The Lincoln Theater

Every time I go to the Lincoln Theatre, I have an awesome time! Really nice stage and a good crowd vibe! Pros: Excellent bands and shows more

I have been to the Lincoln theater twice and the experiences were vastly different. My first experience was at a Mindless Self Indulgence show. Now, granted, this isn't exactly the friendliest crowd of folks you could run into. The staff let in those who had hard tickets first, and those who had purchased online had to wait. If I had known ahead of time this was going to be the case I would have bought hard copies. The place was jam packed from the stage all the way back. When it came time for MSI to go on, the entire crowd started pushing at each other. Not moshing, but people in the back pushing everyone forward to try to get in. My friends and I were at the front of the stage and we were all covered in bruises the next day. When we complained to the guy behind the bar he was rude and said that they would try to add more security in the future. The second show I saw here several months later was much smaller and so much better. The staff was also a lot more friendly. I would avoid shows that you know are going to be extremely big, because the layout of the venue is such that you can't hang off to the side. Otherwise it is a great place. Pros: Good sound, decent band selection, lower pricing than most. Cons: Over-booking the space, rude staff. more

The musicians they attract say a lot for the Lincoln Theater--it's a great place to see live music in an intimate atmosphere. Quite frankly though, the beer prices leave a lot to be desired. My memory is foggy and my tabs have always been extremely high, but I think a PBR is upwards of $3--ridiculous! Since they renovated there is a lot more space, and because there are different levels it's generally easy to find a good "spot" in the crowd to dance AND be able to see. The smokiness has been remedied a little bit by requiring smokers to use the upper balcony to smoke. Overall, it's an awesome venue. The door men are often a bit unfriendly, but that's the case at most places--the bartenders are great, especially the female one. Pros: Intimate, but spacious venue Cons: Expensive beer prices more

We went to see Leon Russell this week and although it was a great show, the cigarette smoke was terrible. I love good music and especially love the good music at Lincoln Theater, but I won't go back until it's smoke-free. Pros: band choices, good staff, large space Cons: smoke more

The Lincoln Theatre is a great place to see a show...good sound, good seating...it was awesome...I would go again anytime. more

They have some of the best concerts, its nice an homie there and cleeen i love going there for concerts. Pros: Clean, Homy, Confortable Cons: Small, Sold out quickly more

Defintely a cool place. The layout is terrific for viewing, no sight line problems. The bar is located right at the entrance which cause some nasty traffic jams but I don't really know how that can solved. The bar staff worked hard and took care of everyone. I'm a smoker but I really didn't mind the no-smoking policy in the downstairs area. They let you smoke up in the back of the balcony which is a fair compromise. It does get crowded in there but that's to be expected. I really don't have any complaints about this place. Had a great time there. Pros: Great viewing, competant staff Cons: Beer is a little pricey more

This is a really good place to see a show. The sound isn't that good but the fact that the place is set up well makes all the viewing good. The parking is very good. Someone else said the drinks are too expensive, WHAT, $3 a beer is a very good price. A little smokey but what the hell, you are in a club for crying out loud!!! I drove 8 hours to see David Allan Coe on Sept. 23rd and it was well worth it. Pros: Parking, small, cheap. Cons: Can't think of any. more

The Lincoln is hands down the best place in downtown Raleigh to see live music. Pros: Awesome Sound, Good Parking, Friendly Staff more

High drink prices, over-priced cover charges, bad sound. That is what you'll find on your next visit to the Lincoln. I have been their 5 times and ask myself WHY each and every time. Of the 5 times, the sound was decent once. Of the 5 times, the bar staff wasn't rude 2 times. The Lincoln seems to be a little big-headed because they are the biggest venue in Raleigh. Unfortunately, biggest doesn't mean best. The smaller venues in town are much friendlier and have better cover charges at the door. They do get decent nationals at the Lincoln, which is the only reason to go. Other than that, try one of the smaller places in town. Pros: Big Room Cons: Bad Sound, Unfriendly Staff, High Prices more

The Lincoln is the best-sounding room in Raleigh. The staff, old movie-style architecture, and location make it one of the premiere venues for live music. Pros: Great bands, Sound system, Staff more

How about booking more local bands that play ORIGINAL music? You make it so hard for these bands to play there, no wonder you book so many cover bands...C'mon! Give these guys a bit of a break! Pros: professional, good sound, crowd Cons: Cover bands, no local bands, poor service more

Get a decent booker for crying out loud. So MANY good bands skip Raleigh because either the venues are too large (Alltel Pavilion) or too small (Brewery). This IS Raleigh's in between spot for live music. The location is good, it has potential but the booking down right sucks. Coverbands ARE BORING. Some decent NATIONAL talent would draw decent croweds and put a spark into Raleigh's very lacking night life. Pros: size, location, Staff's cool. Cons: Bad booking., Too many cover bands. more

It is great to see bands that aren't quite able to get a large enough crowd for Walnut Creek but are definitly better. Basically every spot is easy to see the band and the sound is great. Tickets are cheep and always a great crowd. Convient parking as well Pros: cheep tickets, good parking, great size more

The Lincoln is a cool atmosphere for live music --- the raised floor allows good viewing spots if you get there early enough. There's a great bottled beer selection and the staff was very friendly. However, if you are not a smoker you'll feel like one the next morning after the show. In all the live shows I've ever seen, this BY FAR is the smokiest venue I've ever attended. Not sure the Lincoln can do anything about that, but keep the smoke factor in mind if you see a live show here. Pros: Intimate atmosphere, Easy to see the band Cons: Smoke, More smoke more

If you can stand to inhale a good deal of smoke over a few hours, this is one of the best places to see live bands in Raleigh, and they have an array of styles/genres that pass through here. It has a bit of the same feel as the Mad Monk that used to be in Wilmington. Catch Hobex whenever you can, they have put on some great shows here, as did Far Too Jones before breaking up. Pros: very cold beer, good local rock, inexpensive Cons: smoke, small bathrooms more