Longbranch of Raleigh

Came here with a group of friends and with me being the only one married it was awkward that guys kept approaching me. It was then even more awkward when a woman did! (Though very entertaining, lol.) The dance floor was DEAD and the DJ played nothing but Pitbull. I must have texted 10 different requests for different artists and he just kept on with the Enrique and Pitbull. Why bother? I’m not into line dancing or country but when I glanced over to that room it seemed more alive than the one we were in. My mother in law swears she has the best time here but honedtly I’m not sure how! Lol.

As a promoter who works often with the ever-​changing Longbranch, I get a very unique view.
The venue, once branded as a county venue, is that no longer — the barbed wire, cow skull, and cowboy hat are gone from the logo, and the stigma will soon be gone from the entire entertainment complex.
Working closely with the owners, the venue is now being upgraded to Raleigh’s home for electronic music with re-​enforced sound, lighting, lasers, and effects, as well as general improvements to the bar to make it upscale — improvements ALL live music and club acts are sure to benefit from.
That does not mean the prices will rise however — the venue is being more and more competitive with drink specials and ticket prices as the renovations bring in extra profit and a larger crowd.
2013 is going to be a huge year for the Longbranch Complex.
(P.S.: Smoking IS allowed on the two patio areas without having to worry about any re-​entry issues, as well as outside the venue with free re-​entry for over 21+s)

Longbranch is one of the larger venues in Raleigh. With a capacity of 3500, on paper it is the largest indoor venue in Raleigh next to the PNC Arena.
The problem is, it’s not that big. Longbranch only boasts a larger capacity due to several connected rooms. But, the actual area around the main stage is significantly smaller than the nearby The Ritz (Disco Rodeo); Longbranch doesn’t have a balcony.
At a Girl Talk show in September 2012, you had to wait a little while to get a drink at the main bar. But, the side bars could serve you almost immediately.
The sound system on the main stage isn’t that good, especially when compared to dedicated music venues like Lincoln Theater or King’s Barcade.
The parking lot surrounding the venue is big, and they don’t charge to park. Unfortunately you might find yourself waiting a long time to get out if you are parked further away from the door.
I don’t think I will be back, unless it’s a band I am dying to see. This venue needs a refresh.
If you’re going to Longbranch for the country line dancing, or any other nonsense they have here, you may want to look at another review.

I go here often and I love this place. The people are great although the drinks can be pricey. There are 3 bars in one and always something cool going on. However this weekend was dead cause it was a holiday and everyone went to the beach. I love the DJ and some of the bands that come through are decent. For me it is how amazing the clientele is.

gritty, grungy, big old building packed full of people out to enjoy the evening. Drinks, beers… all ok. My expectations were not high and yours should not be either, this is a place where you come and expect a little grit, but in return you get to have a fun time with a load of people celebrating the night. Just straight up fun time home spun bar/​nightclub/​danceclub. Oh yeah the people watching is top-​notch, many many strange rangers floating around this joint

I’ve been to the Longbranch both before its closing and after its remodel and reopening. Here are a few thoughts on the before and after:
Pros: Country side feels more open and still has the large dance floor; bartenders and entrance staff are still friendly; some wonderful people still go there, so you can still have a good time because of them
Cons: Top 40 side dance floor needs to be resurfaced; what used to be the «Red Room» — a cozy hangout nook with booth seating where they hosted karaōke and had a small dance floor — now lacks definition and feels like wasted space; under the same management, the space just doesn’t live up to its hype and potential.

The Longbranch has been around Raleigh for quite some time, and has undergone quite a few changes along the way. Originally known as simply the Longbranch, it was a country bar and nothing else. Since then, it has expanded into 4 different bars in the same building, and added «Entertainment Complex» to its name. In that time, its popularity seems to have faded quite a bit, and it’s usually not the packed house you would always find in days of old.
For the most part, the LEC is your typical dance-​club atmosphere. The country bar and the top 40 bar each have very large dance floors. On weekend nights, the dance floors can vary from a handful of dancers to tightly packed. The music is your basic club-​mix style, nothing new there. There are also a disco bar and karaōke bar, but I’ve never actually been into either of them yet.
Drink prices are somewhat reasonable, even though they are sometimes a little weak. There are multiple drink counters within the complex, but some of them close early or aren’t open at all some nights.
Longbranch has variety that you won’t find in many other clubs… other than that, there’s really not a whole lot to make it stand out from the crowd.