Venue Name: The Fillmore Charlotte
City: Charlotte
State/Province: NC
Street Address: 820 Hamilton Street
Neighborhood: Greenville

Website: http://fillmorenc.com/
Phone Number: (704) 916-8970

Box Office Hours: On show nights: opens three hours minutes before showtime; Closed Saturday and Sunday (unless there's a show); Mon 1pm-5pm, Tues-Thurs, 12pm - 5pm; Fridays 12pm - 4pm

Public Transit Nearby:

 Bus: 26 stops at numerous places on Graham and on Oaklawn, but none are especially close to the venue

Affiliation: Live Nation

Ticketing: Live Nation

Year Opened:  2009

Brief History: Opened in 2009, operates out of an old textile mill, which gives it a very warehouse-esque feel.

Genre(s)/Musical Niche: Rock, Indie, Hip Hop

Capacity: 2000

Sq. Footage: 25,000

# of Levels: 1

Seating: Reserved, VIP area only

Standing Room/GA:  Yes

Floorplan: Stadium style tiers

Accessibility/ADA: Accessible, sign language interpreter available. call ahead for arrangements (three weeks ahead for interpreter).

Onsite Medical: Yes

 # of Stages/Performance Spaces: 1

Indoor/Outdoor?: Indoor

Open Season: Open Year-Round

Age Restriction: All Ages, unless otherwise noted.

Average Ticket Price: $30

Frequency of Shows: Every 1-3 days

Sound System: "State of the art"

Notable View Obstruction(s): The farther back you stand the harder it is to see the stage due to the low ceilings and chandaliers.  Video effects/backdrops an be especially hard to see.  The tiered sections do help with seeing over other people, but it does bring you closer to the ceiling the farther up you go.

Prime Viewing Area(s): The GA is first come first served.  The prime viewing areas are the sections to the front and middle (and obviously the VIP).  They fill up quickly and are manned by ushers once they are full.

Aesthetic/Style (Architecture, Atmosphere, Décor): Industrial

Average Temperature: Comfortable

Average Hours Open (Doors to Curfew): 7pm - 11:00pm

Usual Time Headliners Go On (on average): 9:30

# of Bars: 5 (including one private VIP bar)

     Avg. Drink Price: $9

     Last Call: Right before encore

Food For Sale: Multiple food stands

     Avg. Food Price: $8

Water Fountains/Coolers/Refill Stations: Yes (coolers)

Dress Code: Casual

Coat Check: Yes

Smoking Area: Smoking area is in the patio out back, just past the restrooms.

Restrooms - Quantity & Quality: There are two restrooms for both men and women (including the VIP private restrooms); spacious, warmly lit, very clean. 

Credit Cards Accepted: Yes

Phone Payments: No

Wi-Fi: No

ATM Onsite: Yes

Merchandise:  Artist merchandise is usually available.

VIP/Upgrades Available: Yes.  Premium viewing to the left of the stage, including private bar and restrooms, food, and seating.  Tables also available in the middle of the floor ($100)

Lounge Area: No

Available For Private Events? Yes

Parking: Garages and lots within the AvidXChange Music Factory complex.  Free on weekdays, $5-10 on weekends.

Security Check (1-10, 1 being lowest, 10 being extreme): 5

Metal Detectors?: No

Bags Allowed?: Yes (no large backpacks)

Restricted Items: No Pets, alcohol, drugs, laser pointers, skates, wallet chains, spiked jewelry or belts, banners, backpacks, flyers, glow sticks, beach balls, Frisbees, or fireworks of any kind to any show.

Camera Policy: Small/point and shoot cameras usually allowed, though the artist sometimes restricts all cameras.  No professional cameras or video recorders.

Favorite Nearby Spots (food, drinks, shopping, lodging, etc.):

• 8.2.0 - Located right next door to the Fillmore is the stylish and trendy pizzeria 8.2.0.  The casual eatery features a whole bar and spacious interiors perfect for picking up a slice before the show.  Be sure to check the hours before heading there, as they are a little unpredictable.  820 Hamilton St.  Open Wed and Sat 5pm-12am, Thus and Fri 5pm-2am.  Closed Sun-Tues.
• VBGB Beer Hall and Garden - Is beer your go-to pre-game libation?  Well then I have good news for you.  Also located in the Music Factory complex is the German-inspired VBGB Beer Garden.  They have quite the beer list and a gorgeous outdoor space to grab some Kolsch and chill out before or after your event.  920 Hamilton St.  Open Mon-Wed 4pm-11:30pm; Thurs 4pm-2am; Fri 11:30am-2am; Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-11pm.
  
• La Revolucion -  Still hungry?  Head to La Revolucion just down the road and yes, part of the Music Factory complex (sensing a theme?), complete with patio seating, late night dancing, and something called fajita fries that are simply too good to be true.  900 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd #1. Open Mon 11am-11pm; Tues 11am-1am; Wed 11am-10pm; Thurs and Fri 11am-2am; Sat 4pm-12am, Sun 5pm-10pm.
  
• ClubONE - Who's ready to dance?  If it's the weekend, and you aren't worn out after the show head down the road to ClubONE for three levels of dancing, lights, cocktails, and bumpin' bass.  Definitely one of the most happening places in town, but nobody really shows up until the wee hours.  950 NC Music Factory Blvd B6.  Open Wed, Thurs, Sun 8pm-1am, Fri & Sat 8pm-2am 

Notes/Insights/Opinions/Tips: 

Though it is said to be “themed in the tradition of the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco” boasting the same hardwood oak floors and red-painted walls, plus facsimiles of the original’s signature chandeliers and a (much) smaller version of the SF Fillmore’s collection of framed event posters. I’d have to say that the similarities start and stop there. While the original features multiple floors (including a balcony), a cavernous main room, and a much more storied atmosphere, this “offshoot” is much different, as it is easily less than half the size and, due to its structure, feels raw and cramped no second floor and a plethora of pipes and iron adorning its rather low ceilings. What would often be seen as ‘industrial’ feels more ‘manufactured’ than anything else.  Perhaps the coolest part is the walk to the spacious and warmly lit restrooms (as well as the space’s smoking patio), as the path split the main floor and the VIP section and led us straight past the stage’s right side – offering those with standard GA tickets a quick glimpse of the performers up close before being shooed down the path by yet another security guard.  The sound is amazing though.  All in all, as Charlotte's biggest venue (or so they say), its generally a positive experience.