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Raleigh, NC

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The Ritz

2.9 (215 reviews)
PriceyMusic Venues
Open • 12:00 pm - 6:00 PM

The Ritz Photos

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Recommended Reviews - The Ritz

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Samantha R.

Pay extra to sit in the upstairs balcony Jupiter Lounge, it's 100% worth it especially as a shorter person you can actually see the show.

Chelsea N.

We saw the wonder years here a few weekends ago and had the best time! It's always packed but the vibes are awesome. Staff is friendly and drinks are strong but good. A great intimate concert venue! Can't wait to see my next show here

Mayday Parade
Jenna B.

I had an incredible experience here!! Aside from the doors being a bit delayed to open, everything was very smooth. They were communicative about running behind, so it wasn't like we were left standing aimlessly (like I have experienced at other venues). While in line, our tickets were scanned and our wrists were stamped and we were given wristbands so when it was time for the doors to open, we could just walk right in. We were told that running inside was ABSOLUTELY prohibited and you'd be escorted out and to the very back of the line if they caught you. Everyone understood and behaved which made for a very calm experience while we entered & took our spots. We ended up in an amazing place in front of the stage, only behind the VIP guests that had been there already. We didn't get drinks, but the menu was visible from where we stood and they were definitely pricey. Per usual for venues these days. The sound and lights for the show were fantastic. The balcony area looked so cool, I would love to watch a show from there sometime! Mayday Parade & Grayscale were incredible live, in case you were wondering. I would absolutely see another show here!

Standard metal fashion items that left my girlfriend in tears after three separate harassment attempts by staff.
Jaden A.

If you like to dress the part for metal shows, stay far away from this place. If you are a metal fan who likes to express yourself through your outfits, the Ritz is not the venue for you. We came here for Hanabie and Nekrogoblikon and were treated like we were trying to breach a high security government facility. The security team here is something else. They targeted my girlfriend's outfit three separate times before finally letting us in. First it was the cuffs, then it was a studded bra that wasn't sharp at all, and finally a third guy decided her boots were a threat to national security. My girlfriend is autistic and she spent weeks meticulously putting this outfit together. For her, this is how she expresses herself and feels comfortable in a crowd. Watching these guards pick her apart piece by piece until she was in tears and having a breakdown was pathetic. They took the one thing she was most excited about and turned it into a reason to bully her. The logic was top tier. The guard told us she should just go to the Walmart across the street and buy a change of clothes. I really appreciated the fashion advice from a guy who looks like he spends his weekends LARPing as a riot cop. I was allowed in with a two pound metal wallet chain that was two feet long, but her 1/4 inch decorative studs were the real danger. My buddy has been in the metal scene for 15 years and has worn the same jacket to every show, but he was turned away too. I literally smacked his jacket spikes with my own hand a dozen times to show them it wouldn't even scratch a toddler, but they just stared at me with completely blank expressions. I guess their specialized training didn't cover physics. They only updated their website to mention sharp or spiked clothing after we made a scene about their nonsensical enforcement. The venue is nice once you get inside, but the security team's power trip ensured that my friends and I are never coming back.

View from ADA area.
Hanaa K.

Total change from the last concert here. They now opened up part of the floor with seating for disabled patrons. We are no longer stashed in the corner with no opportunity to see anything. The staff was very kind and today's experience was easy. I do think they need to work on signage for where and how disabled patrons wait in the line. Bathrooms remained busy so I didn't use the facilities that night. Parking was the furthest away you could possibly be in the lot. They need to reopen the spaces in the front instead of making us walk clear across the parking lot to and from the venue. If they can fix that, they would get 5 stars

Amber C.

Went here for the first time to see Flo. They were amazing. Not the best venue, but not the worst. I paid extra for the upstairs lounge and I'm so glad that I did! The bottom floor was PACKED and claustrophobia would have definitely set in. They also over seating, but paying $100 just to sit down just seemed ridiculous to me. Overall, the atmosphere was great and I'd come here again.

Someone gave AJ a cowboy hat. She politely wore it for one song then returned it.
Kimberly A.

I went to the Ritz for the first time to see Aly and AJ in concert. I had some trouble accessing my ticket but there was someone out front to help me. I opted for the standing room only option but those who need to sit can get tables which are available in the upstairs part which wraps all the way around the room. It was a great show but it was kind of a long wait between the opening act and the main event. Not sure why but possibly because it was only their first or second show of the tour. The wait was totally worth it though. Aly and AJ were great! I had a good time and even though I'm vertically-challenged, I had no trouble seeing but I did move around the room a bit. It wasn't totally packed that night. Probably because the show was on a weeknight. I don't know about the parking situation but I highly recommend always taking a Lyft or Uber to any evening events in Raleigh because parking is usually a drag and if you want a drink you shouldn't drive. I wasn't sure where the pickup spot was at first but it turned out to be right out front on the right. Maybe a sign designating that would be nice. I considered trying one of their specialty drinks which are highly promoted but the price isn't. When I found out it would be $22 just for one I declined.

Kyle B.

Really was torn on this venue at first but looking back on it I think it was better than most, but nothing spectacular. First strike for me was the website and tickets said doors opened at 6 but they didn't open until 7. Going through the line and security once they opened went very fast which I was happy about. Once you get inside it was a straight shot to the stage. They did have balconies with seats but from what I read online, those seats were wildly expensive compared to GA tickets. I glanced at the bar menu and it looked like you'd be dropping nearly $50 on two normal sized alcoholic drinks. My biggest complaint was the lighting for the openers. At most venues that I remember, the stage lighting is usually pointed at the stage and not at the crowd. Many of them were pointed at the crowd here and made photos hard to take and were blinding at times. But the overall organization and setup of the venue was good and I would definitely see a show here again.

Lobby area
Kellie R.

Last night was my first time visiting The Ritz and I'm absolutely in LOVE with this venue!! Here's my one and only complaint...although it's standing room "only," there are seats upstairs but at a hefty up charge. The day of the concert, they were selling the seats between $100-175/pp on top of the ticket you already paid for. Yikes! Now let's get onto why this venue is AMAZING. First off, doors were promptly open at 5:30pm like the tickets said. The venue was clean, restrooms were well stocked and clean (but small...only 6 stalls in the lady's room), and there were quite a few bars on the sides of the venue. The only line I waited in was the merch line (that's right, no line for the women's restroom...unlike the men's). Acoustics were great, no feedback whatsoever. I also loved that there was a designated mosh pit area and that security allowed crowd surfing and no one was kicked out. This place is legit for metal shows!! I ordered a can of beer and the prickly pear margarita. The margarita was $18 but the bartender made it STRONG. Honestly, that was the strongest drink I've ever had at a venue. The staff are all amazing here! The Ritz has finally put my faith back into venues that can go back to the old-school days of enjoying music and going all out. The bonus was that everyone was respectful and helped each other up when they got down. Can't wait to visit The Ritz again!!

Katie S.

I love the Ritz. It's my favorite venue in the area hands down. The sound is great, they get incredible artists, the air circulation is fantastic and I love that there are options to upgrade into seats if you don't want to be on the floor. Being a live nation venue they have pretty standard concessions, the staff are consistently friendly and quick. It's $14 to park across the street and they have a clear bag policy.

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Stack is an amazing security guard he was so helpful and super into his job !! We love him

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Ask the Community - The Ritz

What are the current covid guidelines? I am getting conflicting info - the website says covid Vax proof/neg test, but Ticketmaster is saying no more covid guidelines. A little concerned because my sister just caught covid at a similar concert venue

At this moment, all policies are dictated by the artists. There should be a link at the top right on Ticketmaster / Live Nation ticketing pages that convey the most up-to-date info for each individual show at the venue. Let me know exactly which… 

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Review Highlights - The Ritz

“So - much improved from last time I went before live nation took over but now that they did, proves through the roof.”

Mentioned in 10 reviews

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Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek - Chips and salsa

Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

2.5(190 reviews)
5.2 mi
•$$$

Attended Empire of the Sun concert, which was amazing…read more Unfortunately the sound system left something to be desired, the speakers sometimes sounded blown out. Lyrics were muffled/garbled and The Emperor's signature vocals and high notes were not showcased as they could/should have been. I don't know if this is on the venue or the sound person or what but was my only complaint as far as the actual concert. I had seen a comment that the seats should have cup holders. I was in Row M and our row (and I'm assuming the ones behind) did have cup holders but I noticed the rows ahead of us did not). As someone on the shorter side, it would have been nice if the seating area had a sharper rise to it. We were on the left end of the row, technically we had very good seats but between taller people in front of me, speakers and equipment that blocked the left 1/4 of the screen behind the performers, the fact that one of the side screens was behind us and the one on the other side of the amphitheater, when standing, was blocked by the tall gentlemen in front of me, an unobstructed view was impossible. The only food I purchased was a Liquid Death (not sure the price as my husband bought it) and a pretzel. I had read that the pretzels tend to be stale so I was nervous to plunk down $9. It wasn't one of the really big pretzels either, it was the ones that are about the size of your hand (smaller than an Auntie Anne's). Thankfully it did not taste stale. Staff were all friendly and helpful. We paid for the Premier Parking and felt it was worth it.

I've been here 3 times since moving here 4 years ago. Bush 3 years ago, train this summer and last…read morenight staind. When we went to bush we had no issues. But train this summer was a bad experience. First your ride share is over a mile away!!! Shouldn't we be dropped off very close? I think you did that to make more $ and make us PAY to park. Michelle running the uber pick up drop off gate 1 is EXTREMELY rude!!!!!!!!! You have 4 carts running after a meet that could have held 25,000? 4!!!!!!!! It was either a 25 walk or wait an HOUR for a cart. Get a damn shuttle!!!!!! Michelle who was there was so rude to the employee talking names and even more rude to us. Uber shouldn't be that hard to get to after a concert!!!! That's what we did for the train concert because we were being responsible and having some drinks ($25 for a beer lol) Last night we paid to park. Took 2 hours to PARK. Got a spot far away too. Guess if you aren't wanting to pay $100 to be up close you'll be walking. Our walk was so far away I asked for a golf cart to bring us back since I'm injured and they said no!!!! Second, we waited over an hour for seether to come on. We were not informed of any weather and the venue didn't post any update or anything. Seether came on and blew through their set and didn't play a single song we knew or any popular ones. Seether is why my husband wanted tickets! Seether said sorry about the delay there was some possible weather! Then why weren't we made aware of that? Ridiculous. Staind came on, didn't even acknowledge the crowd and we left after the 4th song. We did upgrade to backyard and stayed there the whole time because or seats were oversold and it smelt like pot the whole time. Isn't the venue smoke free?!!!!! I bet if I hit my vape I'd be kicked out. Backyard was cool, free cheap hot dogs, cookies, and waters. But not worth the $60 a person when they have 2 small TVs to watch the show. One tv was BROKEN!!! lol whoever is running this place needs to find a new job and they need to find someone who is willing to fix and address these issues!!! I will say the bathrooms in the backyard were nice. Had feminine products and even deodorant which I used cuz it was scorching hot. My only positive of the night Venue ratings for the 3 concerts we've been to. This is only for the venue. Bush concert-5 stars (would be 1 but it's bush!) Train-1 the ride share Michelle was a total B Staind- 0 parking disaster and show not going on time. We will NOT be back!

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Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek - DMB from the top of the lawn deck

DMB from the top of the lawn deck

Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek - Empty space yet it's taking forever to even get a drink???

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Empty space yet it's taking forever to even get a drink???

Red Hat Amphitheater - Backstage for OAR

Red Hat Amphitheater

3.2(165 reviews)
3.2 mi•Warehouse District
•$$

I've been to Red Hat before but my first time attending for a concert. Parking (in the deck across…read morethe street) and getting in was near flawless! Fast and easy. Even with lines, they are efficient in screening people and scanning tickets. They keep people moving. And the staff is just pleasant!! From the entrance of the venue, to the food station, to exiting after the show everyone was just nice! Makes a big difference. Stopped by the drink and food station. Got fries, wine and water for two of us. That was $70+ dollars!!! I'm still very confused by that. It is expected that venue concessions will be a bit expensive but 2 waters and 2 cans of wine should not have totaled $58. The fries were nicely cooked though. The seating. We were pretty close and had really good seats as far as proximity to the stage. The issue is the seats are SUPER close together and small so it gets uncomfortable because you are all up on people, particularly those you don't know. Also, the rows aren't spacious either so it is a hassle if someone in the middle of the row is constantly getting up and leaving and coming back. The venue itself is nice. Amazing view of the city in the background and honestly there isn't really a bad seat in the house unless you end up behind the sound booths. The weather was perfect and not too hot but I would've hated it had it been hotter. There isn't an awning or any cover for shade. If you go in the heat of the summer (especially in NC) be prepared for it (hydrate, reduce alcohol, bring a fan, light dress) and be mindful of your seating selection although you won't be able to avoid the sun. I'd return to that venue, with some preparation adjustments on my end.

Came here for a show recently and had a good time…read more I had a lawn ticket and was too cheap to rent a chair or blanket or anything like that, so I stood up most of the time :) I was in maybe the worst possible location (far right near the back of the lawn) but I could see the stage reasonably well and the audio was solid. On the negative side, the drinks were insanely expensive at $19 for a big can of "craft beer" (or $18 for the standard domestic options). Hot dogs were priced relatively reasonably at $5 each, but they were pretty gross. I should probably take off another star for these offenses but I guess I kind of expected it :) Parking is pretty easy since there are a bunch of parking decks nearby, and I think you can also find street parking. I did end up paying $10 to park in the Cabarrus Deck, but whatever. Overall, I would come back here to see a show, but I would definitely try to eat (and drink) beforehand.

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Red Hat Amphitheater
Red Hat Amphitheater - Nighttime vibes & light show

Nighttime vibes & light show

Red Hat Amphitheater - Backstage for OAR

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Backstage for OAR

The Ritz - musicvenues - Updated October 2026

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