The main factors we look for in a venue are as follows:

1. Location
   Is the venue easy to travel to and easily accessible?

2. Parking
   Does the venue have ample parking for patrons going to shows?

3. Cost of Parking
   What will it cost you to park at the venue

4. Security
   Is there a good security protocol in place for patrons

5. Venue Staff
   What experience should you expect when entering the venue?

6. Bathroom Access
   Is there plenty of bathrooms available.

7. Handicap Accessible
   Venues by law are supposed to be handicap accessible so everyone can enjoy the show.

Rating System:

• 1 - The lowest score (horrible)

• 2 - Below Normal (not the worst but could be better)

• 3 - Normal (average for all venues, typical)

• 4 - Above Average (above typical, going beyond normal)

• 5 - The Best (top notch, the gold standard, the way it should be)

The highest score a venue can get is 35.

Ritz Music Venue | OVERALL SCORE: 28

Address:
2820 Industrial Dr, Raleigh, NC 27609

Hours of Operation:
Please check the venue's website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date hours.

Ratings:

• Location: 3
  The venue is easy to get to with easy access to side streets and main roads.

• Parking: 4
  The venue has ample parking for patrons with available staff members to guide you to the next available spot.

• Cost of Parking: 3
  The venue charges $15 per car for parking; this is on the lower end compared to other venues in the Raleigh-Durham area.

• Security: 5
  Security is superb. The venue has metal detectors, bag checks, police officers, and an ample and able security team to ensure fans are safe when entering and enjoying the show.

• Venue Staff: 5
  The venue staff is attentive, polite, and professional.

• Bathrooms: 4
  The venue has ample bathrooms for music fans to use as needed.

• Handicap Accessible: 3
  The venue does have a wheelchair accessible ramp for entering the venue but no elevators for second-floor access. The venue is an open floor plan, so there is limited available viewing for wheelchair-bound patrons to view the performance from the floor. They do have a small stage that is on risers with a ramp to provide a better viewing experience for patrons in wheelchairs, but it can be difficult to view from since everyone is standing.

Lenovo Center | OVERALL SCORE: 29

Address:
1400 Edwards Mill Road
Raleigh, NC 27607

Hours of Operation:
Please check the venue's website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date hours.

Contact Information:
Main: (919) 861 - 2300
Ticket Office: (919) 861 - 2323

Ratings:

• Location: 3
  The venue is easy to get to with easy access to side streets and main roads.

• Parking: 5
  The venue has ample parking for patrons with available staff members to guide you to the next available spot.

• Cost of Parking: 1
  The venue charges $50 per car for parking. This is one if not the most expensive parking cost of any venue in the Raleigh Durham Area.

• Security: 5
  Security is superb. The venue has metal detectors, bag checks, police officers, and an ample and able security team to ensure fans are safe when entering and enjoying the show.

• Venue Staff: 4
  The venue staff is attentive, polite, and professional.

• Bathrooms: 5
  The venue has ample bathrooms for music fans to use as needed.

• Handicap Accessible: 5
  The venue does have a wheelchair accessible ramp for entering the venue as well as elevator access to any floor.   The Venue also has designated handicap viewing areas on each floor which provides clear viewing of the show.

Lincoln Theater | OVERAL SCORE: 19

Address: 126 E. Cabarrus St. Raleigh, NC

Hours of Operation:
Please check the venue's website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date hours.

Contact Information:
Main: (919) 861 - 2300
Ticket Office: (919) 861 - 2323

Ratings:

• Location: 3
  The venue is easy to get to with easy access to side streets and main roads.

• Parking: 3
  The venue has limited parking available on the venue grounds. Parking decks are available for patrons if venue ground parking is full.

• Cost of Parking: 3
  The cost for parking is done through the city and can vary depending on day and time. 

• Security: 1
  Security is below average or basically nonexistent.  The venue does not have ample security, no bag checks, no door security and very little venue security. 

• Venue Staff: 2
  Venue staff is below average, some staff members are polite at the front door, but most staff members are rude, seem annoyed they are working and even in some cases appear to be intoxicated. 

• Bathrooms: 3
  The venue has limited bathrooms but are normal for this size of venue.

• Handicap Accessible: 3
  The venue does have a wheelchair ramp for entering the venue as well as an area near the sound board for patrons in wheelchairs to see the show.  This is on a riser, but people are also standing on that riser and makes viewing limited.  No elevators for second floor access.