Raleigh’s beloved Players Retreat will reopen inside. But you’d better be vaccinated.
Instead of serving beers to fans before Tuesday night’s Carolina Hurricanes game, one of the Triangle’s most popular sports bars was running a COVID vaccine drive.
This is what the road back looks like for the storied Raleigh bar The Players Retreat. When the 70-year-old institution near N.C. State University opens up later this month it will require a vaccine for indoor diners.
“From the beginning, we’ve said we’re not able to reopen until we could figure out how to feel safe,” owner Gus Gusler said. “The only way to do that and serve people in the two main rooms is for the entire team to be vaccinated and require vaccines for guest. We’re not going to put our team at risk.”
Gusler said the policy is meant to protect employees and customers, as well as his wife, Doris, who have respiratory illnesses. He said he also believes the policy will put other diners at ease.
“It’s kind of a business decision,” Gusler said. “There are still a lot of people who are not comfortable going into a restaurant to eat. Now they know they can come in here and everyone is vaccinated.”
The Players Retreat plans to reopen its dining room on June 23, serving in-person guests for the first time in 15 months. At the beginning of the pandemic, Gusler pledged his bar would remain shuttered until a vaccine was widely available. That’s a pledge the Players Retreat has maintained, knowing it left at least a year of sales on the table.
Gusler said he’s excited to welcome back PR fans and that he hopes the vaccine policy is short-lived.
“We’ve been closed a long time and need to make money,” Gusler said. “This is a temporary thing. Maybe by the fall we’ll feel more comfortable opening up. But right now I can’t do that. Part of this is to encourage people to get the vaccine.”
The Players Retreat hosted a walk-up vaccine drive at the bar Tuesday evening, with doses administered by Raleigh clinic The Neighborhood Health Center. Gusler said a couple were waiting in line at 5 p.m. when the event started. People who were vaccinated at the event also got a $20 Players Retreat gift card.
For people who have already been vaccinated, starting June 8 from 4 to 8 p.m., the PR is registering customers at the restaurant by showing their vaccine card. Those who register will get a PR button that says “I am vaxxed,” and be eligible for a drawing for a $1,000 gift card or a full scotch club membership, which normally runs $1,500 is good for dozens of whiskey pours.
“If you have the button, you can just walk in,” Gusler said.
Beyond the vaccine policy, Gusler said the restaurant removed glass windows along the outside and installed new collapse-able windows that can be opened up.
“Just trying to get fresh air circulating,” Gusler said.
For those who haven’t been vaccinated, outdoor dining will be available.
This story was originally published June 2, 2021 at 10:00 AM.
