Heading out to enjoy some nightlife in Raleigh, North Carolina? You’ll find a wide variety of bars, pubs, and nightclubs, but finding one with live music is even more fun. Raleigh’s live music scene is diverse, and no matter what kind of music you prefer, you’ll probably happen upon a bar with a band that makes your night. Here are some excellent bars that regularly host musicians in Raleigh.
Deep South the Bar
Image via Flickr by Timothy Vollmer
Deep South the Bar is a live music venue located in downtown Raleigh, across the road from the Red Hat Amphitheater. It’s popular as a hangout both before and after shows at the Red Hat. Every Wednesday through Saturday, and sometimes Sunday, too, you can see live performances from country, bluegrass, and rock, including bands that play original tunes and those that play covers. The bar offers your favorite beverages to enjoy during the show including local draft beer, domestic and imports, wine, and cocktails. The bar does not serve food, but you can order sandwiches from Jimmy Johns to enjoy on-site. Note: Since the bar does not serve food, NC state law requires it to be a “private club.” Membership is free, just print out the application on their website and bring it along.
Nearby Hotels
After a wild night of cocktails and music, the last thing you want to do is worry about getting all the way across town to your hotel room. And whatever you do, driving is definitely out of the question. Visit Hotel Planner to find some Raleigh hotels near your live music venue, and the site can even save you some money on your stay as well.
- Grace
With a retro vibe, C. Grace offers hot jazz and blues performances along with welcoming friendly service. If your idea of cocktails involves hand-crafted, old-fashioned drinks with fancy names, which require a lot of skill to put together, C. Grace’s menu hits the spot. Order cocktails with names like “Indian Summer,” “The Monk’s Breakfast,” “Mendacity,” and “Old Pal,” and you might want to return more than once to try them all. Live music can be found most nights, and there’s a $5 cover charge on weekends. It’s located at 407 Glenwood Avenue.
Pour House Music Hall
Since 1997, the Pour House has been bringing Raleigh a varied selection of touring bands. It’s a concert-style venue that even has a balcony, but unlike your typical concert hall, you can also order from an extensive menu of draft beer, wine, and specialty cocktails. Each month they feature a different local brewery, so you’ll want to check often to see what’s on tap. The music lineup is diverse, including both national and local acts playing such genres as metal, punk, pop, jazz, blues, reggae, bluegrass, and the intriguing “miscellaneous.” If you’re planning a special event, Pour House is glad to accommodate you with a party rental. They suggest you plan it at least three months in advance.
This is just a small selection of Raleigh music venues. The town has a music scene that is eclectic, vibrant, and growing. Come for a visit and check it out!
