Cheer on your favorite pro or collegiate team at one of these Raleigh restaurants that offer hearty food, beer and television screens.
by Catherine Currin
From the ACC to the NHL, Raleighites can agree on one thing: their love of watching their favorite team. But when the Wolfpack or Canes are away — or tickets are hard to come by — it’s fun to enjoy a game within a friendly, nostalgic gathering space. From an Italian family dinner among prolific sports paraphernalia to a basket of wings enjoyed in a cozy booth, Raleigh is crawling with old-school establishments worth visiting time and time again. Read on for seven spots to sit down and stay awhile.
Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant
Beloved by Wolfpack fans for 62 years, Amedeo’s serves up classic Italian fare alongside an impressive collection of Raleigh sports memorabilia. Named for its original owner, Amedeo De’Angelis, Amedeo’s offers a no-frills, family-friendly atmosphere filled with pasta, pizza and sandwiches. This self-proclaimed North Carolina State University sports “museum” offers daily lunch specials, or you can visit in the evening to watch the Wolfpack play. 3905 Western Boulevard; amedeosrestaurant.com
Brickhouse Sports Bar & Grill
Another Wolfpack favorite, Brickhouse is sure to stream your team’s game with its 10 120-inch projector screens. The bar, directly across from Meredith College, offers daily drink specials like $5 Bloody Marys on Sundays. Brickhouse’s food menu includes crowd favorites like the Pack Plate: a combo platter of mac and cheese bites, pickle chips, chicken tenders and fries. It’s also Raleigh’s official watch location for Ohio State alumni and New England Patriots fans. 3801 Hillsborough Street; brickhouse-nc.com
Mitch’s Tavern
Up a flight of steep stairs across from NC State’s campus, walking into Mitch’s Tavern is like entering a time capsule. One of the oldest establishments on Hillsborough Street, Mitch’s has been a beloved watering hole for students and alumni since Mitch Hazouri opened it in the 1970s. Mitch’s serves its own twist on bar food: best known for its London Broil sandwich, as well as housemade chili and gumbo, Mitch’s serves up the ultimate comfort food along with daily drink specials.
2426 Hillsborough Street; mitchstavernraleigh.com
My Way Tavern
For hockey, football and everything in between, My Way Tavern is the place to watch. A few blocks away from the hustle and bustle of Glenwood South, My Way draws a crowd most nights — there’s a long community table if you’ve got a group or smaller booths and tables plus a wraparound heated patio. In addition to its downtown Raleigh location, My Way has Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs locations. Have it “your way” with an extensive food and drink menu, including classic bar food, fresh salads and a made-to-order mac and cheese menu, with unique combinations like the Taco or Buffalo Mac.
522 St. Mary’s Street; mywaytavern.com
The Players Retreat
On the edge of campus, The Players Retreat (often just called “The P.R.”) has been a Wolfpack fan favorite for more than 70 years. “We’ve always been a place where the team has hung out, the coaches are here, it’s a generational place,” says owner Richard “Gus” Gusler. The sophisticated bar food menu keeps folks coming back — plus kids eat free on Sundays. While the institution might be best known for its Mimi’s Sausage Dip, the menu is full of burgers and salads, and chef Jesus Romero offers weekly specials and a soup of the day. When Gusler bought the place in 2005, he did a major upgrade for the TV viewer. Today, there are more than a dozen 50-inch TVs, plus projectors in every room. “And when State plays, we turn the sound on,” he says.
105 Oberlin Road; playersretreat.com
Village Draft House
Village Draft House has anchored The Village District for decades. There are screens to watch your favorite team on every corner, plus a few TVs on its outdoor patio for beautiful days. The drafthouse has more than 50 beers on tap, 40 of which hail from North Carolina breweries. Don’t miss the burger of the month — a twist on the bar’s classic burger featuring rotating toppings and condiments.
428 Daniels Street; villagedrafthouse.com
Woody’s at City Market
Nestled into downtown’s City Market, Woody’s has been a sports lover’s staple for 32 years. There are 32 rotating taps and two separate bars to enjoy, but General Manager Kristen Dye says the wings at Woody’s set them apart. “We make all of our wing sauces from scratch with recipes created by the owner,” she says. There are more than a dozen wing flavors to choose from, and you can mix and match your dozen — think combos of Kickin’ Garlic, Habanero Mango, Carolina Gold and/or Hawaiian Heat BBQ. “With 24 TVs between two bars, our guests can view any sporting event from any seat in the house,” says Dye. Woody’s can be enjoyed across the Triangle — it has additional locations in Cary and Morrisville.
205 Wolfe Street; woodysportstavern.com
This article originally appeared in the March 2025 issue of WALTER magazine.
