My first time at an open mic outside of NYC, and while I am no musician, the group that performed on Monday night were both excellent and very varied. Only one cover song was played all night and the quality of tunes was a really pleasant surprise. Staff are gruff but efficient and participate fully they only add to the character of the place and it's no nonsense atmosphere. Will be back. read more

I'm giving it 4 stars. This is because I'm trying to judge this place objectively. It is nice. It is very small. It is decent. It looks like the type of place someone from a rom-com would go to on a first date. It is lovely in a lot of ways. I always hear people talk highly of it. I'm not super into the singer/song writer thing. Maybe if I were more into that then I would appreciate it more. It just is so....stuffy to me. I feel guilty for laughing in there. I have a loud cackle that I cannot control when someone makes an especially good joke. I have to really try not to laugh when inside The Evening Muse (WHICH MAKES ME WANT TO REALLY LAUGH) I think this is probably a really great place for a lot of people. I just don't get it. It is me- not them. I have heard that they are involved in the community and that is great. So, yay, take a date here. Just be prepared to sit and not dance. read more

I love The Evening Muse. Such an intimate venue in the heart of NoDa. Great place to catch a duo on tour or head over on Mondays for open mic. Seen many a show here and have never been disappointed. You can't go wrong with the bar either. A few local options and all come in venue-friendly bottles. Beware: there is a tab limit if you're using a card. I think its $6, unless it has changed recently. It's a great place to stop in and take a load off. Listen to the local talent and take in the arts district. There are typically seats put out for all but its even better when it's standing room only. You can pack a surprisingly large group of people in this little place. You can buy tickets ahead of time on their website, too. Don't always have to pay at the door. You can't go wrong with The Evening Muse. What a great place for music, poetry and general assembly of beer-craving locals! read more

Went last night with a group of friends. I want to point out a few things that we noticed. It cost $10 to enter The Evening Muse. They have a single bathroom to share between the crowded room. They don't serve liquor or anything else besides beer and wine. The music is blaring loud, so speaking with friends must wait till the band takes a break. Based on the other 5 bars on the same street, and many more bars in the area, I don't think I would recommend this place. If I want to go to a concert, I'd rather go to Fillmore in the music factory. If they removed/lowered the entrance fee, and added more drink options, then it could be worth it. Overall it could have been a nice late night place, but they need to work on a few things first. Since there is a lot of competition in Charlotte. read more

I am a big fan of live music and have heard it played in many venues. But, the Evening Muse is my favorite venue anywhere for a pure music experience. The owner, Joe, is also the sound man and he is a perfectionist. The setting is intimate but transitions well from solo acoustic to more hard rocking grooves. They book bands and people who you have heard of and who you have not heard of, but regardless, it will be good. I like to go see someone I have not heard of and usually I walk away a fan. I remember one time I thought Don Dixon was playing and I went but it turns out it was the next night. Instead, it was Sally Jaye, a singer songwriter based in L.A. She was great and I left with her CD which bears repeated listening. read more

The Evening Muse - Intimate setting - Music Venues Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The Evening Muse is more than a venue. It is a Hub-Beacon for a city with few places for original talent to break ground and bloom. It's at once an intimate venue for national acts, an incubator for local talent, and anything in between. The Muse expands and contracts depending on need. There is no other venue like this in Charlotte. Support one of the places that helps Charlotte feel like it knows what's up when it comes to culture. If the altruism isn't enough to get you to go, then know that the sound is always great and the bar is good....and you can always visit the website to get a sneak peak at what kind of show you're in for- there's always a variety. And there are several other places around the neighborhood if you get restless. read more

I went on Monday to see a friend play, and they had open mic beforehand. It was a decent array of music, and it seemed to be a hipster style crowd. Cover was $3 but it was hard to find a seat. As time went on though, the crowd thinned out and I was able to get a seat. They have a good collection of bottled beers and a decent set of draft beer. I'd probably go back to check out the music. The staff was very friendly and I heard if you have a stamp you can get 10% off at a nearby restaurant/bar but I don't remember the name of it. read more

I would award this venue 6 stars, if possible. I fell in love with The Evening Muse the first time that I stepped through its doors. The venue feels less like a bar and more like an authentic music garage. No fuss= my style. Although I do not live in Charlotte, my boyfriend and I have made this our regular spot every time I come into town for visits. Beyond the cool, eclectic vibe and intimate setting, TEM has amazing drink specials and attracts some increeeedible talent. The last time that we visited The Evening Muse, there were $3 IPA bottles on special and a musical performance that had me in tears. As if that wasn't enough, the owner is awesome and accomodating. On top of the devoted regulars that post up near the bar, the crowd contains a mix of all ages and styles, adding to the unique feel. If you're in the Charlotte area, I definitely recommend paying this NODA gem a visit. read more

Great music venue, but don't trust their website that you can park at the Y. Everyone's cars were booted and they charged $125 to take it off. read more

Very bad experience at this bar. Bartenders were extremely disrespectful to my wife. Several people around received terrible treatment. read more

I came here for a show one night to see Noah Gundersen. The show was amazing but I was really in love with the space. The brick wall behind the stage I loved. It's small and intimate which makes for a great show. The prices on the drinks I also found to be very reasonable. I will be looking at shows here in the future. read more

This is an amazing venue... Small, intimate but packed with talent. I feel like a $10 cover charge is a bit high unless it's a touring band coming through, but I guess that helps sort out the crowd a bit. The guys that run the bar are funny and watch out for you. There is a great open-mike night with some crazy-cool talented locals. The acoustics in here are really good. I also like that the guys running the place keep things moving as they need to. I definitely recommend this venue for people visiting Charlotte! read more

Best venue in Charlotte hands down! Bands from all over the country, even other countries, play here and it sounds so good in that room. The bar has a great beer selection and the staff is so friendly. I've even seen them call Uber's for people or walk people to their cars because they're so nice! read more

The best place to see live music in Charlotte. Intimate venue, great sound, and most importantly, staff that care about the artists, the fans, and the community. read more

The Evening Muse offers a trifecta of goodness: Great acoustics, friendly staff and solid shows! In the heart of NoDa, the Muse is a staple when it comes to live music. The bar offers wallet-friendly pours with many a local beer. The shows are similarly well-priced and you can pretty much bank of any type of artist a from DJs to punk rock to a solo banjo player. Seating can vary, but most folks who come here seem to be happy to help you pull up a chair or two. If you're a fan of live music in a comfortable venue, make time to get over to The Evening Muse! read more

There's an event nearly every night at the Evening Muse. When I first moved to Charlotte, I was so glad to find this little corner of the city. I enjoy live poetry, so I went to a few "Find Your Muse" open mic nights at the Muse, and they've all been wonderful. It's rare that they have poets at the open mic, but I keep coming back anyway. It's only $3 to get in, so it's also a great way to get out for the night and do something a little different when you're broke. And aren't we all broke these days? It's definitely the best place to hear local music in Charlotte, at least in my humble opinion. read more

The Evening Muse is a great little listening room. It can get cramped sometimes, but the intimate setting is also what makes the place special. It's generally pretty affordable to get in for a show ($8 or $10) so if you're without something to do, I'd head over to Evening Muse and stand outside for a minute. You'll be able to hear the musician or band. If you like what you hear, pay the cover and head on in. read more

The Evening Muse - Music Venues Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Been wanting to check this place out since I moved to Charlotte , and it won me over . Has a bohemian quality to it - something rare in this city. The owner is also the house engineer. It's as close to a Greenwich Village vibe as you can get here. Location is easy to get to. Jack Kerouac would be proud. This is the place to come to for actually LISTENING to the music. Was there recently for tosco house party (i.e.-open mic) on a wednesday night. The place was packed. Followed by Peter Case. It was probably the most intimate show I've ever been to, The bartenders were very friendly. I plan on becoming a regular here. read more

This place was awesome! Me and my friend went, and we were immediately greeted by people as we walked in! There were some live bands playing that night, and they were amazing! Cool vibes in this place, nice and relaxed! read more

Good listening room for live, primarily acoustic music. Sound is good and so is the beer selection. Get there early and check out one of the many restaurants within a 2 block radius. read more

What a great venue! Friendly service, awesome music, welcoming, cozy vibe. I feel really lucky to have caught 3 great bands on the one free night I had when I was in town. The Brook and The Bluff were in-f'ing-credible!! The acoustics were great, the sound man had it dialed in, spot on, each instrument, each singer, clear and precisely amped without being too loud. I'm impressed at the quality level of this relatively small venue. But in talking to the owners they pride themselves in showcasing talented artists of many genres. They were talking like this kind of musical magic happens all the time. I'll be back guys! Thank you for a very memorable evening. read more

The Evening Muse is my favorite music venue in the Southeast! You can see the best talent with a charming music icon artistic backdrop! Joe has truly created a listening room environment championing the original artist! So many legendary music greats have played this room and will play this room! It is an all ages, multi-genre venue with something new to discover all the time! I enjoy this venue and also know that my kids and their friends have a safe place to hear great music. I am thankful for the Evening Muse in a time that great music venues seem to be disappearing at an alarming rate. Keep music alive and live! read more

i cannot honestly believe that it took me this long to review the Muse. it is the quintessential small Charlotte venue located in NoDa. with the majority of the staff being musicians themselves, they know what it takes to get the sound just right for the acts and the venue. this can be quite a task, because they host all sorts of music and crowds. it is definitely a destination for the up and coming singer/songwriter set that meanders through charlotte on their leg of whatever "tour" brought their van here. most every area band of note has played here, whether it be a ruckus friday or saturday night gig or a stripped down set like Creative Loafing's Jeff Hahne throws down every third wednesday. seating also varies depending on the act. i have been there for standing room only for the truckstop preachers and fully seated for max capacity when will hoge started his comeback after being hit by a truck. they have a decent selection of craft and macro brews that are always cold and the johnny bootlegger is there if you are adventurous. vittles is limited to rice krispies treats, but you would be surprised how often that hits the spot. read more

I'll preface this by saying that some cool musicians have played here and it usually isn't like this. My experience at the Holly Bowling concert (which I looked forward to a lot) was so bad, this is the first review I've ever written for a concert venue. I walked in 5 minutes after the show was scheduled to start and not only were there no seats available, I was unable to move more than 4 feet from the entrance/exit door. No way to get to the bathroom, and was shoulder to shoulder. It was so hot I was sweating bullets. I could barely see the performance at all. I would have been content just leaning against a wall or something, but that was not happening. Being that I'm not one to pay to be blocked up against an exit door in a hot venue with no where to move or sit, I finally left after about 20 minutes. Of the over 300 concert experiences I've had, this was far and away the worst. It was so bad the artist expressed that they oversold the show and that there would not be a second set before she left the stage. I truly felt bad for her as she is a world-class musician. After I messaged Heather Melton from MaxxMusic Events, she emailed back denying my request for a refund and had the gusto to tell me what I should and shouldn't have done in the scenario. After over 100 shows between Neighborhood Theater and Evening Muse, I won't be visiting either place again. Good luck to anyone trying to attend a popular show at the muse. read more

Nifty! Yep, I called it nifty. Located in the heart of NODA, this little gem is home to the best local and regional indie music. All of the hipness, none of the pretense. Its small, so you never feel overwhelmed and the staff aren't pushy like the uptown bars. By the end of the night, you will converse with random strangers and likely meet the band members as they are leaving. The best thing about this place, other than the ambiance, is their ability to attract quality Indie rock acts. You won't find hard rock, rarely hip hop, and none of that crap they play at Verizon Wireless. The music is original, many starving artists and bands about to drop an album on Itunes. The cover is rarely more than $8 and there are several bands playing a night. People hate on Charlotte for not having the live music scene like Chapel Hill, Athens, or Knoxville, but the Evening Muse if proof that the Queen City is not without hope. read more

This has to be one of the snottiest, most pretentious places I have ever been. I was in town visiting and me and a friend showed up to play the open mic. Instead of just being polite and sayin, "Sorry, we're full" the lady behind the counter was rude and completely uninviting. She wouldn't even let us come in and listen and have a beer or two. I know it's a nice room and all but why would anyone want to give a place like this patronage? FIVE THUMBS DOWN for this hole in the wall. I'd rather go play a friends living room than play this place. read more

What a great place to catch an intimate show in NoDa. Was fortunate enough to hear the Jesse Thomas band a couple weeks ago at the Muse. This venue is small but has great sound, a good selection of beers and gives you that up close and personal feel that is often lacking at other venues. Parking is never that easy but if you see a show during the week it's not so bad. I'm looking forward to seeing another band here soon. read more

Absolutely awesome place; great music and the most hospitable staff on the planet!! Don Koster is absolutely awesome!

Holy crap, I'm obsessed with this place. SUCH a great vibe, always great acoustic music, and located in the heart of the best neighborhood in Charlotte. read more

Awesome music venue, probably one of my favorites in Charlotte. The artists that perform are usually very good. The place is at times, very cramped and you'll be packed in tight on weekend shows, but its worth it. Limited seating and very loud acoustics should also be expected, probably not somewhere to take the younger crowd, but it rocks. read more

get there early if you want a seat. it may be a bit uncomfortable after 3 hrs, but it's better than standing room only. great little venue for live music. read more

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I have been to the Evening Muse for different occasions and have found that I enjoy their Monday night Open Mic Night. These sessions are typically graced by some very talented (undiscovered) individuals. The venue itself is cool looking, but small. This makes regular sets pretty cramped for space in the audience. Cover charges are typically reasonably priced, with Open Mic being $3. I would certainly recommend for others to check it out. read more

I really love this place. Very small and always intimate with the musician. The best nights are when they line up two or more regional (unknown) acts for negligible covers. These are usually young, optimistic, and energetic performers who play their hearts out for a taste of acclaim and exposure. But they get some well known names too, and although it becomes a sardine can, it;s always a pleasur eto get them up close. The Muse has the friendliest bar in the city. Pleasant, efficent, and unpretentious. Lots of beer choices too. NoDa may be losing its charm, but the Muse stays true to their charter. Check it out. read more

Great atmosphere and always interesting music ! Joe is a wonderful sound engineer - small intimate setting - perfect for a romantic night out. read more

Went here for a Mary Fahl concert. Awesome, intimate place. No food, but a beer bar. Very cool place to see a show, can't wait to go again!

I love the Evening Muse! Monday nights are great. Its open mic night with local and national talent for $3!! Can't get any better and the bar is full service with friendly staff. The acoustics are great. I have to admit its a small venue but great overall. read more

Nice small venue which I like because you have a personal experience with the music and the artist. If you think it might be crowded it probably will and I suggest you get there early if you want to sit. there is room for about thirty or so to stand in the back, you can still see but you might grow tired and feel a tad claustrophobic . They have a variety of beers about seating for twelve at the bar, with very good prices! Some cool restaurants within walking distance, so I suggest go early eat, then early to the muse to get seating and a beer. Then enjoy the show of your choice. read more

One of my favorite chill music venues in Charlotte, everyone there is awesome!

Pretty quick service, good selection of drinks. The drinks are decently priced compared to most surrounding venues. They host a lot of talented artists. read more

I came here for open mic night and the musicians (except a few) were great. There were full bands and soloists mostly playing acoustic guitar and singing. There is a cute little DJ booth elevated above the crowd in the corner of the bar. I felt like some of the heads here should have tipped better, because the bartender was a real sweetheart. It is an intimate setting and I thought the abstract art really added to the atmosphere. I will be back again, again, and again. read more