10 Best Live Music Venues in Charlotte

Set in a historic textile mill in trendy Uptown, The Fillmore is Charlotte’s most recognisable music venue thanks to its low brick façade, bright neon sign, and fire engine red doors. Boasting a chandelier-lit interior and a state-of-the-art sound system, this iconic joint was inspired by The Fillmore in San Francisco – its legendary West Coast counterpart.

The who’s who of music have graced the stage here including blues legend B.B. King, alt-rock heroes The Smashing Pumpkins, and singer-songwriter Jazon Mraz. Make sure you check out the Live Nation website for The Fillmore’s upcoming gigs (or hire the place for a major event).

PNC Music Pavilion is an outdoor amphitheatre in Charlotte that puts on show-stopping concerts by major label acts like Lenny Kravitz, Alanis Morisette, Dave Matthews Band, Jay-Z, and Kings of Leon. Boasting an 18,768-person capacity, this University City colossus also hosts key annual events including Ozzfest, Lollapalooza, and the Vans Warped Tour.

PNC offers a range of covered seating options that are close to the stage and a large expanse of picnic lawn that’s found directly behind the stalls. Pre-show, grab a bite to eat at one of the stadium’s nearby restaurants like Quidley’s Delight for Caribbean or the Alpha Omega Grill for Italian.

Delivering sweeping views of the Charlotte skyline, Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre is equipped with traditional stalls, elevated grass seating on the Bud Light Lawn, premium box seats complete with food and drink offerings, and a swanky VIP space with its very own bar. This music mecca is one of the city’s largest live performance venues and has attracted high-profile artists from all over the world.

Any night of the week, you can catch a show from a diverse array of acts like rockers 3 Doors Down, R&B crooner NE-YO, multi-hyphenate artist Janelle Monáe, or neo-country singer Tyler Childers. Hit the Live Nation website to peruse a mega-list of upcoming gigs and to book yourself a ticket.

Situated in the historic Astor film house, Area Theatre is now a live music venue, having been transformed in the 90s into one of Charlotte’s grooviest after-dark spaces. You can find this venue in the perennially cool NoDa – a district that’s peppered with popular eateries like Haberdish, Billy Jack’s Shack, Cabo Fish Taco, and Goodyear House.

Tickets are available from Area Theatre’s official website (or at the venue’s box office, 2 to 3 hours before a show commences). Select from a range of events including live performances, DJ-helmed parties, themed cocktail experiences, and nostalgic tribute acts.

Amos' Southend is a low-key music joint that prides itself on its storied history, extensive musical offerings, and enviable location in one of Charlotte’s most edgy and dynamic areas. All kinds of artists have played here since it opened its doors in 1990 including Black Flag, Sheryl Crow, Beastie Boys, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, and Chris Stapleton.

Split across 2 atmospheric levels, Amos’ wrap-around mezzanine ensures there’s not a bad seat in the house. Located in front of the venue, patrons will find the Gin Mill restaurant which serves a range of down-home dishes including meatloaf sandwich, boss mac and cheese, and Southern chicken nachos.

Located in Charlotte’s hip NoDa area, The Evening Muse is an intimate performance venue that’s renowned for its open mic nights, song release parties, belly-busting comedy shows, and live acoustic performances. It’s the place to come when you want to watch undiscovered and on-the-rise talent at a compact, but charismatic, local space.

While the venue serves a dynamite selection of beer, wine, and spirits, the surrounding streets deliver some of the best gastro experiences that Charlotte has to offer. Stop by Boudreaux's Louisiana Kitchen for classic Cajun cuisine or the Sabor Street Grill for all things Latino.

Serving handcrafted cocktails, tantalising tapas, and decadent desserts, Middle C Jazz transcends your everyday music club with its mouthwatering menu. Ambiently lit and adorned with exotic palms, this atmospheric joint is the perfect place to spend an evening while taking in a live show.

Reserve a seat at one of the club’s chic round tables and enjoy tasty small plates like braised short rib, Cajun shrimp, and BBQ chicken flatbread. A litany of jazz performers has graced the stage here including Steve Tyrell, Maria Howell, Ronnie Laws, and The Joey Alexander Trio.

Billed as Charlotte’s newest boutique venue, The Music Yard is an Instagrammable live space that features a spacious outdoor concert lawn and an intimate indoor bar. When it’s not showcasing the hottest DJs, solo acts, and bands in the evening, its hosting artisan craft markets, Pilates sessions, and ever-popular yoga classes.

Grab yourself a Botanical Breeze cocktail, a bottle of Bud Light, or a round of tequila shots before boogying the night away. The Music Yard also puts on top-notch tribute shows like Wildflowers: A Night of Tom Petty and nostalgic throwback parties that spin old-school EDM.

Old Town Public House is a laid-back joint in the town of Cornelius – a 20-minute drive north of city centre Charlotte. Here, you can catch an acoustic set, take in a comedy show, or attend a fun-filled trivia night while enjoying a dazzling alcoholic drink selection in warm, inviting surroundings.

Select from 20 rotating taps, a collection of ciders and seltzers, and boutique bottles of vino. OTPH also becomes a street food mecca on Thursday evenings when local food trucks pull up out front, including Mexican masters Taco Love and Korean mavericks GOGI.

It might be known for its live music offerings and buzzy community events, but Petra’s best kept secret is its hyper-creative cocktail menu. This grungy scene is home to Jimmy’s School Bus (a heady potion of amaretto, beer, and orange juice) and Tippy's Key Lime Martini (blended with whipped vodka and Frangelico).

Alongside hosting jazz acts, rock n’ roll bands, and country music crooners, Petra’s also puts on madcap karaoke nights and art shows featuring quirky prints. If you’re hungry, there are several eateries in close proximity including Midwood Smokehouse, The Crunkleton, Phở Hoà, and Cajun Queen.