When Mike Allen founded The Wake Forest Listening Room (WFLR) in 2017, it wasn’t with dreams of big stages or spotlights. It was something simpler—and deeper. “When I moved here in 2003, I realized there were no venues featuring live, original music,” Allen says. “And I was tired of driving to Raleigh and Chapel Hill for it, so I figured I'd start something here.”
At first, Allen hauled PA equipment into coffee shops and restaurants, where local musicians played for donations. The idea was to create what he calls a “safe space” for artists and music lovers alike—a place where lyrics are heard, stories are shared, and phones are down. That mission resonated with the community, and over the next several years, WFLR hosted more than 300 performances in a cozy basement space beneath Sugar Magnolia Café.
Then came the pandemic.
In October 2023, The Listening Room made a triumphant return—this time in a new, permanent home tucked beside independent bookstore Page 158 Books. That move was made possible through longtime community ties and a shared love of the arts. “Dave and Sue Lucey, Page 158 Books owners, were pretty much regulars at the old spot,” Allen recalls. “When they decided to buy the space next door, Dave called up and asked if I'd like to make that space the permanent home for the WFLR. Of course, I said yes!”
The new space, which also partners with downtown restaurant The Lemon Tree to offer food options for guests and performers, includes expanded seating, upgraded sound and lighting, and the same intimate, laid-back vibe WFLR fans know and love. “It felt ‘permanent’ and not like a house concert,” Allen says. “Artists appreciate that. They can have their music listened to and appreciated.”
WFLR remains Wake Forest’s only venue that exclusively features original music. Allen’s curated lineups include local talent and nationally touring musicians—from up-and-coming singer-songwriters to Grammy-winning artists like John Paul White of The Civil Wars, who recently performed at the venue. “He could fill a big room and he played my little one,” Allen says. “And he wants to come back!”
The impact of The Listening Room goes far beyond the stage. Performance nights bring people downtown—boosting foot traffic for nearby favorites like Over the Falls, Strike & Barrel, and of course, Page 158 Books. WFLR also partners with The Record Krate, Wake Forest’s independent record store, to host special events, including a Record Store Day show this April. “We’ve done collaborations with author-musician events and more,” Allen says. “It’s about community, not just concerts.”
That community-first mindset is what makes The Listening Room such an asset to the town, says Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business and Industry Partnership (WFBIP).
“The Listening Room is a perfect example of what makes Wake Forest special—it’s hyper-local, high-quality, and built on relationships. By giving both artists and audiences a space to connect authentically, Mike has created something that enriches the local arts scene and strengthens our small business ecosystem at the same time,” says Cannon.
Looking ahead, Allen says he wants to keep things intentionally small and sustainable. “I want to keep it the size it is. It’s intimate and cozy,” he says. “I do this for the love of music. I’m not in it to make money. I want to make life better here.”
And in that mission, The Listening Room continues to deliver—one unforgettable Friday night at a time.
To discover upcoming performances and events at The Listening Room, visit their events page at https://wakeforestlisteningroom.com/events/.
Photos by Ricky Garni
