Cat’s Cradle

Address:	300 E Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510, USA
Phone:	+1 919-967-9053
Site:	catscradle.com
Rating:	4.5

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 6

ANGIE SMITH

I love the small clubs like this one for shows. It feels so much more intimate. I think I read that the capacity is 750 and the show we went to was sold out, but it didnt feel like everyone was jammed pack in there like at some places. We thought it would when we first walked in because it looks really small. It looks small from the outside too. It looked like they had a small area on one side with stools, but I think that was their only seating. The staff was much more friendly than we are used to at places up north (NJ, NY, MA, PA). Maybe people from that area would have different opinions, but it was nice to not have people talk to you like you are an idiot. We werent sure, but it seemed like the security guys were stopping people from moshing and crowdsurfing, which was a nice change. I endure it for the bands I love, but its nice not having to worry about it. On the way out I bought a bottle of water and it was only $1.50. That was kind of impressive since usually a bottle of water is $3 or $4 at shows. I honestly cant say if they had a bar, I did not notice. The little counter where we got the water, the guy did have beers, but I dont know about any other type of beverages or what they charged. One big thing, however and why I only did a 3 star rating. During the show the PA kept going out. I realize sometimes places have technical problems, which I dont know if this is a rare occurrence for this place or something that happens regularly. When you drive six hours for a show, though you want to be able to hear the band playing. I do think if my favorite band was playing there again, I would give it another try. An additional note, if you have never been here before, their entrance is around the back of the building. There was a little bit of confusion with us and a few other people who had never been there before about that. Also, theres a parking garage next door that is free. Signs are posted that say 3 hour parking up to 7PM. We got there around two and even though, it didnt appear anyone was monitoring the garage, we werent sure about parking there longer. Just to be safe, after getting lunch we moved our car to the parking lot in front of the building.

April Ruggles

Went there for American Authors a couple of months ago and to Tyrone Wells May 9th. American Authors was great! Its a shame that you have to walk outside into a separate building to get liquor.. then you have to stay there and miss your show until you finish your drink. But overall we didnt mind and the show was amazing. Our Tyrone Wells experience was piss poor. Tyrone Wells & his opener were AMAZING. Tyrone Wells has his stuff down, wow what a great show. But the bartender ruined our whole time. She was terrible. Couldnt keep track of who walked up to the bar first and would consistently make you wait for drinks... I can understand a little mishap here and there but we would be the last ones served after being the first ones there out of only 5 patrons.. shouldnt be that difficult to keep track of. Then she was rude and unfriendly-- seemed miffed that we were annoyed with her. One of our friends was designated driver and was looking for a red bull which she said she didnt have. But the bouncer overheard us ask and said he was willing to go run into the main venue for one and she refused! I cant think of any good reason why she would refuse when we continued to be polite to her throughout the show. Terrible service. Ill absolutely go see these acts again but Ill be looking for them at a different venue.

Dakota Porter

First, I would like to say that I have had some great experiences here. However, tonight was the WORST custoner experience i have ever had. Within 15 minutes the following happened: 1. The doorman in the main CC venue had scanned my tickets after looking at them and then didnt tell us that we were not at the correct venue. 2. After getting into the bcak room venue, the first bartender helped both people on each side of me and then walked away, thrn the second bartender told me I couldnt drink my drinks inside because the show was sold out ( I purchased tickets for the show two weeks ago) and so I went outside to ask the original doorman i had gone up to and asked for my tickets, as not to incinvience anyone. He took me outside and then yelled at me that he wasnt going to " dig through the bottom of the trash for my tickets." The tickets were on top of the receptacle. I had to leave this establishment after being so humiliated and disrespected. There was NO reason to have such aggression, especially if one is working in customer service. I am disappointed and hesitant to return to The Cats Cradle.

Taylor Blankenship

This is such a great concert venue. I am someone who always shows up to wait in line five to six hours ahead of time, and this venue has such a nice outside waiting area. It really makes the whole experience a lot more bearable. Both times that I have been waiting during the summer months, staff have come out with water bottles to give to the poor souls that have been waiting in the heat for hours. It is just so nice. AND this is the only venue that I have ever been to that doesnt have an alcohol surcharge for people who are under 21. Its just so nice because people under 21 shouldnt have to pay for the alcohol that they arent going to buy. The only thing about this venue that gives me mixed feelings is the barricade in front of the stage and the security guards that stand up there. They REALLY promote crowd surfing, which leads to a lot of injuries and whatnot. However, when you attend events like this, crowd surfing is just something that you have to be prepared for.

Jason gibson

I gave 3 stars because of the patrons. Some of the staff were rude and disrespectful. I complained to the manage. He did take the time to contact me and assured that the behavior was due to being understaffed and unprepared for the amount of people who showed up, as well as lack of experience on the part of some employees. The sound in the place is ok, i wouldnt say bad. A lot of that is the sound guy knowing how to work the venues acoustics to the bands benefit. I use to venture to the venue a lot back in the day and have spoken to others who share my sentiments that Cats Cradle just isnt what it use to be. The attending patrons are what makes or breaks the night. Theyre usually really cool cats. Of course that depends on the band and if you have a bunch of youngins(18-21) in attendance. Will I go back... maybe if the band is someone I really like. BUT I will spend no money other than entry fee.

A Private User

Handicapped People shouldnt bother going here anymore. Theyve renovated and the raised platform where someone with a disability could sit has been removed. Now theres just a bench on the floor. This wouldnt been so bad and I could tolerate not being able to see well, but because removing the platform changes how people move through the building, if youre sitting on that bench, youre going to get pushed, shoved, bumped, have beer spilled on you and crushed beer cans thrown at your feet by people trying to get them under the bench. Why even bother having any seating? This and snide comments by the staff about my disability, pretty much assure that Im done with this place and any other handicapped person should be too.