36 Best Bars in Durham

“Brought my wife here for her birthday. It was our first time dining at Little Bull and the food and service were a 13/10! We ordered three tapas plates: The broccolini, arepas, and barbacoa which was plenty of food for the two of us, and some cocktails. Everything was a homerun! Bonus points to our server (Xavier) and the kitchen as my wife has Celiac and they quickly confirmed that the items on the menu marked 'GF' that also included soy sauce were prepared with gluten free soy sauce (we've been places that use regular soy sauce which contains wheat, and it can be problematic for folks with celiac). The *only* note I have about the experience was that it was a little loud in the room; likely a function of whatever restaurant trend has been going on for the past decade where minimalist, untreated/hard surfaces (i.e., concrete) and high ceilings just allow a usual level of din to ricochet off all the walls, doors, and tables. At times we had difficulty hearing our server (and others who came by to check on the table). We could've asked the staff to speak up but I don't think we wanted the reminder that our old ears need the extra accommodation :^P This did *not* impact our enjoyment of the food nor the evening, and we will definitely be back (and hopefully soon)“

“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.“

“The Velvet Hippo is exactly the kind of place that makes you feel like you accidentally stumbled into your new favorite hangout. We dropped in on a Sunday because (a) they’re proudly LGBTQ+ inclusive, and (b) they allow dogs—which, let’s be real, is a massive win for any spot in Florida heat.

First impression?
Packed. But in a good way. The energy was high, the patio was buzzing, and every table felt like the cool kids' table. It was one of those effortlessly fun environments where you can’t help but vibe along.

Food-wise:
I went with the tostadas, which were absolutely brimming with flavor—crispy, fresh, and loaded with toppings that weren’t just filler. My husband ordered the Cuban sliders, and full disclosure: I immediately regretted not doing the same. They were juicy, savory, and had us doing the polite “just one more bite?” dance until the plate was clean.

Drinks:
His old fashioned? A+—perfectly balanced and smooth. This isn’t one of those bars that half-asses the cocktail game. They know what they’re doing.

Would we go back?
Without hesitation. Great food, great drinks, a fun and inclusive crowd, and our dog was treated like royalty. If you’re in St. Pete and want something casual but full of personality, The Velvet Hippo is the move.

Pro tips:

* Get there early on Sundays—it gets crowded fast.
* Order the Cuban sliders. Trust me.
* Patio is dog-friendly, so bring your pup for bonus smiles.“

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

“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.“

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

“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!“

“Great fun with the family“

“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“

“Awesome beer selection, atmosphere & live music!“

“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!“

“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).“

“Most underrated venue in the area. More artists need to come here! Palace, TOPS, and Slow Pulp were all amazing. Some seating is available (first come first serve) and the bartenders are fast to work through the line. Grab a meal at Parts & Labor before going.“

“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“

“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“

“One day my daughter called me, (knowing that Skeeball is both of our favorite arcade games), and said Boxcar is having a Skeeball tournament on Wednesday, do you want to go… I said sure! That was two and a half years ago, and excluding vacations and surgeries, we’ve played every Wednesday since! We love the place!! I’m not only really fortunate to get to hang out with my daughter for a few hours having fun playing the game we love. But the employees there have become friends. They’re all great people! Friendly and professional! Especially Malik and Crews, but honestly all of them!
Just solid good folks! The food is surprisingly on a level I wasn’t expecting… excellent! And the bartenders bust their butts to get you served… I love this place!! And my favorite day and hi lights of the week is Wednesdays of course because of Skeeball at Boxcar!! Thanks so much for what you do!
We’ve even made friends with the regulars who come on Wednesdays to play Skeeball!
Is just a great and friendly atmosphere!!
And a second thanks to Malik for bringing the fun, and making it happen!
I would and do recommend Boxcar to everyone who wants to have a great time in downtown Durham! The best!! 😋❤️👍🏻“

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

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

“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.“

“Coffee martini is the best“

“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“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“The security for the living room is brilliant, they were so welcoming and it’s the best place for a night out. They recommended the Camden pub afterwards, but the Camden refused us on the door because we weren’t 23.“

“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.“