The Raleigh Times
Fayetteville Street, Raleigh
Bar in Raleigh, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
The Raleigh Times is a practical downtown Raleigh pick when location, flexible timing, and group ease matter more than a destination dining format. It is better for casual meetups and late-night plans than for a wine-led date or chef-driven dinner.
About The Raleigh Times
In Raleigh, frame The Raleigh Times as a casual venue with long daily hours. It is open 11 AM–11 PM Monday through Thursday, 11 AM–2 AM Friday and Saturday, and 11 AM–11 PM Sunday. Use those hours to decide whether it fits your plans.
For a value-seeker, that means judging it by timing, Raleigh, and casual dress rather than by a specific cuisine, menu format, chef, price tier, awards profile, beverage program, seating setup, reservation policy, or takeout and delivery details.
Use it for flexible Raleigh plans, not a destination tasting plan
The Raleigh Times is a better fit when casual dress and broad operating hours matter than when the night depends on a formal tasting format, named chef, awards profile, or published price tier.
If drinks, a specific menu, or a particular service style are the reason for going out, confirm those details directly before committing. If the group mainly needs a casual Raleigh stop with hours that run late on Friday and Saturday, The Raleigh Times is easier to consider.
When to choose it over a more specialized Raleigh stop
Pick this when the group values casual dress and flexible timing. Skip it when the brief depends on specific requirements such as a particular cuisine, cocktail program, patio setup, reservation policy, or chef-led dining experience.
For broader planning, use Our full Raleigh bars guide, Our full Raleigh restaurants guide, and Our full Raleigh hotels guide to build the night around the right category. Browsing can also include other Raleigh dining and bar options. Quick reference: choose The Raleigh Times for casual Raleigh utility and late Friday-Saturday hours; choose a more specialized venue when drinks or food need to be the point.
Planning details
- Location
- 14 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601
- Website
- raleightimesbar.com
- Phone
- +1 919 833 0999
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Raleigh Times presents a downtown bar anchored in history and quiet confidence. Housed in a building whose bones predate much of the surrounding city, it reads as a reference point in Raleigh’s drinking life rather than a trend-forward reaction. The room favors a classic, unpretentious rhythm: drinks and bar meals arrive with intent, service is conversational, and the interior accepts its age rather than disguising it. Even when the crowd fills in, the tone stays more relaxed than flashy—this is a place built on ritual and familiarity, where regulars and newcomers converge around a steady downtown pulse.
Best For
This is a dependable spot for evening visits that prioritize good drinks and sustaining bar food over formality. It suits groups looking for a convivial downtown night out, colleagues stopping by after work, and anyone who wants a casual, midweek or weekend evening anchored by a lively but approachable atmosphere. The venue’s position on Hargett Street and its long-standing presence in the neighborhood make it a natural meeting point for a cross-section of the city—comfortable for small groups and sociable enough for a solo drink becoming part of the room.
Ordering Tips
Treat a visit here like a proper bar meal: arrive early to claim a seat, order without hurry, and let the evening unfold around you. Drinks are presented with purpose rather than as throwaway accompaniments, and the food is meant to sustain a session rather than close it quickly. Because service leans conversational rather than choreographed, feel free to ask staff for pacing recommendations and to order deliberately—this approach matches the venue’s rhythm and makes for a more satisfying evening.
Venue details
Ambiance
Lively atmosphere in a beautifully restored historic space with exposed brick, floor-to-ceiling windows, and natural light.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
View
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Pub
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Music
- Indie Rock, Blues and Soul
- Live Music
- Yes
Signature Pours
- Cucumber Mint Margarita
- Boring Blue Boy
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 14 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- FOUNDATION, Notable alternative
- The Green Light, Notable alternative
- Centro, Notable alternative
- Neptunes Parlour, Notable alternative
- Brewery Bhavana - Downtown, Notable alternative
Bar context
How it compares in downtown Raleigh
Choose The Raleigh Times when the priority is easy downtown utility. FOUNDATION and The Green Light are better cross-shops when the night is more drink-led and the room matters as much as the location. The Raleigh Times is the safer pick for a mixed group that wants a casual central base.
Centro is the stronger comparison when dinner is the main event, while Neptunes Parlour makes more sense for a bar-first night with a stronger after-dark feel. If value means avoiding a high-commitment reservation and keeping plans flexible, The Raleigh Times has the edge; if value means a more defined food or cocktail experience, cross-shop first.
Brewery Bhavana - Downtown is the peer to consider when the group wants a more restaurant-forward downtown plan. For visitors building a wider Raleigh itinerary, also check Our full Raleigh wineries guide, Our full Raleigh experiences guide, 'O Munaciello MiMo District Neapolitan Pizza in Miami, (405) Brewing Co. LLC in Norman, and ¡BE! Club in San Sebastián.
Explore Raleigh
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Raleigh Times guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Raleigh Times
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Raleigh Times | Raleigh | No published awards |
| FOUNDATION | Raleigh | No published awards |
| The Green Light | Raleigh | No published awards |
| Centro | Raleigh | No published awards |
| Neptunes Parlour | Raleigh | No published awards |
| Brewery Bhavana - Downtown | Raleigh | No published awards |
How The Raleigh Times Raleigh compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the food good at The Raleigh Times?
Approach The Raleigh Times as a casual Raleigh option with daily hours. If the food offering is the main reason for your visit, check current venue information before going.
Is The Raleigh Times open late?
Yes. Hours run until 2 AM on Friday and Saturday. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, the closing time is 11 PM.
Is The Raleigh Times good for a date?
It can make sense for a low-pressure plan if casual dress and flexible hours fit the occasion. If you need a quieter, more intimate setup or a specific dining format, confirm current conditions before going.
Does The Raleigh Times have outdoor seating?
What's the best time to go to The Raleigh Times?
Use the hours as the planning guide: Monday through Thursday, 11 AM–11 PM; Friday and Saturday, 11 AM–2 AM; and Sunday, 11 AM–11 PM. Choose the time that best matches your schedule, and confirm current hours before going.
