The Brewery

If there was a competition for the most sweltering venue in Raleigh, The Brewery would body slam Disco Rodeo and then finish her with a sharpshooter.
Ironically, The Brewery attracts mostly the under 21 crowd with primarily emo, punk, and hardcore shows. Doors open ridiculously early, usually at 6pm. Don’t go early. It’s hot even before the first band starts, and they don’t let you go on the side deck before the show. If you show up at doors, then get ready to bake for an hour or so.
There’s probably a knob on the side of The Brewery turned up to «Broil». I haven’t found it yet, but I did find an AC unit that obviously quit a long time ago.
Sure, I’m almost twice the age of some of the kids that frequent this venue, but I can’t imagine going here for the sake of going here. I’d like to talk to some of the kids and see if they actually care/​notice the heat. Everyone has to have some sort of standards, right?
Parking is fine – there’s a garage at the end of Friendly Drive that is free to park in. There’s an ATM right outside the venue if you need cash for tickets (they take cards at the bar with a $ 7 minimum). There are plenty of quick food options nearby including pitas, pizza, and southern.
The sound isn’t great – but it is loud, so bring earplugs (or buy them at the bar for $ 1.50).
On the plus side, since The Brewery has been around since 1983, it has character. Many bands have come and gone, and there’s a lot of history on the walls (especially in the bathrooms).
Overall, this place needs an update. I’m not asking for much… just some AC, soap dispensers and hand blowers in the bathroom, and get rid of the stupid pool table in the center of the floor. I was born in 1983 too, but I’m not against a little manscaping.

Crowded, hot as hell, nice bartenders, some rude ass staff, overall okay I guess. I prefer the Lincoln.

Cheap beer, great times.
To be 21 again.

What was I thinking I’m old and now in here listening to The Redchord and My Children My Bride. Tiny sweaty hot stinky gotta love it for a venue. Good thing it was a personal invite from MCMB

Venue is pretty good, if you can stand the smoke. It’s an older spot, but re acoustics are pretty good. Price is right, and good bands come through from time to time.

Usually, I hate it when the first thing out of anyone’s mouth about a live music venue is «intimate.» We all know it’s code for «small and cramped,» so just come out with it already, right?
Here’s the thing. The Brewery is actually an intimate spot to watch some music. Call it the acoustics, call audiences that are always curiously excited, call it the nearly total lack of a place to go and do something other than see the band playing (no «bar» rooms like at the Cats Cradle or Lincoln Theater) call it Melvin; but, at the Brewery, there seems to be a real give-​and-​take between the bands and the audience. That goes for little local acts that you may never hear from again all the way up to national acts that honestly have no business playing in a spot that small.
Something has to bring those big acts to the Brewery. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that many of them tell nostalgic stories about trips to that very stage when they do stop by. So for now, I’ll be naïve enough to tell the Unilocaling masses that it’s because The Brewery is an intimate music venue.

The Brewery has been around as long as I’ve been going to see music in the Triangle 9almost 2 decades!). The club tends to be a great place for smaller bands to get a start and hosts a lot of «Battle of the Bands» types of events where you can see a crapload of bands all for a single ticket price.
Most everyone who plays here is local, doesn’t have a record deal, may not even have a CD, and doesn’t have a HUGE following. That said, you can catch a lot of really great bands here that just haven’t gotten their break yet.
There’s not a lot of seating (one bench in the place) so come prepared to stand for the duration of whatever show you’re seeing. The parking is also pretty limited, so carpool with friends if you can and come early to ensure you get a place and don’t have to park on the street.

Although its changed hands more times than I can count, the Brewery is one of the more consistent little clubs in the area to catch smaller bands playing. The club itself gets a little packed if there’s a more popular act playing, but when you see a good band playing here the stifling atmosphere really just seems to add to the experience.
I’ve caught a few acts here that went on to be fairly well known, and when I’ve seen them play at other venues it just never felt as great as seeing an energy packed performance in this little box of a club. If a band you like makes its way into Raleigh, and they’ve got a date scheduled at the Brewery, I would definitely advise you to make the trip out.

The Brewery hosts a ton of local and national bands, and has a great location next to NC State’s campus There are pool and foosball tables here if the band isn’t your thing, and the small, intimate feel makes an enjoyable time for anyone. They have a full bar for you to buy drinks during the show as well. Check the website often for updates on which bands are coming, and enjoy the show!