45 Best Bars in Durham

“Little Bull has made a staple in Durham for quite some time - but recently just moved! They’re in a great location at the downtown square. The newly renovated building is beautiful inside with a cozy outdoor rooftop patio.
The food is delicious for lunch - very closely tied to what aaktun feels/delivers on.
The flavors are bright and savory and rich through each dish. Everything comes together nicely and is fresh. Highly recommend checking out the new location!“

“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“

“Went here for late night drinks with friends and really enjoyed it!

It has three different areas that have different vibes to them without feeling disconnected. Inside there is more dancing bar feel, the lower outdoor area is more of a chill bar area, and the upper areas is great with the rooftop bar. So depending on your mood, this is kind of a one stop shop.“

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

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

“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.“

“Awesome beer selection, atmosphere & live music!“

“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“

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

“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.“

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

“We love Motorco because it’s a small venue with affordable tickets. Standing room only with a few stadium bench seats on one side. The best thing is that it’s part large outside patio bar + open air inside bar/restaurant + indoor music venue. Great food, drinks, service and people! It’s also close to other bars and restaurants in a cool little neighborhood.“

“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).“

“Recently discovered this place the last few months and have enjoyed coming here for drinks. There was this place in NYC that had Pickletini and I had to try it here as I haven't seen it anywhere else. While it was good, it was too pickley for more, they have other cocktails on their menu that I've enjoyed as alternatives.

Overall, good place to have a lowkey hang out night.

(See pictures in Photos section)“

“great scene, great beverages, super chill“

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

“Bralie’s Sports Bar is hands down one of the best spots around for great food, fun, and entertainment. The food is outstanding every time — fresh, flavorful, and way better than you would expect from a sports bar. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick meal or spending the night with friends, the menu never disappoints.

The customer service is equally impressive. The staff is always friendly, attentive, and welcoming, making the atmosphere feel comfortable and relaxed from the moment you walk in.

What really sets Bralie’s apart is the entertainment. There’s always something going on during nights and weekends, making it a perfect place to catch a game, enjoy live entertainment, or just have a great night out. Highly recommend checking this place out if you want excellent food, great service, and a fun atmosphere all in one spot.“

“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“

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

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

“Coffee martini is the best“

“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“

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

“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“

“Visiting Weldon Mills Distillery was truly an unforgettable experience. The tour was nothing short of amazing — not only was it incredibly educational, but it was also engaging from start to finish. You can really feel the passion and craftsmanship behind every step of their process, and the guides do a fantastic job of bringing the history and science of distilling to life. Customer service was top notch. Everyone we met was warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable, making us feel right at home the moment we walked in. It’s clear that the staff genuinely care about the quality of their product and the experience of their guests. And the drinks? Absolutely incredible. Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon lover or just curious to try something new, their spirits are smooth, flavorful, and expertly crafted. Each pour tells a story, and it’s clear why Weldon Mills is earning a reputation as one of the best distilleries in the region. Highly recommend this stop to anyone traveling through North Carolina — you won’t be disappointed.“

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

“Amazing place, had a great time. I did have a problem with them taking my water bottle, and how some of the games cost a lot of money, and that they don't have food, which I should've expected since it is just a bar and arcade. But they allow you to get food from next door stores.“

“Food was good and served quick. Service was outstanding. We sat in the bar area and our server was quick“

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

“My daughter had her birthday party here in one of the private rooms (GENIUS!) and it was one of the best nights of her life! There is nothing that could have made the night a better experience for her. Thank you for offering this service!“

“Our first time dining here and definitely won’t be our last. Everything was exceptional best fries, delicious beet salad. Great gluten free options. Staff super friendly and efficient. Atmosphere was jazzy cool. Our waiter Ryan was great and made the best Arnold Palmers. 10 stars“

“Great place for beer and pool.“

“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“

“Had very relaxing time with family. The food was enjoyable.“

“Lunch yesterday Cesar salad vert good Eggplant parm excellent Pasta with meatballs excellent Pasta cooked as requested al dente---sauce very good Will be going back Best eggplant parm we had in the triangle Worth a trip for lunch or dinner“

“ordered 2 pizzas one was gluten-free. we were pleased and tried 2 appetizers and both desserts. thank you our expectations were met.“

“I have ordered several custom cakes for special occasions and they have all been delicious! I have a gluten and dairy intolerance and they do an amazing job accommodating both and taking the time to discuss with me my options for cake, frosting and filling flavors. The rest of my family (who can eat gluten and dairy) even LOVE these cakes. They say that they can't tell the difference! The chocolate cake is our favorite.“

“Had the brisket and bbq platter and it was good. I’m stuffed!“

“Fabulous food-great vibe-amazing staff! Love stopping in. What a gem to stumble across.“

“As someone who’s from Philly and came here for a festival that got cancelled (sadly, F Blue ridge rock fest!!🙄) we came here because we heard it was a good place to watch the eagles game and it definitely delivered !!! The vibes and the great energy made it feel like we were back home and definitely the spot to catch the game. & the food was fantastic as well. If I’d ever be back in the area, I’d for sure come back here for a game & some good food!“

“Just delicious and fantastic staff“