Shitty bar, staff are assholes. They charge for water unless you BYO cup. No membership charge, thank god. The only thing they have going for them are the bands that play there. Sound could be better. Actually has a parking lot, though most spots are reserved for other businesses. read more

This is always a great venue that has amazing artists! It's always chill and positive here! We can't wait to see Frenship & Glades there on 6/7!! read more

We saw a show at the back room. It's great venue with great acoustics. Glad that there is a space to see lesser known bands that may not bring in a large crowd. Love that there is a bar there. Love that there is a loft to stand. There is plenty of space to stand. My only complaint is that the atm is in the main cats cradle. I always forget that they only take cash at the door. The entrance to the backroom is in the back of cats cradle. It's a nice little area where you can wait until the doors open. There is also plenty of parking which is nice! I love Cats Cradle, remains one of my favorite music venues. read more

A really fun venue. The bartenders are terrific - seriously. There's a lot of history and a lot of heart in there. Unfortunately, the sound is pretty crappy. However, it's the best (only?) place in town to see bands that draw more than 50 fans. Oh, the only other qualm I have is that ALL shows are ALL ages. I feel weird relaxing, listening to punk, and having a beer with 12 year olds running around, sorry. But I guess if I were still a teen, I'd think this place was even better. read more

I love the bands that come through Cat's Cradle but I'm currently freezing my ass off to the front left of the stage. You don't need AC on; it's plenty cold outside!!! read more

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

Almost every concert I ever want to go see in the triangle ends up being at the Cat's Cradle. The Cradle is one of the best places around to see smaller bands, with a capacity of around 500 people I think. They have three sections of risers where you can sit/stand above the crowd to see the show as well as a bench that runs along one side of the venue. My biggest complaint about the place is he same as I have with the Lincoln, the necessity to put the merch table right at the exit to the point that the line blocks the exit after a show. Obnoxious, but I guess that's the idea so people with buy stuff. Ticket prices are usually in the $10-$15 range, the crowd is typically pretty cool, and they get some reasonably large acts. read more

What can I say? The Cradle is the stuff of Triangle legend. Everybody who's ever been anybody has played at the Cradle, and if you're a live music fan, you get funny looks if you say you've never been. I've seen shows at a lot of venues and the Cradle remains one of my favorites. To me, a good live venue should be small, slightly run-down and eclectic, and CC accomplishes all three eloquently. Honestly, how many venerable music venues do you know that share a wall with a video store? I've seen quite a few shows, mostly local bands but a few national acts. I think my favorite show there was Guster (quite) a few years back. The bongoes had an echo that just sounded awesome no matter where you were (even in the bathroom!). The Cradle is one of those places that every Triangle resident just HAS go visit. Even if you're not a big indie music fan, keep an eye on the schedule and pick out a show. Then, go to the show, and love it! read more

Saw the happy-go-lucky Stephen Kellogg here on a Saturday night and it was awesome. SO chill, and they have fun non-alcoholic beverages, which is a welcome perk to this here lightweight. It felt like a concert at a rich friend's house--no one was pretentiously dressed, the sound was great, almost like a private show. Stephen grabbed a stool and stood in the middle of the crowd. It's that kind of place. Apparently you used to be able to smoke inside, and now you can't. Good. You need to quit smoking anyway. Why haven't you quit? You're wasting money and damaging the lungs of nearby babies. PSA over. Go to Cat's Cradle if there's a band you even remotely like. You won't be disappointed. They also have 90s dance nights! Also, do not wear heels here and take off your shoes. I'm talking to you, girl in the front who was dancing like she's in a music video. No one cares. You're embarrassing yourself. read more

This is probably going to be an unpopular opinion, but I'm not a huge fan of Cat's Cradle. If there were other decent music venues around, I have a feeling it would do a lot worse than it does now, as it benefits from being the only real venue in the market. I've been to dozens of shows here because they do tend to attract a pretty good lineup. I have found, without fail, that shows here are overcrowded, uncomfortably hot (they really, REALLY need to get the AC looked at), and full of really snotty Carrboro-ites that really do not follow the polite rules of engagement for tight-packed venues (do you want an overly intoxicated group of middle aged women talking over the band, constantly taking selfies with flash in your face and sloshing their light beers on you? because you're guaranteed to find them here....) When band members, who play dozens if not hundreds of venues a year, are commenting on how swelteringly hot the venue is....it's pretty FREAKING hot. I'm talking red in the face, copious amounts of visible sweat, nasty nasty hot. The restrooms are also absolutely FILTHY even by dive bar/club standards. The last time I was there, two of the stalls were out of service from flooding (as in, dirty urine water flooding into the floor) and when an employee was notified we were told "yeah, they do that when it's busy". You know, a concert is going to by its very nature have a high volume of customers going to the restroom all at the same time during breaks between sets....so you would think that would be something they'd put higher on their priority list to fix. A third stall had a toilet seat that was completely unattached from the bowl. I've been to dive bars and clubs that had a pretty similar situation, BUT my expectations weren't high because I wasn't paying $25+ to get in (like you will at Cat's Cradle). The amenities just don't line up with the pricing. In short, Cat's Cradle only gets 2 stars from me because they do attract some good bands that I wouldn't otherwise get to see if Cat's Cradle weren't to exist. But is it too much to ask for a decently ventilated, sanitary venue? read more

The Cradle has taken on a few different looks since I was a sketched out sixteen-year-old heading to the back door (like you had to do in the day) to get into a smoky music hall with some oddly-placed furniture. Throughout that time, though, it has (for good or ill) constantly been THE spot for music in the Triangle. These days the Cradle is smoke free, you can go in the front door, and the layout includes a few spots where sitting and watching the show is even a good idea. Sure, not everything is better. The classic arcade games have been pushed back into a little cave and the ticket prices have jumped while the men's room still boasts a trough-style urinal, for example. It's hard to argue with the granddaddy of them all for music in the Triangle, though. At least they still have the mummy on the wall. read more

It's a small venue. It pulls big name acts. General admission. Does exactly what it says on the tin. read more

The most hip place in town. I remember the first time I saw Explosions in the Sky at this location. Parking is never an issue here since there's a municipal lot located on the same block. read more

The staff is knowledgeable and seem to be having as much fun as the crowd. I do have a unique experience in that I produced a show at this venue and can say that the staff is appropriately interested in the producers having an easy go of it as well as the crowd having a good time. The smoking section in back is not hawked by security, wink wink, and the shows here are top notch, not just for Carrboro, but for the entire Southeast. Frank, the owner, is a mecca of cool, calm and collected. read more

Non Smoking = Awesome (AGREED) As another local entertainment business owner I have to admit that the Cat's Cradle has been a role model for me for a long time. I can't wait for the day that DSI becomes the Cat's Cradle of Comedy, attracting groups from all over the country that want to play a set in North Carolina. I have seen so much music here. Its great that people can be all like "YO! I WANT TO SEE LIVE MUSIC" and there are times when people can see a completely different genre of music every single night of the week. Can the bathrooms at a concert venue ever be awesome? If so, that's an area all local venues could investigate. read more

I love this place so much I travel 4hrs every visit! Cat's Cradle is highly under appreciated. The staff is friendly and the lineup is always great. I have been able to attend concerts that I never thought I would be able to see live thanks to this venue. I am very grateful. read more

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

The venue is cool and they sometimes have good artists but the staff is horrific. If you don't have an ID from North Carolina, they will think it's fake and then harass you when you try to explain that it's real. Bouncers, managers, and bartenders are all very rude and act like the place is so popular that they don't need to be nice to you. Definitely not coming back here read more

This place is great for throwing concerts!!!! Nice wide open lobby for dancing and socializing. They have a great sound set up and good lighting. Would recommend going here if you love music. The bar tending was great read more

Cat's Cradle - Just having fun at the cats cradle - Music Venues Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

This place has been around for years. I have only been here once while in undergrad..in the 90's.. Arrested Development.. Tennessee.. That probably will go over some of your heads.. but I digress.. yea whew I'm old... it was a long time ago.. Anyway not much changed.. same concrete floors.. semi dark lighting.. probably the same stage.. I really don't remember much. I was here this past Saturday to see "Moonchild".. love them to pieces and have for a few years now. I had to see them as I missed when they were in Raleigh last year. As for the venue, you have to enter in the back of the shopping center. It was confusing at first, but we realized where to go via the signs and arrows.. The staff seemed really friendly.. The restrooms could use a facelift, but they were clean.. thank goodness.. The air flow is not the best as they could probably stand a few more ceiling fans.. I would come here again for the right performances of my personal interest. read more

I've been a long time patron of Cats Cradle but had a very negative experience worth never going again. A few friends were in line and were pushed to the side by the bouncer to get out our IDs (not a big deal) but upon returning and showing our IDs and giving our money, they yelled that we were trying to pay them off (the cover was $8) were getting attitudes. Then they got aggressive and stared yelling and pushing us out. I've never experienced this violence there but there bouncer was deplorable. I won't be returning. read more

I went to see Bombadil the other night with a couple of friends, and I have to admit that I had a good time. Although I was standing near the back, the acoustics made it so that I could hear perfectly well. There really isn't much of a place to sit, so expect to be standing (or get there early). It got pretty packed as the evening progressed, and so be warned--personal space goes out the window, as it would in any concert venue. The beer selection is fairly good, and cheap. It takes a little while to get a drink if there is only one bartender, though. Catching a show here is one of the top-ten things to do while you're in town! read more

I can't believe it's taken me this long to write a review of the Cat's Cradle. It in no way should reflect any indifference for the place, but if anything maybe a strange bit of reverence for it. Like a couple of the other reviewers, I grew up around these parts and so the Cradle is pretty much the only outlier to an otherwise exceedingly normal upbringing --- so normal and suburban it hurts. There's one saving grace which led to my life having all kinds of interesting footnotes: there was this guy who introduced me to all of these bands I had never heard of, reluctant though I was. For many girls this is a first boyfriend but for me that guy is my older brother. He used to drive me to school being a mere two years my senior and in addition to assaulting my ears with Nirvana much too loud for my liking very early in the morning, he also fed me a steady diet of Sonic Youth, Buffalo Tom, the Promise Ring, Jets to Brazil, Pedro the Lion, and most importantly of all the Archers of Loaf. Five of those acts and a great many others we would see, repeatedly, together at the Cradle, and these are some of my very very favorite memories. Things have changed, but the Cradle is an amazing venue. I must say I disagree with the reviewer who says that the sound here sucks. It doesn't. There is one particular, very small location within the club that is between the seats on the side and the sectioned off area in the back of the front room where the sound hits you a little bit funny, but overall the sound here is (now) always consistent and well done. The sound for the Spoon show in 2005, as a matter of fact, was the most well-done I've heard, and I have seen a lot of shows. Am I partial to the Cradle? Absolutely. That doesn't mean it isn't the best around. If Sonic Youth references your favorite venue in one of their songs, you're onto something. read more

Ok so cats cradle is a staple venue around here.. but seriously..can you give a sold out show a little more AC? I went to see Beach House on Saturday and it was SO hot. A girl beside me passed out (maybe alcohol or drugs..but it COULD have been heat exhaustion too). The place is like a major fire hazard the way you are packed in. It has great sound quality, it is a neat place to be up close and personal to your favorite band. But if you're trying to save money by not cranking the AC.... at least get some huge fans. We were sweating bullets half way through the show. Also- the bathrooms are disgusting. Now- I know it's the customers that can make them that way pretty quick... but the floor was flooded in the bathroom, and some of the stall doors were so short, you could open the back door to the women's bathroom and SEE someone sitting on the toilet! Thanks? read more

If you're more than marginally into music, you know about the Cradle. If not, I can't add much that hasn't already been said other than that you owe it to yourself to check out this part of music history. They've got something for pretty much everyone. A lot of people seem to have issues with the cash-only bar, but honestly, can you imagine dealing with swiping credit cards/running tabs for the 600 people that rush your small bar between sets? It would be completely impractical. Also, there's an ATM literally 15 feet from the bar. read more

This was the worst experience I've ever had. Denied my friends LEGAL ID with no explanation. Were so disrespectful and rude. This place does not deserve ANY patronage and honestly should be shut down. All bouncers should be fired. The absolute worst. read more

Thank goodness for the Cradle, the only reason the best bands in the country bother to stop by this town. It's the only venue of a size in between your local bar and a concert hall in the area, and it regularly books the best indie bands in the country. read more

Ok I am biased, or am I? The Cat's Cradle has been around way longer than Yelp. Would I still be giving this place the coveted 5 crown jewel if it didn't hold so many memories? In time it would. I could list off the shows I've seen here, but that would just become an excercise in name dropping, so I'll stick to the venue itself. Has anybody ever been to a show at Wal-nut Creek? If so, then it is easy to see why the Cat's Cradle is so vital to the triangle music scene. The beer isn't over-priced, and the tickets suite my budget. The Cradle is a cheap night out (Except for that one time I spent $100 at a Who's Bad concert---worth it). I'm seriously trying to think of a beef with this place and I cannot. In the 90's there were the cigarette burns from the concert ogres, but thank god for the smoking ban. There was the heckler at the Lemonheads show, but the show deserved to be heckled. I'm even more smitten since they've remodeled, the place is now brilliant. Sure I've been to other small venues, but they don't hold a candle to what we've got here in the Triangle. I love you Cat's Cradle, I've always loved you. Best Show- The Rapture Worst Show- The Lemonheads read more

This is probably the top small venue for live music in the Triangle area. They are very good at it because they have been doing it for so long. The space has a good set up for viewing a band. There are no frills inside, everything is pretty basic. So you focus on the music. Parking can be tight, but it is easy to find. read more

Best place in the area for live music. I have been coming here since I was a wee teen to catch shows that would otherwise not happen in NC. I get excited every time I walk by. The schedule always has some great stuff to offer, and with a great deal of variety. Also, the beer is pretty cheap, $5 Fosters? Yes please! read more

Ohhh, Cat's Cradle. Where would I have gotten my semi to extremely popular indie/alt live music fixes from if it weren't for you? Cat's Cradle is definitely one of the defining establishments of the Carrboro-Chapel Hill community, especially among the college crowd. It's as close to the heart of the indie music scene as you're going to get in the Triangle area (barring the now almost iconic Hopscotch Festival). Cat's Cradle tends to attract the biggest names in the indie music world, and rightly so! One of the biggest upsides to having a venue like Cat's Cradle in a relatively small community like the Triangle area is that shows don't sell out months in advance. I was pretty diligent at securing tickets for shows I really wanted to attend, but it is hair-pullingly harder to get tickets to more popular acts in larger metropolitan areas (like LA). It's also a good-sized venue that still retains a sense of intimacy. I'm not sure if the renovations have taken place yet, as I graduated and moved before the plans had even been finalized, but I'm excited to visit some time in the future to see the improvements. I bought a shirt here about five years ago when I was a freshman in college, and I still have it to this day, even with its unsightly bleach stains, thinning material and pilling. Can't wait to go home for Christmas and purchase another one! read more

One of my favorite concert venues. It is dank, dirty, and divey and amazing because of it. The stage is small so even the bigger names who come here have to adjust. Tickets are really affordable and a number of great shows come this way. I ahve never been to a show in which a barrier was set up so arrive early enough and you will be right at the stage in the artist's face. read more

I've been to 2 shows at Cat's Cradle so far, Basement and The Good Life. The venue is small, but in my two experiences never felt too crowded even during a sold out concert. I like that the venue offers a more intimate experience. In addition to standing room, there is also a small upper level/balcony with some (limited) seating. Tickets have been cheap so far ($14 the day of), and although there is a membership fee, it's only $1 (and you can bring a guest if you're a member). Another major plus is that the drinks are cheap and decent. I had a Nitro Milk Stout for 4 bucks. All in all, I am glad I have a go-to music venue in Carrboro! read more

Thank you Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, NC for hosting Shovels & Rope. Great time last night. The venue is a great music club with good sound and sight lines. The sold out show never felt too crowded and the drink prices are very reasonable. One of the highlights of our trip to Chapel Hill. read more

It's Cat's I mean what can you say. Sure they used to get great acts more frequently but that could have more to do with aging than with their actual booking. Great small venue to go deaf in to a band that still loves playing. They do a good job usually with the sound and that is really what it's about isn't it. read more

Nice venue for music in both the main room and back room. As far as the bar goes I would say the back room definitely has the better bar. Bartenders in the main room definitely have some social issues or maybe its part of the vibe. read more

Okay, at best. Recently went to a show of an up and coming local group and was disappointed. The venue has pretty bad sound quality, poor viewing and essentially no air circulation. In the middle of the room behind the sound tech there is an odd viewing platform. The bar in the back had long lines and seemed to be managed poorly. The beer wasn't cold and if you wanted water you had to pay 50 cents for a cup. Then with your cup you could get what tasted like warm hose water from a cooler on the bar. I would have gladly paid for bottled water or even cool water from the cooler. Overall it was a poor experience. We were not impressed and ended up leaving early, trying not to fully sweat through our clothes. read more

I went to see a show tonight (Flatbush Zombies) and had to be frisked in order to get in. I really wouldn't care about this except for the fact that I went to see another show (CocoRosie) there a week ago and they weren't frisking at that show. When the guy who was frisking me hit his head on my elbow he actually raised his voice and said "You need to do what I tell you to do!" This kind of pissed me off and I pointed out that I wasn't used to being frisked at the Cradle. The guy at the door asked me to repeat myself and I said "I was here for CocoRosie last week and I didn't get frisked" to which he replied "That's because CocoRosie's fans aren't a bunch of minors carrying weapons and drugs." Too bad the group of people standing next to me at CocoRosie were obviously all completely high on molly AND both shows had the same 18 and over restriction. I'd almost say that this was a little racist because of the performers, but both shows were 90% white kids. Ignorant, sure, but not necessarily racist. As I moved further inside I was IDed by a guy who refused my license because it was broken in half (I'm 25 and look closer to 30 than 20). I then pulled out a picture student ID and and a debit card to confirm it was me and he said "It's good all of you kids got stoned before. You're under 21 tonight." I'm in recovery and don't get high OR drink, so this was mildly irritating, but what really bothered me is the fact that I wasn't allowed to step out of the building because they don't allow re-entry if you are under 21. It's a cash only bar. At most shows they let you pay $0.25 for a cup of tap water, but tonight they weren't even doing that. I wasn't able to walk the two blocks to my house to get cash to buy a bottle of water because I wouldn't have been allowed back in. The sound sucked for the entire show. Obviously whoever was working the boards had little experience working with rap groups. There's more than subs and vocals in rap. The Cradle used to have a lot of really good shows to come through when I was younger, but it seems like there are fewer and fewer. In the past year there have only been a handful that I've been interested in going to. Unless it's something that I won't be able to see anywhere else, I'm not going back to the Cradle. read more

We were in town visiting family and saw Matt Pond PA was playing in the back room. This is great place to see an act. I think there must have been a school break because the Chapel Hill area was dead. This made for an od show because maybe 30 people were there. Still the acoustics were good, once the sound guy started paying attention. The feel of this place was very intimate and made for a great show. The staff was a little gruff. read more

I can't even begin to describe the joy the Cat's Cradle has brought to my life. Even arriving upon a random Tuesday night, I check the schedule and low and behold, The Meat Puppets are in town. Commence awesomeness, great beer, friendly staff, up close and personal for another unique show. I moved back to NC from enjoying a solid Denver music scene and the Cat's Cradle would easily fit in there. The lists and lists of bands have been diverse and relevant for ages. Even bands I discovered late (see MMJ), of course played here back in 2000-2001 way before they made it. The point is, I trust these guys with my continuing music education. If I ever moved back to the Triangle area, this venue in Carrboro would pull hard on me when deciding where to relocate. read more

Best place to see local bands from the chapel hill music scene and some new artists. Entrance is in the back. Bring cash for drinks. Can get your tix online got shows. Park in the hotel parking deck. Lots of spaces.tons of local restaurants nearby read more

This is my second home when I'm not in school. I saw C.B. Rae a little while back, and the entire show was just amazing! I am not sure if you could find a better venue in the U.S. read more