Thoughts? Good venue? How is parking?

1/15/2009 11:08:32 PM

it gets really hot if Jonathan Richman makes them turn off the air conditioning

otherwise it's a good venue...I've gone there more than Cradle over the last year

there's usually plenty of parking along the side streets and shit during the week...I guess it can get a little hairy on Fri/Sat, but still usually isn't an issue

1/15/2009 11:11:45 PM

cool place. if you're cool you can sneak in the back with your underage friends

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1/15/2009 11:12:32 PM

Honestly, in terms of layout and location, it's kinda crappy. Despite all of that, however, 506 is where the majority of the great shows in the Triangle seem to have happened since Go! and Kings have closed. I go there more than anywhere else for shows.

1/15/2009 11:20:34 PM

Thanks for this feedback. Is there a parking lot or parking garage nearby? I would like to avoid parking on the street if possible.

1/15/2009 11:21:08 PM

there is a small-ish parking lot just across and down the street. after i think 8 pm and on sunday you can park for free.

oh, and bring an extra $3 for the membership.

[Edited on January 15, 2009 at 11:24 PM. Reason : .]

1/15/2009 11:23:34 PM

Thanks!

1/15/2009 11:29:23 PM

it is terrible, this venue.

but yeah. they do have a lot of the best shows that aren't big enough to make it to the cradle or elsewhere. they have a terrible layout there which frankly makes me hate everyone around me. and their bar is fairly lacking. not to mention their system for checking for/selling memberships at the door is absurdly slow so if it's a packed show, you'll have to wait outside in a line for a while.

did i mention that i don't like this venue?

1/15/2009 11:53:19 PM

^ I read some reviews that said stuff like that too. I'm mainly concerned with parking since I don't go to Chapel Hill often and am not familiar with the area.

1/16/2009 12:04:01 AM

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1/16/2009 12:16:28 AM

Looks like I am going to be forced to go to the shitty 506 more often now that the cradle is getting torn down, yep heard it through the grapevine. pisses me off.

1/16/2009 3:04:49 AM

Quote :

"it gets really hot if Jonathan Richman makes them turn off the air conditioning"

"really hot" is truly an understatement here

1/16/2009 7:25:44 AM

^^they're not tearing it down for good or anything, unless things have changed recently. basically they're redoing that whole shopping center. there was some rumor that durham might snatch up cat's cradle, but i figured that was mostly just to light a fire under the city of carrboro or the developer or whomever so that they wouldn't take cat's cradle's interests for granted.

1/16/2009 7:30:56 AM

Whoever owns that little theater near the Cradle should be more aggressive in pulling in 506 sized shows. I like having an option to sit or stand, plus there's a lobby and box office, A++.

1/16/2009 8:49:01 AM

^^^ that's just a crazy rumor I'm sure. Most people are probably just hearing it's being torn down and not realizing their remodeling the area.

I think everything has been said about the 506 pretty much. I regularly attend just as many shows there as I do CC. There's usually a line on the left for people who have memberships and it goes pretty quick so just make sure you keep it. I also enjoy seeing bands with many members and equipment try and squeeze everything on their stage.

1/16/2009 8:52:05 AM

Not my favorite venue as far as layout / size, but they do get a lot of good shows. On weekends, parking can be a bitch, as it's right on Franklin. Most of the sentiments posted so far are pretty much spot on. It can definitely turn into a smoke box pretty quickly in the bar area.

I think I'm actually going to see Longwave there on Saturday.

1/16/2009 9:25:06 AM

the cats cradle has moved a few times over the last 2 decade or so. It used to be where the Buffalo Wind Wings is.

also 506 is a good place but if you're short it sucks.

1/16/2009 9:50:18 AM

I have heard that they are putting a 5 story building in that plaza, the question will be are they going to put the cradle back there?

1/16/2009 5:49:35 PM

^^^ Yeah, I was thinking that parking will be bad since the show is on Saturday and located right on Franklin St... *sigh*

^^ Not good, because I'm short!!

Thanks again for the feedback, all!

[Edited on January 16, 2009 at 6:54 PM. Reason : grr]

1/16/2009 6:53:30 PM

you can sit on one of the benches on the side for a better view

1/16/2009 6:54:49 PM

Maybe I will try that, thanks Or just wear really high heels!

Is the area sketchy, or would you say it's fairly safe there?

1/16/2009 7:02:19 PM

The front is pretty safe, its classic chapel hill / franklin street. Now if you go out the back behind the stage where the bands bring thier equipment in, that is a pretty sketchy place. Last time I went out back and smoked with Valient Thorr and it just has sketch all over. Kinda run down.

1/16/2009 7:07:11 PM

I'm headed there tomorrow night to see one of my friends play. I generally enjoy the place.

1/16/2009 7:13:05 PM

Okay cool

I'm going tomorrow with a friend to see a band she really likes.

1/16/2009 7:24:55 PM

i'll be there

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1/16/2009 9:03:01 PM

1/17/2009 2:30:52 AM