After walking past as intrigued passers-by finally stopped in. Atmosphere is relaxed and upscale. Bar seats are cozy. Bar is stocked and the cocktail menu is excellent. Image here is a specialty "smoking jacket" which was clutch
Sophia G
Oct 17, 2023
5
The cocktails are amazing, the bartenders know what they are doing. I asked for a mezcal cocktail off the menu and they gave me exactly what I needed. Highly recommend
Emily Butler
Sep 22, 2023
5
We had a great time waiting for a show at DPAC. Kayla is amazing and took care of our every need! She was super personable and attentive. Nice vibe, drinks were super tasty, and small plates hit the spot. Will definitely visit again next time we venture to Durham!
John Lawler
Sep 3, 2023
5
Awesome and chill atmosphere in a good vibes low key cocktail bar lounge. Assortment of food options such as charcuterie as well. Loved the lighting and seating arrangements. Great for small groups of up to 4 people to chill out and drink. Convenient location if you can park at the ATC parking garages. Delicious cocktails.
Highly recommend this place for a early night out to hangout with your SO or catch up with an old friend.
Lauren Nicole Willis
Jun 7, 2023
5
My boyfriend and I stumbled into The Waiting Room and we were SO pleasantly surprised! The aesthetic is semi-industrial modern, upscale Gatsby with green velvet, gold accents, and great geometric shapes.
We had this amazing blueberry pound cake dessert, the Trifle as well as the deviled eggs. It was incredible, with the PERFECT amount of spice if you’re into that.
The drinks were tasty and the music/atmosphere was perfect for any millennial…intimate enough for a day date or business connection!
We will definitely be back!
David P
Apr 17, 2023
5
I've been to just about every cocktail bar in Durham. Even with the stiff competition I easily put this place top 3. Their drinks have great complexity and innovative ingredients, while expertly keeping an approachable palette. The speakeasy vibe is present however with an atmosphere that is more relaxing and welcoming.
You can tell The Waiting room is a labor of love and brings an experience that can't be mimicked anywhere else.
Emma Marie Thomas
Apr 6, 2023
3
I would go back to give it another shot because the atmosphere was phenomenal and the decor was lovely.
Cons. The service was not great. The host was lovely, but once I put in my order, I watched the ONE bar tender give basically a private wine tasting to two people who walked in. It took about 10 minutes for him to start making my drink. I do not mind waiting that long for a drink when there are many orders before me and bartenders are slinging drinks. This just wasn’t it. I don’t know if the bartender was the owner, but when they say they were opened by two friends who wanted to open a place, it’s definitely dude clubhouse over a hospitality focused cocktail bar.
Someone else also mentioned that the drinks are not complex and I totally agree. I ordered something that should have had a massive flavor experience and instead it felt like a shot shaken with ice. If I paid $8-10 for it, it was fine. But for a premium cocktail price? I expect way more.
Anyway, I’m glad we have another cool spot, I hope they work out some issues, love the interior.
Laura
Mar 29, 2023
5
I stopped in with a friend after a show at DPAC, and it was a perfect drink/dessert spot. Great atmosphere, super friendly staff, and the comfy green chairs are a whole vibe! Will definitely go back next time I’m in Durham!
David P
Mar 28, 2023
5
I've been to just about every cocktail bar in Durham. Even with the stiff competition I easily put this place top 3. Their drinks have great complexity and innovative ingredients, but the expertly keeping an approachable palette. The speakeasy vibe is present however with an atmosphere that is more relaxing and welcoming.
You can tell The Waiting room is a labor of love and brings an experience that can't be mimicked anywhere else.
Morgan Terry
Mar 11, 2023
5
The Waiting Room was amazing! The space was cozy and inviting. Great for couples or small groups. Stop in and have a cocktail before or after dinner. Have a snack or enjoy a delicious small dessert. The chairs were super comfy and Nick greeted us pretty much as soon as we sat. We had several drinks including the Spicy Carrot, Rosemary Fig Sour, the Travel Agent, an espresso martini, and my personal favorite Your Buddy. They were all fantastic, creative twists and well balanced. We also tried the deviled eggs and the hummus. Best deviled eggs I’ve ever had and the hummus was delicious too. We’ll definitely be back soon.
Brian Vaughn
Mar 9, 2023
5
Owner invented Durham’s newest dirty
Martini on the fly, with his regulars, using a spicy olive mix. Best I’ve had in NC.
Unbelievable vibe for the Thursday night. Great
Mix of regulars, first timers, and small groups.
Dirk Mattin
Mar 1, 2023
4
Love that's it's close to the Dpac for a drink and dessert or dessert first (my inner child )and drink.
The choices of drinks varies from Coors Banquet (yellow jacket ) to super fancy coffee martini. The sticky toffee pudding is fabulous even from brit critique like me , I was super excited to get my hands on it.
Gave it 4 stars because when there is a show, your wait time for drinks could take a bit, we waited for like 20 mins for our drinks to come, dessert was first.
Chelsea Fountain
Feb 10, 2023
5
Despite the small seating arrangements, we really enjoyed the atmosphere and experience. We had great service, and craft cocktails and desserts. This is adjacent to a lot of American Tobacco and DPAC activities.
Yolanda Brown
Feb 8, 2023
4
Spicy carrot was too spicy for me but I had a great sidecar. Nice ambiance 👍🏾
Larry Duckworth
Feb 4, 2023
5
Excellent service and great drinks. Great place to go after a show.
Nicole Stancil
Jan 28, 2023
5
The atmosphere is just what Durham needed! My favorite drink so far is the Your Buddy… a delicious twist on my go to drink, the old fashioned. For a new location, I’d say they are doing pretty great.
Jared
Jan 28, 2023
3
Pros:
Good lighting and ambiance.
Cons:
Drinks were over priced and out of balance. At $18 for my drink, I'm expecting to be inspired by the flavors or at least get layers of complexity. It was disappointment from the first sip. Also, the drinks had bad ice. When you're making craft cocktails at that price, details matter. The ice matters. The bar seats that are 4 inches too short matter.
Would not recommend and would not go back. Go to Kingfisher instead.
Mike Mustari
Jan 14, 2023
5
Awesome vibe and good drinks.
GO BILLS!
Thomas Buser
Jan 14, 2023
5
Great place with a laid back feel and amazing drinks. This a great place to catch up with friends and have a fun time.
Logan Cason
Jan 12, 2023
5
Incredible menu and cool vibe. Not a lot of seats tho, but that will only make it more sought after. As long as they can keep this energy, they will be one of those places that makes Durham so cool, maybe even the best.
Ashley Medina Rhymes
Jan 10, 2023
5
Did we just find our new favorite date night bar, tucked away in the American Tobacco campus?! Ummm I think so! It's giving chic speakeasy vibes with the green bar stools, brick walls and shanazzi craft cocktails. We tasted four of their cocktails and loved everyone one of them. We also sampled some menu items and ummm, those macaroons are to die for 🤤 it's definitely a cocktail bar but the menu items are a nice snack to hold you over until your dinner reservations...get it? The "waiting room" is where you "wait" to hold you over until your reservation, love the idea and can't wait for our next date night
Andrea Martin
Jan 6, 2023
5
Great place for drinks before a show at the DPAC- just make sure to get here early. They serve Innovative cocktails that are sure to please. All fresh ingredients- must try.
Jan Tugwell
Jan 6, 2023
5
Great place to have drinks and appetizers before or after a show at DPAC! Or anytime for that matter! Super friendly staff, laid back vibe, and great drinks and food!
