Golden Belt District
Step into the Southeast's largest LEED Gold-certified historic campus, where a former textile mill now buzzes with working artists' studios, craft beer and family-friendly green space that bring the community together.
Situated between a neighborhood of historic homes and downtown, the Golden Belt District represents Durham's gift for honoring its industrial past while creating vibrant spaces for modern life.
New developments are adding residential density on the downtown side, further energizing this evolving area. The neighborhood includes the seven-acre Golden Belt Campus of restored textile mills, thoughtfully reimagined as a thriving creative hub where art, craft beer and community converge, plus a growing nearby nightlife and dining district centered around the intersection of Fayetteville and Ramseur Streets. Whether you're browsing working artists' studios, catching an improv show, relaxing on the sprawling lawn with beer and pizza, or exploring the emerging restaurant scene just steps away, Golden Belt offers an authentic taste of Durham's independent spirit and commitment to sustainable preservation.
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Durham Art Guild — Gallery + Studios at Golden BeltGolden Belt Art Studios, located one mile away from downtown's center city, shares a campus with a number of other interesting…
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Mettlesome TheaterThis Durham based performance and production collective is the perfect spot to catch some improv, a theatrical production, or attend a…
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Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden BeltThis Golden Belt taproom has 8,844 square feet of interior space, as well as a 1,678 square-foot outdoor covered patio and…
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Cugino Forno DurhamSatisfy your taste for authentic, Neopolitan-style pizza straight from the wood-fired oven at this Golden Belt pizzeria. Best of all, you…
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Two Roosters Ice CreamIf you’re looking to cool off in a wide-open space with a scoop of ice cream, head to Two Roosters at…
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Mezcalito DurhamFor more great Mexican food and drinks, head over to the newest location of Mezcalito. This small North Carolina chain is…
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Ponysaurus Brewing CompanyPonysaurus Brewing Co. is a forward-thinking, backward-tasting brewery that creates beers meant to be savored, appreciated, contemplated, philosophized, studied, nuzzled and…
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Aaktun Coffee & BarBrought to you by the same folks behind popular Mexican restaurant and bar, Mezcalito, Aaktun is a café and bar. It…
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NerraNerra is a seasonal, seafood-forward kitchen in Durham, NC, inspired by the land and coastlines that shape its ingredients. Rooted in…
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Baryo Bar & CoffeeBaryo is Durham’s gathering place for every moment—whether it’s a morning espresso, an afternoon glass of wine, a late-night cocktail, or…
Things To Do On The Golden Belt Campus
The Golden Belt Campus is a restored textile mill repurposed to house a brewery, art studios, retail, office, service businesses and offices and residential lofts. It is the largest all-historic, LEED Gold-certified campus in the Southeast and home to working artists’ studios and galleries like The Grand Gallery and Building 2 Gallery. The seven-acre campus is situated in a neighborhood of historic homes and chock full of restaurants. ou'll also find Dogstar Tattoo Company, Durham's oldest tattoo shop, owned and operated by women, and Empower Dance Studio, where Saturday adult recreation classes invite you to ignite your passion for dance, explore various styles, and improve your skills under expert guidance.
On the third Friday of every month, the space overflows with live music, the artists of Golden Belt Artists’ Studios display their art, and there’s exhilarating energy that just needs to be experienced. Mettlesome, a community theater offering improv classes, shows and interactive performances.
Music and Dancing Near Ramseur Street
On South Dillard Street near the corner of Ramseur Street, the unassuming exterior of The Fruit hides local treasures within. This DIY arts and music venue was voted Durham's Best Kept Secret and the Triangle's Best Place to Dance by INDY Week readers, our local alt-weekly. It's a flexible space where touring musical acts play, and dance parties and festivals like Slingshot are held. Once a month, The Fruit opens its doors to local vendors, artists and more for The Fruit Flea. Step down into the basement of The Fruit and you will find Durham's own gay, queer and trans night club, Club Era. Local drag star Naomi Dix opened the space in 2024 as a way to create and facilitate consent-focused spaces and advocating for her community.
Bars & Restaurants In The Golden Belt District
On the Golden Belt Campus
Head over to Hi-Wire Brewing in the center of campus, where spacious indoor and outdoor tables overlook a sprawling shared lawn where families gather to play and enjoy beers on the turf-covered lawn. When the evenings get chilly, you can stay warm by the fire pit. When you get hungry, you can also order Neopolitan-style pizza from Cugino Forno and ice cream (with toppings, of course) from Two Roosters. If you’re more into watching the game than playing on the lawn, head over to Tipsy Bull Sports Bar, where live music and good food accompany sports on TVs.
Dining and Nightlife Near Fayetteville and Ramseur Streets
You can indulge in novelty margaritas and filling plates of Mexican cuisine at Mezcalito. Find Ponysaurus Brewing right across the street, where you can sip a crisp brew and munch on pizza under their patio misters in the summer or outdoor heaters in the winter.
If you're looking for coffee and breakfast, Aaktun has exactly what you need. This Tulum-inspired cafe and bar from chef Oscar Diaz has all types of specialty coffee drinks, breakfast sandwiches, towering plates of totchos and more.
Aaktun also has delicious options for lunch and dinner as well as amazing cocktails for when the sun sets. Trust us, when a restaurant by Chef Diaz has cevice on the menu, you want to order it. For more dining options from Chef Diaz, try the Central Park district’s casual Tataco or his first Durham concept, the MICHELIN Guide-recommended Little Bull.
For a true homage to coastal cuisine in the neighborhood, try Nerra, which partners with local farmers, fishers and foragers to create a menu that reflects place, craft and seasonality. If you're looking for an after-dinner drink, grab a cocktail to enjoy on the deck at Baryo.
The Golden Belt District perfectly captures what makes Durham special: a deep respect for history paired with an innovative vision for the future. From Third Friday art walks to family afternoons on the lawn to dance parties that last until the wee hours, this creative campus invites you to slow down, explore and connect with the artists and makers who call it home. It's a place where every visit reveals something new, and the community-centered energy makes you want to stay just a little bit longer.
Getting There and Parking
The Golden Belt Campus has retained ample space for parking around the historic buildings, so you'll have no trouble finding a spot, though you may have to walk a bit across the parking lot if you arrive on a particularly beautiful day when people are gathered on the lawn. However, the area around Fayetteville and Ramseur Streets can get tricky during busy times. Pay parking lots are available, though limited, and street parking sometimes requires a few minutes of searching before you get lucky and find a spot. Ride shares may be the most convenient option on particularly busy evenings and weekends.
