Comments on: The Player’s Retreat – Oldest Bar In Raleigh

By: chris

chris — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:27:02 +0000

Dick made a comment in 2010 and I would love to talk to you about the Square and hear some of the stories you have. You can email me at planner50@hotmail.com. Thanks

By: chris

chris — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:25:21 +0000

I would like for anyone that worked at The Square to tell me more about it and what happened to it. Not many people seem to remember it contrary to what my inlaws say. they make it sound as if it was the number one bar in Raleigh. You can respond comment n this site or just email me directly at planner50@hotmail.com. Thanks

By: Gene

Gene — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:59:54 +0000

I grew up in Raleigh and first went to the PR in the mid-1960s. The Mourning Room was next door (maybe where the PR pool table is now), with Harry on piano. He also played at Zorbas on Wake Forest Road. For a change of scenery we’d head to the Wolves Den, where Rose would throw you out in a skinny minute if she didn’t like your behavior. The Jolly Knave was upstairs where Mitch’s is now. There was a plaque on the wall listing (very few) members of The Order of the Golden Church Key. I think you had to drink a case of beer in 12 hours to be included.

By: Dick

Dick — Thu, 27 May 2010 19:28:04 +0000

Bill Eby and his Dad owned the “Square”. Most famous and notorious bartender there was Ron Banther. The most popular beer there was whatever he wanted you to drink! Lots of great stories.

By: Keith

Keith — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 22:08:14 +0000

And if you REALLY want to p*** them off, tell your in-law that “There’s South Carolina, and then, there’s the REAL Carolina.

By: Keith

Keith — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 22:01:22 +0000

Chris,
Got a laugh out of that Gamecock fan story. I was at that game with my parents and grandmother. Bunch of obnoxious Gamecock fans behind us, yelling profanities and insults the whole time. When we won, I jumped up and turned to them with middle fingers extended, shouting F*** U !! Right in front of my dear sweet grandmother. She was laughing derisively at them at the same time. Don’t understand why they’re so obnoxious. Never been squat in anything. A couple that used to live next door are Gamecock fans. Had a conversation about that same obnoxious behavior and said “You actually need to win a National Championship in SOMETHING if you’re gonna be that way”. I thought the wife was gonna have a coronary. Went ballistic.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:42:58 +0000

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

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:27:44 +0000

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

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:34:57 +0000

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!

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:19:05 +0000

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.