Breweries
Distilleries & Cideries
Cocktails & Cocktail Bars
Coffee & Roasteries
Non-Alcoholic

Durham Drinks

We don't compete on quantity, we win on quality. And when it comes to our distillers, roasters and mixologists, nobody does it better.

Durham's beverage scene is built on relationships: between makers and farmers, bartenders and distillers, roasters and growers worldwide, bars and taprooms and the communities they serve. Every drink tells a story of collaboration, sustainability and the kind of pioneering spirit that's been in Durham's DNA from the start. Whether you're here for the craft or the conversation, you'll find both flow freely.

Beer & Spirits That Set the Standard

For two decades, our pioneering breweries have shaped North Carolina's craft beer culture, from leading the Pop the Cap Movement to lift the state’s ABV restrictions to showing that great beer can come entirely from local ingredients. Here, innovation and community pour from the same tap. Our distilleries, including the two closest women-owned distilleries on the East Coast, are redefining what American spirits can be through sustainable practices and techniques that push boundaries while honoring tradition.

A bartender slides a freshly poured pint across the counter at Fullsteam Brewery.
Breweries
Bull City? Beer city.
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People cheers drinks at the bar inside Bar Virgile. Bar Virgile serves craft and classic cocktails as well as an ever changing dinner and small plates menu, with a rotating beer and wine list.
Cocktails & Cocktail Bars
Shaken or stirred, up or on the rocks, classic or ground-to-glass. From award-winning mixologists to locally crafted spirits, 5 o'clock in Durham is never ordinary.
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Coffee Culture, Globally Connected

Explore our coffee roasters and coffee shops, and you'll find more than expertly crafted cups. These are gathering spaces built on personal relationships that span the globe, from farm to bag to brew. Our small, independent roasters’ commitment to excellence earn honors like Micro Roaster of the Year, while international brands like Counter Culture – born right here – set the industry standard and welcome visitors for free weekly tastings.

Craft Beverage Summer Editorial Photoshoot with Eric Waters from May 2023. Someone drinks iced coffee outside and holds a bag of Little Waves coffee they purchased at Cocoa Cinnamon Geer Street.
Coffee & Roasteries
Award-winning roasters and beloved neighborhood hangouts – coffee here is about more than the cup; it's about the connections made over it.
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Beyond the Usual: Makers Doing Things Differently

Durham's beverage scene goes deeper than beer, spirits and coffee. Local makers are committed to doing things differently: two meaderies championing sustainable production – one even makes Durham’s first sake produced in-house. Cideries devoted to excellence. A kombucha maker collaborating with local farms to bottle something truly alive.

Distilleries, Cideries and Meaderies
Durham's got spirit — make that spirits. From distilleries to cider and mead, take a tour or order a flight to discover the locally-made…
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If you’re looking for an alcohol-free social space, a quiet place to work remotely, a good conversation with friendly people, or just an escape from the stressors of everyday life, you’ll find it at Da Kine’s Kava. We provide a wide variety of alternative drink options in an environment that is peaceful, accessible, and welcoming to everyone.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Skip the alcohol, not the experience. Durham's low- and no-proof drinks scene refuses to compromise.
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Cocktails Worth the Journey

Three James Beard-nominated bars anchor a single block: The Bar at Beej crafting inventive flavors from sister restaurant Cheeni's kitchen; Alley Twenty Six mixing expertly made classics, inspired originals and a summer tiki pop-up locals count down to; and Kingfisher serving ground-to-glass cocktails in homemade ceramic vessels with an oasis of a patio out back. Beyond the accolades, Durham is a cocktail town where mixologists collaborate with local producers to create distinctly Durham flavors using seasonal fruits and vegetables, house-made syrups and local spirits. These aren't just bars – they're gathering spaces where neighbors connect, business owners experiment and every drink tells a story.

Ready to raise a glass? Here's where to start.

People cheers drinks at the bar inside Bar Virgile. Bar Virgile serves craft and classic cocktails as well as an ever changing dinner and small plates menu, with a rotating beer and wine list.
Cocktails & Cocktail Bars
Shaken or stirred, up or on the rocks, classic or ground-to-glass. From award-winning mixologists to locally crafted spirits, 5 o'clock in Durham is never ordinary.
Learn More