Fuquay-Varina is a former tobacco town south of Raleigh that has become one of the fastest-growing communities in North Carolina. Its two historic downtowns are full of breweries, restaurants and free outdoor concerts, and the town has a growing number of places for local players to perform. Raleigh's bluegrass and roots scene is also just a short drive away. This guide covers Fuquay-Varina's history, its music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams in and around town.
A Brief History of Fuquay-Varina
The area in southern Wake County was home to Tuscarora and other Indigenous peoples before European settlement. In 1858, local farmer Stephen Fuquay discovered a mineral spring on his land. Its water was believed to have healing properties, and by the early 1900s the resort town of Fuquay Springs had grown around it, drawing visitors to its hotels and the spring that still bubbles in Fuquay Mineral Spring Park.
A mile away, the neighboring community of Varina grew up around a railroad crossing and a post office. Its name comes from the pen name of a woman who wrote letters to a Confederate soldier, J.D. Ballentine, during the Civil War. After the war he married her and later named the post office in her honor. In the early 20th century both towns thrived as tobacco market centers, with large warehouses where farmers auctioned their crops.
Fuquay Springs and Varina merged in 1963 to form Fuquay-Varina. As tobacco declined, the town grew as a residential community in the booming Research Triangle region. Today it keeps two distinct downtowns, the Fuquay downtown around the mineral spring and the Varina downtown near the old rail line, both revitalized with shops, breweries and public art.
The Fuquay-Varina Music Scene
Fuquay-Varina's music life is community-centered. The town presents free outdoor concerts in its downtowns, including the Follow Me to Fuquay-Varina concert series in Centennial Square, plus First Friday events and seasonal festivals. Local breweries like Aviator Brewing Company and Oaklyn Springs Brewery bring live bands and open stages to town, and the town's arts programs offer youth and adult music classes, including instrumental jam sessions.
The town also sits within reach of one of the country's great traditional music regions. Raleigh, about 25 minutes north, hosted the International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass for more than a decade, and the nonprofit PineCone (Piedmont Council of Traditional Music) runs jams, concerts and youth programs across the Triangle. Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh add rock, jazz, blues and hip-hop stages galore.
Popular Live Music Venues In and Near Fuquay-Varina
- Centennial Square (102 N. Main St.) – Downtown Fuquay's outdoor gathering space for free town concerts. Bring a chair.
- Fuquay Mineral Spring Park – The historic heart of downtown, home to festivals and community events.
- Aviator Brewing Company – Fuquay-Varina's best-known brewery, with live music at its taproom and smokehouse.
- Oaklyn Springs Brewery (2912 N. Main St.) – A brewery with live music, music bingo and a Sunday open mic.
- Cleveland Draft House (1420 E. Broad St.) – A sports bar and grill with a weekly open mic.
- Lorraine's Coffee House and Music (101 Timber Pointe Ln., Garner) – A music-focused coffee house about 20 minutes away, with open mics and acoustic shows.
- Raleigh venues – The Red Hat Amphitheater, Lincoln Theatre, Pour House Music Hall and Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts are about 25–30 minutes north.
Open Mics and Open Jams In and Near Fuquay-Varina
Fuquay-Varina's own open stages are a growing handful, and the Triangle adds plenty more within a half-hour. Below are the best options, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Open mics in fast-growing towns come and go quickly. Always check the venue's or host's website or social media before heading out with your gear.
In Fuquay-Varina
- Open Mic Night at Cleveland Draft House (1420 E. Broad St.) – Every Tuesday, 8:00–11:00 p.m. The town's weekly evening open mic.
- Sunday Open Mic at Oaklyn Springs Brewery (2912 N. Main St.) – Sundays, 2:00–5:00 p.m. A free, laid-back afternoon open mic in a family-friendly brewery.
- Town of Fuquay-Varina music programs – The town's arts programs have offered instrumental jam session classes and ArtsLAB sessions. Check the town's recreation and arts listings for current sessions.
Nearby in the Triangle
- Open Mic with Mike Neal at Lorraine's Coffee House and Music (101 Timber Pointe Ln., Garner) – Every other Thursday, 7:00–9:00 p.m. A cozy, music-first room about 20 minutes north.
- PineCone Open Bluegrass Jam (Busy Bee Café, 225 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh) – Second and fourth Mondays, 7:00–10:00 p.m. A long-running downtown Raleigh jam presented by PineCone. All skill levels welcome.
- PineCone community jams – PineCone lists additional bluegrass, old-time and slow jams around the Triangle on its calendar.
Fuquay-Varina-Area Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Open Mic (2 p.m.) | Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Fuquay-Varina | All Styles |
| Monday (2nd & 4th) | PineCone Bluegrass Jam (7 p.m.) | Busy Bee Café, Raleigh | Bluegrass |
| Tuesday | Open Mic Night (8 p.m.) | Cleveland Draft House, Fuquay-Varina | All Styles |
| Thursday (every other) | Open Mic with Mike Neal (7 p.m.) | Lorraine's Coffee House, Garner | Acoustic / All Styles |
Tips for Playing Fuquay-Varina's Open Mics and Jams
- Think Triangle-wide. Raleigh, Garner, Holly Springs and Apex are all within a short drive, and local players often travel between them.
- Learn a few bluegrass standards. North Carolina is bluegrass country, and PineCone jams are a welcoming place to start.
- Beat the heat. Summer evenings are hot and humid; never leave instruments in a parked car.
- Catch the town concerts. Free downtown shows are a great way to meet local bands and players.
Helpful Local Resources
- Town of Fuquay-Varina (fuquay-varina.org) – Town concerts, festivals and arts programs.
- PineCone (pinecone.org) – Bluegrass and traditional music jams across the Triangle.
- Triangle on the Cheap (triangleonthecheap.com) – Free and low-cost events, including open mics.
- Visit Raleigh (visitraleigh.com) – Regional event listings.
