New restaurant and entertainment venue Ray's opens June 28th in Talladega
June 25, 2025
(Talladega, AL) Ray's Lounge, an exciting new restaurant and entertainment venue located at 228 Battle Street W. in Talladega, will open on Saturday, June 28, at 11 a.m.
Owners Charles "Ray" and Tangie Smith will host a festive grand opening celebration July 11 - 12. Highlights will include a performance by The Voice contestant Berritt Haynes; a comedy show with Ala Bama, who has been featured on MTV and Showtime at the Apollo; a fun-filled Karaoke night; and delicious food.
“Talladega holds a special place in our hearts - it's my husband's hometown, and a place we visit often. One day, during a visit, we wanted to go out for a bite to eat, enjoy some live entertainment, maybe a comedy show or movie, but we didn't want to drive far,” said Tangie Smith.
The Smiths realized that Talladega was the perfect place to establish the dining and entertainment spot they longed to visit — a place where people could grab lunch, kick back after work, dine with friends, and enjoy live entertainment.
City Manager Derrick Swanson and local business leader Cara Smith recently chatted with the Smiths about their business. Both were thrilled about a new business opening in Talladega.
"Ray’s Lounge will enrich our city by providing an exciting new dining and entertainment option, increasing foot traffic downtown, creating jobs, and contributing to our city’s economic vitality," said City Manager Derrick Swanson.
Cara Smith also expressed her excitement about the new venue, saying, "Congratulations to Ray’s Lounge on their upcoming grand opening! I’m thrilled to see such a great addition to our community!"