Best Bars & Nightlife in Durham, North Carolina, United States
1. The Bar at American Tobacco
A spacious bar with a modern ambiance located in the historic American Tobacco Campus. Known for its extensive craft beer selection and creative cocktails.
- Wide Beer Selection: Offers over 100 beers, including local brews and international varieties.
- Indoor & Outdoor Seating: Features both indoor seating and a large outdoor patio area for enjoying the Durham weather.
- Live Music Events: Regularly hosts live music performances, adding to the vibrant nightlife scene in Durham.
2. Pour Taproom
Self-serve taproom with over 60 beers on tap. Perfect for exploring different flavors and breweries in a casual setting.
- Self-Serve Concept: Allows customers to pour their own beer from the wall of taps, promoting interaction and discovery.
- Rotating Taps: Regularly changes its tap selection, ensuring a fresh and diverse beer experience.
- Food Trucks on Site: Frequently features food trucks on site, offering a variety of cuisines to pair with your beverage.
3. Bar Virgile
A cozy French-style wine bar located in the Brightleaf Square district. Offers an extensive wine list and small plates.
- Wine Enthusiasts' Haven: Boasts a vast selection of wines, both by the glass and bottle.
- Small Plates Menu: Serves artisanal cheese plates, charcuterie, and other European-inspired dishes to complement your wine selection.
- Intimate Atmosphere: Provides a romantic and intimate environment for date night or quiet evenings out.
4. Durty Bull Brewing Co.
A farmhouse brewery offering unique sour beers made using locally-sourced fruits and other ingredients.
- Unusual Beer Selection: Known for its sour beers, which are aged in oak barrels to develop complex flavors.
- Brewery Tours: Offers brewery tours on Saturdays, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process.
- Outdoor Seating: Features an inviting outdoor beer garden for enjoying your drinks on nice days.
5. Tropical Cow Creamery
A unique ice cream shop serving tropical-inspired flavors and boozy treats. Perfect for late-night desserts or adult beverages.
- Tropical Flavors: Offers exotic ice cream flavors like guava, mango, and passion fruit.
- Boozy Ice Cream: Serves ice cream with alcohol infused into the base or mixed throughout the flavor.
- Late-Night Hours: Stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, making it a great late-night option.
6. The Pinhook
A popular music venue and bar known for showcasing local and independent bands. Offers a diverse menu of drinks and food.
- Live Music Venue: Hosts live music performances nearly every night, covering a wide range of genres.
- Community-Focused: Supports local artists and fosters a vibrant music scene in the Durham community.
- Bar Food & Drinks: Serves eclectic bar food and has an extensive menu of cocktails, beer, and wine.
7. The Bar at Motorco Music Hall
A music venue and bar located in the iconic Motorco building. Offers a variety of drinks and hosts live performances.
- Live Music Venue: Features live music performances, ranging from indie rock to jazz.
- Full Bar & Kitchen: Has a full bar and an on-site kitchen serving comfort food favorites.
- Multiple Venues Under One Roof: Includes three separate spaces: The Bar, the Music Hall, and Hole in the Wall, catering to different preferences.
8. Bull McCabe's Irish Pub
An authentic Irish pub offering traditional food, drinks, and live music. A great spot for a taste of Ireland in Durham.
- Authentic Irish Experience: Serves classic Irish dishes like shepherd's pie and fish & chips.
- Live Music Performances: Regularly hosts live music, adding to the lively atmosphere of the pub.
- Large Selection of Irish Whiskey: Boasts a wide variety of Irish whiskeys for connoisseurs to enjoy.
9. Fullsteam Brewery
A farm-to-glass brewery focusing on Southern agriculture and unique beer flavors. Offers tours, events, and a tasting room.
- Southern Agriculture Focus: Uses local ingredients in their beers to showcase the flavors of Southern agriculture.
- Tours & Events: Offers tours, events, and educational programs to engage visitors with the brewing process.
- Inviting Tasting Room: Features a cozy tasting room for sampling their unique beer creations.
10. Jukebox Junction
A dance club and bar with a focus on classic rock 'n' roll. Features a large dance floor, karaoke, and video games.
- Classic Rock 'n' Roll: Plays classic rock 'n' roll hits from the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
- Karaoke Nights: Hosts karaoke nights for guests to show off their singing talents.
- Video Games & Pinball Machines: Has a variety of vintage video games and pinball machines for entertainment.
11. Viceroy Cocktail Club
An upscale speakeasy-style bar with a focus on craft cocktails and small plates. Perfect for a sophisticated night out.
- Craft Cocktails: Offers artisanal cocktails made with fresh ingredients and unique recipes.
- Small Plates Menu: Serves a selection of small plates designed to complement the sophisticated cocktail menu.
- Reservations Required: Requires reservations for entry, adding an exclusive and intimate atmosphere to your experience.
12. Durham Distillery
A craft distillery offering tours, tastings, and a cocktail bar. Specializes in gin, vodka, and moonshine.
- Craft Distillery: Produces small-batch spirits using locally sourced ingredients.
- Tours & Tastings: Offers tours and tastings to give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the distilling process.
- Cocktail Bar: Has a cocktail bar on-site, featuring craft cocktails made with their own spirits.
13. Kingfisher Seafood & Oyster Bar
A seafood restaurant and bar offering fresh oysters, seafood dishes, and cocktails. A great spot for fresh coastal cuisine in Durham.
- Fresh Seafood: Serves a variety of fresh seafood options, including oysters, fish, and shellfish.
- Craft Cocktails: Offers creative cocktails made with high-quality ingredients.
- Coastal Atmosphere: Creates a coastal atmosphere, transporting diners to the seashore.
14. The Pit Authentic Barbecue
A legendary barbecue restaurant and live music venue. Known for its smoked whole hog barbecue.
- Legendary Barbecue: Serves traditional North Carolina-style barbecue, slow-smoked over wood coals.
- Live Music Performances: Regularly hosts live music performances, creating a lively atmosphere.
- Catering & Events: Offers catering services and can accommodate events for large groups.
15. Watts & Ward Distillery
A distillery offering tours, tastings, and a tasting room. Known for their whiskey, rum, and gin.
- Craft Distillery: Produces small-batch spirits using locally sourced ingredients.
- Tours & Tastings: Offers tours and tastings to give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the distilling process.
- On-Site Tasting Room: Has a tasting room on-site, allowing guests to sample their spirits in a comfortable setting.