Tucked in downtown Raleigh off of W. Martin Street, the venue Kings Barcade hosts more than just musical acts. Steve Popson, one of the owners, explains just how much more variety it has captured and will continue to capture with the shows they allow on their venue’s stage.
Popson and two others, Ben Barwick and Paul Siler, started Kings in 1999 .
“We were all in bands and wanted to be involved in hosting local and touring bands that we liked and appreciated,” Popson said.
All three founders are still in bands today. Popson said one of his best memories from working at Kings was when Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings called them “quite unbelievable.” His favorite bands to host are ones that are “creative, exploratory, engaging or entertaining—doesn’t matter the genre.”
Its description on its website has a paragraph full of variety in bands and genres that Kings has hosted, listing The Avett Brothers, M83, Warpaint, and OFF! to name a few. Their calendar is packed with shows in the upcoming months.
Regarding other types of events, the list seems to go on and on: movie nights, comedy shows, game shows, parties and charity events.
Popson mentioned that the comedy shows were his favorite to host, which could be monthly shows or touring comedians — but then he went on to mention that his “heart is closest to our game shows” because they “produce some of the funniest and most enjoyable moments because they are unscripted and live.”
Its game show nights are “life reproductions of TV game shows”, including Family Feud, Name that Tune, and Gong Show.
Additionally, they’ve hosted a 70s theme prom and costume contests. Back in December they hosted the first of a now annual dog show. Popson said that this year he is most excited for their Beard & Mustache Competition.
Though the outside of the venue may be a bleak white, on the inside the walls are painted in bright, bold colors. There are murals on the walls, a wooden crown behind the bar that shelves alcohol inside, and Statler and Waldorf — the two old men from the Muppets — are sitting in a booth up high.
“The physical space is comfortable, fun, and well-designed,” Popson said. “But the general attitude of Kings is open-minded.”
Popson talked about his favorite thing about Kings, and according to him it’s the flexibility.
“The ability and willingness to be open to anything folks are willing to do is my favorite thing about Kings,” Popson said. “If your heart and creative juices are in an idea or project, we’re interested.”
From bands to beards, Kings Barcade has a plethora of different events they host inside their brightly colored walls. Make sure to keep up with their calendar to see what they will do next—it may surprise you.
