Koka Booth would have easily been a 4.5-star venue a few years back. Â As others have noted, the wooded setting, moderate size, easy-going staff, and (for us) low-hassle location are all positives. Â
A couple of things have come close to ruining it lately. Â
First and foremost, The Fence. Â You won't find this mentioned in any reviews before last year, because it didn't exist until this season. Â In some burst of belated post-9/11 fervor they decided to erect a 4-foot black steel monstrosity between the crowd and the stage -- completely ruining the sight-lines for the first 5-6 rows and removing any sense of intimacy between performer and audience for all. Â We were excited to have front-row center tickets for Lyle Lovett earlier this year and found to our horror that we could barely see the tops of the performers shoulders above the fence. Â (We are of average height; I can only imagine the view smaller folks get.) Â After some confusion, the box office was able to swap our seats for the last row of the reserved section which were much better even though they had a lower list price. Â It's really a travesty; I can't imagine there was a lot of aggressive stage-diving for the genteel acts that are booked here that would come close to justifying this awful thing. Â
Matters aren't helped by the cheapo, low-slung folding chairs set up for the reserved section (without seat numbers, leaving patrons to count out and sort out who is sitting where). Â
The second issue is the increasingly boorish behavior of the crowds -- the sale of season tickets means that lots of folks are there just for an evening in the park  rather than any specific interest in the entertainment; as such they seem to feel the need to yak loud enough to be heard above the music.  The Lyle Lovett show I mentioned was a charity event which included a "VIP" section in the back with free drinks -- the constant alcohol-fueled roar from back there was distracting even from the front of the venue and was visibly irritating the artists. Â
Compounding this issue is, as others have colorfully documented, the strict enforcement of a very low sound level limit which both makes the crowd noise more noticeable and further encourages it (since the folks in the back can't hear anyway, they might as well chat). Â I'm an old fart and don't need or want 120-decibel sound, but shouldn't a concert be as least as loud as a movie? Â For rock acts, this also leads to compressed sound robbed of any dynamics and impact. Â Â
So, in short - sit in the front and you can't see; sit in the back and you can't hear. Â Other than that it's the ideal venue.
I have been to Koka Booth for many fun events over the years, Including the Great Grapes wine festival in April, July 4th fireworks and the NC Symphony and concerts. I have always had a really good time at these events.
The only drawbacks are lack of parking for the really big events like the July 4th celebration. You may end up walking quite a bit and getting more exercise than you bargained for! Also can be a hassle getting in and out for the popular events as there aren't many ways to exit and enter. Patience can be a virtue!
The area around Koka Booth is very serene. Lots of trees and a nice lake surrounds the amphitheater.
The wife and I have been to the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ festival here in 2011 and 2012. Â The festival is split into a Friday night session and a Saturday afternoon session, and we have done one of each. Â We both agree that the Friday session is better because it includes a BBQ plate from one of the vendors with your admission ticket. Â Also, since the festival is in August, it is nice to have the weather cooling off at night while you are drinking it up.
The bourbons are varied and plentiful, as are the beers, but overall the beers are fairly generic for a self proclaimed beer snob like myself. Â Nevertheless, the beer is refreshing versus drinking straight bourbon all night. Â The food options were very good on both occasions. Â The venue itself is nice with plenty of seating areas and usually they have some pretty talented musicians entertaining the drinkers.
Two tidbits of advice:  1.  get in line for the high end bourbon early and often  and 2. get a room at the nearby Marriott, which is in walking distance.
Cheers
Koka Booth's sound level sucks! Â I'm done with Koka Booth as a concert venue. Â Every single concert suffers from the same problem: barely audible sound. Â The mix is generally clear and fine, but the sound of people in the crowd casually talking overpowers the volume of full bands. Â This is completely ridiculous and unacceptable. Â Especially since Koka Booth is one of the most expensive venues in the area. Â Management claims to know of the sound problem and assures everyone who complains that they're working on it. Â There is a sound ordinance with the twats of Cary. Â But 3 years later, I've seen/heard no change; still overpriced, still can't hear shit.
The lawn seating policy also sucks balls. Â God help you if there are old people at a concert. Â You will be harassed by them and security to sit and not dance. Â That's right, no dancing because old people can't "see" the music. Â Other times, you have droves of dickheads that bring 10'x10' blankets to "claim" their plot of land. Â Then god forbid you step on their precious blanket while trying to navigate the crowd. Â
Fuck Koka Booth. Â Fuck it selfishly and never call it back.
I love this venue. I have attended several events over the past 5 years. I have attended several concerts and then most recently the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ festival. My favorite thing about this venue is the pond to the side provides a really nice escape from the business park surrounding the area. The is also a lot of shade throughout so you can seek refuge is necessary. They have big enough bathrooms that seems to stay clean which I appreciate as a frequent concert goer. Â I love this venue because it can hold several thousand but no matter where you are in accordance to the stage you have a nice view. Also there is a lot of free parking surrounding the venue which is awesome as some places charge $10 for parking.
I wish more events took place at the Koka Booth. I enjoy going here as often as possible.
I've only been for a festival, so I cannot comment on what it's like to see a concert here. The venue is a perfect size - not too big, not too small. It's clean and well -maintained. Parking was $5, but the attendant said there was free parking about a quarter of a mile away... so if you don't mind hoofing it you can park for free!
Review Source:I attended the Garrison Keillor Summer Love show in September 2010.
It is a beautiful venue, BUT....
I think they have since changed their pricing, but at the time I went, concessions were the priciest at any event I've ever been to, including pro football games, concerts at various venues (including DPAC). Example- Â a 16 oz soft drink was $8 - the ice was extra. For 2 people, 2 soft drinks & 2 appetizers it was over $40. Â
Parking passes are about $10-$20, but the lot is fairly small. Â This is only a guess, but I would say that there are between 250-300 spaces in the only lot you can buy a pass for, and it sells out quickly. Â Other parking appears to be in outer Mongolia. They open 2 hours prior to the event. Â
Entry queues were long & not in any logical order, extending several hundred yards in either direction surrounding the venue.
When the gates finally opened, those who'd waited patiently for them to open were overrun by latecomers who simply barged into the queue area, getting in in front of folks who'd waited significantly longer. Â If there was assigned seating, this would not be a big deal. Â But, at least for this event, there was no assigned seating. Â Obviously, this wasn't the type crowd to re-create the Who's 1979 Cincinnati tragedy, but without there being anyone in control of admission, it sets the stage for problems.
It drizzled off & on while the show went on, but fortunately we were seated under the shelter. Â The venue's website says that raincoats, ponchos and small umbrellas are permitted, but there were dozens of golf umbrellas out in front of where we were seated, and blocked the view for many who had general admission seats in front of us. Â Evidently, the definition of what is a "small umbrella" is fairly generous. Â
I had checked prior to attending regarding a camera policy (on both the amphitheater and the artist's site). Â Both the artist and the venue permitted "non-professional" cameras with a no-flash setting. Â I carried my Nikon D50, which is an entry level Digital SLR camera, and the lens was an 18-55mm lens, which is the equivalent of a 2x zoom lens (FYI, most entry level digital cameras carry a 5-10x zoom equivalent). Â I made no attempt to conceal the camera, and had it open for inspection when I got to the gate. Â I was refused admission because the person there decided this camera was a "professional" camera. Â He also refused to call over a supervisor to whom I could plead my case even though I asked him several times to do so. Â Meanwhile, other people were entering the venue with cameras similar to (and even considerably more advanced) than mine. Â Also, people were entering with video cameras as well. Â After waiting for about 15 minutes longer - with this person still refusing to call their supervisor - I was forced to take my camera back to my car, then re-enter the queue (he also refused to let me in when I came back to the same gate as those who stampeded in when they opened). Â Until I realized this person was willing to refuse me entry to the venue, I had held my tongue and was as polite as I knew how to be, even when they refused to call their supervisor for me. Â
When the show started, scores of cameras & video equipment came out from all over the place, with people using zoom lenses, flash cameras, and movie cameras all over the place, including some seated near me. Â Several in front of me filmed the entire show. Â At no point EVER during the show did anyone from the venue ever approach anyone openly videoing, using flash photography or using humongous telephoto lenses and ask them to stop. Â
Obviously, the camera policy is subject to individual interpretation (as is the rain gear policy), and if for whatever reason the person decides they don't like your look, be prepared to be the one they choose to make an example of. Â And, it is apparent that this person at the gate also has the authority to deny entry to the venue for anyone who simply questions the arbitrary enforcement of their decision, or even wishes to appeal to common sense by speaking with their manager. Â No one likes to feel like they are being singled out to be made an example of, especially when that example is one that is arbitrary, uneven and unjust, and to even be threatened with denial of entry by simply requesting to appeal their decision.
A letter never received any response whatsoever from the amphitheater's management addressing or even acknowledging any of my concerns. Â I've never been to a venue where I have been treated worse than by the staff at the Koka Booth Amphitheater. Â I know that I will never pay to go to another event here & I doubt that I would even go to anything here if tickets were to be given to me. Â Giving 1 star because I can't give zero stars.
If you want a nice place to see an artist, the DPAC in Durham is a much much nicer place, the staff is super, and you are made to feel much more welcome than here.
Koka Booth is a great place for a concert. Very easy in and out, lots of parking close by. The free parking is so close that there is no reason to pay extra for premium parking. I've never gotten any food here, so can't comment on the food, but the BBQ sure did smell good as we we walking by it! There are plenty of restrooms so you don't miss half the show while waiting in line at the ladies room, always a plus. They have a lot of beverage options, although the wine selection seems to have gone downhill since the last time I was there. You can buy wines by the bottle, but the choices were not as good as they used to be, and all of the individual wines are now barefoot. Luckily for us non beer drinkers they also have a number of mixed drink options as well.
It's a beautiful  setting right by the little lake, but it would be ce to have some coved seating that is close to the stage. The only covered seating is at the back behind the lawn. As another reviewer mentioned, there was a blanket only section for the lawn and it was in a great location right up by the stage. I just wish they would get more shows at this venue!
I recently attended an Alison Krauss and Union Station concert here.
Compared the few indoor concerts I've attended, I love the outdoor format. No sound bouncing endlessly around a concrete and steel bowl. I can actually hear the performers clearly. And the sound engineers don't crank it up so loud that it hurts middle-aged people like myself (partly due to the noise regulations in the neighborhood). It's actually very pleasant to listen!
It's not what I would call an intimate venue, but the worst seats aren't that far away. Most concerts are bring-your-own-chair-or-blanket and sit on the grass in general. At this particular concert, the area closest to the stage had chairs and assigned seating. If you can get there, it's really close to the stage. We showed up kind of late and squeezed in to an open spot just outside the front chairs, got lucky. It's all open space, so weather is at play. There is a covered area in the rear behind the grass where the food vendors are, I think it is for the people that want to socialize and eat instead of listen.
The stage area itself is architectually pleasing. When they turn it on, there are some lights near the roof that look like stars.
Compared to other venues, such as the $10 fee at the RBC Center, parking is free here. Ignore the private lots that want to charge money. But in exchange for the free cost, expect a jam getting in and out of the lot. But I don't mind hanging around for a while on the grass after a concert.
Because of the general seating, everyone shows up early, and traffic is a mess. We got in the traffic jam about an hour before the concert, and were one of the last people in the gate. You really need to be early to beat the crush. Plan on traversing the traffic and parking *before* the gates open.
Check the venue web site to see if they allow picnic food, beverages, etc. to be brought in. They can be quite restrictive at times. But even then, the staff has been courteous. At this concert, a few local restaurants provided catering - call 24 hours ahead, place an order, and the food is waiting for you at the venue. It's fun to picnic while waiting for the main act to start.
It's a fun venue here. I've also attended NC Symphony and other concerts, and have been pleased. Definitely a repeat experience. Check the schedule and get your tickets early. Oh, and if you buy your tickets at the venue's office in person, you avoid the Ticketmaster fees.
Everybody knows a little place like Koka Booth.
This was the first amphitheater I've ever been to without actual, physical seats inside the venue (aside from tables). You have a "pit" up in front of the stage, lawn seating and table seating. I'm a huge fan of lawn seats so I didn't even take notice when ordering tickets but there was no organized seating here. That being said, I wasn't bothered in the least about the Booth going seat-less.
The amphitheater is cozily set next to Cary's Symphony Lake which was a very nice touch. Kudos developers. The venue was quite frankly, stunning.
The only downside about an outside venue in North Carolina is the heat. And in early August you get to experience some of the Triangle's finest sweats! They won't lose stars from this Yelper due to this. If you can't stand the heat stay out of the Carolinas!
Koka Booth has convenience covered. As soon as you walk in you hit food, drink, merch stands and restrooms.
To your left and through the brush you'll find seating and the stage. I wouldn't necessarially pay to stand in the "pit", especially in the heat. In my mind the lawn was the way to go.
Be warned lawn seaters(!!): You should strategically chose your spot on the lawn and chose wisely! There is an unspoken internal battle between seat perchers and blanket dwellers. I wish they would have an area for blankets and an area for chairs but given that would be unpredictable I understand why they don't. If you are going to blanket it up and plan on sitting throughout the show I recommend getting to the Booth early and finding a spot up front to nestle your music loving booty in.
We arrived about 20 minutes before showtime and found ourselves to the back of the lawn. This was great because we were close to food and beer but a bummer when people on the lawn would stand to see the band and obstruct our view.
I did meander around the covered table section in the back and thought it to be quite nice! The tables seat maybe 8 people around them and in conjunction with the desired cover over the tables table service is also offered. Which means no bobbing and weaving around other concert-goers for food and drinks!
The sound here was much better than the Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater. Tenfold! The staff was super friendly as well.
All in all, two very enthusiastic thumbs up.
****Edit: I have been informed that there is in fact a small "Blankets Only" section for some larger shows which can be found on the right side (facing the stage) just behind the pit or reserved "gold circle section" (close to the Guest Services Tent).****
Koka Booth knows how to host an event. Â From Thursday evening movies to wine and food festivals to concerts and cultural events, this outdoor amphitheater gets it right every time. Â My favorite events are the Uncorked Wine Festival (Fall), Beer Bourbon and BBQ (summer) and 4th of July fireworks. Â
Although some of these events can grow quite crowded, there's an expansive lawn, which reaches all the way down to the lake, as well as, a nice deck with table seating. Â Both areas are utilized for the festivals and concerts. Â The "cheap seats" on the lawn allow you to bring your own chairs and blankets and free view of the sky:-) Â
If you complain about parking at stadiums, I recommend buying a $10 VIP parking pass. Â Otherwise, you will likely have a hefty walk (depending on if event is sold out) to the entrance. Â Ladies, use the restroom to the right of the stage (when looking at it). Â It's much bigger than the one on the deck, so lines are shorter. Always check the Koka Booth website for event rules. Â Sometimes you can bring your own food inside, while other events want you to purchase there. Sign up for their newsletter and you will always be in the know for upcoming events.
Koka Booth is an intimate little venue for concerts and fireworks and movies and Diwali festivals and all that other goodness they cook up here. For concerts, you can bring chairs and blankets, very cool, but no alcohol. Cha-ching! for beer at the Koka Booth! The acoustics are great, the atmosphere is intimate and it is relatively easy to get in and out of via car. There seems to be fun stuff going on there each month.
Review Source:I must respectfully disagree with Kevin J. on this one, who claims this venue has "great sound." Â It might be well-mixed, but it's barely audible. Â I've SEEN some great artists here, but unfortunately, I haven't really HEARD many of them. Â Concerts need to be loud, and the Koka Booth folks just don't understand that. Â Or maybe it's the Town of Cary, whose pain-in-the-butt ordinances probably include noise restrictions that keep this amphitheater from making any racket. Â The first show I saw here was Robert Cray, back in 2007. Â I thought perhaps the quietness of the production was an anomaly, but later experiences disproved that notion. Â For instance, when I returned to see Cray for the second time in 2009, the same problem persisted: it was too quiet. Â This is truly a shame, because the venue really does land some unique and talented acts. Â But being a bit of a musician myself, I actually expect to hear music at a live show--and I expect it to be loud enough to drown out the chatter of soccer moms sipping booze on nearby blankets. Â Anyway, if you like quiet performances, grab a lawn chair and give this place a try. Â And bring tons of money if you plan to grab any refreshments. Â Tons.
Review Source:If you want to go see the orchestra perform or stay seated in your lawn chair the entire concert; this is the venue for you! The perks: It is located in an area with lots of trees [great for shade], the location is great [close to where I live!] I love their food and drink options, the parking isn't too bad, the staff is friendly and I like the artists that tend to perform here. On the other hand, there is only one restroom, the front row seats are tight with limited viewing [no leg room], and there is a noise restriction. When I want to go see a rock show, I want to be able to hear it. instead, it can come off sounding like background noise and/or you hear the performer better than the music [or you hear the band better than the performer].
My favorite show that I've seen at Koka Booth: "One Republic."
Nice work, Cary! After attending a couple of events here, I have to say I'm impressed with the manicured space, stage sight lines, and general acoustics. The catch may be that I haven't actually been for a full-on concert, but only for festivals, nonprofit events, and film. Judging by the reviews here, though, it's just as great for live music! Stay tuned to their site for fun -- and affordable -- spring/summer movie and concert series.
Parking is plentiful, and just a short walk to the grounds. You could certainly do worse for outdoor shows in the Triangle.
Two words -- great sound! Okay okay...so you're saying, "Well my amphitheater has amazing sound too," right? Wrong. At the risk of sounding like a music snob, I'll say that I've been to plenty of "famous" venues across the country, and this one ranks only second to the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan.
Okay, now you're saying, "Doesn't the sound depend on the bands' equipment?" And the answer to that is no, not really. Yes the bands bring their own instruments and amplifiers which is what gives each band that unique timbre that a voice has, for instance, but when it comes to amplification and audio distribution (the part that the venue plays in the live, audial experience), most venues have huge bass traps that cause each kick drum to sound "boomy," and the PA is usually cranked too loud to hear the nuances of the show that one goes to a live show to get in the first place. Well not so with Koka Booth, and if you can't tell yet, I am extremely impressed.
As others mentioned, the rest of the joint's pretty groovy too: laid back, great food, plenty of space, clean, gorgeous  surroundings. Oh and did I mention easy parking? But the best part is that when you're sprawled out on the lawn (possibly on a lawn chair with is highly recommended if you have general admission seats) with your micro-brew and favorite person by your side, you'll be able to watch and listen to the concert with as much fidelity as, well, I'll say it, a live recording. Go check it out.
If you haven't been to Koka Booth, then you are just missing out! But, you need to plan ahead. I usually try to hit up one concert a year there. We got a group of ladies together to see Sheryl Crow and purchased lawn seats for $50! Ouch! That's right folks, $50 bones for lawn! but, it did include parking... a million miles away.
A few notes about the venue so you can be prepared to party:
1. You can bring one sealed bottle water in per person
2. You can bring a blanket and a lawn chair in. Now don't go bringing in some chair w/a high back like a lazyboy recliner so people behind you can't see over your ginormous head. That's just rude!
3. Arrive early! Or you won't see shi*! Lawn is more about the experience anyway. They don't have a video screen there.
4. You can purchase wine and beer and Koka Booth, but can only BYOB on the nights they have the Symphony playing. But, if you are cheap like me, you can slip a bottle into your lawn chair bag and away you go. They don't check those. Don't forget to bring the little plastic cups to pour your wine in (they use those punch bowl style cups there) and to bring screw cap wine or you'll be stuck trying to uncork it!
5. The lines for food there are ridiculous, but the food is pretty good. Plan ahead. You can call ahead and get food brought in, but I haven't done that. I know the Lucky 32 has take-out and some folks do that.
Otherwise, if you can get craigslist tickets the day of, I'd suggest getting seats up close. They only have about 12 rows of seats up front. I saw Duran Duran, 5th row and it was awesome!!!!
Rock on!
In this area, Koka Booth is as good as it gets for a concert or event venue. Over the past 6 years living in Cary, I have enjoyed a couple of concerts, many wine/beer festivals, and the Cary Road Race here at Koka Booth. The setting always seems to surprise me as I walk the wooded path into the amphitheater. You just don't expect there to be a well designed, beautiful architecture patio and stage, over looking a lake, to be a concert venue in the ultimate suburbia. I am looking forward to trying Movies by Moonlight sometime soon and some of the other music fests at held at Koka Booth this fall. Â Oh... and the wine and beer selection is actually really good for concerts.... not a $10 "big boy" can of beer... but the good stuff!
Review Source:We went to Koka Booth for the North Carolina Wine Event. They had a few bands play and the wine tasting was a fun event. Even thought the wine vendors were sub par it was entertaining anyway. I can see this would be a great venue for a concert. Nice setting by the lake. Â Very clean and the grounds are kept up. You will enjoy whatever you go to here
Review Source:I finally had the chance to see Koka Booth during the 2010 Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Fest. This place is way cool. I was probably one of the last persons to find out because I don't go to many concerts, but Cary has one of the best amphitheaters.
The lawn and grounds are immaculate. For the festival that I was at, people were allowed to bring lawn chairs and carve out their own space with friends. There are plenty of trees for shade and there is also a covered area further away from the stage. Koka Booth is hidden in a business park so you don't have deal with congested city streets. There is also ample and convenient parking.
The sound system is superb. The audio was very rich but not overbearing. While I was there they played both recorded and live music and both were very pleasant. They also play outdoor movies and while I was there they had a screening of some comedy related to beer. The movie was lame but the video projector was very crisp and bright. I could easily see the screen even while the sun had not completely set.
Hmm, maybe I should start attending more concerts and outdoor movie showings so I have more reasons to visit this place.
Movies by Moonlight-
You can't beat a hot breezy night in the middle of summer where for 3.00 for adults you can bring in your own picnic, blankets, low tables and whatever wine, beer or beverage you desire. Â
The movie we watched this past Thursday 7/22/10 was The Sting. Â A classic movie and good for all ages. Â They had pre-movie events going on. Â Horse races where moviegoers were the horses and drew numbers out of a hat, which indicated how many steps they were to move.
They also have a booth from Great Harvest Bread from Cary who give out free samples and coupon, Lumpy's ice cream and a few other vendors providing wine and beer to sandwiches and smoothies. Â
The summer movie series wraps up in 4 weeks, but they also offer a Howl-oween series. Â It's normally the 6 days prior to halloween they show some new and old scary movies. Â The standouts from last year were Psyco and The Shining. Â
What a great inexpensive time to hang out with friends and family under the stars and enjoy some great movies.
A reasonably sized amphitheatre at Regency park that hosts concerts, outdoor movies in the summer, ice skating in the winter, and other events throughout the year. Movies by Moonlight are only $3 and concerts are usually pretty cheap. I got to see India Arie and John Legend in '09 for only $30.
But, I do remember going to see K'Naan, G Love + Special Sauce, and Jason Mraz, and getting stuck in the trees watching the show. Â Not the greatest view, but because it was very packed on the lawn we were pushed to the outskirts. Â I'd suggest getting there early for concerts to get a good lawn seat!
I'm in my happy place when listening to live music under the stars. That's one reason I love Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Another is its cozy location nestled in the pines--it's like being at a music festival minus the bus rides, camping, and porta-potties.
Booth Amphitheatre books great artists, too, not to mention a veritable smorgasbord orgasbord of musical genres: 80s pop stars, dreamy crooners, R&B singers, twangy artists, indie acts, jam bands, and rock legends. Elvis Costello, Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, John Prine, and Gillian Welch headlined some of my favorite shows over the last few years.
Koka Booth also hosts food and beer festivals, movies on the lawn, and the NC Symphony Summerfest. Concessions are a little limited but not bad for venue fare (sweet potato fries, nachos, wraps, grilled sandwiches, burgers, dogs, and a few veggie options). Beer and wine are priced a little steep ($5 for a PBR tallboy) but cheaper than at larger outdoor concert arenas. I love going to the NC Summerfest concerts--the themes are always fun and you can bring your own picnics and alcohol.
Sure parking is a drag. But isn't it always? We combat this by going early and tailgating. After the show we'll hang out over a nightcap and recap the evening's highlights until traffic dies down. And if we don't have a DD, cabs are lined up just outside the main entrance. It's a cheap and easy taxi-ride home.
Pick up lawn seats the day of an event, either at the box office or from nice folks looking to sell their extras (you can usually get a deal this way). Sometimes I'll splurge and pay for a reserved seat near the stage. But most of the time I prefer to bring my own chair, come early, and set up camp on the grass with my BFFs. It's a great way to spend a beautiful NC night.
I was getting ready to see Phoenix at the Koka Booth and was a little nervous because of some Yelp reports of low sound levels. Â However, our show was amazing, thus, five stars!
I found parking to be easy, but finding our car later was a bit trickier. Â We basically were just parked in an office complex with poor lighting. A lot of walking later, we found it, but that might be something they want to look into. Or maybe I'm just an idiot for not making better note of where we were parked in the first place.
Anyway, we were greeted by a bubbly employee handing out beer koozies in honor of KB's 10th Anniversary. Â Score! Â I liked the long, paved path covered by trees leading into the amphitheatre area. Again, we were greeted by friendly staff. Â We grabbed a sweet spot on the lawn close to the pit and got cozy. Â We only brought a blanket, which for this event I thought was sufficient since I planned to dance all night long. Â The grounds were really pretty and hanging out waiting for the band to start seemed to go fast--buying some beer and food from the snack bar helped, too.
Restrooms were clean, band was awesome (sound levels were plenty loud), and it was a really fun time. Â I'm normally not into outdoor concerts, but this was the best I'd been to.
Went here for the first time to hear My Morning Jacket, a rocking band who really put on a great show. Â It was a beautiful night for a concert and it started out very positive. Â Things went downhill shortly after we got in the show. Â It stared with people telling us to sit down in the lawn. Â Really, a rock show, you want me to sit down? Â That is like telling someone to sit down a college football game. Â Security was much tighter and stressed than it needed to be. Â All in all the uptight crowd and the very serious people working there made the evening more stressful than it needed to be. Â It is freaking music in NC people, relax. Â Biggest complaint, the sound was very low, people were not as into it as they could have been due to poor sound quality. All in all not very impressed with Koka Booth.
Review Source:Koka Booth is the best place to see an outdoor concert in the area and the second best overall place to see a concert (first place being Cats Cradle). Â There are also a number of other events hosted here including festivals (Great Grapes Wine Fest, Beer, Bourbon, BBQ Fest) and athletic events (Cary Road Race). Â It is small, easy to get into/out of, easy/cheap to park, and beautiful. Â There is a large grass area that you can bring a blanket or chair from home to watch the shows from. Â Behind the grass is a covered area with picnic tables and food vendors. Â Bonus, the food is actually good and they serve quality beer (micro-brews). Â The bathrooms are always clean and the crowd here seems to always be a little higher class than the other venues around here (read Walnut Creek rednecks....eh).
Tip: You can bring your own bottled water and chairs to every show/event. Â Some allow you to bring picnics. Â Also, you can call Lucky32 and have them pack a picnic (complete with wine) and pick it up on the way in. Â Sweet!
I went here last night for the Jason Mraz concert and I had a great time and really liked the venue. It is completely outdoors with very little covered seating, unlike Walnut Creek. It is smaller than Walnut Creek, and feels much more intimate, so although huge headliners won't play here, I think it's a much better concert-going experience. It's next to a lake and is surrounded by trees, so it is one of the most beautiful amphitheaters I've been to around here - really lovely.
My friend and I paid $10 extra per ticket over the lawn seating ($45 versus $35) to sit in the folding chairs up front, which I think was the best decision ever. The lawn seating was much more crowded than Walnut Creek, especially for a show that wasn't sold out. It was hard to get out to go use the bathroom or get food. Plus the ground was wet, but that won't be the case all the time.
I was surprised the up-front seats weren't sold out because they were super close with an open line of sight, even for a short girl like me. It was definitely worth the extra money in my opinion. If you're lucky enough to get one of the tables in the back behind the lawn seating, you get to sit at a table with waiter service, fans and covered seating, and a good line-of-sight while sitting down, although you're further from the stage. I think those are VIP/corporate tables primarily, but I'd certainly jump at the chance to sit at one!
Another pleasant surprise was the food and beverage selection. I was expecting overpriced stadium-like food, but it was much better. They had some different turkey sandwiches, and even sweet potato fries (although those sold out before I got up there). I highly recommend the "Turkey Mon" sandwich with mangoes and jerk turkey, etc. Unlike some of the other sandwiches, it was grilled to order. They do have the usual hamburgers, nachos, hotdogs, etc, though, if that's what you prefer. The food was more expensive than it would have been at a restaurant, but not totally unreasonable ($8 for a sandwich, not including a side), and it was quite good. They also have beer and wine for somewhat-reasonable prices. The downside of this is that there are a ton of drunk people at the concerts.
A couple minor downsides - bathrooms are port-a-potties (yuck) and the lines for both them, and the food, are really long and not efficiently-moving. Parking is also pretty convoluted. There is plenty of free parking in the RTP-ish building lots nearby, but you will have to walk a little ways, and getting out after the concert is over is a total bitch because those parking lots are not remotely designed to handle traffic all trying to exit at the same time. It probably took 30 - 45 minutes just to get out of the parking lot we parked in, even though there was no traffic on the main roads.
All-in-all - a great summer outdoor concert experience, with pretty much the usual expected downsides of an event with lots of people (parking issues, long lines) and some cool upsides (exceptionally beautiful venue, good food/drink selection).
I''ve been here for several events (mostly kid's movie nights) and I like this spot. The sound is good and if you get there early enough you will have no issue with line-of-sight to the stage.
It's an attractive venue, well-maintained and clean. The food and drink options are pretty good and reasonably priced for the quality. The ticket prices can either be a) dirt cheap or b) pretty pricey depending on the event.
Depending on what you're going to see, this spot is either great or awful. Â The right act can make you forget you're crammed in between an office park and a subdivision of mcmansions. Â The wrong act can leave you a little grumpy at the people who scored the good fortune sit underneath the fans at the tables in the back.
If you're sitting in the lawn area, though, the music holds up tremendously well, no matter what the act is.
Unfortunately, sometimes you have to deal with the fact that its in Cary. Â When WRAL moved their annual "Pops in the Park" show out here instead of the more spacious Meredith College campus, I was suddenly getting dressed down by a guy holding a plastic wine glass for having the nerve to talk to my family over our picnic. Â Boom. Â Cary in a nutshell.
If you really want to see the act that's booked here, by all means check them out. Â If you're on the fence, wait for them to be big enough for a major venue or their popularity wains to the point that it's back to a more manageable but less outdoor venue the next time around.
Koka Booth is my absolute favorite place to see a concert in the Triangle. All of the concerts are outside, making for a truly awesome experience during the summer.
The venue only holds close to 7000 people, so you're not going to see terribly large names play here, but they do get some pretty reasonably well-known bands. This summer Ben Folds played here as well as the Avett Brothers, and Wilco.
Ticket prices are right on par with your average big venue show, but you don't have to pay for parking on-site which is always a plus.
During the summer the NC Symphony also does a concert series here. Tickets are exceptionally reasonably priced and you can bring a picnic dinner with you (as well as buy food on site). It's a great way to spend a relaxing summer evening!
I saw the Avett Brothers at Koka Booth a few weeks ago, and even though there were a few issues I was still very satisfied. The venue employees were courteous and helpful, and parking was a cinch.
In order to get to the performance area from the main gate, you have to walk a short distance down a well-maintained path, which winds through a really pretty pine forest. The stage and lawn are set between this pine forest and a large pond on the other side. It was a very pretty place to see a great show, and the layout was open enough to allow a nice breeze to come through.
As the previous poster mentioned, there are some views that are obstructed by lighting poles. There are also vendor tents set up alongside the lawn, so if you get there late, you may end up sitting behind one of these.
There were a few sound issues with the show I saw, but everything was resolved within the first 10 minutes or so. My main advice is to just get there early - there are sometimes people tailgating, anyway. I sat on the pine needles off to the side of the lawn area, but I can only imagine how much better the show would have been if I'd actually gotten a proper spot.
A few years ago, this medium sized venue opened up just outside of Raleigh in an area of Cary that houses primarily office buildings and Wal-Marts.
To be honest, I have mixed feelings about it. Koka Booth is, on one hand, a refreshing alternative to the Time Warner Pavilion in that they don't try quite as hard to rip you off for everything. On the other hand, parking can be a bit confusing at best.
My other main complaint about Koka Booth is that I've had concerts where due to my location; my field of view was directly instructed by a pole holding speakers. It sure is a let down to not be able to see your favorite singer because you're staring at a big grey pole. At the Time Warner Pavilion, although you can expect to pay about twice as much per ticket, if you have an obstructed view they will let you know ahead of time so you can decide if you want the ticket or not.
The sound is decent, and for the most part the venue seems clean and well maintained. The only time I'll go (based on my two experiences staring at poles) is if there is a new band or a band I haven't seen playing. Still it's great to have a place a little bigger than Lincoln Theatre or Disco Rodeo to house fairly big bands that might not be able to sell enough tickets to fill the Time Warner Pavilion.
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