At this gritty, intimate venue downtown, you're equally likely to see a popular band up close and personal, discover your new favorite band, or meet new friends singing YOLO karaoke or watching a drag show performed by the House of Coxx, Durham's drag house. Either way, you'll find a space committed to inclusion, equity and amplifying marginalized voices. The queer-owned bar is a favorite venue for music and creative events as much as it is a safe space.
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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 – 2:00 AM Saturday: 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM Sunday: Closed
I recently got married in downtown Durham and was looking for a fun spot to host an afterparty where one of my bridesmaids could DJ. After reaching out to a few places, Kym at Pinhook came through and couldn’t have been more accommodating. The vibes were amazing, and the staff was incredibly kind and welcoming. Even when the power went out because of an accident on the block, they let us stay and chill until it came back. The energy at Pinhook is unmatched. If you’re looking for a cool place to hang, see performers, or throw an event, definitely check them out!
Bethany Evans
Apr 12, 2025
4
GREAT place to see bands. It's small enough that you'll feel close no matter where you are. I have been to a pretty rough event here where it seemed oversold and the bartenders could not keep up (waited legitimately an hour just to get a drink) but that was just one specific event. Every other experience has been great. Showed up to a dance party pretty late and they slashed the entrance fee from $20 to $5.
Lauren Goodridge
Mar 19, 2025
5
Welcoming venue! Two moms took a group of teens to see a favorite band, and everyone had a great time. Tickets and beverages were very affordable. The kids were close to the stage, and we had comfortable booth seating at the back. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the all-ages policy was handled well. We will definitely return next event the kids request.
Kay
Mar 15, 2025
5
Had a blast here on a Friday night for Drag hosted karoake. I will say it wasn't what I expected. I thought it would be more of a show and more drag queens, but it was so much fun regardless. Great , diverse, supportive crowd, all just having a good time singing and dancing.
10/10 highly recommend!
Barry Holt
Feb 22, 2025
5
Went to see a concert here. Great atmosphere. Great drinks.
Joel Munday
Dec 19, 2024
5
“This ain’t no country club”, but it’s a really cool bar in Durham. Blends with Friends DJ Open Decks events are really cool. Great sound system and stage.
Tammy Finch
Dec 1, 2024
5
They host great musicians! Get out and support a local band at the Pinhook!
G. Taylor Seawell
Oct 8, 2024
5
Saw MX LONELY at Pinhook (capitalized per the band). They are an amazing grungegaze/heavygaze band. Pinhook's atmosphere is excellent; Chat Pile's song "King" emanated over the speaker as filler music prior to the show, which was awesome (and really set the tone for the show). 💯
Nathan Swift
Aug 4, 2024
3
Fun atmosphere, great people, but the bartenders completely ignored me trying to close my tab for 45 minutes. Also, not really the bar’s fault, but man when I come for a BRAT party I wanna hear BRAT! We were there for 3 hours and only heard three BRAT songs, two of which were 365.
Guy De Gent
Jul 25, 2024
5
Great venue for small concerts . Good sound quality.
