A new start to the school year signifies a falling back in a structured routine centered on academia. But if you’re like me, you’re back in Raleigh looking for some awesome concerts to offset that weird history class you somehow got stuck registering for. Or if you are new to the music scene and need a fresh watering hole, check out these venues in the Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham vicinity:

The Pinhook, Durham, 3/5 stars, distance from NCSU (from 1210 Varsity Drive) : 0.9 miles

This quaint little venue has a lot of character. The interior is beautifully designed with strategically positioned mirrors, and is very well lit. The Pinhook is smoke-free, and is generally a good place to hang out. The only gripe, as with most venues that serve open liquor, persons under 21 are usually not allowed in.

$2 membership + $8-$10

The Brewery, Raleigh, 2 / 5 stars, distance from NCSU (from 1210 Varsity Drive): 22.9 miles

This local club, located conveniently close to campus further along Hillsborough Street, houses many diverse acts. For live music, The Brewery has housed both local indie bands and Hip Hop groups. The stage is especially cramped, but it hasn’t been a problem with past acts Panic! At the Disco and Cartel.

$10-15

Nightlight, Chapel Hill, 4/5 stars, distance from NCSU (from 1210 Varsity Drive): 23 miles

Physically, this tucked-away haven is dark and somewhat dingy-looking, like a mother’s basement with hanging Christmas Lights and a few ratty chairs thrown around haphazardly. But like any other lair or Batman cave, it gets pretty intimate by the second act. There’s really no marker of any sort of stage, so it’s nice to feel close to the off-beat, lesser-known music groups that frequent the Nightlight. Great for dancing and other social pleasantries, so get there before the hipsters find out about it.

$5 for membership, + $5-$10 per show

Cat’s Cradle, Chapel Hill 4.5/5 stars, distance from NCSU (from 1210 Varsity Drive): 27 miles

Bands and musical acts from all various genres have been frequently the Cradle since before you were born. This venue boasts many an attraction: dance crazy, great variety, perfect opportunity to test out your stage diving skills. Whatever the reason, get yourself the Cradle sometime this year, and fast. The only downside to the Cradle would be the limited space availability, so popular shows get sold out quickly. This year’s line-up is intensely promising (including Andrew Bird and St. Vincent for two nights during fall break). The Cradle is definitely one of the best music venues in the Triangle.

$8 – $25

Local 506, Chapel Hill, 4/5 stars, distance from NCSU (from 1210 Varsity Drive): 27 miles

The Local 506, located in Chapel Hill’s own Franklin Street, is a member’s club, which requires a card that will set you back $3, but will come in handy considering the premium indie acts that come. Smoking is allowed, which is great if you like inhaling enough smoke to equate a Mt. Vesuvius eruption, but gross if you don’t. Also, the venue is relatively small and can feel enclosed. “I feel if I needed to get out of the Local 506, like if there’s a fire… in a mosh pit, I’d probably be trapped,” hypothetically expresses Abby Rife, sophomore in animal science.

$3 membership + $5 – $12

Duke Coffeehouse: Durham, 4/5 stars, distance from NCSU (from 1210 Varsity Drive): 24 miles

Durham is an eclectic city, and what a more befitting place to place a venue than a coffeehouse on a campus? The Duke Coffeehouse is sublimely intimate indie lair located in nondescript brick, but the black light raves more than make up for it. “It’s where all the kids at Duke who don’t pop their collars hang out,” says Spencer Lewis, a Duke student majoring in biomedical engineering. In the past, the venue has housed the likes of both Mountain Goats and Dashboard Confessional, so there seems to be something for everyone.

$5-$8

Disco Rodeo, Raleigh 1.5/5 stars, distance from NCSU (from 1210 Varsity Drive): 6.1 miles

Raleigh’s own Disco Rodeo tends to draw big name acts (Modest Mouse, Jimmy Eat World, etc), but the venue is not the ideal location to revel in song. Poor acoustics and minimal ventilation attribute to this proclivity, so brave only if the musical group is worth it.

$25 – $45

Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh, 3.5/5 stars, distance from NCSU (from 1210 Varsity Drive): 3.2 miles

The Lincoln really great, small live music venue in Raleigh with superb sound quality. The theatre usually houses local and lesser-known acts, as well as tribute bands, but more popular finds may play every once in a while. Just be prepared to stand, because seating is a rarity.

$8-$35 plus a $2 Surcharge for anyone under 21