With the Hillsborough Street renovations giving the area a fresh new look and a new surge of people walking the street, Shakedown Street Pub has capitalized on the opportunity to bring in good entertainment and quality food to an increasing flow of customers they have been experiencing lately.

“We have been open since Dec. 1 of last year and offer lunches, an open bar and music shows,” Norman Randolph McArthur, the manager of the pub, said.

McArthur discussed the goals of Shakedown Street both for the long run and for the present moment.

“We expect to satisfy the customers on a consistent basis and create a great overall experience in terms of food and entertainment,” McArthur said. “We would like to bring in superb local music on a consistent basis in the long run while keeping prices low for customers.”

The venue can fit roughly 50 people and provides an up-close-and-personal experience for the audience. Furthermore, there is seating around the walls if customers feel the need to sit down during performances.

“We plan on booking many talented local artists, and we encourage people of all ages to come out to shows. It is great to see our customer base grow over recent months,” McArthur said.

One event that has generated popularity at Shakedown Street is Sucker Free Sunday. The event features numerous unsigned hip-hop artists, each performing 15-minute sets with backing from renowned deejays.

Last Sunday the event featured performers such as Cyrano Sinatra and Drique London.

“Sucker Free Sunday at Shakedown Street was a great show. The crowd was feeling the vibe of that boom bap hip-hop I was giving them, and I definitely will be back at this venue again,” Sinatra said. “It made me proud to see fans of underground music come out and support unsigned artists. We just want everybody to spread the word. K-Hill and I are dedicated to carrying the underground hip-hop torch for N.C. whenever and wherever!”

Eric Taylor, a Raleigh resident and music producer, said more people need to come out to support the artists each Sunday.

“I’ve been coming out every week and it’s always a great time,” Taylor said. “If more fans would come out it would further add to the environment of the show and give these artists more motivation to keep making good music.”