Players Retreat Wins Best Sports Bar & Best Pet-Friendly Venue in Raleigh—RALtoday’s Best 2025
We’ve got some big—and very fun—news to share: Players Retreat has officially been crowned First Place for Best Sports Bar and First Place for Pet-Friendly Venue in RALtoday’s Best 2025 awards!
Here’s what RALtoday had to say about us:
“Game day just isn’t the same when you’re not indulging in sandwiches, chicken Retreats, and 200+ single malt scotch whiskey varieties at this cozy pub.”
“It’s not just your No. 1 sports bar—it’s also one of your favorite place to bring puppy pals (though they should probably stay away from the scotch).”
Honestly? We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
What is RALtoday’s Best?
RALtoday’s Best is an annual community awards program hosted by RALtoday that highlights favorite local businesses across Raleigh. Categories span food and drink, community, entertainment, retail, and more—so it’s basically a big love letter to the places that make this city feel like home.
How the Voting Worked (And Why This Win Means So Much)
This award is 100% reader-driven. The process goes like this:
- Nominations opened Sept. 15, and closed Oct. 3, 2025. Locals nominated their favorite spots around the city.
- Final voting ran Oct. 20 through Nov. 25, 2025. The top nominees in each category went to a public ballot, and readers voted for their No. 1 picks.
- Winners were announced Dec. 9, 2025. And thanks to y’all…PR took the top spot for Best Sports Bar and Pet-Friendly Venue.
So when we say this is your win too, we mean it. This wasn’t a panel of judges or a secret committee—this was Raleigh showing love in the most direct way possible.
A Win For Our Four-Legged Regulars 🐶
We’ve always said our patio is as much for the pups as it is for their people. Being named First Place for Pet-Friendly Venue feels extra special, because it celebrates a big piece of PR’s personality—good food, cold drinks, big games, and dogs napping under the table while you hang with your crew.
From water bowls and shady spots to all the “who’s a good dog?” praise, we’re proud to be one of Raleigh’s favorite places to bring your furry friends.
Thank you, Raleigh ❤️
To everyone who nominated us, voted for us, popped in for a game, grabbed a sandwich, ordered a Chicken Retreat, brought their pup to the patio, or posted up with friends at the bar—thank you.
PR has been part of this city for decades, and what keeps it going is the people who walk through our doors. We’re proud to be your game-day headquarters, your late-night hangout, your after-work exhale, your dog-friendly patio, and your “we’ve been coming here forever” spot.
This award is a reminder of what we already know: Raleigh has the best regulars in the world—two-legged and four-legged.
Come Celebrate With Us!
If you haven’t been by in a while, consider this your sign. Bring your crew (and your well-behaved pups), catch a game, and raise a glass with us. Whether you’re here for the TVs, the patio, the draft list, or that comfort-food PR magic—we can’t wait to welcome you in.
And if you’re brand new: welcome to Players Retreat!