A night at the theater or symphony in Raleigh deserves more than a rushed dinner or a quick pre-show snack. The right meal before the curtain rises can set the tone for the entire evening, turning a night at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts into a complete night out.
Located in Raleigh’s vibrant Glenwood South district, Sullivan’s Steakhouse is convenient spot for dining near the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. With an upscale yet welcoming atmosphere, Prime steaks, fresh seafood, handcrafted cocktails, and attentive service, Sullivan’s makes it easy to slow down and enjoy dinner before or after the show.
If you’re searching for the best restaurants near Martin Marietta Center, here’s why Sullivan’s Steakhouse is worth making part of your next Raleigh night out.
Catching a Show at the Martin Marietta Center? Make Dinner Part of the Night
The Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts) is one of downtown Raleigh’s premier destinations for world-class live entertainment. The complex is home to four venues—including Meymandi Concert Hall and Memorial Auditorium—and hosts Broadway productions, concerts, symphony performances, theater, dance, ballet, and other special events throughout the year.
Instead of treating dinner as something to squeeze in before the show, make it part of the experience. When you choose one of the restaurants near Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, you can start the evening with a leisurely meal, raise a glass with your companions, and arrive at your performance feeling relaxed and ready for the night.
The Perfect Spot Before or After the Performance
Whether you’re attending a Broadway show, symphony performance, concert, or special event, a great meal can make the occasion feel even more memorable. Sullivan’s provides the kind of polished steakhouse experience that works equally well for a date night, celebration, dinner with friends, or an evening with family.
With the Martin Marietta Center located at 2 East South Street, just off Fayetteville St and near City Plaza, in downtown Raleigh, the surrounding area makes it easy to combine live entertainment with dining and other downtown activities.
Skip the Pre-Show Rush
Pre-theater dining doesn’t have to mean rushing through dinner while watching the clock. Sullivan’s offers a relaxed setting where you can settle in, enjoy a cocktail, order dinner, and take your time before heading to Meymandi Concert Hall or Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.
For those searching for restaurants near Meymandi Concert Hall or restaurants near Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Sullivan’s offers an upscale option in nearby Glenwood South when you want more than a quick bite to eat before the show.
An Elevated Steakhouse Experience in Downtown Raleigh
When you’re looking for restaurants near Martin Marietta Center, location matters—but so does the experience. Sullivan’s Steakhouse combines the energy of Glenwood South with the timeless appeal of a classic American steakhouse.
The Raleigh restaurant is located at 410 Glenwood Avenue in the historic Creamery Building, putting guests in the heart of one of downtown Raleigh’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Conveniently Located in Glenwood South
Sullivan’s is centrally located in Glenwood South, making it a neighborhood staple for a night that includes dinner, a performance, and everything in between. The neighborhood is known for its Southern cuisine, gastropubs, craft breweries, nightlife, shopping, galleries, and entertainment, giving you plenty to explore before or after your reservation.
That convenient location makes Sullivan’s a particularly appealing choice for visitors staying at downtown Raleigh hotels as well as locals looking to make an evening downtown feel a little more special.
Ideal for Date Nights & Special Occasions
A performance is already an occasion. Add an elegant dinner, a bottle of wine, and a memorable dessert, and you have a night worth celebrating.
Sullivan’s offers an inviting setting for:
- Date nights before a concert or Broadway show
- Birthday and anniversary dinners
- Dinner with friends before a performance
- Family celebrations
- Pre-show gatherings and special occasions
- Dinner and drinks after the curtain falls
Whether you’re dressing up for a special night or simply looking for a great dinner downtown, Sullivan’s delivers an experience that feels elevated, yet comfortably casual.
Prime Steaks, Fresh Seafood & Signature Favorites
At Sullivan’s, the menu gives you plenty of reasons to make dinner part of the evening. The restaurant’s Raleigh menu features hand-cut Prime steaks, fresh seafood, starters, salads, signature sides, desserts, and more.
For guests looking for restaurants near Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, Sullivan’s offers a menu that can accommodate everything from a full steakhouse dinner to a few shared plates, signature dishes, and cocktails.
USDA Prime Steaks Cooked to Perfection
For the quintessential steakhouse experience, start with one of Sullivan’s signature cuts. From tender filet mignon to rich bone-in ribeye and classic New York strip, the menu offers steakhouse favorites suited to a celebratory dinner or a sophisticated night out.
Pair your steak with your choice of sauce, signature butter, and a selection of elevated sides for a dinner that makes the meal feel like an event in itself.
Fresh Seafood & Shareable Starters
Not everyone at the table has to order steak. Sullivan’s menu also features fresh seafood and shareable starters, making it easy to build a meal around a variety of dishes, pleasing every diner at the table.
Begin with seafood favorites such as tempura lobster tails or charbroiled oysters bursting with flavor from Cajun butter, lemon, and Parmesan, or choose a classic salad before moving on to your entrée.
Whether you dine as a couple or gather with a group before a performance, sharing a few starters is an easy way to make dinner feel more social and relaxed.
Cocktails, Fine Wine & Happy Hour Before the Show
For many theatergoers, the evening starts with a drink. Sullivan’s bar and lounge offers a lively, cozy place to meet friends, enjoy a handcrafted cocktail, or settle in for a glass of wine before heading downtown for a performance.
Sullivan’s Raleigh also offers Happy Hour Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with bar bites starting at $10.
Handcrafted Cocktails & Award-Winning Wines
A well-made cocktail or thoughtfully selected wine can be the perfect beginning to a night at the theater. Sullivan’s offers an extensive beverage selection designed to complement its steakhouse menu, from signature cocktails and bourbon pours to a curated wine list.
For a special occasion, start with a specialty cocktail before dinner, pair your entrée with wine, or end the evening with a nightcap and dessert.
The Perfect Place to Gather Before the Curtain
Meeting friends before a show? The Sullivan’s bar provides an energetic setting to gather before heading to the venue. It’s an easy way to turn “let’s grab a drink before the show” into the first part of the evening.
And if you’re searching for restaurants near Meymandi Concert Hall, a stop at Sullivan’s gives your group an opportunity to connect over drinks and dinner before the lights go down.
Why Sullivan’s Is a Top Dining Destination Near Downtown Raleigh
There are plenty of restaurants downtown, but Sullivan’s isn’t one to overlook when you want more than convenience from a pre-show meal. It should feel like a destination in its own right.
Sullivan’s brings together an upscale atmosphere, Prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature cocktails, fine wine, and Southern hospitality—all in the heart of Glenwood South.
Close to Raleigh’s Top Attractions
Sullivan’s location makes it easy to build an entire evening around your reservation. After dinner, head to the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts for a concert, Broadway production, or other live performance, or explore more of downtown Raleigh before or after your show.
The Martin Marietta Center hosts performances across four venues, including Meymandi Concert Hall, Memorial Auditorium, A.J. Fletcher Opera Hall, and Kennedy Theatre, making it a major part of Raleigh’s cultural scene.
For visitors, Sullivan’s is also conveniently situated near downtown Raleigh hotels, entertainment districts, shopping, nightlife, and other attractions, including the Raleigh Convention Center and Red Hat Amphitheater—both within walking distance of downtown hotels—with convenient parking nearby.
Visit Sullivan’s Steakhouse Before Your Next Show
The next time you’re searching for restaurants near Martin Marietta Center, reserve a table and make dinner part of the experience. Sullivan’s Steakhouse offers an elevated setting for enjoying Prime steaks, fresh seafood, handcrafted cocktails, fine wine, and exceptional hospitality before or after a performance.
Whether you’re attending a concert at Meymandi Concert Hall, a Broadway production at Memorial Auditorium, or another special event at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, Sullivan’s is a natural choice for dinner in downtown Raleigh.
Explore the best steakhouse in Raleigh and discover the full Sullivan’s Steakhouse menu.
Ready to make dinner part of the evening? Book a reservation in Raleigh and make your next night at the theater one to remember.
