Nightclubs

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville Music Hall is the center of one of the most vibrant music scenes in the American South — a downtown Asheville venue presenting outstanding acts in a city whose extraordinary concentration of musicians (more working musicians per capita than Nashville, according to some counts) creates a nightclub culture of remarkable Southern creative city significance. Asheville's extraordinary combination of Blue Ridge Mountain beauty, outstanding craft beer (it has the highest craft brewery density per capita in the South), and remarkable arts community creates a music city of genuine American creative significance.

31 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Carrboro, North Carolina

Cat's Cradle is one of the most beloved independent music venues in the American South — a Carrboro institution that has presented outstanding indie rock, alternative, and Americana acts since 1969. Cat's Cradle's extraordinary 55+ year history (R.E.M., Nirvana, Arcade Fire, and virtually every important independent act has played here) and its remarkable connection to the Research Triangle's vibrant arts community create a music venue of genuine American independent music cultural significance.

300 E Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510

Charlotte, North Carolina

Neighborhood Theatre is Charlotte's most historically significant music venue — a 1945 NoDa (North Davidson Arts) neighborhood theater presenting outstanding concerts in Charlotte's most vibrant arts district. NoDa's extraordinary transformation from a mill village to Charlotte's arts capital and Neighborhood Theatre's consistent programming create a nightclub of genuine North Carolina arts district cultural significance.

511 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28205

Charlotte, North Carolina

Tremont Music Hall is Charlotte's most versatile independent music venue — a South End institution presenting outstanding rock, metal, hip-hop, and electronic acts. Charlotte's extraordinary South End entertainment corridor (it has become the city's most vibrant arts and nightlife destination through the creative transformation of former mill buildings) and Tremont's consistent programming create a nightclub of genuine North Carolina urban entertainment significance.

400 W Tremont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203

Charlotte, North Carolina

Visulite Theatre is Charlotte's most intimate independent music venue — a beautifully converted Elizabeth neighborhood theater presenting outstanding indie rock, alternative, and folk acts. Charlotte's remarkable growth (it is the fastest-growing major city in the Southeast, having added over 100,000 residents in the past decade) and Visulite's consistent programming of outstanding independent artists create a nightclub of genuine North Carolina urban creative significance.

1615 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204

Durham, North Carolina

The Pinhook is Durham's most community-centered music venue — a downtown bar and venue presenting outstanding independent music alongside food and community events. Durham's remarkable creative renaissance (it has been called "The City of Medicine" for its extraordinary healthcare and biotech cluster, but also hosts one of the South's most vibrant arts communities) and The Pinhook's genuine community mission create a nightclub of authentic North Carolina community arts significance.

117 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701

Raleigh, North Carolina

Kings is Raleigh's most creative entertainment venue — a downtown bar and music hall combining an extraordinary craft beer list, vintage arcade games, and a small live music stage in the most playfully innovative entertainment environment in North Carolina's capital. Raleigh's growing creative economy and its enormous NC State and Duke student populations create consistent demand for the kind of creative entertainment experiences that Kings provides with exceptional style.

14 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Raleigh, North Carolina

Lincoln Theatre is Raleigh's most beloved independent music venue — a downtown NC institution presenting outstanding rock, indie, hip-hop, and alternative acts for the state capital's growing arts community. Raleigh's remarkable transformation from a government town to a major technology and creative hub (Google, IBM, and Red Hat have major operations here) and Lincoln Theatre's exceptional programming create a nightclub of genuine North Carolina creative economy significance.

126 E Cabarrus St, Raleigh, NC 27601