RALEIGH, N.C. — The Red Hat Amphitheater is a hot spot downtown for concerts. For some time, leaders have discussed plans for the future of this venue that include moving the amphitheater, which could mean a portion of South Street closing.

Some believe that’s necessary to keep this venue in the Capital City, but others disagree.

What You Need To Know

  • The City of Raleigh temporarily built the Red Hat Amphitheater on a lot that was intended to hold the future expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center

  • The expansion project is now funded, meaning the Red Hat Amphitheater needs to move

  • There are talks of having to close a portion of South Street if the amphitheater moves

  • There is a public hearing about this project on September 17

“Now is not the time to complain about having to move a half block over so you can get your morning coffee, that time was 10 years ago,” said John Pugh, co-owner of House of Swank Clothing.

Pugh said it is not a secret that the Red Hat Amphitheater could be moving.

Red Hat Amphitheater was built in 2010. It’s a signature part of downtown Raleigh entertainment. 2024 Live Nation data shows so far this year the venue generated almost $30 million in economic revenue from visitors outside of Wake County.

“Those folks that go there after the show or before the show they go out and get a beer, they get dinner, get chachkies and that sort of thing and all those things add up, and they stay in that community. They stay in that zip code even,” Pugh said.

The City of Raleigh temporarily built the venue on a lot that was intended to hold the future expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center, across the street. The expansion project is now funded, meaning the amphitheater needs to move. The next steps for the venue could mean sliding it over a block south and closing a block of South Street.

“I mean it’s the central district of the Capital City and to not invest in it, I just think is not a great idea,” Pugh said.

But there are concerns from some people living in the area about disruptions the partial road closure could cause. The alternative option talked about in a recent Raleigh City Council meeting could be to move it out of Raleigh entirely. Something Pugh doesn’t want to see happen.

“Let’s get this project moving forward. There’s lots of things hinging on it there’s millions and millions of dollars in investment and direct investment downtown that’s on this vote,” Pugh said.

There’s a public hearing about this project on Sept. 17, there’s potential we could see a vote happen that day as well.

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