37 Best Bars in Durham

“Absolutely Outstanding. I heard after about the Michelin nod. We are new to town and have been so pleased wit the quality of fine dining and innovation in this small city. We look forward to many more opportunities to experience what was a flawless dining experience at Little Bull. Delicious.“

“Recently visited this location for a team building activity. Our instructor was knowledgeable, engaging, and made sure everyone in our group felt comfortable. They gave us tips on technique, safety, and helped us organize a tournament. Highly recommended for any organization or group of friends looking for a unique and competitive experience!“

“I love Ally 26, the atmosphere is wonderful. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable. The drink selection creative with many great options to choose from.“

“Great fun with the family“

“Lovely bar with delicious beers. Lots of games and comfy seating and dog-friendly!“

“Great atmosphere fun, friendly staff. Drinks were on point. We loved the Apple Bottom Jeans and Winter Crème Brûlée both were absolutely delish😋“

“I’ve been here many times and always had a wonderful experience. The people ahbe great energy and the atmosphere is absolutely top notch. This is an incredible spot in Durham and you should go check it out whenever you can, as often as possible.“

“Great food, drinks, service and atmosphere. Very small and intimate. Loved the ambiance“

“Awesome beer selection, atmosphere & live music!“

“My partner and I recently did a wine tasting event with the owner, Esteban, and loved it. He was super engaging, unpretentious, and informative. The tasting was appropriate for both a casual drinker and sommelier level, since it was a small group and he was able to tailor his commentary accordingly. The wines selected are those that I would have not been exposed to otherwise which was a real treat - I feel like the tasting opened up a door into a new world for us!

It would be really great if they would start offering a bit more food service (e.g., bread and butter, cheese, etc), even if it’s super limited. I know I would come more often if I could get a little nibble with my drink.“

“My party came for the affordable drinks, I came for chicken wings. The chef cooks the wings to perfection, I had to ask the waitress to thank him for us, the chef came out shook our hand and gave us a few cooking secrets. If you're ever in the neighborhood stop in for some good wings and affordable drinks!“

“Had a great time!! The bartender was very helpful in choosing different wines. I really enjoyed the DJ.“

“We had a wonderful time and the beer was great. Ben the bartender made our visit even better. Can’t wait to go back.“

“A true rock club. What a great venue! Having grown up in the DC/metro Maryland area and having been a regular at The Black Cat, 9:30 Club, 8x10 and Ottobar - this place gets it! Its a perfect combination of dark, raw with an amazing sound system and the perfect size. Cool layout with the ability to get out of the performance area and into a more casual space if you need to. Hip bartenders and staff. Love it!!!!!“

“We had an afternoon of Whiskey tasting. it was absolutely incredible the guy (Duke) was so knowledgeable about everything whiskey. We tried 6 completely different but all incredible whiskeys (well except the Ardberg).“

“Good time with friends and games. Grab a nice drink its chill

Vegetarian options: Yes

Dietary restrictions: No

Parking: Brightleaf

Kid-friendliness: Yes

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“A little expensive but the vibes and overall atmosphere is amazing we wanted to show up for their Read and Sip event but accidentally came a week early. Had an amazing time chatted with the staff, they had amazing cocktails as well as mocktails and even offered to change the music for us since we all came in to read. We declined but they did play some calm tracks while we were there which was super considerate on their part definitely going again“

“The owners, staff, regular patrons and newer customers are what Durham and Orange County are all about..Fun, Friends, and an owner who can win all dance contests that are held to raise money for the many different charities and community needs that need local support. Thank you, Milkcarton“

“My band played here last night, and we were treated with fabulous hospitality and warm vibes! The cocktails were fantastic and the bartender had a great personality. The ambience is just perfect and we would definitely return as patrons AND as musicians to this cool little spot <3“

“Had a killer time watching the Rattletraps last night! Bar is cool, funky, cozy. Awesome staff and a great sound system.“

“Great food, drinks, service and atmosphere. Very small and intimate. Loved the ambiance“

“Staff is super friendly, drinks are very reasonably priced, food is great on its own (and a lot better than what you’d expect from a bar - sorry if that comes across as a backhanded compliment 😅), and there is a wide selection of arcade games that are a ton of fun. It’s become one of my favorite places to go in Durham!“

“My teenager’s wisdom teeth were removed so I was looking for a good smoothie nearby so he could have something soft and nutritious to ingest. I chose to try this shop to also support local ownership and I’m glad I did. Very friendly and helpful customer service. I bought a NY Cheesecake smoothie for him and blueberry for me. It was so delicious and filling for the afternoon. I meant to take a picture of my smoothie 🤦🏾‍♀️, maybe next time.“

“First time! Met a friend for a working lunch. I’ll be back!!“

“I was a big fan of The Accordion Club back when it was still around and was quite sad when it closed. BUT it has been reborn as Old North Bar and WOW! Still has a lot of the same vibe as Accordion... but it's even better now. The cocktails are top notch and the prices are great. The bartenders are super nice and attentive. More seating than before. The Low Life special is, well, pretty special. Everybody seemed to having a really great time last night. The energy of the place is great.“

“Right in the center of town and basically everything! Come check it out.“

“Awesome indoor and outdoor seating options, cool vintage interior touches. Always an interesting selection of draft beers, plus basic shots & classy cocktails.“

“Coffee martini is the best“

“The food is delicious. My blacked pulled chicken torta was moist and full of flavor. You should definitely try the place out.“

“Definitely recommend Doyle's! Great place and great people. Get you pool game on or just hang out at the bar if that's your thing. The bar tender is awesome!“

“Queereoke was a lot of fun, great tunes, lots of dancing, and fun people.“

“Great place for beer and pool.“

“It was our first time going today and it certainly won't be the last! we loved everything about this place. The staff is wonderful, helpful, and very kind. she explained everything well and let us extend our reservation for another hour. Prices are very reasonable especially if you come with friends and split. the room was very comfortable and we all enjoyed having fun together.“

“We were in town for a show at the Carolina. We walked in and had a lovely surprise .. a great meal and good atmosphere. Next time we are town we will come back.“

“I want to express praise and gratitude to Desmond at the Durham Hotel. I had been calling the rooftop restaurant for a couple of weeks to try and modify a reservation for a birthday party and after five or six attempts, they had not called me back. I eventually called the hotel and Desmond answered and even though it is completely separate and outside of his job responsibilities, he took down all my information and reached out to them on my behalf . Desmond was able to modify my reservation so that I did not have to drive down there an hour each way. He was very professional and I enjoyed talking with him. He is definitely in the right line of work because I felt like I was talking to a friend. Details matter, and Customer Service should still matter. Thank you, Desmond!! Sincerely, William / reservation 9546“

“In my opinion the best Indian restaurant in our area. The food was interesting and well cooked. We will visit again.“