Players” in this case, refers to anyone who’s into hash browns, biscuits, pancakes at 11pm... or single-malt Scotch -- the PR has the largest collection in the state -- which should be basically everyone.

Chef Ashley Christensen has created a small culinary empire in Raleigh with her portfolio of restaurants, including Poole’s Diner, Beasley’s Chicken + Honey and Chuck’s. Her menus range from re-imagined comfort food to inventive and technical wood-fired creations, but when choosing a place to eat, Christensen sticks to her neighborhood and visits Player’s Retreat, a local institution that has been serving delicious bar food for more than 65 years.“I love it for the ties it has to the history of our city, but my admiration isn’t purely nostalgic—the food is great,” says Christensen. “Chef Beth LittleJohn took over the kitchen about two years ago and has done a brilliant job of introducing new exciting dishes to the menu while keeping the classics as great as ever.” Her top picks off the menu include Mimi’s sausage dip, the chicken Gus sandwich, and the chopped salad.

The Players Retreat | 105 Oberlin Rd. | Monday, 15% off for Cameron Park + University Park residents, $2.50 R&D Storm Brew 16 ounce cans, $3.50 CPA pints, $3.50 Stella Artois bottles | Tuesday, $4 Guinness draft, $2.50 High Life + Miller Lite, $5.50 Salmon Creek chardonnay + pinot grigio | Wednesday, $2.50 select cans, 20% off all bottles of wine | Thursday, $7 house Martinis + Cosmos, $6.50 Moscow Mules, $5.50 select wines, $3.50 Stella Artois bottles | Saturday, $2.75 Bud, Bud Light, select Bud bottles, $5 Goldschlager, Rumplemintz, Jagermeister, Fireball shots | Sunday, kids eat free from the kids menu

The Players' Retreat, affectionately known as the "PR" by locals, is the oldest standing bar in Raleigh. The tavern, located on the edge of the campus at North Carolina State University, has carved out its own niche to help stand the test of time. Open since 1951 (and in its current location since 1961), the PR is equal parts dive bar, neighborhood gathering spot and college sports bar (all the red decor and Wolfpack memorabilia hanging on the walls make it obvious who the home team is here).

This is Raleigh, and this is the home of NC State University so let’s start with The Players Retreat, a tradition with NC State students and alumni for over 70 years. If you can’t make it to Carter-Finley stadium, PNC Arena or Reynolds Coliseum to cheer on the Wolfpack, join the pack fans here to watch college football. The Players Retreat (PR to the locals) is one of the storied sports bars in Raleigh and a true landmark in the city of Raleigh.

A Raleigh establishment for nearly 65 years, the original Players Retreat sits on Oberlin Rd., right at the edge of NC State’s main campus. The Wolfpack centric restaurant — charming sidewalk patio included — is known for a deep-seeded local flavor and character that cannot be denied. The tasty food and drinks are merely a bonus in any PR dining experience, whether you’re a student, Raleigh local, or just passing through.

This place has a lot going for it: it has the largest selection of single-malt scotches in the state, probably the largest collection of beer bottles/cans in the state, and has a great menu to boot. The owner, Gus Gusler, has put forth a tremendous effort toward bringing the menu up to par with the slightly more upscale establishments downtown. He invested a lot in a modern and state of the art kitchen, too.

This more than 64-year-old hangout, Players’ Retreat, isn’t like an average sports bar. There are 54 types of Scotch, and more than 100 wines, a list that has earned the vinyl-boothed, Formica-tabled restaurant and bar Wine Spectator awards four years in a row. You could have a $100 bottle of red with your Wolfpack Burger (topped with slaw, mustard, and chili).

Players’ Retreat is an unassuming spot for a great cocktail and an impressive wine list. I love sitting on their patio to catch games while enjoying bacon cheese fries and I will always order the chopped salad with chicken retreats. The patio is dog-friendly and is the perfect place for a leisurely Saturday of cheering on your favorite team.

Located on Oberlin Road in Raleigh, The Players’ Retreat is a historic tavern that dates back to 1951. This location serves bar-style food along with local craft beers, and it is a laid-back environment that is perfect for locals and tourists alike. Brunswick stew and fish and chips are some of the most popular items on the menu here.

The well-worn homebase for many of Raleigh's Wolfpack faithful, the Players' Retreat is a sports bar par excellence known as much for its company as its burgers and drinks. Just pick any one of its many wooden booths for an N.C. State football game or Hurricanes Hockey game and feel the history of an institution

Since 1951, Player’s Retreat, also known as PR, has been serving the community of Raleigh ice cold beer, top-notch wine, and delicious cocktails. Winner of the Wine Spectator Award five years in a row, the integrity of this beloved bar has never changed. It’s as warm and welcoming as it was over 60 years ago.

You can go traditional and hit up landmarks like Player’s Retreat and Char-Grill in Raleigh, or try strong upstarts like Al’s Burgers (Chapel Hill), Bull City Burgers (Durham) and Fine Folk (Raleigh). Drew let the people vote on Raleigh’s favorite burger and the winner was Neuse River Brewing.

Players’ Retreat: “A Raleigh tradition since 1951,” the Players’ Retreat is a cozy restaurant/bar that is a favorite among students and alumni. It was featured in the documentary Survive and Advance — about NC State’s 1983 championship basketball team — during a reunion of the former players.

For those who enjoy spending time at taverns, The Players Retreat is one of the most dog-friendly ones in Raleigh. It also happens to be the oldest. Opening its doors in 1951, The Players Retreat still serves the same menu of baby back ribs, sub sandwiches, beer-battered fish, and more.