Bar Virgile, located in the heart of downtown Durham, is a restaurant and bar specializing in craft and classic cocktails as well as an ever-changing dinner and small plates menu. Products are sourced from the area's best purveyors, making it possible for the team to ensure high-quality, high-standard food, drinks and service. You'll always find friendly and knowledgeable service, a bustling atmosphere and thoughtful offerings–all of which have made BV a landmark Triangle area destination. There are no reservations, and the small, cozy restaurant can fill up quickly on a DPAC show night. Overflow seating can be found at its sister bar, Annexe.
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Hours:
Monday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Tuesday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Thursday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Friday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Sunday: Closed
For a restaurant that does not take reservations, it was a happy surprise that we were seated immediately.
We were brought down to the secondary basement location, a lil dusty tropical-esc bar with peeling wallpaper and tables way too small for two entrees.
The drinks were delicious! Definitely recommend for a cocktail!!
But my lower rating is due to my experience with the fried oysters.
For an 18 appetizer having something so fried and oily you could get it at the state fair was quite disappointing, on top of that I found prices of shell cooked with the oysters. At first I thought it was just a fluke and then it kept happening which eventually made me stop eating them entirely.
I made this aware to the waitress and she was kind enough to take $4.00 off the meal.
But personally I do not foresee myself coming back!
P.S didn’t get photo of the oysters cause they did not look very pretty to begin with.
Ross C
Dec 7, 2025
5
Great place for a night out in Durham. No reservations taken and be prepared to wait. That said, the food, atmosphere, and people were all great. Had drinks at the bar while we waited, it’s a tight squeeze but doable with a small group. Tried the Figgin’ Nuts cocktail and the Pilsner on tap and as also good. We sampled most of the small bites: Mac and cheese, deviled eggs, charcuterie board, and fried oysters. Nothing was truly unique, but all were well-executed and very tasty in a comfort food sort of way. The salmon with brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes entree was a perfect way to top things off. It was the kind of dish that you keep eating even when you’re getting a little full because it’s so good.
I will note this place seemed perfect for couples and groups of 5-6. Any bigger than that and it might get a little dicey trying to land a table…maybe go really early if that’s the case.
Mark Faerber
Nov 19, 2025
5
Top notch bar in Durham. Excellent attention to the cocktails. Professional bartender. Great selection of liquors and bartender will make something you enjoy. Go 'dealers choice' with a flavor preference and he will surprise you. Intimate seating with excellent food out of a small kitchen right next to the bar. Really enjoyed the atmosphere and vibe in this place. Really great bar in every way. Picture is blurry but if this is your bartender the drinks will be fantastic with great conversation.
Kelsey Hathaway
Nov 11, 2025
3
The atmosphere: Warm, intimate, and stylish. The space has a cozy wood-and-brick vibe with an open kitchen and well-stocked bar that gives it real character. Love the look.
Service: The serving staff seemed to be doing it all — taking orders, delivering food, clearing tables, and resetting them. They worked hard, and the bar and kitchen staff also felt shorthanded, which showed in the timing. Drinks took about 25 minutes, appetizers around 35, and the check another 15 after requesting it. When we arrived, they told us tonight is a theater night, and they have to turn tables every 90 minutes, so we were expecting better timing.
Drinks: When they finally arrived, the cocktails were excellent — balanced, creative, and worth the wait.
Food: Best dish: the house burger, easily the highlight.
Close second: the risotto, rich and flavorful.
Appetizers: mussels and deviled eggs were fine but nothing standout.
Desserts: both were forgettable.
Overall: Above-average main dishes and stellar cocktails, but service delays overshadowed. Possibly just an off night due to staffing — lucky for us, we didn't have somewhere to be. Three courses did take over 90 minutes...be warned.
Julie Kaye-Sack
Nov 9, 2025
5
Bar Virgile is a unique, and eclectic gem of a place. The ambiance is cozy, and inviting, the service outstanding, and the food superb. It is perfectly situated, just a 2 minute walk to DPAC, and is my new go-to place to enjoy a truly great (and messy!) burger and cocktail both before, and after the show.
Damon Taylor
Nov 5, 2025
5
Great little bar and restaurant. Best burgers in town. They don't take reservations though ,so you never know if you can get seated right away or not. It's very popular, so...
Also, very noisy. You definitely have to raise your voice to carry a conversation here.
Ahmed Ehab Elsabbagh
Sep 25, 2025
5
Went there yesterday and had a fantastic experience. Got the hangar stead salad and ate every last piece of it. The ambiance was really nice as well, good lighting and not too loud so we could have conversations. The service was also spot on. Thank you guys for the great evening and will be visiting again soon!
Virginia Montagne
Sep 16, 2025
5
I've been here while visiting my friend twice now and I enjoy everything I get each time! I especially LOVE the deviled eggs. Our waitress was very nice, helpful and attentive to us. My only negative review is how dark it is inside. I couldn't see at first, eventually got used to the light, but then the table next to me started flashing their phone lights and blinding me loll aside from that 10/10 would recommend for a more fine dining experience!
Ashley K
Aug 24, 2025
5
Wow - lowkey vibes met with high quality food and service! The ambience was amazing and everything that we got was delicious. From drinks to 5 different apps (fried oysters, deviled eggs, meatballs, Brussels, and the risotto) we all shared these and it was lovely.
Ray O
Aug 7, 2025
5
One of the best places to go in Durham for food or drink. Don't be afraid to ask for recommendations from the bartender--they know their stuff, and are happy to tell you about their favorites. I hope to go back there someday!
Mead Briggs
Jun 10, 2025
5
Great place for both food and drinks. Had an amazing burger but the drink specials were to die for. Probably the most fun part was order drinks using the dealer choice option. Had some bourbon drinks I had never heard of before. Amazing mixologists and the servers were awesome. Small place if you are looking to eat so get there early.
Anam Khan Barakzai
May 14, 2025
5
The food is always spectacular. I love their steak frites, salmon, and mushroom plate (to share). Their cocktails are amazing - really great mixes of flavors. The service is excellent, and the vibes are 👌🏽 I always enjoy myself and the food when I come.
Johnny Davis
May 12, 2025
5
I love this place!! Might be the best cocktails I've ever had! They know what they're doing
London Grant
Jan 8, 2025
5
I love this place. I really enjoy their burgers and they have nice craft cocktails and mocktails. I usually just come for the burgers. It has gotten busier over the years but still a solid place for great food and vibes.
George O'Hanlon
Dec 30, 2024
5
Happy birthday to me! My daughter, husband, 6.5 year old granddaughter and my sweetheart (she doesn’t like to be called “wife” )joined me for a low-key birthday celebration. I had never been there before. I will go back. Most of us had burgers which were excellent. My sweetheart wanted muscles but they were out so she settled for the special which was a pork risotto. Very tasty but on the salty side. The bar is awesome. Seating is limited and tight, but the atmosphere is good. Mostly a younger crowd but in all honesty everywhere I go has a younger crowd, I’m 71. Get there before they open because people gather in the small lobby to make sure they get seated. Oh yeah, we also shared some olives and charred brussels sprouts and deviled eggs, all awesome.
