A Guide to Bars & Nightlife in Durham
Durham's vibrant bars and nightlife spots keep the party going strong with the best music, drinks and atmosphere around. The city comes alive when the sun goes down.
Call a babysitter. Gather all your friends. You're overdue for a night out on the town.
When it comes to nightlife, Durham has plenty of options to match your perfect evening mood. From late-night eats and dive bars to celebrated craft cocktails and venues hosting nationally touring acts and homegrown bands, the Bull City's energy will keep pace with you through the wee hours. Night owls rejoice – it's time to responsibly enjoy all that Durham has to offer.
Alert: Due to water conservation requirements under the City of Durham's Stage 2 Water Shortage response, restaurants have been asked to serve drinking water only when a customer asks for it. Customers should be advised that, although some aspects of service may look a little different, drinking water is available.
Enjoy The Social District
"The Bullpen," Durham's social district, is an open container-friendly district that allows you to order to-go drinks from participating bars and restaurants and enjoy them as you walk throughout the area until 10 p.m., entering other participating businesses along the way. Within less than a mile, you'll find a wide range of options with "ground-to-glass" cocktails, innovative flavors and so much more inside the district's boundaries. Navigate downtown more easily with The Bull Ride, a free ride service operating from 4:30 p.m. until midnight, Thursday through Saturday. Call 919.682.BULL to request a ride, or simply wave down the purple six-seater golf cart when you see it. No drinks are allowed on The Bull Ride. We've got all the details on the best ways to enjoy the social district and what to know before you go.
Durham's Most Award-Winning Craft Cocktail Bars
Since at least 2012, Durham's craft cocktail scene has set a tone of excellence. With a focus on local ingredients and equal appreciation for creativity, innovation, and skillfully made classics, our cocktail bars are a microcosm of Durham itself: boldly defiant, ever changing and never changing. These downtown spots have led the way in establishing Durham's reputation as a craft beverage town, and there are even more bars where you can find great drinks, including restaurant bar menus.
Alley Twenty Six
320 E. Chapel Hill St.
Starting in 2012, Alley Twenty Six can take credit for setting the high bar for craft cocktails in downtown Durham and was the first in the state to be a James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Bar Program. You won't want to miss a drink made with their hand-crafted tonic on a Durham trip; regular events like Whiskey Wednesdays will keep you informed and entertained. Feeling snacky after dark? In addition to the amazing cocktails, Alley Twenty Six also offers food from a late night menu until close.
Kingfisher
321 E. Chapel Hill St.
An instant classic, Kingfisher gained national acclaim as one of the best new cocktail bars in the country in 2019, and was the second bar in the state to be nominated for the James Beard Awards' Outstanding Bar Program category. Cozy up in one of the private booths and sip on drinks like the Bee Durham with honey-infused Conniption Navy Strength Gin from Durham Distillery. Want some fresh air? Step out onto the patio garden out back where you can grab a drink from the Roadrunner, a retro camper bar parked out back.
Downtown Distillery-Owned Cocktail Bars
Durham's distilleries are making their mark on the cocktail scene locally and beyond. With award-winning spirits made using inventive techniques and high-quality ingredients on their menus, Durham- and NC-based distilleries are lending their expertise to hospitality and mixology at their own bars and tasting rooms.
Conniption Bar & Lounge
715 Washington St. Suite B
Conniption Bar and Lounge, located beneath Durham Distillery's Washington Street space is designed to showcase Durham Distillery & Conniption Gins and other spirits at their best. Enjoy a cocktail along with shareable snacks often made in collaboration with local chefs and bakers.
Liberty & Plenty Distillery
609 B Foster St.
Sip Liberty & Plenty's Slate Belt Vodka, Bronze Bull Whiskey and Rye, Cap & Cane Rum and more with cocktails mixed feet from the source. The distillery occupies a space adjacent to The Rickhouse event space on Foster Street and offers a welcoming outdoor patio with comfortable seating and occasional live music. Owner Tina Williford joins Durham Distillery's Melissa Katrincic as Durham's second woman to own a distillery.
Weldon Mills
300 E. Main St. #001
Another spot with its entrance around the back of the building, this subterranean cocktail bar and tasting room is for the bourbon connoisseurs. Weldon Mills was founded in its namesake NC town and expanded to Durham for its second location. Enjoy well-made cocktails, bourbon tastings, live music and a rentable private event space.
Pick Up a Craft Beverage Guide
Stop by the Visitor Info Center at 212 W. Main St. to pick up our handy pocket guide, Durham Drinks: A Craft Beverage Guide to Durham. Read it to learn about more of the best spots to enjoy craft beverages in Durham, including even more great cocktail bars, restaurants with great cocktail menus, bars with activities and even non-alcoholic mocktail options. You can also fill out a form to request one by mail so you can get familiar with the scene before your visit.
Bars with Speakeasy Vibes
There are times when an air of secrecy makes your cocktail taste even better. Impress your fellow travelers or guests with these spots that boast under-the-radar locations and enter a whole new world of fun when you cross the threshold. Kingfisher and Conniption Bar & Lounge, mentioned within other categories on this blog, also offer intimate settings and unassuming locations.
Arcana Bar and Lounge
331 W. Main St.
You'll be rewarded with a good time once you make your way to perhaps the hardest-to-find spot in Durham. With its entrance at the rear of its Main Street home, Arcana Bar and Lounge is your go-to if you're looking for a dance party or unique activities to accompany your cocktail. Depending on the night, you can sit for a tarot reading, practice your figure drawing skills, dance around a disco ball or relax with live music. One thing is certain – creative and tasty alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails are always on the menu.
The Bar Beej
202 Corcoran St.
Duck into Bar Beej for vintage Bollywood speakeasy vibes. Occupying the space adjoined to Cheeni, this James Beard-nominated bar serves creative cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks using ingredients and flavor inspiration from the kitchen at Cheeni.
Dashi Izakaya
415 E. Chapel Hill St.
When you approach Dashi on East Chapel Hill Street, you'll notice two doors sitting side-by-side. To the left, there's the street-level ramen shop. To the right, a staircase leads to the second-floor Izakaya, where Japanese small plates, elevated cocktails and an expansive sake menu are offered at the expansive bar and limited table seating.
Eve
108 E. Parrish St.
Walk through the door of Eve to transport yourself into a garden grown wild. The low lit atmosphere and plant-filled corners provide a perfect setting for intimate chats and group gatherings. Their cocktail list is full of classics as well as a full array of delectable signature drinks.
Delafia Wine Bar
1103 S. Roxboro St.
Delafia sits in a white brick building that used to be a barbershop on the outskirts of downtown. Specializing in natural wines, relaxed vibes and cozy atmosphere, this bar is a go to spot for any wine lover in town. Step up to the bar and order off their by-the-glass list, which rotates daily, or peruse their retail section for your next favorite bottle.
Downtown Durham Beer and Wine Bars
Aside from cocktails, there are plenty of options for beer and wine drinkers in the downtown area. Beyond spots with great beer and wine menus, scroll down to find Durham's breweries and sports bars, as well.
Pour Taproom
202 Corcoran St. #200
Pour offers a unique self-serve system that allows you to try a large variety of beer, cider, and wine on their patio at CCB Plaza. Perfect for groups and people watching, experimenting with new flavors and enjoying Durham's beautiful weather in the heart of downtown.
Durham Beer Garden
812 N. Mangum St.
The Durham Beer Garden offers indoor and outdoor seating, a full kitchen and, of course, a very robust beer list. Located on Mangum Street in the Old Five Points neighborhood, this bar provides visitors with a tucked-away-yet-fun and open atmosphere where you can have a pint and a burger while you socialize with friends, catch a game on the screen or play cards with friends.
West End Wine Bar and West End Billiards
601 W. Main St. Suites A and E
On the other side of downtown, West End Wine Bar is tucked away between downtown's city center and the Brightleaf District, featuring one of the area's largest wine-by-the-glass selections. West End Billiards, just next door, offers lots of entertainment with TVs, pool tables, bocce, and more in an industrial, brick-lined space.
LouElla Wine, Beer and Beverage
316 W. Geer St. Suite A
Equal parts wine shop, bar and community hangout, LouElla offers a large selection of wines, expertly curated craft and international beers and non-alcoholic options like Phony Negronis and hemp-infused drinks. Stop by in the afternoon or early evening to find crowds relaxing on the front patio and around the bar, pups in tow. Free wine tastings on Saturday afternoons always draw a lively group.
The Wine Feed
307 S. Roxboro St.
Start an evening at The Wine Feed where you can experience wines from around the world paired with great service. The Wine Feed, which has locations in Durham and Raleigh, offers monthly wine club subscriptions that educate and expand wine lovers' palates.
Prime Downtown Durham Hangouts
Some of Durham's most popular downtown bars offer more than great cocktails – from dance parties to people-watching to sunset views and cozy fireplaces.
The Velvet Hippo
119 Orange St. 3rd Floor
One of Durham's newest rooftop bar has an indoor/outdoor space that transforms into a ski lodge complete with a retro fireplace and outdoor heaters in the cooler months. Year round, expect creative cocktails and small plates and a dedicated menu of tomorrow-friendly, non-alcoholic drinks. The dog-friendly bar welcomes furry friends to the roof deck via a special entrance on Saturdays and Sundays, 12-6 p.m.
The Old North Bar
316 W. Geer St.
Step into the Old North Bar for the experience of having a drink at your home away from home. Equal parts neighborhood bar, cocktail lounge and all-around great hang spot, this bar is just where you want to be if you're looking for an unassuming spot that will satisfy the snobs in the group. Add in that you can grab a hot dog from Hawk Dogs out front on any given night, and Old North Bar becomes pretty hard to beat.
Remy's Lounge
347 W. Main St.
With its dark wood and tiled interior, Remy's Lounge is a relaxing watering hole with a drink menu offering a large variety of cocktails, beer, and wine. It also has delicious tacos available for dinner or a late night snack Tuesday through Saturday, or breakfast on Thursday and Friday. Its sidewalk tables offer prime real estate to see and be seen in the heart of downtown's five points.
Pizzeria Toro
105 E. Chapel Hill St.
While many recognize Pizzeria Toro for its excellent, wood-fired pies, others know its lesser-known side bar as a relaxing spot to hang out and grab a drink. They have an amazing wine list, full of Italian favorites, plus cocktails (the aperol margarita is a Durham favorite), beer, digestivos and more. Plus, if you do end up getting peckish, you can always order up a pizza.
Dance Parties in Downtown Durham
Club Era
305 S. Dillard St.
A new addition to Durham nightlife, Club Era is the Bull City's gay, queer, trans (and beyond) nightclub and bar. This club hosts regular and special events like dance parties, QueerEoke, holiday parties and more. Club Era is open Wednesday through Sunday for folks 18 and up to hang out and enjoy the community whether there is an event scheduled or not.
Rubies on Five Points
347 W Main St., Ste B
Owned by the innovative team behind Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas, Rubies is a lively upstairs bar and music venue that's open seven days a week. Keep an eye out for frequent DJ nights when the dance floor is packed with adults of all ages.
The Fruit
305 S. Dillard St.
Voted the best place to dance in the Triangle by Indy Week readers, The Fruit is where folks go to get down year round. With a stacked schedule of dance parties, concerts and other events, this spot always has something going on. The Fruit also hosts annual events like Slingshot Music Festival.
Aaktun
704 Ramseur St.
On Saturday nights, this Tulum-inspired cocktail bar stays open till midnight for late night dancing, DJ sets and more. Come here for an escapist experience complete with tiki drinks and good tunes. Keep an eye on their socials. Aaktun often announces special events and parties that will go until 2 in the morning.
Great Cocktail Bars Close to DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center
Have a craft cocktail before or after a show at DPAC without finding a new parking space.
Bar Virgile and Annexe
105 S. Mangum St. #1
Try hand-crafted concoctions at Bar Virgile. Boasting one of the largest spirit selections in the Triangle, Bar Virgile offers a wide variety of classic and modern cocktails with whiskey, gin, rum, tequila and mezcal, and other spirits. Find Bar Virgile's sister bar, Annexe, in the basement below. For those carrying on into the night, enjoy the familiar favorites like the French 75 or forgotten classics like the curacao-stained Blue Hawaiian, the Singapore Sling, and the Appletini. If you bring a record with you on Wednesday evenings, they'll even play it for you on the turntable.
The Waiting Room
300 Blackwell St. #100
This cozy bar at American Tobacco Campus was designed to be a place to relax before a dinner reservation or after a show at DPAC just across the street. With innovative signature cocktails like the Old Bull, made with Durham Distillery's Conniption Gin, mezcal, pineapple, lemon and orange, plus satisfying small plates and desserts, you can make a night of it here.
Primrose Bar and Lounge
111 W. Main St.
Pass through the rose-covered wall into the, well, rose-covered world of Primrose, where all your cocktail dreams await. This vibrant bar is known for its playful ambiance, comfy seating and amazing drinks. It's a great place to grab a cocktail after a show at DPAC or while on a Main Street stroll.
Durham Dive Bars with Great Beer Selections
If you're looking for a more laid-back vibe, sidle up to the bar with the regulars at divey spots downtown. You won't have to miss out on your favorite beverages.
106 Main
106 E. Main St.
Step off Main Street and into a bit of a time capsule. You'll find a wide selection of $4 craft beer and a chalkboard with a rotating list of $3 specials.
High Dive
101 W. Main St., Ste. 102
Tucked away in a basement off Main Street, this dive bar with upscale touches clearly did intend the pun in their name. High Dive has all the trappings of a typical dive, like bar games, local memorabilia, affordable drinks and food served from behind the bar, but with a few polished edges. Nachos with pickled jalapeños made in-house, a customized foosball table and a special cocktail list are just a few of the things you'll find here.
Kotuku Surf Club
703 Rigsbee Ave.
Open to those 23 and up, the bar offers plenty of outdoor seating, bocce courts, pool, shuffleboard and an impressive rotating selection of draft beer and food trucks and a constant stream of music videos, sports and cult classics on the TVs.
Other Excellent Durham Dives
Outside of downtown, there are more neighborhood spots where you can find your own place where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came.
West 94th St. Pub
4711 Hope Valley Rd. # 6C
This South Durham pub has karaoke every Friday, with a loyal following. Regular trivia nights, solid pub food and sports on TV make it a fun a comfortable watering hole.
DJ's Dive
3219 Old Chapel Hill Rd.
Off University Drive, in what used to be Doyle's Sports Bar, you'll find this newer sports, arcade and billiards bar. It's a true dive where there's a crowd of friendly regulars.
The Green Room
1108 Broad St.
Made famous for scenes in the movie Bull Durham, The Green Room is a longtime Durham haunt with pool tables on Broad Street.
Dain's Place
754 Ninth St.
Ninth Street's neighborhood pub, Dain's is a popular stop for burgers and tots, sports on the TVs and a wide selection of beer and simple cocktails.
Bars in the Brightleaf District
In the Brightleaf District, you have your pick of local favorites. Within a few short blocks, you can have a great cocktail, enjoy a plate of nachos or wings with a beer, join a dance party, and watch a football game with a crowd.
The Federal
914 W. Main St.
The Fed offers drool-worthy nachos, Buffalo chicken sandwiches, and burgers you can enjoy in cozy booths or on the front patio. The casual bar has a wide beer menu, plus simple cocktails and friendly vibes.
James Joyce Irish Pub
912 W. Main St.
Next door to The Federal, James Joyce lives up to its name. It's a classic Irish pub with bar food like wings, fried soft pretzel bites with beer queso, steak and cheese sandwiches, and numerous burger options. Step into the backyard for a laid-back outdoor area.
Devine's Restaurant & Sports Bar
904 W. Main St.
Devine's has a menu of bar food staples, plenty of drink options, and TVs to watch sports. Their patio is often filled with live music acts on the weekend, too.
Dram and Draught
701 W. Main St.
This North Carolina cocktail bar's first Durham location is designed for the whiskey fanatic. With a wide selection of spirits behind the bar, including whiskeys from around the world, expect creative cocktails for slow sipping and boilermakers for more of a party vibe.
Sol House Wines
905 W. Main St.
Sol House Wines owner Jess Moffit opened the friendly Brightleaf Square natural wine bar and bottle shop to feel "like popping over to a friend's house who knows a lot about wine," so, feel free to make yourself at home here. The shop, where you can linger over a glass or select a bottle to take home, serves only organic or biodynamically farmed wines with minimal intervention or additives in the winemaking process.
Fill up on Late Night Food Options
If you're staying out until the wee hours, you won't want to end the night on an empty stomach. Durham's late night food options will leave you satisfied.
Bull McCabe's Irish Pub
427 W. Main St.
With an expansive patio at the historic Five Points intersection, Bull McCabe's has one of the most convenient locations downtown. Don't miss the fish and chips or perfectly seasoned fries offered till 11 p.m. every Monday-Thursday and Sunday, and even later on Fridays and Saturdays. Plan to join a crowd for soccer games, St. Patrick's Day celebrations, Oktoberfest and more.
Queeny's
321 E. Chapel Hill St. #100
Upstairs from Kingfisher, Queeny's is a bar and restaurant with a diner-style menu filled with comforts like sheet pan nachos, English pub-style chicken tenders, and a great Caesar salad. You'll find a community of Durhamites and visitors hanging out at bar stools and high-top tables until 2 a.m.
Cosmic Cantina
1920 Perry St.
Durham's burrito specialist since 1995. On the second floor via a famous staircase, Cosmic is an inflation-defying Durham institution open until 4 a.m. daily.
Heavenly Buffaloes
1807 W. Markham Ave.
Now with three locations, this fast-casual restaurant was established in Durham. Stop by for chicken and vegan wings and fries, and a wide selection of sauces, spices and rubs. It's open until midnight Tuesday-Thursday and 2 a.m. on weekends.
Where to Find Live Music & Entertainment
Durham's music scene is not to be missed. Plenty of spots host live music on any given night, and a few stand-outs have local bands and touring acts most nights.
Pinhook
117 W. Main St.
Known as a safe space for marginalized groups, the Pinhook offers everything from karaoke and drag shows to nationally touring acts and dance parties.
Motorco Music Hall and Parts & Labor
723 Rigsbee Ave.
Motorco Music Hall and its sister bar and restaurant Parts & Labor are a one-stop shop for a fun night out in the lively Rigsbee Avenue and Geer Street intersection. See local and nationally touring bands at Motorco and stop for drinks and elevated bar food on the spacious, bistro light-strewn patio at Parts & Labor.
The Fruit
305 S. Dillard St.
An art space and creative playground on Dillard Street near Ponysaurus Brewing Co.. The 22,000-square-foot warehouse complex is home to festival programming, special events, and visual and performing arts, including dance, painting, photography and drama.
Boxcar Bar & Arcade
621 Foster St.
If you're in the mood for more interactive entertainment, try Boxcar. It's open late and brimming with arcade and console games, pinball machines, table tennis, and other activities to accompany its full bar and pizza menus.
Stanczyk's Music Bar
1007 W. Main St.
Named after a Polish court jester and pronounced "stan-chicks," Stanczyks is unified by a love of music and the community that surrounds it, where everyone is welcome. With a 300-person capacity and a calendar open to all genres, the vibe is intimate and unpredictable: karaoke one night, indie folk the next, metal or hip-hop the night after that.
Leveled-Up Hotel Bars
For those of you who don't want to think about coordinating logistics or rides home, Durham's fabulous hotel options come complete with rooftop bars, pools, 24-hour art museums and fairway views.
The Roof at The Durham Hotel
315 E. Chapel Hill St.
Find one of the best nighttime skyline views around at The Durham Hotel's rooftop bar. Take in the sights while sipping craft cocktails and snacking on their late-night menu.
The Patio at Unscripted Durham
202 Corcoran St.
Across the street from The Durham, Unscripted Durham also has a rooftop deck overlooking CCB Plaza. The Patio is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the ambiance of poolside cabanas, seasonal bites and cocktails day into night. Unscripted also hosts live music in the first-floor studio area on some weekends. And during the colder months, you can rent a festive, private igloo.
21c Museum Hotel
111 N. Corcoran St.
Housed in the historic Trust Building catty-corner from Unscripted on CCB Plaza, 21c has a contemporary art museum on its first floor that’s typically open to the public 24/7. Grab a nightcap cocktail from the lounge, then check out the latest exhibit and explore the historic bank vault in the basement below.
Bull Durham Bar at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
3001 Cameron Blvd.
Lastly, meet up with friends for an evening cocktail or night cap in the relaxed ambiance of the Bull Durham Bar at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, where you can enjoy the fireplace inside or get some fresh air on the recently renovated and expanded outdoor terrace. Spend the night and wake up refreshed and ready to play a round of golf at the course on-site, or spend the day exploring Duke University's beautiful campus.
Durham Bars with Non-Alcoholic Drinks and Mocktails
Most of Durham's nightlife spots, from dive bars to cocktail lounges, make an effort to offer some sort of non-alcoholic option like NA beers, mocktails or kombucha. There are a few establishments, however, that go above and beyond to make sure sober guests have plenty of options to choose from. At these spots, you'll find special menus, homemade products and an equal effort made to creating complex flavors and unforgettable experiences.
Alcohol-Free Establishments
In the Bull City, we believe that nightlife does not have to be synonymous with drinking alcohol. That's why you can find multiple establishments that serve full beverage menus featuring fully alcohol free drinks. Unwind at Da Kine's Kava, where you can sip on stress-relieving, craft kava drinks till midnight every day of the week. Redhead Hemp's Canna Cafe provides guests with a full menu of CBD, Delta-8 and Delta-9-based drinks. Kick back and relax with a D9 seltzer or order one of their house drinks and choose your hemp-based addition, allowing you to pick your own desired dosage and effect. For a tasty kombucha, visit the Homebucha taproom on Wednesdays and Fridays or grab some cans at the Durham Farmers' Market.
Bars with Low- and No-Alcohol Menus
Many Durham bars and cocktail lounges that serve alcoholic beverages put just as much effort into crafting a quality non-alcoholic menu. Socialize with friends while sipping a Figlia Mia off Arcana's Mocktail menu. Hit the dance floor at The Velvet Hippo or enjoy the rooftop views after ordering a drink from their creative "Tomorrow-Friendly" alcohol free menu.
Beyond establishments exclusively devoted to non-alcoholic options or places with alcohol-free menus, many of Durham's other nightlife hotspots serve NA options. Kingfisher, Alley Twenty Six and Bar Beej are perfect spots for friends to get together and enjoy both cocktails and mocktails. For a diverse selection of drinks like mead, seltzers, ciders and non alcoholic drinks, take the group to Moondog Meadery or Ment Beverage.
