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    The Cave

    3.7 (55 reviews)
    InexpensiveBars, Music Venues
    Closed 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    The Cave Photos

    THE CAVE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Live music
    Loud

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    Reviews With Photos

    Tad Dreis
    Andrew W.

    My friend Mark was playing a show here on a Saturday night. After struggling to find a parking spot that was remotely close, I helped him carry his gear down to The Cave. Having never been here before, I have to say that it was almost exactly as I had pictured. It's very dark, and small--which makes sense since it has a Being John Malkovich-esque address. My head almost could hit the cavern ceiling! Technically, The Cave requires a membership since they are a "private club", but they weren't enforcing that at all. Since I'm a law-abiding citizen, I signed in as a guest. The bar had PBR, Downtown Trolley Brown (Carolina Brewery), and Flagship IPA all on tap. I chose the latter, and enjoyed people watching AND dog watching on a Saturday evening. Apparently, dogs roam freely in The Cave. The front room has the bar and some booths. I can't imagine more than 15-20 people sitting comfortably. Be prepared to know your neighbors if you're seeing a well-known band or musician. The back room has a pool table, but I didn't go back there. Overall, it's a pretty chill place. The sound is good and the bartenders are friendly. If you like local music and hang around CH, this should be on your shortlist.

    a bar with colorful streamers hanging from the ceiling
    Melodie S.

    Beware claustrophobes and really tall people. This place should be experienced at least once for novelty's sake. Down a really steep, narrow staircase and beyond a creaky door lies the crypt of a bar, The Cave. I am of the belief that any departure from the norm can create a unique experience which is probably what made the night so fun. The smoke gets almost unbearable, likely due to the impossibly low "being john malkovich" ceilings but if you go with the right crowd and in the right frame of mind, you'll have an odd, entertaining night on your hands.

    Kianna M.

    I came here with a friend of mine for a drink before we went to another spot to hang out. Apparently, he really liked the place-- I think this was my first time actually in there. Honestly, it really does look like a cave-- perhaps worse. I felt kind of weird in there-- I think maybe the cave effects were overdone and it had ventured into a scary movie set of some kind. I don't mind scary movies, but it just felt kind of grimy in there to me-- not my cup of tea. The bartender was really nice and attentive-- also the crowd was interesting yet not too weird or distracting like the space of the cave. So I suppose I'd say this isn't my most favorite place in Chapel Hill. I'm the kind of person that I'll try a place another time-- maybe that particular time was just off or something, nevertheless at this point until then I'll leave the rating where it is.

    William J.

    I've never been a huge fan of The Cave, though that's not really its fault. I'm a pretty tall guy, to the ceilings make it really uncomfortable for me to stand around. With my sensitivity to cigarette smoke I have real problems (there's supposedly a smoke-free area, but there are also supposedly unicorns in the world). The covers are usually a bit much for me, too. On the other hand, the clientele is excellent. Everyone here seems to be a great balance of cool and real, hipster and chill, serious and fun, intellectual and spirited. Not once have I gone to the Cave without meeting someone who I really like. The beer selection isn't great, so be ready to crank back some PBR (not necessarily a bad thing, if you're ready for it). It can get pretty crowded, depending on the entertainment, so you might want to show up early.

    a sign for the cave

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    8 years ago

    The Cave is back and as wonderful as ever! Hopefully Yelp will soon realize that it has reopened under new ownership.

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    (OK, very telling about me, but still AWESOME) Make sure to have your hangover cure handy for the next morning.

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    Nightlight Bar & Club

    Nightlight Bar & Club

    4.4(14 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $

    This is a cool spot for live djs and music. It's kind of hidden, dark, covered with stickers, art,…read moreand vintage stuff, the way I like it. I think it's for a younger, more underground-savvy crowd. If you just want basic top 40, go elsewhere. I saw some local hiphop acts perform live. I knew none of them, but it was a good time. Sound system and subwoofers are powerful, fyi. Plenty of bass. Full bar, but indie, so don't expect every brand of everything. It seems they close once the live performances are over, even if that is 12am rather than 2am. Understandable, as it's an event-focused space, not just a bar. The one thing I saw here that I've never seen before, is that many of the live hiphop acts were singing/rapping over music that already had singing/rapping in it. Idk if they were rapping over other people's tracks, and that's just a Thing People Do that I didn't know about, or if they were rapping over their own tracks. But I would just think that as a young local performer, you'd want to sing or rap over instrumental tracks so we can hear You and You alone.

    More than anywhere else in the area, this venue makes bold, daring choices to bring in a diverse…read moremix of talented musical acts. And the atmosphere is very relaxed... reminds me of going to an unimaginably good old-school 'basement-show' where all the bands sound great, everyone else is cool, and the keg never runs dry. Sure, not every show will appeal to every taste (for example, I avoid their occasional D.J. dance party nights). My advice is to check their website or the Independent (which often selects shows at the Nightlight as one of their weekly 'picks') and read the description. If it sounds intriguing, make your way down the little alley next to Fuse restaurant and check it out. And if you like what you hear, buy the CD (bands need love).

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    Nightlight Bar & Club
    Nightlight Bar & Club
    Nightlight Bar & Club - Nightlight bar

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    Nightlight bar

    The Cave - bars - Updated May 2026

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