The ultimate guide to Charlotte’s music venues
Despite the closure of some of Charlotte’s most iconic music venues like the Double Door Inn and Tremont Music Hall, you still have plenty of options for enjoying an evening out listening to music.
Here’s a list of Charlotte’s top music venues and what to expect at each one. These are listed from largest to smallest.
Spectrum Center
www.timewarnercablearena.com/timewarner; 333 E. Trade St.; 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.
PNC Music Pavilion
www.ticketmaster.com/PNC-Music-Pavilion-tickets-Charlotte/venue/114764; 707 Pavilion Blvd.; Capacity: 19,500.
PNC Music Pavilion, the 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
www.livenation.com/venues/14076/charlotte-metro-credit-union-amphitheatre; 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.; 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.
Coyote Joe’s
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.
Ovens Auditorium
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.
The Fillmore Charlotte
www.fillmorecharlottenc.com; 820 Hamilton St.; 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.
Neighborhood Theatre
www.neighborhoodtheatre.com; 511 E. 36th St.; 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.
The Fillmore Underground
www.fillmorecharlottenc.com/theunderground; 820 Hamilton St.; Capacity: 800.
The newest addition to AvidXchange Music Factory, The Fillmore Underground is booking a robust, varied lineup of bands several nights a week.
Visulite Theatre
www.visulite.com; 1615 Elizabeth Ave.; 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.
Tin Roof Charlotte
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.
The Rabbit Hole
www.therabbitspot.com/rabbit-hole; 1801 Commonwealth Ave.; Capacity: 350.
The Rabbit Hole started serving up live music in Plaza Midwood just a couple of years ago and features funk, fusion, reggae, rock, soul and more.
Hattie’s Tap and Tavern
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.
Snug Harbor
snugrock.com; 1228 Gordon St.; 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.
The Milestone Club
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.
The Evening Muse
www.eveningmuse.com; 3227 North Davidson St.; 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
petrasbar.com; 1919 Commonwealth Ave.; 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 August 11, 2017 at 1:25 AM.