Category / Restaurants

by Leo Suarez

BeerCon: The Raleigh Times

The Raleigh Times is more then just a watering hole but a downtown Raleigh museum. At the site of the old newspaper, this restaurant displays Raleigh’s past with newspaper printings and photos scattered throughout the dining room and bar area. Even the torn up walls are on display, some covered transparently and not hidden from us. Bounce over to the website for more paper and building history.

The Raleigh Times is a popular location for those that prefer outdoor seating and a varied selection of beers. On top of that, there is a very comfortable long bar, dining room, and smoking bar inside (dubbed Smoking Times). Taps are always changing and I encourage you to try something different each time you visit.

Food
Outdoor seating
Dog-friendly
TV’s
Wi-fi

Website: http://www.raleightimesbar.com/

14 E Hargett St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(go to map)
(919) 833-0999

by Leo Suarez

No Ketchup Allowed At The Roast Grill

While Fayetteville St. is going through its re-birth and as Glenwood South grows right before our eyes, The Roast Grill has seen it all and is still doing what they do best. It has been sitting at its location at 7 South West St. since 1940 and has been offering burnt hot dogs to all of downtown.

Do not be fooled by the limited toppings, these dogs are no joke and the chili recipe is fantastic. With almost all the original equipment, the Roast Grill is a great place for something simple and quick. Enjoy the Tootsie Rolls after your dogs.

by Leo Suarez

BeerCon: Landmark Tavern

Riding the wave of new restaurants and bars to open in Downtown Raleigh, Landmark Tavern serves a solid selection of beer, wine, and spirits. When it opened in January of 2008, Landmark instantly became a popular spot. The weekend nightlife has accepted it and during the week, there is always some bar space for you to drown your after work sorrows. Even without the food element, Landmark holds up strong with a great bar and a newly upgraded outdoor patio. They also play some of the better music for a bar in downtown Raleigh that I have been to.

No food
No cover
Membership needed for the weekends (easy to get)
Wi-fi
Outdoor seating
Board games
One TV

Website: http://www.myspace.com/landmarkraleigh

Monday – Sunday 4pm – 2am

117 E. Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC
(go to map)
(919) 821-9865

by Leo Suarez

Peace China Hopefully Opening Soon

It has been awhile since I last checked up on Peace China over in Seaboard Station. The once empty space now only needs the food to finish it off. The signs are up on the building and a visual menu is displayed inside. The website for the shops at Seaboard says it is coming soon. However, since they still encourage people to come out and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day; I’d take that information with a grain of salt.

by Leo Suarez

BeerCon: Alibi Bar

Alibi is a cool, hidden spot that is truly just around the corner. The downstairs bar has set its ways underneath the future Martin St. Pizza and former Downtown Events Center. All the beverage essentials are served here so the party never stops. Alibi is a reliable bar and you can always count on them being open until 2 am. Stop by with a group and open ears because you’ll be sure to hear something new through the speakers when you go.

Pool table
Darts
No TV’s
No wifi
No BS

Website: http://www.myspace.com/alibibarraleigh

14 W Martin St
Raleigh, NC 27601

(919) 834-4792

by Leo Suarez

Martin Street Pizza

Have you peaked into Martin St. Pizza lately? The place looks like it should be opening soon and the new signs out front might be supporting my claim. There is also a huge sign inside waiting to be strung up. Will MSP finally satisfy our pizza cravings?

This is just one more spot to tack onto the Martin and Fayetteville St. intersection activity. Although the Downtown Events Center is closing down, there are more spaces coming. RBC Plaza will offer retail here as well as the renovated spaces next to Port City Java. Exciting things are a coming.

by Leo Suarez

BeerCon: The Flying Saucer

The online activity about Raleigh has really been picking up lately. It is obvious I love to discuss downtown Raleigh happenings with anyone. Blogs and forums are getting more traffic and interest as downtown grows. But the conversations do not stop there. They continue offline in the coffee shops, bars, and restaurants. So as part of my continuing effort to promote downtown, I’m starting a BeerCon series that will highlight the many watering holes in the area.

The Flying Saucer is not a Raleigh original but with about 80 beers on tap, you cannot say that there is not a beverage that meets your taste. Claiming to have over 200 beers total, the saucer hits every angle on the beer lover’s spectrum. With a new menu updated each season, they are one of the more reliable places to get your favorite seasonal ales. One of my favorite things to do is to jump into a new beer simply because it has a funky name. They also have memberships and after consuming 200 different beers, you will be immortalized with your own plate on the wall.

Wifi
Food
Some wine
A couple TV’s for games
Outdoor seating (dog friendly)

Website: www.beerknurd.com

328 W Morgan St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(go to map)
(919) 821-7468