Great smaller concert venue! I'm sure it depends on the show, but I felt we had plenty of standing room during the concert we went to. Thank you to this venue for offering $1 bottled waters - that is truly unheard of these days! Free parking garage and several great restaurants right next door. I only wish that for a Sunday night 20 year reunion show with a middle aged crowd that they would start a show an hour earlier! read more

See all

Great local music venue! Easy to park and very decent prices on drinks. Can easily see the stage from any vantage point. Had a great time seeing Carbon Leaf , a favorite band from college. read more

See all

Have visited this venue for concerts several times in the past, and would in the future. It's a smaller venue making for more intimate experiences. It's a bit of a dive, and you have to walk around with the back of the building down an alley to get in which feels a bit sketchy, but it's decently lit. They could definitely use a bit more signage directing you to the entrance. There is a lot of free parking in the area which is also a plus The interior is what you'd expect for a dive music venue, but staff was friendly and beer prices very reasonable. PBRs are $3, Bud light $4, and the prices go up to $5, $6, $7 and $9 for more craft/imported beer. They also offer wine. Bathrooms are the definition of dive, stall doors are missing and they still have a trough urinal, so if you can avoid using the bathroom you'll be better off. Sound quality has always been good for the shows I've attended and ticket prices very reasonable. read more

See all

This was a super cute vibe for a music venue! I didn't get anything to drink but I saw from some reviews it's cash only so be warned. I was a little confused where to find the entrance based on my GPS but to be fair to them there's huge signs lol. Just look. Overall I'll be back! read more

Cat's Cradle - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

See all

Very little seating. Handicap seating is on the side so you have to use your X-ray vision to see the artists. read more

Cat's Cradle - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

I saw Sleepytime Gorilla Museum here last week. This venue is amazing. I've been to dozens and dozens of venues in lots of different states and countries and this is one of my all time favs. People who live near this are super lucky. Great line of site and layout. Bathrooms in sensible place. There are great prices at the bar (cash only... there's an ATM inside as well as a BoA ATM about 2 blocks away). The venue looks nice and well-kept. Great lighting and sound. It seriously sounded unbelievably good. The location was also amazing. Particularly for out of towners, but there's a huge parking garage (that's also shared with a good hotel practically next door). Lots of bars to visit nearby and a great brewery with good food (Haw River). If I weren't leaving the southeast soon I'd be willing to travel here regularly and wish I'd gotten to more than once. read more

Cat's Cradle - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

First time at Cat's Cradle and definitely won't be our last. We came last week for Tinariwen...Norther African tribal rock. The group is six guitars, percussion, chanting, and can be everything from "desert devotional" to an all-out guitar-soup frenzy. The sound and the mix was absolute perfection!! Big applause to the sound mixer for nailing it!! Crowd was good...packed but everyone was friendly. Beer selection was very workable. And the staff was friendly, bordering on polite (even got smiles and fist-bumps from the ginormous bouncers!). Head's Up: the bar is cash only!! There's an ATM, but if you want to avoid the fees, bring some folding money with ya!! Great to have such a cool venue in The Triangle area. And even though they're far from our home, we're happy to make the drive to see great shows at such a cool place! read more

Last night was my first time at Cats Cradle (came to see Wild Party) and I was really impressed with the venue. You get to be right up close and personal with the artists which made the experience a lot more meaningful and special. It did get very loud though so I highly recommend bringing earplugs if you have sensitive ears. Drinks were offered from a bar at the back although I didn't try any out so can't speak to their quality. I loved my first concert here and I'm so excited to come back for my next one in a few months! read more

See all

This venue is sweet. Was able to experience the back room for VIP and then really enjoyed the main stage area. Attended the sold out magic city hippies show and loved that there was still breathing room! The main bar was quick and efficient. All of the staff were friendly! There was a mini bar close to the floor with plenty of options as well! There were some stadium seats and benches on the side of the main floor area. From the art to the theme, this was just a venue that was a pleasant surprise! I'd make the trip to Chapel Hill again for catching a show here. read more

See all

Great small venue to see shows. Plenty of free parking and super easy to get in and out of. It was a little slow getting into the venue, didn't know that they were carding everyone, no problem. Basically the place is an open room with very few seating possibilities. We arrived early and were able to score a couple of very tired bar stools. Saw Tessa Violet , what a super show she put on . The bar is easy to get to and service was prompt. There is no food available for consumption. I would return to see another show when in town. read more

See all

Goodly venue in a strip mall near UNC. My husband & I went to see a music show, Toy Box opened for Sleepy Time Gorilla Museum. Standard floor w minimal seating scattered around the back. Nice stage. Great acoustics. Friendly staff. ... looked like a decent bar, no food. read more

Cat's Cradle - Toy Box : puppeteer/ storyteller - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

Easily one of my favorite concert venues in the Triangle. You can easily find parking and it is a great place for intimate shows with your favorite artist. I've seen probably around 10 shows here. The back room is my favorite because they have an upstairs area, you can take drinks up there and sit to watch a show. I'm always checking the lineup so I can go back and see another show because I love it so much. read more

See all

I came here last month for the Jojo concert. The main venue is mainly standing room only. Around the perimeter there is very limited seating and this is first come first serve. On the website it showed this venue location requires masks and you need to show proof of your vaccination card or get tested within 72 hours of the concert. There is a parking garage right next to the Hampton Inn that you can park in for free in the correct designated spots. The line was well organized and not a problem at all. If you did not bring a mask they gave you one at the front. Once inside you can visit the bar and take your mask off to drink. I thought it would be more enforced to have your masks on if you weren't drinking since we were so close together, I was wrong. Many people ended up taking off their mask even if they didn't have a drink. I will be honest the main reason I was so comfortable going was because I thought wearing a mask was going to be enforced. Regardless I enjoyed my time. I did have to use the bathroom and it was not well kept at all. I didn't end up getting any drinks so I can't comment on the bar. It was very hot inside thr venue. I did end up getting strep 2 days after the concert but that is of no one's fault but my own. read more

Cat's Cradle - Jojo concert - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

See all

I went to a Hot Freaks Concert recently in what's called the "BackRooms". It's not the main entrance, but rather a door around the backside of the building. I'm giving this a 4 star because someone was smoking during the concert. I guess it was allowed? Still, the area was quickly filled with cigarette smoke because of how small the venue was. It rained a bit that day and there wasn't a lot of cover for the amount of people there. The inside was so nice. Cozy, but not too small. Had a nice balcony at the top with chairs and tables. A bar in the back of the room near the restrooms and entrance. read more

Cat's Cradle - Hot Freaks Set - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

if you're looking for punk and metal, this is the best venue to see those acts at. The bar is cash only, so be prepared. Parking is free, and they never enforce the "hotel only" spots, so those are options as well. Gender inclusive bathrooms too! read more

I'd only travel long distances for a handful of bands. It just so happened that two of them decided to go on tour together. With a Saturday show 2.5 hours from home, I couldn't resist snagging a ticket! This was my first visit to Cat's Cradle, but it's like most other rock concert venues: dark, grungy, fairly gross bathrooms, and a great sound system. I arrived right as the concert was starting and there was no line to get in. I just showed my e-ticket and license, received a little treble clef stamp denoting that I was of age to drink booze, and walked in. The bar is right near the entrance, which is quite convenient. They sell a decent amount of beer, including brews from Carolina Brewing. I grabbed a kolsch and then weaved my way to a wall to lean against. I'm at that age where I just want a clear view of the musicians. I don't need to be right up front or near the pit. Hanging next to the security guard worked for me perfectly. Toward the end of the show, I started feeling some intense pain (recurrent personal issue), and it was one of those situations where I really needed to sit down. Obviously this is a standing-room only venue, but I did see a few people chilling on a crate in the back, so I joined them. It required a little jump, and I'm not sure they really condone sitting there, but no one asked me to move and it gave me the ability to see the rest of the show to the end. Overall I enjoyed my visit to Cat's Cradle. I don't attend concerts very often anymore, but I'll travel as far as I can to see New Found Glory and Bayside. Lovely bands. read more

See all

I recently saw Afghan Whigs play at Cat's Cradle and I was blown away! The band was fantastic and the venue was even better. I was thrilled that vaccination cards were viewed in order to enter without a mask and that non-alcoholic drinks were available, as were alcoholic drinks. There was limited seating, but who attends a concert just to sit through it? Though the band didn't come onto the stage until 36 minutes after their promised 8:00 PM performance time, they did play for an hour and 20 minutes. There was plenty of room to stand around the room and I was able to watch from 2 different vantage points to get different points of view of the performance. Though I hadn't been to Cat's Cradle in over 20 years, I had the best time on my recent visit. I wouldn't hesitate to return to see other live acts in the future! read more

Good venue, didn't buy anything to eat so can't say anything about the prices but the setup was chill. Enough seats if you wanted to chill instead of stand up all the time. The merch area was easy to find, albeit a bit small but I enjoyed the glaive show. Only issue was the way you have to walk around the building to the back, that was weird but I guess I get it since the front entrance probably leads backstage. read more

Although I've lived in this area for a long time, it took me a while to see a show at the Cradle, perhaps because we were raising a kid. As an empty nester I've been to 2 shows in the main hall in the past year. There's nothing special about the space, but the variety and quality of artists who have performed here is legendary. There is very, very limited seating in the back but most people stand. There is a full bar but I believe they only take cash -- hello, ATM machine. The parking lot out front fills up quick but luckily you can park in the deck by the Hampton Inn; just make sure you're parking in an appropriately marked space. Sound quality was decent for a big room and the staff from the bouncers to bartenders were generally friendly. read more

I love Cats Cradle. The groomer is just fabulous. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. My cats always look so beautiful after their grooming. I highly recommend Cat's Cradle. I have been coming to Cat's Cradle for o 28 years. read more

Cat's Cradle - Paloma loves Cat'sCradle. - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

See all

I went here for my first concert ever at the ripe old age of 24. It was everything I had ever wanted out of a venue and concert. As a true introvert I appreciated that there was always space at the bar away from the stage because of how to building is set up. The interior is pretty grunge and the building acoustics for the bands are very good read more

Good sound quality. Very little space for people that need accommodations/seating - 1 out of 10. Staff are 4 out of 10. Cleanliness is a 6 out of 10. read more

Saw a concert at this place, the lighting was great and the staff is very nice and the sound is great. The only problem I had was that it gets extremely hot and humid with big crowds and there are hardly any fans to keep the room cool. read more

I'm glad someone was sitting outside as we arrived to steer us towards the entrance as we would have tried to go thru the front door until we noticed the signs saying the entrance is on the side! Nice that the bar is the next stop once you enter to grab a drink before going into the main area. The staff is friendly and quick to fill your drink order. We just had soda & water and the prices are cheap and they were very cold! As someone else said, it's laid out very efficiently. Bare bones inside with limited seating along the side walls that fill up quickly. Otherwise a large floor space to stand and listen to whatever type of music an evening offers, which is the main focus here. read more

I really dig Cat's Cradle. I can't believe I've only been here twice though - once in 2008 (?) & then this past Saturday night. Sound is really good. We get out at a decent hour (this was midnight) & staff are all really nice. My only complaint is having to go in, in the back part. Thankfully, the alley way is pretty well lit, but you still would want to have the "buddy system" in place. Nice patio area for those that want to hang out outside & for those that smoke. Didn't have an issue with temperature, but for this particular show, it was really cold out & there was maybe 75 of us in the room. Parking in the front & you can park in the Hampton Inn parking deck as well - for free! read more

I've been to quite a few shows here. They always seem to bring in good acts from a variety of genres. My favorite thing about this venue is that the shows always start on time and the transition between sets is usually super fast and efficient. I don't love the amount of white bros that tend to be here, but it could be the genre of music my husband and I tend to listen to. I also wish they didn't serve beverages in glass bottles; this seems like a bit of a hazard once the pit opens up. I can't honestly comment on the beverage prices because I don't partake and I don't think I've ever used the restrooms here. The staff is friendly. Parking is usually not a problem at the garage next door. I'll be back the next time a good band is in town. read more

Cat's Cradle - New Found Glory 4/3/15 - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

My favorite local music venue that still refuses to take cards at their bar. I've been going to Cat's Cradle for over 20 years and it's changed in some respects and in others is still the same place I was going to in high school. It's a perfectly sized venue where it's hard to find a bad spot in the house. They've updated it over the past few years to offer a more premium service with a small selection of VIP seats on a 2nd floor with assigned seating for some events. They've also added some nice restrooms on one side. Cat's Cradle gets some of my favorite acts that tour through the area. They're typically known for being a music venue, but have started to book more comedy acts in the past few years and I really love that. Brining more alt-comedy to the area is a welcomed change instead of comedy acts only going to Raleigh for the typical brick wall set-up. There's also been a new parking garage added next door so parking has become super simple compared to past years when parking lot hunting was a true headache. At this point Cat's Cradle is a Chapel Hill/Carrboro institution and gets the cool acts before they blow up big. The biggest downside is their really good shows sell out quick because its a small venue and they still don't take cards at the bar, which is an annoyance if you only want to ear plugs and don't have any cash on you. This venue still rocks. I just saw The Midnight play here and it was a phenomenal show. I hope the Cat's Cradle stays here for years to come. read more

Honestly, I'm coming here for the events, not the venue. They get a lot of bands I like that aren't big enough to play at other venues. They also got a great comedy duo that I love the other day. But the place is cold and dingy, the bar only takes cash (get with the times!) and the chairs we sat in for the comedy show were the cheapest, most uncomfortable folding chairs ever that were just CRAMMED in there. This was a generally polite and considerate crows and I still had a chair jammed into my knees by the end of it because the guy in front of me kept leaning back and then his chair would scoot back, too. Parking is ok now that there's a parking deck nearby, but the abundance of spots saying "hotel only" is frustrating. There are lots of great restaurants nearby for dinner before your show! read more

Last night was my first concert at Cat's Cradle and I was blown away. This place is exactly what I expect from a live music venue. Organized ticket line that leads you into an intimate area for you to get up close and personal with the band on stage. Last night's concert headliner was Citizen Cope, a sold out show. Despite being sold out, I was still able to see them up close and enjoy their performance without any qualms. There are wooden benches for seating on the sides of the walls that enclose the area and also towards the back. If you arrive early, its easy to grab a spot. This is a good idea if you don't feel like standing the whole night. The acoustics rock in this place. Awesome sound from the edge of the stage to the very back where the bar is. Thanks to the excellent reviews previous to my experience, I had cash in hand for beer, scored parking early in the lot, and emptied my bladder before entering the venue. Yelp in action! Bathrooms are more than disgusting. Don't bother unless its an emergency. But, hey, you don't go there to do your business, you go there for the music. I was also star-struck by this venue's history. Famous bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Smashing Pumpkins played here before ever making it on the air waves. I'm in love with this place. Overall: Intimate venue that doesn't lack in sound quality. Great place to discover quality indie bands while chilling in a non-pretentious environment. Bring cash for alcohol and be aware that parking can be tough. read more

Cat's Cradle - Citizen Cope (Clarence Greenwood) doing an acoustic set. I know crappy cell phone quality picture. - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

See all

As you may be able to tell from the photos I've posted, I'm a regular at Cat's Cradle. I can't even tell you how many shows I've attended there. What I love about the Cradle is that the tickets are always cheap---and they use eTix for online purchases, which only has a $1.25 fee; take that, Ticketmaster!---and they get everyone from local favorites to big names. The stage is small, but I've seen of Montreal, Ra Ra Riot, Los Campesinos!, Camera Obscura, and A. C. Newman here, and none of them had difficulty fitting all of their bandmates on stage and putting on a helluva show. I've been to a lot of sold-out shows here: Andrew Bird with St. Vincent, The Ting Tings, of Montreal, Cut Copy, Yeasayer, etc. It gets hot and crowded during sold-out shows, particularly in the summer. There are AC and ceiling fans, but they only sort of work. Dress lightly in the warm months. And I've been to shows that have only sold a handful of tickets, which ended up being some of the best shows I've ever seen. One of the great things about being in a venue this intimate is that amateur photographers---like myself---can always get good photos. And they've got beers from Carolina Brewery on tap. I recommend the Copperline. Delicious. They also sell sodas and water and beer in cans. They have a coat check at the bar and also sell Cat's Cradle merch---American Apparel Ts, etc.---and earplugs there. I would recommend wearing earplugs, at least lightly in your ears, if you plan to watch a show from up front. It gets loud and will definitely leave you with a case of the ol' club ear. The bar is cash-only (there's an ATM inside). The staff are efficient, yet laid-back. There are video games and some couches in the room by the bar. This room is never as packed as the area with the stage, so you can take a break from the crowd here or check the score on their ginormous television. The bathrooms are grimy and in disrepair. So what? Parking is a pain in the ass. There are almost no parking spots in front of the venue and, if you think you see one, odds are it's reserved for Visart, the indie movie rental place next door. Park in one of the Carrboro town gravel lots (next to and behind the Armadillo grill) and walk over. Parking in the town lots is free, but just make sure you don't park in one with a "towing enforced" sign. Head across the street to Mill Town or The Station afterward. Great beers on tap. This place is awesome. It is by far my favorite music venue in the Triangle. read more

See all

No-smoking rocks my world, and I have to admire the place for that. I'm also impressed by their continued ability to bring us good line-ups month after month. One of my more memorable concerts here, was Sum 41 and Good Charlotte before they went MTV. I got dragged to it by a boyfriend -- who later rushed the stage and launched himself into a crowd to body-surf. Another memorable concert was way more recent and way more mellow. Ingrid Michaelson played here a couple weeks ago and I seriously fell in love with her a bit (sorry, Phil). You can get beer, not liquor. And you can sit or stand. The acoustics here suck, but it does make for a cozier, more intimate kind of concert experience. read more

See all

Love Cat's Cradle. It feels very suburban - it's in a strip mall! Parking in that strip mall is impossible, don't even waste your time looking for a spot there. Yeah, the venue itself doesn't have amazing acoustics. There's tons of seating, but you really have to get there before the first band to land a seat. They have yummy local beer on tap, plus your standard cheap beers in cans/bottles (MMM, PBR). Most of the shows I've been to, the crowd has been a mix of all ages, young and older. They consistently have good shows. Some bands I have seen: Bright Eyes, Of Montreal, Surfer Blood, Sleigh Bells. Some things are gross like 1.) The sweatiness of everyone around you at a sold-out show and 2.) the bathrooms. But I have been to tons of music venues, and I know that those two things can't be avoided1 read more

Cat's Cradle - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

Hands down the best place to see shows, but still a couple of complaints. The venue is small and intimate. I saw a sold-out Two Door Cinema Club show here, and it was crowded, but not uncomfortably so. If you are seeing a loud band, try your best NOT to stand near the sides. We found a spot on the left side of the crowd, but my left ear was ringing for three days afterwards. It was especially strange since it was only in one ear! The crowd is rather close to the relatively small stage, so the view is awesome, and the sound is blaring. Great for a stand up, squish together, jump up and down type of concert! I wish they would allow re-entry. Parking wasn't the easiest to find, even though we arrived for the second opener. Or perhaps this can be attributed to my unfamiliarity with Carrboro. I'm from Raleigh, so Carrboro is a little out of the way, but the venue is definitely worth it. The venue itself is also difficult to find at night! read more

I've been trying to explore the Triangle music scene more and more over the past few years, however, I find it hard pressed to do so when all the bands I want to see come to Cat's Cradle and I find myself completely in love with this venue. Cat's Cradle reminds me of local scenes I used to frequent in DC and Baltimore so I felt right at home upon entering my first time years ago. The size is perfect with lots of open space in front of the stage. If you don't want to stand in the middle you can usually find a place to perch on the sides or the "bleachers". The bar is cash-only however they do have an ATM right next to the bar for non-cash-carriers like myself. The prices for beer aren't horrible and you can usually find a local beer on tap for about $4.25. Back by the bar you'll find a large television showing sports, a few couches to lounge on, a smoker's patio and the bathrooms. That's about all there is to it. It's simple and glorious. read more

Cat's Cradle - Matt & Kim w/ The Hood Internet - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

I'm not sure why I gave this a 4 star review and not 5 stars. Maybe because I remember past shows where it felt swelteringly hot. Well, that problem seems to be a thing of the past, maybe it was me, because I've been to a few shows over the summer and I can't remember any problems in recent memories. Anyway, having seen Father John Misty at the ritz about a week ago and seeing destroyer tonight at cat's cradle just made me appreciate this place that much more. You can't even compare the sound quality between the two venues. Dan Bejar had an 7 piece band (not including himself) and you could really hear each individual instrument, the saxophone, the flute, every guitar, even the maracas. The sound wasn't muddled at all. You could also hear Dan's vocals clear as a bell -- every word. That's important, because he's a great lyricist. I also had a great vantage point. I'm not going to tell you where I was standing because I don't want you to take my spot when I go to shows. Just kidding, I like you guys. I'll tell you, and you can stand there if you get there first. It's a free country. So there's an elevated area stage left with stools and next to it is another elevated area that used to be an additional bar before they renovated (I think they called it the litter box?). Anyway, I don't miss the second mini bar. They only sold a couple different kinds of beer there anyway, my short ass prefers the additional elevated viewing area so i can see over your tall heads. There was even a guy who must have been close to 7 feet tall, but he still didn't ruin the view for me. Then there's Back Bar. I really appreciate that venue too. It's adjacent to the cradle if you've never been (the entrance is to the right of the cradle), and it's a more intimate venue. It's great to have another smaller venue for bands that might not attract a huge crowd, though I did see Sloan in the back room, and I'm pretty sure they could have filled cat's cradle???? Or maybe I just feel that way because I'm remembering the girl who wrote an entire album of love songs for their singer Jay Ferguson called Songs in the Key of Jay (that was a great night too). Anyway, the back room has a full bar with mixed drinks too, whereas cat's cradle only had beer so they don't have to charge for memberships due to antiquated Bible Belt liquor laws. I guess the back room still charges for membership cards? I think mine was a dollar. ]If you're seeing a show, though, I think they now say membership fee is considered basically a package deal with the ticket price? I don't know how it works. I don't care. But I do care that both cat's cradle and the back room consistently bring great acts to the triangle. So thanks for all the music memories, and I look forward to more (it's not even mid October and I'm planning on coming to at least three more shows here this month!) Oh PS the cradle is centrally located, so you have at least half a dozen excellent pre-show dining options, within spitting distance. Except don't spit. That's gross. I'm saying it's really close by. You want meatballs? There's that meatball shop that just opened over here, the same as the one in Raleigh. Chinese? Gourmet kingdom. Burger and a beer? Tyler's. Grilled cheese? Dude, Tom+Chee couldn't be closer unless they moved inside cat's cradle (though that meatball place might be a smidge closer). Moules frites? Milltown. Empanadas and tequila? Calavera. Pizza? Well, I guess you could go to amante, but I wouldn't advise it. But hey, it's not like Franklin street is that far. If you drive, you can be on the main drag in a minute and there are more dining options there too. read more

See all

Cat's Cradle is an excellent place to watch a show. Not only does it have a rich history of bands and artists playing here, it also has a decent amount of space to fit a good crowd, including some seating on the sides and back for those who don't want to stand. It rarely gets stuffy, in spite of how many bodies are able to fit in one space, and there's a neat space in the back if you want to take a break from the show or grab a drink. The bathrooms are a little dingy, but that is kind of too be expected. Tickets are almost always reasonably priced, too. Parking used to be a huge hassle, but now with the hotel parking deck next door, it's so much easier to find parking before a show. I don't like the recent change of moving the front door to the back of the building. It's a bit confusing, and makes for a longer walk around the building just to get in. I guess it's a larger entrance, but I much preferred the original entrance. If you ever get a chance to come here to catch a show, by all means do it. Especially if it's a band you like or if you're able to find some friends to go with you. read more

I recently went to Cat's Cradle on 9/9/10 to see Corinne Bailey Rae and thought it was a really cool venue. Carrboro is a quaint and small town with a lot of artsy hipster creative flair to it. Cat's Cradle reflects that. I was disappointed in the lack of parking, but the prices are awesome. Corinne Bailey Rae was only $25! Not all shows there are well-publicized which helps keep the prices lower, I guess. There are murals on the walls, some space off to the side for those who choose to sit, but most of it is just open space for concertgoers to stand or dance and watch. There's a back room that has a bar, which only takes cash but also has an ATM. Bring some cash to save yourself the fees. The stage is small, but just the right size not only does it have great lights, but the acoustics of the sound system are great. Both the opening act, Filthy Bird, and Corinne Bailey Rae sounded great. They're great musicians overall, but Cat's Cradle's sound guys made sure they sounded even better. I'm dying to get back there. Now, if only Sarah Bareilles hadn't sold out. Darn. I'll be back to rock again though! read more

See all

The Cat's Cradle is the only true live music venue around Chapel Hill. Other places are just bars or clubs or barbershops or whatever that happen to have a live band playing at any given time. The Cradle, however, does solely live music. They draw some pretty decent names, too, from all across the indy and semi-indy music scene. They tell me that it's viewed as one of the necessary spots that a band has to play on their way to the top, and based on the kind of people I see here, I'm inclined to agree. Most of it is standing room, but there are a few seats and even tables on the upper level towards the back, and the bar is in a quasi-separate room. There's also a kind of patio area outside were you can chill out and smoke if you need to. That's the good news. The bad news: The parking is crap. You will need to walk here almost certainly, and if you park just outside, you will get into a fender-bender. The beer is expensive. The acoustics are absolutely terrible. Shows start about an hour after they're scheduled to and the time between sets is interminable. That being said, they do have good music performing regularly. It's really the only game in town for that. read more

Cat's Cradle - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

I don't have much to add to what has already been shared here. This is the music venue of choice in the Triangle. Yes, there are bigger. Yes there are cheaper. Yes, there are others that accept cards for drinks. Here's what you don't get at the others: - Intimate setting for big and small acts - Not getting frisked (looking at you, Ritz) - Investment in local and up-and-coming artists - Above average sound and light system - Walking distance to great bars and restaurants (Milltown) I can't argue that there are many decent venues in the Triangle. However, Cat's Cradle stands above the crowd. It deftly navigates the live music scene with the right amenities, fair prices, excellent talent, tenured staff, and remarkable longevity which create an overwhelmingly positive experience. read more

So the front entrance is to one venue and the back entrance is to another. It helps to know which venue you're trying to look for. The front sign isn't obvious on the building, it's painted on, no lighted marquee. They were nice enough to walk us through to the back entrance from the front. I'm sure they don't do that on busier nights, but they might want to figure out a way to connect them. The backside was clearly revamped. The area smelled new of construction. The wood paneled wall was quite nice. The booths upstairs looked unfinished (and would have been nice if they were raised a little higher to see above the metal railing. They might have been expecting a huge crowd to see Foreign Fields and Basia Bulat so they left the floor wide open with very few chairs. But the music was so mellow I think everyone wanted to sit down. I was very disappointed with the bar tender. Maybe she had a bad experience with sloppy drinkers or had no idea how to pour bourbon, but she skimped me twice on very short pours in very tiny glasses. My advice would be to get drinks at another local Carrboro venue (like across the street) because the bar here will leave you unsatisfied. read more

Cat's Cradle - Basia Bulat and foreign fields - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina