FAQ

GETTING HERE (Location, Parking, Seating, Timing, etc.)

Where is the club located?
We are at 300 E Main St. in Carrboro, NC 27510.

Are there two clubs?
Yes, Cat’s Cradle has two venues that are located adjacent to each other. The larger club is referred to as the Main Room, and the smaller club is referred to as the Back Room.  Both venues host shows and events that are All Ages, unless posted otherwise.

Where do I park?
Parking is available in the deck beside the Hampton Inn (be sure you do not park in a spot designated for hotel only), or any parking area designated as a town/municipal lot around Carrboro. The Parking spaces in front of the strip mall are timed limited spaces, so use caution not to use them incorrectly. Parking is prohibited in the back alley, as it is a fire lane.

Please click here for more info on directions & parking.

Where should I enter the clubs?
The Entrances for BOTH Cat’s Cradle venues are behind the building.

If you are facing Cat’s Cradle, from Main Street, head to the left, past the ArtsCenter and loop around to the back of the strip mall building, turn right and continue down the back alleyway to the Cat’s Cradle doors. Once you walk all the way down the alleyway, The Main Room is straight ahead of you with double doors, and the Back Room is tucked away to the right with a single door entrance.

If you are coming from the five story parking deck by the Hampton Inn, you should walk straight down the alleyway behind the Strip Mall towards the Cat’s Cradle doors in the rear of the building. The Main Room entrance is straight ahead of you with double doors, and the Back Room entrance is tucked away to the right with a single door.

Does the Cat’s Cradle have seats?
Unless a show is advertised as seated, our shows are general admission. There is a limited amount of fixed seating along the perimeter of the main floor in the Main Room, which is first come first served. In the Back Room, first come first served seating is available on the balcony.  Please arrive early to increase your chances of getting a seat. 

Patrons with special needs should call the box office at 919-967-9053 in advance to make arrangements.

What time should I get there if I want to sit?
We suggest you be in line before doors open. Keep in mind that no matter how early you line up there may already be people ahead of you in line, and you are not guaranteed any particular spots inside.

What time does the band go on?
Door and show times are available on the website. The first band of the evening will go on stage at the show time posted on our website, or very shortly thereafter. We make an effort to keep our shows moving along without unnecessary delay; however, the length of sets and the time required between bands can be unpredictable and it’s not always possible to accurately predict the time that a certain band will take the stage.

ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT AT CAT’S CRADLE

For tickets purchased at the door on the night of the show (if show is not yet sold out):
As of now, we only accept CASH for tickets at the door for both the Main Room and Back Room.  

BARS:
The bar in the Main Room accepts CASH ONLY.
The bar in the Back Room accepts cash and credit cards.

Merchandise:
The merchandise booth may accept CASH only—it depends on the artist / can vary (some artists arrange for credit card payment, but not all).

Box Office:
The box office accepts CASH, VISA, Mastercard and American Express.

Do you have an ATM?
An ATM is located inside the Main Room club if you need to take out cash. The ATM can be used when buying a ticket for either room.

TICKET-RELATED INQUIRIES

If a show is listed as sold out on the website, can I still get tickets?
Sold out really does mean there are no tickets left. This means there are no tickets available in advance OR at the door on the night of the show.  Please do not call the venue with regard to acquiring tickets for a sold out show.

How can I buy tickets?
There are several ways to purchase tickets for Cat’s Cradle shows (see below).

• Online:
  • Find tickets at www.etix.com (unless it is a show presented by Cat’s Cradle at another venue with a different official ticketing partner – see below for more options.)
  • On our website click the “Buy Tickets” button next to the event you’d like to attend (on the Homepage or the Events page)
  • Within the Facebook event for the show — head to https://www.facebook.com/pg/CatsCradleNC/events and select the event you’d like to purchase tickets for. There will be a ticket link in the event description, as well as a “Find Tickets” button under the Date/Location info of the event.
  • Tickets can be purchased online on the day of the show, but can be subject to an increased “Day of Show” price.  We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance.
• Box Office: By phone or in person during box office hours (click link to see info on box office hours)
• At the Door: Tickets can be purchased at the door of the venue, on the day of the show once doors open, as long as they are still available (i.e. if the show has not sold out).  Tickets at the door are currently CASH only.

If I am not able to use my ticket for some reason, can I get a refund?
All sales are FINAL and nonrefundable. We will not grant refunds or exchanges unless a show is cancelled. (This applies in cases of inclement weather – unless the performance is cancelled, we will not issue refunds.)

PLEASE NOTE:

All ticketing matters must be submitted to ETIX – including if you can’t find your ticket.

OR, if we are presenting a show at another venue with a different ticketing platform (such as Ticketmaster, Ticketfly, etc.), you will need to contact the respective ticketing platform for assistance.

Cat’s Cradle does not accept any direct ticket requests for changes or reassignments. (Any and all change or reassignment requests, including Will Call, must be submitted to ETIX or other designated ticketing platform during normal business hours, following the ticketing organization’s guidelines.)

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: We are not a ticket resale site (and do not recommend you purchase tickets outside of the Etix platform / other official ticketing partner platform).
We reserve the right to remove any post on our Facebook event pages that relates to reselling concert tickets. Due to a proliferation of scams and other untoward sales, we discourage resale posts of any kind. Buyer beware! We are not responsible for any ticket transactions outside of original sales through official ticketing channels.

DOS & DON’TS + PERMITTED/PROHIBITED ITEMS + AGE POLICY

What is your camera policy?

The following are permitted:

• Cell phone photography
• Small digital / point and shoot cameras

The following are NOT permitted:

• DSLR cameras or cameras with detachable lenses
• Flash photography
• GoPros
• Audio recording equipment

What are your policies regarding photo/video/audio?
Recording policies are at the discretion of the band and venue management, and are subject to change. You may bring your camera with the understanding that you might need to check it with us for the duration of the show.

What is your bag policy?
Small handbags/drawstring bags/etc. are permitted at most of our shows; mid-large size backpacks/totes/messenger bags/etc. are NOT permitted.  If you are unsure, you can check your bag at coat check for $1 in the Main Room. Please note that the policy could change at the request of the performer or discretion of management.

Can I bring my own chair?
Unfortunately, due to fire code restrictions, you will not be able to bring your own chair.

Do I need to bring my ID to attend a show at Cat’s Cradle? What forms of ID do you accept?

IDs are necessary for:

1. Attending 18+ or 21+ events
2. Claiming Will Call tickets
3. Purchasing alcoholic beverages: Because we are an all-ages venue we take checking IDs very seriously. In compliance with NC laws, anyone 21 and older who plans on drinking alcohol will have to show a valid, non-expired, government issued photo ID, no matter how old you think you may look. Anyone without proper ID, regardless of age, will be treated as under 21 and will not be allowed to buy, hold, or drink alcohol. This policy is strictly enforced and any violation will result in immediate ejection from the venue.

Acceptable forms of ID include: Driver’s License, State-Issued Identification Card (w/ photo), Learner’s Permit (w/ photo), Passport – and your form of ID must still be valid (not expired).

How old do I have to be to attend a show at Cat’s Cradle?
Our venues are ALL AGES, all the time, unless posted otherwise (check the event page on our website and Facebook event to be sure).

My child wants to attend an all-ages show at the Cradle, but I feel nervous.
We’ve been doing all-ages shows for many years, but the decision to let your son or daughter come to a show here is obviously up to you as a parent. We suggest attending a show with your child so you can get a first-hand experience of how we run the club and treat our patrons. We’re confident that once you have been here you will feel comfortable with allowing your child to come to more Cradle shows.

Do you have a dress code?
We insist only that you be dressed and wear shoes.

Can I smoke in the club?
No. NC has an indoor smoking ban. However, we do have a smoking patio out back.

Can I use my vape or e-cig in the venue?
No. However, we do have a smoking patio out back.

FOOD / BEVERAGE / AMENITIES

What types of drinks do you serve?
The Main Room bar serves beer, wine, sodas, water, and juices. The Back Room bar is a full bar and serves mixed drinks, in addition to beer, wine, water and sodas.

Do your venues sell food/snacks?
No, however there are many local restaurants in the area only walking distance away.

Can I bring food into the venue?
No, please refrain from bringing food into the venue.

Do you have a coat check?
We do. Coat check is available at the bar in the Main Room and the cost is $1.00 per item.

Do you sell earplugs?
We do. Earplugs are available at the bar and the cost is $1.00 per pair.

BOX OFFICE

When is your box office open?

Cat’s Cradle has no box office hours currently due to Covid 19.

HOTEL SUGGESTIONS

We recommend:

Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Carrboro
370 East Main Street
Carrboro, NC 27510
(919) 969-6988
http://chapelhillcarrborosuites.hamptoninn.com
Rate includes hot and cold breakfast, free WiFi, 1,000 sq ft fitness center, large outdoor pool with cabanas
This hotel is adjacent to our parking lot,located in Downtown Carrboro. There are over 40 restaurants, bars, and shops within a 6 block radius.

Quality Inn Chapel Hill
1740 N. Fordham Blvd (service road of 15/501 next to McDonalds)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 968-3000
www.choicehotels.com/hotel/nc694
3.5 miles form Cat’s Cradle. Includes breakfast, wifi and large outdoor pool Bus parking is complimentary but must let hotel know you are bringing a bus or trailer. Located on the east side of Chapel Hill.
Walk to shops and restaurants.

GET IN TOUCH WITH US

Is the Cat’s Cradle hiring?
We’re always accepting applications. Email [email protected] with your inquiry.

Questions about Booking?
Click here for information on booking for both artists and venue rentals.

Why didn’t you answer my question?
Maybe you need to get in touch with us – you can call 919-967-9053 during box office hours.

Does Cat’s Cradle have an e-mail list? How can I be included?
Yes. We send out weekly / bi-weekly e-mail updates that include information on just- announced shows, yet-to-be-advertised shows, exclusive pre-sales, and warnings when certain shows are about to sell out. If you wish to be included please send an e-mail to [email protected], or click here.