Talley Student Union is the heartbeat of NC State’s campus; a place where students eat, study and connect. As the campus community continues to grow, finding a free table during the lunchtime rush or a quiet spot for a group project can be a challenge. To give students more of the space they need, NC State Student Centers is transforming the third-floor 1887 Bistro from a traditional restaurant into an open-access community hangout: The 1887 Lounge.
The 1887 Lounge provides space to eat, study and connect.
Following a summer transition period, the space will officially celebrate its grand opening as a student lounge on August 17, 2026.
The new 1887 Lounge is designed to give students a premium spot to slow down and recharge: they can study, catch up with friends, eat food brought from home or enjoy a meal from any of the dining options downstairs.
Here is what’s new about the space:
- Summer and Orientation Hours: During the current summer transition, the lounge is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for orientation and student use.
- Bistro Favorites Aren’t Gone: Signature items from the original 1887 Bistro menu will be popping up at other dining locations across campus this fall.
- Event Reservations: While the room’s primary job is to serve as open student seating, campus groups can still reserve the venue for special events on a limited basis through the Student Centers’ event request form.
- More Ways to Sit: The Bistro’s popular high-top community tables have already been relocated to the outdoor patio spaces right next to One Earth, giving students more ways to enjoy the campus weather.
Adapting for the Future
This transformation is part of a larger, coordinated effort to expand student seating and prepare for upcoming renovations at One Earth, Talley’s premier dining location.
“Talley Student Union is central to student life, and as our Pack grows, our spaces have to evolve too,” said TJ Willis, associate director of building services. “Repurposing this square footage into the 1887 Lounge is all about listening to what students actually need—more flexible, open areas to study and gather—while redirecting our dining resources where they will make the biggest daily impact.”
Further updates on the long-term design aesthetic of the 1887 Lounge and the construction timelines for the One Earth expansion will be shared with the university community as they become available.