Hear that? It’s the scintillating sound of Winston-Salem’s live music venues beckoning you to a performance you’ll never forget.
The concert scene is truly unmatched in our area — from The Ramkat to Reynolds Auditorium, there’s a stage for any type of tune. To get to know them all, you must do three things: put your hands in the air, wave ‘em like you just don’t care, then lay your eyes (and ears) on our guide.
Arenas/Stadiums
Allegacy Stadium, 475 Deacon Blvd.
Capacity: 31,500
Big names like Billy Joel, Guns ‘n’ Roses, and Paul McCartney have wowed crowds at the home of Demon Deacons football. The last major renovation happened in 2007 when McCreary Tower was built.
Fairgrounds Arena, 414 Deacon Blvd.
Capacity: 4,000
You might still hear locals refer to this multipurpose venue as “the Annex.” It hosts intimate events like the Indoor Concert Series and is where the Carolina Thunderbirds take the ice. Bob Dylan performed in the arena twice.
Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 2825 University Pkwy.
Capacity: 14,665
Owned by Wake Forest University, the coliseum is frequently referred to as “LJVM” or “The Joel.” Big-name performers it’s hosted include George Jones, The Beach Boys, Cyndi Lauper, and Winston-Salem native Ben Folds.
Restaurants/Bars/Cafes
Muddy Creek Cafe and Listening Room, 626 S. Main St.
Capacity: N/A
The cafe located in Old Salem’s T-Bagge Merchant building serves lunch + ice cream. It also welcomes performers of varying genres for afternoon and evening jam sessions.
Monstercade, 204 W. Acadia Ave.
Capacity: 75
Located in the historic Washington Park neighborhood, the venue calls itself the strangest bar in North Carolina. It frequently hosts theme nights with musicians and open-mic comedy nights.
The Ramkat + Gas Hill Drinking Room, 170 W. 9th St.
Capacity: 1,000
The two-level spot in Industry Hill hosts up-and-coming artists and seasoned musicians alike. You can expect to catch multiple shows a week at the venue. Gas Hill is a cocktail lounge where more intimate performances are held.
Hoots Beer Company, 840 Mill Works St., Ste. 110
Capacity: N/A
After a decade of making beer, the brewery transitioned into a bar and live music space in 2023. When big acts aren’t taking the stage, you can also participate in occasional trivia nights and karaoke.
Outdoor settings
The Coal Pit, 486 N. Patterson Ave.
Capacity: 300
The outdoor patio space at Bailey Power Plant transforms into a performance venue during concerts for the Coalpit Live concert series. With nearby restaurants and bars, the renovated space fuels entertainment and brings an energy to Innovation Quarter.
Coalpit Live is working on its first “Live from the Coalpit” video or recorded performances.
Photo courtesy of @coalpitlive
Concert halls
Stevens Center, 405 W. 4th St. (temporarily closed)
Capacity: 1,364
UNC School of the Arts owns the historic performing arts theater that draws visitors and dignitaries to the city for special events and performances. When renovations are complete, patrons will experience upgraded amenities and UNCSA students will be able to work with state-of-the-art industry technology.
Reynolds Auditorium, 301 N. Hawthorne Rd.
Capacity: 1,900
A century after its construction, the venue on the campus of RJ Reynolds High School continues to hosts musical performances for the public. Katharine Smith Reynolds, who championed art, music, and culture, donated the land for the auditorium.
Watson Hall, 200 Waughtown St. (within the UNCSA School of Music)
Capacity: 300
The space on the campus of UNC School of the Arts is where you can see students, faculty, and guest artists perform. Two Hamburg Steinway grand pianos and a D. Jacque Way French double manual harpsichord are permanent fixtures.
