Live-music venues worth the trip in Charlotte, North Carolina

Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre is an outdoor amphitheater at the NC Music Factory in Charlotte, and its own site calls it the “QUEEN CITY’S HOME FOR MUSIC SINCE 2009”.

Truliant Amphitheater is an outdoor amphitheater on Pavilion Boulevard in Charlotte, and its own site calls it “CHARLOTTE’S HOME FOR MUSIC SINCE 1991”.

Bojangles Coliseum is an arena on East Independence Boulevard in Charlotte that has been “a Charlotte icon since 1955”, and its own site says it has hosted “pop icons, rock legends, sporting greats, wrestling stars, political leaders, graduates, convention-goers and families alike.”

Ovens Auditorium is a theater on East Independence Boulevard in Charlotte, and its own site says it “has hosted everything from Broadway spectacles and uproarious comedy to unforgettable musical performances.”

Spectrum Center is an arena in Charlotte, and its own site calls it “the premier destination for sports and entertainment in the Carolinas”; it hosts “concerts and basketball games” alongside corporate events.

TD Amp Ballantyne is an outdoor amphitheater in Charlotte’s Ballantyne community, and its own site says, “In addition to large-scale concerts, TD Amp hosts live performances, festivals, markets, fitness classes and more”.

Amos’ Southend is a two-story live music venue in Charlotte’s South End, and its own site calls it “Charlotte’s oldest and most accomplished live entertainment venue”.

Neighborhood Theatre is a live music venue in Charlotte’s NoDa arts district, and its own site says it “was converted into one of the nation’s premier live concert venues in 1997”.

The Fillmore Charlotte is a live music venue in an old textile mill at the NC Music Factory, and its own site says it “is themed in the tradition of the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco”, with room for as many as 1,700 people.

The Carolina Theatre is a restored historic theater in Uptown Charlotte that reopened in March 2025, and its own site says it hosts “town halls, annual meetings, symposiums and panel discussions, full-length films, live music, comedians and more.”

Coyote Joe’s is a country music venue on Wilkinson Boulevard in Charlotte, and its own site sums it up as “National artists. Packed dance floors. Cold drinks.”

The Underground is a live music room that shares a historic textile mill with The Fillmore Charlotte at the NC Music Factory, and its own site calls it “one of Charlotte’s most intimate live music venues”, with a mix of hometown bands and national tours on the bill.

The Milestone Club is a club in Charlotte, and its own site says, “Since the doors opened in 1969 The Milestone has hosted the best damn bands to ever take the stage in Charlotte, NC.”

Eighty Eights is a lounge in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood that pours coffee in the daytime, and its own site says, “At sunset, we transform into a refined jazz bar, serving classics cocktails and showcasing jazz artists from Charlotte and beyond.”

Goldie’s is a South End bar in Charlotte with patios out front and out back where dogs are welcome, and its own site says, “Live music, great drinks, unpretentious food, and above all else, good times, are always on tap.”

Middle C Jazz is an upscale jazz club in Charlotte styled after New York rooms, and its own site says it brings artists from a range of genres to town “for live performances as vibrant as the city”.

Petra’s Bar is a 21-and-over music club on Commonwealth Avenue in Charlotte, and its own site says it books acts “who play ORIGINAL material” and hosts a jazz session “each and every Monday night”.

Snug Harbor is a Charlotte venue with “two stages, fully equipped for live bands and DJs”, and its own site marks it “SNUG HARBOR - ESTD. 2007”.

Starlight on 22nd is what its own site calls “A social & cultural venue in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood”, and it books live music along with DJ sets, comedy, open-mic nights and karaoke.

The Evening Muse is a listening room in Charlotte, and its own site calls it “Charlotte’s Premiere Intimate Venue for Up-and-Coming and Established Musicians, Artists, Comedians, Poets and more!”

The Long Room is an event and performance space on Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood, housed in a building constructed in 1953, and its own site says, “From concerts to comedy, dancing to drama, there is always something worth seeing at The Long Room.”

The Music Yard is a venue on South Boulevard in Charlotte that its own site calls an “outdoor live music venue”, and it invites bands to “Play at the Music Yard”.

The Visulite Theatre is a club on Elizabeth Avenue in Charlotte that books touring acts and local bands, and its own site says it is located “in the heart of the historic Elizabeth Community.”