Want to see a show? Here’s the ultimate guide to Charlotte’s live music venues
Despite the recent demise of a couple of Charlotte’s most iconic music venues, you can still enjoy an evening out, listening to music. Here’s a list of where to find live music and what to expect at each venue. These are listed from largest to smallest.
http://www.timewarnercablearena.com/timewarner/; 333 East Trade Street; Capacity: 20,200
This is Charlotte’s largest indoor music venue, and it hosts the biggest acts. It’s also the home of the Charlotte Hornets. Formerly known as Time Warner Cable Arena.
http://www.ticketmaster.com/PNC-Music-Pavilion-tickets-Charlotte/venue/114764; Pavilion Boulevard; Capacity: 19,500
PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte area’s largest outdoor music venue, is in the University City area. Formerly known as Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre and, before that, Blockbuster Pavilion. About half of the seats are general admission lawn seats.
Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre
https://www.livenation.com/venues/14076/charlotte-metro-credit-union-amphitheatre; 1000 NC Music Factory Boulevard; Capacity: 5,000
Part of the AvidXchange Music Factory, this small amphitheater hosts shows several nights a week in the warmer months. A pretty wide range of artists perform here, but it’s a go-to destination for touring 90s bands.
http://www.coyote-joes.com/; 4621 Wilkinson Blvd.; Capacity: 3,200.
Coyote Joe’s is the place to go in Charlotte for country music. They opened in 1991 and have hosted the likes of Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt and Garth Brooks. Besides touring acts, Coyote Joe’s also boasts a fine house band and a large dance floor.
http://www.ovensauditorium.com/; 2700 E. Independence Blvd.; Capacity: 2,460.
Ovens Auditorium, located next to Bojangles’ Coliseum, which also hosts some live music events, is managed by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. It’s a seated venue, with orchestra, mezzanine and balcony sections.
http://www.fillmorecharlottenc.com/; 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.; Capacity: 2,000
The Fillmore Charlotte is also part of the AvidXchange Music Factory. It’s a standing-only venue, except for a few VIP seats. As far as genre, anything goes. The Fillmore hosts indie rock, funk, country, tribute bands and much more.
http://www.neighborhoodtheatre.com/; 511 E 36th Street; Capacity: 956
This NoDa mainstay has a storied past, starting in 1945. Before it was a music venue it served as a movie theater (not always the family-friendly kind) and then a church. In the 1990s it reopened as a music venue and has been an important part of Charlotte’s music scene ever since.
http://www.fillmorecharlottenc.com/theunderground; 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.; Capacity: 800
The newest addition to AvidXchange Music Factory, The Fillmore Underground is booking a robust, varied lineup of bands several nights a week.
https://www.visulite.com/; 1615 Elizabeth Avenue; Capacity: 540
Visulite Theatre hosts touring bands, along with some local bands, on one of the best-looking stages in Charlotte. It also has one of the best lines of sight to the stage, with a large, elevated bar area behind the pit.
http://www.tinroofcharlotte.com; 210 East Trade St.; Capacity: 300.
Tin Roof, in the EpiCentre, books a rotation of Charlotte bands and artists, along with a smattering of touring bands. Occasionally they also present surprising shows, like an acoustic performance by The All-American Rejects, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the calendar.
http://www.therabbitspot.com/rabbit-hole/; 1801 Commonwealth Avenue; Capacity: 350
The Rabbit Hole started serving up live music in Plaza Midwood just a couple years ago and features funk, fusion, reggae, rock, soul and more.
http://hattiescharlotte.com/; 2918 The Plaza; Capacity: 200
This dog-friendly, and just plain old friendly, neighborhood bar has an outside patio and live music Fridays and Saturdays.
http://snugrock.com/; 1228 Gordon Street; Capacity: 150
Snug Harbor hosts live music several nights a week, plus one of Charlotte’s most popular Karaoke parties every Sunday. Each month a local band has a residency, playing every Wednesday and bringing along guests performers each week.
https://themilestone.club/; 3400 Tuckaseegee Road; Capacity: 150
This gritty rock club has been around since 1969 and has seen the likes of Nirvana, R.E.M. and the Dead Milkmen. More than 8,000 bands have graced the graffiti-covered stage over the years.
http://www.eveningmuse.com/; 3227 North Davidson Street; Capacity: 120
This unpretentious, intimate NoDa spot boasts impeccable sound and a stage that’s hosted some of music’s biggest names on the way up.
Petra's Bar
http://petrasbar.com/; 1919 Commonwealth Avenue; Capacity: 100
Petra’s is a hidden gem. This cozy neighborhood bar in Plaza Midwood hosts local, regional and touring bands in the main room and provides comfortable spots to hang out in the back room and patio.
This story was originally published September 7, 2017 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Want to see a show? Here’s the ultimate guide to Charlotte’s live music venues."