Nightlife
Fayetteville has a thriving nightlife scene. No matter what type of evening you have in mind, there's plenty to choose from. Here's a sampling of what you might find.
Downtown vibe
Docks at the Capitol: This is a one-stop shop for family fun. There's a bowling alley, restaurant and extensive arcade for kids of all ages to enjoy. Opening at 9:30 p.m., the upstairs section of the facility has a sports bar, dining area, pool tables and dance floor for the 21-and-up crowd to enjoy. This late-night hangout has no cover charge. 126 Hay St., 423-6257
Pierro's Italian Bistro:
Pastas and pizzas reign supreme at Pierro's Italian Bistro. The restaurant is complete with an extensive wine selection. On Fridays and Saturdays, Pierro's outdoor patio becomes a late-night stop for music, food and drinks. Appetizers and pizzas can be ordered as late as 2:30 a.m. on these nights. It is one of the few restaurants downtown that serve food after 10:30 p.m. 217 Hay St. 678-8885.
Huske Hardware: Huske Hardware is one of downtown's most popular nightlife spots. The two-level restaurant and bar offers a lunch and dinner menu and an impressive selection of beer, thanks to its on-site brewery. During the week, patrons can hear acoustic music from local and regional acts and participate in open-mic nights. A DJ gets the crowd moving with Top 40 hits on Friday and Saturday nights. 405 Hay St., 437-9905
Live Music
Festival Park: Festival Park sits in the heart of downtown and is the home of numerous outdoor music events and festivals. The park opened in 2007 with a 2,700-square-foot stage and a large open field for lawn seating. It is the site for the Dogwood Festival, International Folk Festival and the Fayetteville After Five music series that runs from May to September. 225 Ray Ave., 323-1934
Crown Center: The Crown Center includes the Crown Coliseum, Crown Theatre and Crown Arena. Major acts such as comedian Steve Harvey, singers Natalie Cole and Michael Bolton and metal bands Disturbed and Chimaira have performed at this venue. 1960 Coliseum Drive, 438-4100.
Jesters Pub: Jesters Pub is one of the city's primary locations for rock and metal music. The venue attracts major national acts such as GWAR, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Marcy's Playground. Local bands such as Messenger of Hope, Seventh Denial and Slamhandle are often showcased. Ticket prices vary. Open-mic nights are Thursdays. 6577 Fisher Road, 423-6100.
The Rock Shop: Don't let the name fool you, The Rock Shop isn't just about rock music. This venue offers a variety of music from experimental rock to hip-hop and Latin music. Touring national and regional acts such as Wednesday 13 and Parmalee have performed here. Open mics are held Mondays for local acts to showcase their skills. Cover charges are generally $5 to $7. 106 S. Eastern Blvd., 321-ROCK.
Dance Clubs
It'z Entertainment City: Complete with a dance floor, stage, two bars and a DJ rocking the hits, this nightclub is one of the busiest spots in town. It pays to arrive early to avoid standing in line. And if dancing all night isn't your aim, you can check out the sports bar, cigar parlor and outdoor patio, where live entertainment is often on stage. Cover charges vary from $7 to $12 on weekends. 4118 Legend Ave., 826-2300.
The SpeakEasy Nightclub: The SpeakEasy is one of the newest additions to Fayetteville's night life scene. The upscale club boasts a 7,000-square-foot dance floor and two VIP seating sections. On Thursday nights, Latin music is the genre of choice; on weekends, it's all about the Top 40 hits. The SpeakEasy nightclub also has a cigar and martini bar, with an extensive cigar menu and daily drink specials. 3983 Sycamore Dairy Road, 867-1568.
Bentley's Nightclub: Bentley's Night Club is one of the newest additions to the downtown nightlife scene. The members-only club boasts two floors, with a dance floor, bars and private lounges. Reggae, old school R&B and jazz music is played here, and national recording acts are featured at the venue. 119 Hay St, 484-5222.
The Big Apple Sports Bar and Restaurant: Less than a mile from Fort Bragg, the Big Apple is a bustling spot for soldiers and civilians. DJs offer a mix of Latin music, hip-hop, R&B and rock. The Big Apple also has a restaurant, cigar parlor, pool tables and plenty of large-screen televisions to watch the game. Cover charges can cost up to $10 on the weekends. 5900 Yadkin Road, 868-5559.
Quiet Spots
The Coffee Scene: Once located in a small loft in the Westwood Shopping Center, The Coffee Scene has moved to a stand-alone building on Morganton Road. The intimate shop has cushy couches and outdoor seating. Like most coffee shops, this venue has its usual crowd of latte drinkers, book readers and laptop users. On Monday nights, live acoustic music is played. And not only is there coffee on the menu, you can buy pastries, cakes and gelato. 3818 Morganton Road, 864-0555
Rude Awakening: Rude Awakening is a great place to enjoy a cup of joe and converse with friends. Coffee of all sorts is available as well as an assortment of croissants, sandwiches and cakes. There are a few tables in front of the shop and more seating in its courtyard behind the building. This shop is often a pit stop for moviegoers leaving the Cameo Art House next door and is open until midnight on weekends. 227 Hay St., 213-3111.
Fig Cafe: The Fig Cafe is the newest addition to the Westwood Shopping Center. This upscale eatery offers mochas and cappuccinos on its first floor. Soups, salads, and paninis are on the menu. The cafe's lounge and bar are on the second floor and are accessible only to patrons older than 18. The Fig Cafe hosts open-mic nights on Mondays and wine tastings every other Wednesday. 253 Westwood Shopping Center, 485-2233.