ? read more

Lincoln Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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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. read more

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Open letter to Lincoln Theater Management: Please be advised that last night, June 8th, 2924, at the Saosin concert, a white patron yelled at my husband, who is a person of color, "Fucking Mexican...." and other racially charged comments. When my husband asked a Lincoln Theater staff person to intervene, or at least ask the white patron to keep it moving, the staff person responded that there was nothing he could do. When my husband said that it would be different if a person of color said to a white person, "Fucking white guy," the circumstances would be different, the staff person merely acknowledged that, but said again, there was nothing he could do. These are the types of instances that can incite violence if not properly monitored by well-trained staff. Please ensure that your staff is more proactive when it comes to racial profiling so that patrons who have paid the same price for a ticket as other patrons can equally enjoy the event. Thank you, Ch. Rosoff. read more

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! read more

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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! read more

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Great show with April B and The Cool opening for Mother's Finest on August 10, 2019. My only wish was that I had purchased tickets sooner so that I had option of sitting In the few balcony seats. read more

Lincoln Theatre - Mother's Finest - Music Venues Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I bought General Admission tickets to a show after carefully checking the website to see about seating options, as one of the people in our party could not stand for more than a few minutes due to an injury. The website (under FAQ) clearly states "For General Admission shows limited seating available on a first come first serve basis both down and upstairs." We were one of the first folks to arrive, and lo and behold there were zero seats set up. I talked to 3 different staff members, one told me it wasn't her job to know about that, one was basically catatonic, and one was sympathetic but unhelpful. No one knew who I should talk to or cared. No one cared what the website said one way or another. Who manages this place? Why does no one know or care? Anyway I've been to many, many different venues in my life and having nowhere for anyone to sit is ridiculous, discriminatory, and unheard of. Waste of money. read more

I'm probably too old to be writing a review for the Lincoln but I'm going to do it anyway. I took my son to see AJR play last week. As we were in line I saw numerous parents dropping off their kids. I'm pretty sure I was the oldest one there. But it's okay because the Lincoln Theatre reminded me of the places I'd go see in my (oh God, I hate to say this), youth. The thing about the Lincoln however, was the sloped floor. Why doesn't every concert place have this?? At 5'3" it's usually impossible to see a band play. Not here. Not a problem at all. It's not a big place, and it's pretty bare bones, but they have a decent selection of craft beer (and being all kids at the show- no line, score for me!) and great views of the stage. I imagine that in a few years if I didn't like the band I'd have no qualms about dropping my boy off by the door. I mean, the kid came back with two pairs of ear plugs for us with his purchased beanie. And maybe, hopefully, he'll let me take him for a few more shows. read more

Nice smaller venue to see shows. I don't want to give away our secret haha, but I will...we like to get there when doors open so we can get a stool and hightop table up top on the balcony. It's a great spot to watch, and it doesn't usually get too crowded upstairs so you can easily get to the restrooms or the bar. read more

Lincoln Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Nothing fancy. Had a great view of the stage. While there are a few bar stools, expect to stand. Felt safe. At times the place smelled funky like sewer backing up. Tip: when it's crowded go upstairs to the bar. read more

Lincoln Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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

I don't get into Raleigh too much and have driven by this venue many times. Finally could not pass up the opportunity to see one of my wife's favorite bands - Delta Rae. Although we got there early enough, most of the floor was already packed. It was definitely sold out. We climbed up the stairs and were able to secure some stools on the peripheral balcony. Glad to see that there was a bar upstairs as well, so we didn't have to go up and down to get drinks. Sound quality was fine except for when the band wandered into the crowd to do an acoustic singalong, but that's not really on the venue. There is paid parking nearby but if you go out farther you can find free parking along some side streets. If there's another band I really want to see, I'll definitely consider returning. read more

I'm a fan of the Lincoln Theatre, the venue isn't tiny, but isn't so big that you don't feel like you are part of the action. It is the perfect size to enjoy a show. If you get there early enough you can snag a spot upstairs with tables or even towards the floor. We recently saw Who's Bad and it was an awesome show. Getting a drink was pretty easy, the lines were manageable. Even getting into the restroom was a pleasant experience with the nicest bathroom attendant I have ever encountered. They have a lot next door that you can pay to park in or there is a paid garage only about a block away. Plenty of great spots to grab a bite to eat before the show, pretty prime downtown location. I look forward to seeing more shows! read more

Fire everyone that works here and start over. The venue is fine but security was on a power trip, the manager was rude, and the check-in staff is incompetent. Unless Caleb Harper himself is playing a private concert here, I will be avoiding this place at all cost. read more

Go ahead and download the ParkMobile app. You're gonna need it if you get there early enough to park 30 steps or less from the venue! Take note that after 5pm, (ParkMobile) is open to public parking (through APP ONLY; have your card ready to pay through phone) There also is a parking deck directly across from the main entrance of the venue. Unless otherwise specified in your ticket info, this is a General Admission type of deal! Meaning: Your best experience depends on YOU! Early bird gets the win here! I came here to see Lucky Daye and yall... IT WAS EPIC to say the very least! Again, concert was General Admission, so your actual up close experience is based on how early you got there. No complaints on the venue! The sound is like going to see your favorite artist live with iMAX theater surround sound lol. In a lot of these venues you don't get the best sound sometimes or something is turned down a little too low or turned up a little too high... Never noticed any issue there. The bass never rattled ONCE. Which is pretty impressive given the type of music that played the whole night. I heard the 808s and live drums almost perfectly on the same level. My only complaint was it rained enough to where it made the inside a little cold, but I'm chalking that up to damp clothes. Other than that, if you're an artist looking for the up close experience with fans, or a big artist looking for a nice private venue for about 300-400, this is a great place! Highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for a fun experience. By the way, these photos were not zoomed in for better quality. So yeah. Get your butt there as EARLY as you can! BELIEVE ME. Be safe! read more

Lincoln Theatre - Lucky Daye - Music Venues Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I've been coming to Lincoln Theatre for a million years now. Too be honest not much has changed and I'd like to keep it that way. From events to live music this venue has it all. There is plenty of space upstairs and downstairs for any event you attend. They have a full bar and I never have had any issues trying to get a drink. I like the diversity of shows here from local bands, to big talent you'll find something for everyone. Tickets are easy to purchase online or at the door depending on the show. Being a shorty I appreciate that I can see the stage from almost anywhere in this venue, huge plus! There is a parking lot plus plenty of street parking nearby. The venue is super convenient in the heart of downtown. For a live music venue you won't find a place much better then Lincoln Theatre for it's size. Go check out a show here to see what you've been missing. read more

A Sick little 2 leveled place. Live music. Alcohol. Pool. Great Sound. This venue can hold a good sized event.. The place looks tiny on the outside , but when you go inside it opens up deep[that's what she said*]. I wasn't aware Raleigh had cool spots like this, but I haven't explored it as much as I should. The drinks cost a little too much at the Bar, and I wish the bar was somewhere where I could get a drink and see the stage - other than that - I have no complaints. I was looking at their upcoming band list, and I wish I could stay in the area longer and see some. There are sitting and standing spots in the balcony and lower level - there really isn't a bad seat in the house. The restrooms don't have a men's or a women's sign on the doors so either wait outside until you see someone go in or out - or just guess. You've got a 50/50 chance, no worries. Went to see Company of Thieves open for Plain White T's - so I had do deal with a lot of emo teenie boppers, but all was right with the world when I caught the drummer for CoT at the bar and was able to take a picture with him. The bar is in kind of a weird spot (but so is the theatre itself),but again other than that I have no complaints about this place. If someone you want to check out is going to be here, it is definitely worth the show. read more

Lincoln Theatre - Company of Thieves at the Lincoln Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

One of the most intimate venues Raleigh has to offer. It's not too small that it doesn't get larger acts, but it's not too large to the point where you feel disconnected from the music. If you want to see your favorite group up close and personal, this is the place! I recently went to see Coheed and Cambria (rock band) and I can say that it was one of the best live music experiences in my life, and I have the venue to thank for that (as well as the band, of course). I ordered several drinks there as well ($4 16oz PBR -- hey, when I'm going to a live show, the last thing I care about is quality beer and PBR is just fine). The bartenders were very attentive and it was very easy to get my drinks, even though it was a sold out show. If one of your favorite bands/artists happens to book this venue, immediately buy the tickets. You won't regret it. read more

The Lincoln competes with King's for medium-sized tours. Usually you won't catch emerging artists at these venues, unless they're opening for another band. So, the calendar always seems to be filled with cover/party bands and bands I haven't listened to in 5-10 years. Indie rock tours almost exclusively always land in Carrboro (at Cat's Cradle), so I don't visit Lincoln that often. As Matthew mentioned, the sound isn't great. But, the good news is that it's mostly a decibels issue. Just get yourself a good pair of earplugs (I got mine at http://earlove.net/) and you'll be good to go. Then you can stand on the sides near the speakers and your ears won't be ringing for 2 days. The bar serves liquor, beer, and has drink specials. Parking is great (as long as you manage to find the other side of Cabarrus :-). There's a balcony and a pool table up there... But due to the quality of tours that are booked, I just can't give four stars to Lincoln. Raleigh, in general, needs to do a better job attracting the good tours. A bit of a side note: Lincoln did a phenomenal job with the BandTogether Third Eye Blind show. They set up an stage outdoors and hosted the after-party inside. I hope they set up shows like that more often. read more

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We went to see Alejandro Aranda at this venue. The check in process was little odd the ticket takers requested our tickets while we were outside then they came back to give us bracelets. This method did not seem wise in a business sense since someone without a ticket could have joined the line and then gotten a bracelet. Once in, we immediately went upstairs, the view seated across from thestagewas great, the upper side seats seamed awkward for viewing past the person in frontof you. The bar stools were aged and uneven. I had a padded stool and I felt bad for the folks that had just wooden seats bc my buttwassore even with the padding. The pit allowed for a large amount of people. The ceiling tile definitely needs to be replaced but the bathrooms were clean and the vibe was pretty intimate. The temperature in such a small place was surprisingly good. Overall, would come back! read more

Lincoln Theatre - View from the upstairs seating - Music Venues Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh needed a great music venue, and the Lincoln Theater fits the bill. Set on the outskirts of the downtown area, the Lincoln Theater is one of the best things about the area. It has a great stage with plenty of room to dance or hang out. . The sound system is one of the best around for shows. Booking is always great. The bands that come are nationally known, but small enough to make a venue seem huge. Always high energy to have a great time. The bar is good. Always attentive bartenders are readily available to help you get your drink on. They do let you run tabs, but will also sell drinks based on cash. Also, great parking around the area that is normally open free at night. Take the weekend off and come see your favorite band. read more

Although it's quite small, I liked my first experience there. I don't know if it's because of the group I went to see ( Epik High & Yoshi Flower) but I really liked it. There was enough room to be around not too small they also have a bar which has many options to choose from. The bathroom are alright. Like the upper balcony view. I would definitely go there for another event. read more

Lincoln Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Lincoln Theatre is one of my favorite venues to see live music. I'm not much for the acoustics and don't have a perfectly trained ear for music - I just love the live music experience, and that's something Lincoln does very well. I've been frequenting shows there for about 6 or 7 years, so I remember the old one-story layout very well. While I agree that the balcony does make it easier for a lot of people to see the show, i think it takes away a lot of the intimacy of the shows. Also, as a smoker I was a bit disappointed when smoking was relegated to the far back edge of the balcony (where you can't possibly see the stage). The bar, while usually crowded, is always fast. The bartenders do a great job of moving people along and you'll find a much shorter wait here than at most other downtown bars on a busy weekend night. The drink prices are definitely a deal by concert venue standards, too. During the time I've been visiting the Lincoln, I've been on stage with Andrew W.K., gotten sprayed with champagne by Far Too Jones, been sweated on by Fred LeBlanc of Cowboy Mouth, found out why nobody does it better than 2 Skinnee J's, seen patrons surfing on a crowd of about 40 people to a Led Zeppelin tribute...and I've loved every minute of it. If you're headed to the Lincoln for a show, there's a good chance you'll see me there...especially if Butch Walker is on the bill. read more

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Expensive beer....middle aged couples spend their hard working money each Friday. Be prepared to be over 50 plus! Or you won't fit in....oh let me add, as a man you have to be bald. read more

Came here for The XX and Neon Trees. Pros: -free parking in garage across the street -small venue with good view of stage from barricade -decent acoustics and lighting Cons: -can't bring in water -small restroom read more