The Raleigh Times is a restaurant and bar in downtown Raleigh, serving lunch, dinner and late night snacks. The menu includes classic bar choices such as sandwiches, fish & chips, burgers, and chicken wings. Salads and vegetarian sandwiches are also available. Food menu options range from $4.95 - $10.95. The Bar features an extensive selection of over 100 local and national beers, as well as a wide selection of Belgian beers. Twenty wine options and a full cocktail bar are also available. The Raleigh Times is considered a staple of downtown for Raleigh locals. The restaurant is also linked to The Morning Times next door on Hargett Street, a coffee, sandwich, and sweets shop.

The Building

Finished outdoor patio sits atop Stitch at the corner of Hargett St. and Wilmington St. The Raleigh Times building sits at 14 East Hargett Street. The building was constructed in 1906 to house the fledgling Raleigh Times newspaper. The building experienced many additions and renovations over the years, housing an office supply store, a shoe shop, a jeweler, a wig store, and several newspapers. In 2013 Raleigh's first on-street bike corral was installed out front of the building.

Raleigh Times Expansion

Despite the extensive changes over the building’s long history, Empire Properties undertook the complicated task of repairing and restoring the structure to its original turn of the century appearance.

In May of 2012, Greg Hatem, owner of the building and Empire Properties, was approved a $50,000 loan from the City of Raleigh to expand the restaurant to include more indoor seating in the location formerly occupied by Brass Grill. In addition to three downstairs rooms, The Raleigh Times has also opened the second floor, with both indoor seating and rooftop seating above Stitch at the corner of Hargett and Wilmington.

The renovation retained original elements when possible while also incorporating modern industrial touches. The concrete press pit received new wood pine flooring, and plexiglass panels preserve the aging character of the original walls. Photographs of local history and notable citizens decorate the bar area, while framed press clippings adorn the other walls.

Rooftop seating under construction.
Photo Credit: Greg Hatem Plenty of indoor tables and bar seating. Photos line the walls inside. Popular outdoor seating.

The Newspaper

The Raleigh Times newspaper operated in the city of Raleigh within the building at 14 East Hargett Street.  At various points in history the Raleigh Times was known as The Evening Visitor, The Press-Visitor and The Raleigh Daily Times. The oldest of these papers is The Evening Visitor, which began publication in 1879. Due to declining circulation, The News and Observer purchased the Raleigh Times in 1955. The Raleigh Times published its final edition on Nov 30^th,  1989.

Old newspapers framed on walls.To-days news to-day.The Raleigh Times newspapers.

Hours and Contact Information

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