The Player’s Retreat – Oldest Bar In Raleigh
Any time an organization or establishment uses the phrase “the oldest ___ in ___”, there is bound to be controversy. The title “Oldest bar in Raleigh” is no exception. Mitch claims as much for his bar, near the spot on the menu that also mentions the appearance in Bull Durham. While it may be the oldest bar that is still in the original structure, the Jolly Knave was sold to Mitch after the PR was established. Red’s, also owned by Mitch, has been closed for more than 30 years. Another local bar that claims the title is The Office Tavern. There seems to be dispute because they relocated from five points to the Johnson Street location long ago.
It seems as though any person that has lived in Raleigh for a significant amount of time knows the inside of Player’s Retreat. The web site states that it is a Raleigh tradition since 1951
.
While I haven’t lived in Raleigh very long, this place is special to me too. Once I had an instructor who moved class to this location to discuss topics over drinks–before noon! In addition to the history of the place, there is something special about the atmosphere too. Similar to Mitch’s, it is chock full of eye candy attached to the walls with phrases such as Our waitresses go from zero to bitch in four seconds
. It is quite large inside, especially given the location. It has a decently sized pool room, a separate dining room, outdoor seating, and a spacious bar.
One of the most interesting parts of the PR is the computer with free internet access and printer. The internet (Google in particular) has made us realize that any disagreement over a fact, figure, or history item can be settled in a matter of seconds with almost zero effort. Coffee/tea houses, restaurants, and bars in particular have always been filled with people having philosophical debates of every variety. This frequently leads to one person disagreeing with another person’s presentation of the facts of an event. By placing a computer with internet access and a printer for free public use, you are assured there will never be a conversation’s completion left hanging upon promises of future consultation with Google or Wikipedia. As far as I know, it is the only bar in the area with a free public computer.
Bert, one of the PR’s bartenders, was wearing a shirt that said Beer – it’s not just for breakfast anymore
. He’s been around for quite some time and has some unique information on the cultural history of Raleigh. He told me stories of a bar on Hillsborough Street with a swimming pool, the old headshop underneath of Daryl’s (now Red Hot & Blue), and some of the large name musical acts that came through Raleigh in the mid 70s to early 80s. When asked about Mitch’s claim about being the oldest bar in Raleigh, he stated that
Mitch’s isn’t the oldest bar and he knows it. It’s been around for 30 years. There is some debate about The Office Tavern, but they moved across town.
With an established reputation for great food, vegetarian options, the largest selection of single malt scotches in North Carolina, fantastic drink specials, and a well designed web site–they have all of the ingredients for the the best bar in Raleigh.
What are some of your memories of the Player’s Retreat?
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John Morris
Raleigh Boy
Devin McKim
Sid Fowler
uliveandyouburn
Adrienne Taylor
Ian F.G. Dunn
Ben Spiker
Paul Friedrich
07/02/2008
The PR was also a well-known hang out for the Everett Case-era Wolfpack basketball teams. It is truly a landmark.
07/08/2008
My dad played on one of those Case-era basketball teams. You are very right. My dad loves to tell stories of the place, hanging out with Roman Gabriel and the like. It used to be located further down Hillsborough St. near Dan Allen. So, it moved, too? Which bar is the longest in its location?
07/13/2008
I own the Players Retreat and appreciate your comments. The News & Observer did some research a few years ago and published an article stating that the PR is the oldest continous operating tavern between Washington DC and Atanta. The Players Retreat opened on February 27, 1951. It was located on Hillsbourough Street until 1961 when it moved to 105 Oberlin Road. It has never closed or changed its name since 1951. I have no idea when the Office Tavern opened at its original location.
07/14/2008
I worked for Bernie and Micky Hanula in the early 80’s. The PR was the oldest family run bar in Raleigh. When I worked there everyone from the Lieutenant Governor to blue collar workers were patrons. A great cross culture of Raleigh.
Thanks Gus for bringing it back!
11/28/2008
I grew up in Cameron Park, the first time I went to the PR was as a child with my mother after Raleigh Little Theatre rehearsals. My father had the house next to it (used to be a grey 2 story – is it still there?) and had his office there, and then lived there for a short while when my parents split. He used to take us to the Mourning Room, a separate establishment where the pool room is now (or was the last time I was there 15 years ago). The Mourning Room also featured an incredible blues/jazz musician, but I’ve forgotten his name. I remember during a big snow when we were around 13/14, and Bernie let us come in that night and have cokes, but not into the back room. When I first started going with my friends to hang there we were slightly short of the legal drinking age of 18. Bernie would not let us into the back room if it were just the girls. We had to be with the boys, or swear we were meeting them there – no single women allowed! I also remember him standing at the doorway to the back room and not allowing anyone to go in unless they had a seat. I worked there briefly in 1983 and am kind of sad to read about the changes, but I guess I’ll have to see for myself. Also was a denizen of Free Advice and Edward’s Grocery – both as a bar and as a grocery store!
03/05/2009
Does anyone recall the The Square? It was located across from NC State. I was wondering what happened to it and why it closed. I heard that it was for too many disturbing the peace calls and selling underage. My brothers went to State and went there on a occasion, although Triangle Billiards and My Apartment were their favorites.
03/05/2009
I think I do. The Square was a bar/entertainment complex where, among other things, there were telephones at the bar and on the tables, and if you spotted somebody you wanted to hook up with you would ‘call’ them on the phone. If “The Square” is the place I’m thinking of, I seem to recall it occupied two storefront buildings next door to the original Darryl’s on Hillsboro St. I think the “Edwards Grocery” club was downstairs at some point. That was a separate business and outlasted The Square by many years. (Spent a lot of time at Edwards back then, btw.) The Square was a rabbit warren of connecting barrooms and game rooms. I heard the developer would just add something on that struck his fancy without getting official city approval. I remember one of the second floor ‘rooms’ had large sliding glass doors that opened up to the parking lot 20′ below — no stairs, deck or anything. Fortunately, they were kept locked. I believe the city finally shut him down for numerous building and fire code violations (and as well as for the reasons cited by Chris). This was back in the mid-1970s or so. NC State ultimately bought the buildings and tore them down for the parking lot that is there now. Anybody else remember these details?
03/06/2009
Does anyone know the owner of The Square at the time it was shut down? Especially anyone that worked there. I think the bar was owned by a seperate person from the land owner. I think the last name of the bar owner was Eby. I am trying to do some research on a family member with that name. My older brothers went to NC State and were able to tell me some stuff. They mainly hung out at Ed’s Grocery, My Apartment, Triangle Billiard Parlor and the like. If anyone can help I would appreciate it.
03/06/2009
Chris — I’m not positive, but for some reason the name David Smoot sticks in my head as the owner of The Square. Or he was at least the $$$ behind the project. Does that ring a bell with anybody else?
03/06/2009
Thanks for the info. I will check it out. I am trying to dig info on an inlaw and he claims he and his dad owned the square. The inlaw is claiming that the reason they closed was because the owner of the building would not renew lease. I have heard many of the things you have heard and more. I just think the owner was tired of them. I just need to verify stuff before I use this in making an argument to a situation that has arisen with him. Any other stuff you remember please do not hesitate to email.
I am pleased with the Pack football progress. I bet Raleigh cannot wait for the season to start. The same inlaw is a Gamecock fan that is obnoxious as h—. He still whines about the loss back in the eighties in the last second. I hope to be there opening night this year to see the Pack strangle the chickens.
Thanks again.
03/07/2009
haha Chris.. too funny re: the Game***** I myself,though, prefer ACC basketball. Come to think of it –and I haven’t thought about any of this stuff in years — The bar was called ‘Hillsborough Square.’
03/07/2009
I am an ACC b’ball fan too. There is nothing better that the ACC tournament. It is even better when the Pack is in the hunt but that does not happen too often. I wish the football was as good as the b’ball in the conference.
Again, thanks for the info and if you think of anything else please email. Anything will help.
03/18/2009
hey, does anyone remember a nightclub (dance club) during the mid to late 1960’s at the very end of hillsborough street, called “the scene
” or the “experience”? i cannot remember the name, but i used to go there as a student at nc state?
i like pr, too, by the way. and the jolly knave, that club you had to climb stairs to.
thanks for any information.
04/17/2009
The name Eby strongly rings a bell. And yes, I remember it was a guy and his dad that owned Hillsborough Square. I remember he drove a Corvette… this being 1972-1976ish. Several of my friends worked there… even me, on an ‘unpaid’ basis. I don’t quite remember the phones, as someone mentioned earlier, though I do remember that being a feature ’somewhere’ along Hillsborough. I do remember beer was 50 cents, and the convenience of that pricing meant the bartenders simply carried quarters in their hands for ‘immediate change’ – no going back to the register. Next to Budweiser, Schlitz was the popular brew. And yes, it was a maze of rooms; however, there were few bathrooms. The sinks got as much activity as the toilets!
04/20/2009
Gary,
Do you remember why the Square was closed? I heard that it was closed because the owner did not pay his beer vendor bills, did not pay his rent, the property owner got tired of the disturbing the peace calls and there were rumors of under age beer sales. Does any of this ring true to you or any of your friends that worked there?
Thanks
08/31/2009
Thanks for all the info on The Square so far. Does anyone else remember the place or the owner of the property. I am still trying to do a little research. If anyone that worked there could chime in it would be a big help.
Thanks