We had an extremely memorable experience at Alley Twenty Six, in large part to our amazing server, Anthony! We made a reservation for a Saturday night dinner and he made sure we were well taken care of all night. We started the night with their James Bears award winning cocktails, and every drink we ordered was a hit! Spiced strawberry mule, Sunset Sipper, and the table favorite: Earl Please. The latter two drinks were mocktails and they were still standouts! As for the food, the Alley burger was perfectly cooked: juicy patty paired with truffle cheese and simple toppings that really highlighted the burger itself. And shoestring fries are always a good choice with a delicious burger. Ricotta gnocchi was also very good. As our server Anthony said, let's get this burger nominated! read more

Alley Twenty Six - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

It's always exciting to go to Alley26, namely for their food. Out of all the options in a block radius (with the exception of sushi nearby), I will always chose Alley26. Over burgers, over French food, over ramen, over Indian. Why? Because Alley26 serves delectable oysters, succulent burgers, and incredible tin fish. Yes, tin fish. If you haven't seen their extensive menu of fish, you must! While it's not for everyone, it is a tinned fish enthusiasts heaven! I go here to celebrate milestones with a good friend and we always have a mini feast, paired with a glass or two of wine. My favorite time to go is when the weather is comfortable and we can sit in the alley way, it's soooo chic that it feels like you're sitting outdoors at a meal in Italy of France. Service is always on point and I forget the bartenders name that is super knowledgeable and super kind. When I remember, I'll circle back to update this review. If you're thinking about this place, definitely check it out! The only inconvenience though is that I believe is 21+ over, at least at night it is. read more

See all

Nestled right next to an alley is a modern restaurant/bar mixing innovative drinks (non-alcoholic available) and preparing tasty morsels to share along with your drink. If you like tinned fish, the smoked trout with chimchurri sauce is flavorful and fun. They have a large variety of tinned fish to choose from, but they also have traditional dishes if you're not feeling gastronomically adventurous. The service was quick, and the servers were engaging. Just what you want when you're feeling social. There is seating both indoors and outdoors to suit your fancy. read more

Alley Twenty Six - Mackerel with yuzu kosho - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Had a good burger at the bar. First rate cocktails. Service was good but not particularly friendly. Nice comfortable interior. read more

Alley Twenty Six - Other and fries. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We really did eat in the alley. It might not be the largest menu, but it has a whole bunch of interesting things on it. In fact, my partner and I could not decide what to get so we got a whole bunch of dishes and shared them it is up there on one of the best burgers I've had in recent history. My partner really enjoyed the pork belly with kimchi and the deviled eggs are tasty. They make their own tonic and we had some gin and tonics. It was a fun overall experience. read more

See all

I don't have many favorites (thanks to my commitment issues) but I can confidently say that Alley Twenty Six has my favorite burger (I used to say favorite fancy burger but no need since Durham Filling Station closed ). Their Alley Burger is what my burger dreams are made of, and every bite is perfection. AND it comes with fries!!! Of course, Alley Twenty Six is a bar. When I tell you, I've never had a bad drink at Alley, I mean it. I'd say the same for their food & tinned fish menu as well. I've always found their bartenders and servers attentive and helpful. It's definitely a darker and moodier vibe inside but not too dark or too loud, which I appreciate. They also have outdoor seating (in the alley)! read more

Alley Twenty Six - Y'all when I say this burger lived up to the hype!!! IG: @betterwithju - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The good here was amazing! The service was excellent. Went back for a second time and it was just phenomenal. I felt like I was in New York or Chicago. Just really eclectic. The ambience of the place was fabulous! Definitely recommend this restaurant whoever is a foodie! read more

Stopped in here for dinner and was pleasantly surprised! Ambiance and decor are definitely lacking inside (literally nonexistent), but all of the food was really tasty. The charcuterie board was pretty average- none of the cheeses or meats stood out to me. I will point out that the waiter brought over extra fresh, hot baguettes without even asking. That's ALWAYS needed with a cheese board, but never done. The Alley burger was scrumptious- the beef and the bacon were cooked correctly, the bun was fresh and soft, and the flavors of the ingredients worked nicely together (black truffle cheddar, bourbon bacon jam, arugula, chipotle aioli, bacon). The fries were thin and crispy, and served with extra chipotle aioli for dipping. The ricotta gnocchi (with spinach, Calabrian chili, tomato sauce, and cheese) was delicious. The gnocchi were cooked well, the perfect size, not too dense, and simply melted in your mouth. The dish is *definitely* spicy, and I would say it's more of an appetizer (small portion size). Cocktails were unique and flavorful- "Mexican Herbalist" was my favorite. I will definitely return here for dinner! Would love to sit outside in the alley next time. Really enjoyed this restaurant! read more

Came here for dinner recently and enjoyed myself. We made a reservation online and the restaurant texted me to ask whether I'd prefer indoor or outdoor seating, which was a nice touch. We opted to sit outside (in the alley!) and I think we made the right decision, although our table was too close to the neighboring table (our chairs were almost touching) and my view was much worse than my wife's since I was facing the road :) The only downside to our meal was that our server was very nice but not very knowledgeable about cocktails, which I thought was kinda this place's whole deal. My wife had a couple of very reasonable requests for her drink and wanted recommendations, and the drink they ended up bringing her tasted way too strongly of alcohol (I sampled it), although they did bring out a glass of juice as a mixer to try to improve it for her, which was nice. I know nothing about cocktails but the one I ordered was pretty tasty! I ended up getting the Alley burger for my entree and it was very good. I liked the fries as well, although they charged me extra for the side of chipotle aioli I requested (this always feels so cheap to me). My wife got the vegetable risotto and really liked it too. Service was generally fine although I think the server could have refilled our water more frequently. Overall, there are a bunch of restaurants in the area that I want to try, so I'm not sure when I'll be coming back to Alley Twenty Six, but it was a good experience and I'd recommend it to others! read more

The ambiance of this restaurant/bar was just what we were looking for for a Saturday night date night. We sat at the bar and were served promptly read more

See all

I recommend reservations. I really like this spot. Sitting away from the bar area was nice. My group was able to enjoy our meal away from the bar area. I think if I was in the mood to socialize with random people, this would be a great spot. There isn't a drink or dish that I've ordered from here that wasn't good. They take pride in their presentations. Each dish was plated so delicately that you would want to admire it before taking a bite. The deviled eggs were delicious. Not too salty but pickled well. The taro chips were paired with the most tasty homemade ranch dressing ever. My alley burger was seasoned well and melted in your mouth. I enjoyed my first drink, but my second the "Early Evening" was impressive. I would definitely visit this restaurant again. The servers and hosts were attentive and offer great suggestions. read more

See all

Had dinner here with friends before a concert at Carolina Theatre in Durham. Delicious cocktails and food! Service was friendly though a bit too infrequent. The oysters were fresh and briny! The ricotta gnocchi was surprisingly light, and the combination of flavors was delicious. Will return when next in Durham! read more

Went here for my birthday celebration with my brother and sister in law. Came early on a Saturday (4:30) since it's winter and I'm not sure what the weather is going to do. I had heard so much about the drinks here and I was very excited to try some. We were seated quickly but had to wait awhile for our waitress to get to our table. We watched her talk a LOT to the table in front of us. She also talked a lot when she got to our table...I do blame this partly on my BiL since he kept engaging her but it was slightly frustrating to me. It also took quite some time to get our drinks. We were told that it was because the bartender was new. Three of us got an espresso martini. It was just ok. I had a better one two weeks ago at a comedy club. My BiL and SiL got the alley burger, I got the foie burger and my husband got the steak frites. All of the food was good but I expected my burger to be amazing. I think I would have enjoyed the alley burger just as much as the more expensive foie gras burger. The fries were the best part. Would definitely get them again. It started to get really busy (and louder) the longer we were there so I was happy we got there early. While our waitress was talkative, she was very sweet and told us about Whiskey Wednesday when they have specials or any weekday from 4-5 to get $1.50 oysters. I will definitely come back and try again! read more

See all

Made some reservations for a Friday night and it was hopping. Rather small place but a nice atmosphere. Staff was very friendly and attentive. We had sardines as an appetizer and they were good. The burger was good and well executed but not great. The drinks and ambiance put this on the go to list. read more

Our server, Adrian, was extremely kind and attentive! The burger at Alley Twenty Six is ALWAYS worth going back for -- it's the bun for me. SO GOOD! read more

It took us years to try Alley Twenty Six, but we finally made our way over. We had heard great things about their burger, and it delivered! The patty was very well-seasoned and juicy. Lots of fun drink options as well -- our favorite was the watermelon mule. Definitely a staple spot in Durham! read more

See all

Cozy ambiance, dimly lit and 21+ to enter. The burger was amazing, limited menu options but all items sound great. Creative cocktails and decent service! read more

This bar was a great pit stop along our sunday funday bar hopping in Durham. The bar itself is really big with two sides and lots of seating. It was busy when we went but both the host and bartender were friendly and attentive. Their menu is unique and the tinned fish menu really caught my eye. If you love tinned fish like me then this is super exciting and if you don't then it's a great place to try it anyways because they have many variations. I have heard things about their burger and it was great! I would say it's the second best in the area which is a very high rating. The meat was delicious and flavorful. The fries it comes with are soooo good and I definitely have a new found love for a runny egg on my burger after eating here. The cocktails are also fun, different, and amazing. read more

See all

First, we had the best server named Anthony. We had never been to alley before, so inherently we asked what to order. He did not disappoint. They are known for their drinks, gin specifically. So that's what we went with. Drinks were on par. Food was great per recommendations by our server, atmosphere very chill. All in all, a very enjoyable experience! Thanks Ant! read more

Alley Twenty Six - Alley twenty six server with the best recs - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I came to Alley Twenty Six on a Tuesday evening and was able to find parking in the parking structure located near the restaurant. Street parking is also an option if available. I sat at the bar and placed my order. The bartender that I engaged with the most was nice. I didn't have much interaction with the other bartender. The restaurant had a welcoming feel. My food came out quickly. I got the alley jr. burger with fries and an order of the Nashville hot cauliflower. My French fries were hot and tasty. The burger was really good and I loved the topping combinations, and the cauliflower was flavorful. It was not too spicy. I would definitely come back again! read more

See all

This place is a total gem! We stumbled upon it because we weee looking for a place with inventive drinks and stopped here. Then we discovered the food menu and that was a double triple bonus. I love that they have an entire side of their menu devoted to tinned fish. Which we absolutely love!! In fact we got so excited about that we didn't even get to the main menu. Next time I'm in Durham I am definitely coming back! read more

Alley Twenty Six - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Alley 26 is a favorite of mine and my parents love it too! The bar is a great vibe- cocktails, service, food, everything is always great! They can get busy so make a reservation if you want to get dinner as well. Otherwise there are usually spots that open up at the bar unless it's a Duke game! Highly recommend!! read more

Alley Twenty Six - Bar and drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Alley Twenty Six has a great atmosphere and wonderfully attentive service. I was there for a work event, and it was impressive how many options they had for every palate. The cocktails were all excellent, but the red wine was an especially great value. I loved the Grenache! I enthusiastically recommend Alley Twenty Six and look forward to visiting again in the future. read more

Small, bespoke menu but food is always good. I seem to always order the burger but with a salad which is always very tasty. Burger is juicy and always good to perfection. When I do get the fries... cannot miss and ask for the aioli on the side. Venue is always a vibe. Drinks... cannot miss! read more

Finally made it here! I enjoyed it and would go again -- but, a few things to know in advance. Pros: - Drinks were indeed quite good! I ordered a cocktail off menu, and the bartender honestly admitted he didn't know it. But, he made it and it tasted spot on! - Servers were well trained! Attentive, proactive and responsive. - The food we had was good. Very good, in fact! And, the price was reasonable, particularly for the high level of service we had. Cons: - Portions of some guests were on the small side, but overly large for others. So, if you haven't had the dish before, it's a bit of a crap shoot what size meal you are getting. - It's hard to plan ahead because they don't seem to be keeping the website up with their current menu. For example, we went on September 1st -- apparently the day they changed their menu the most recently. But their website still displays their July menu. read more

The Burger is worth trying! The service is what stood out the most. Great service team. Above average location but staff made the experience

If you're ever in Charlottesville do yourself a favor and visit The Alley Light. Their cocktails are perfectly crafted + their food is delicious. PS, make reservations. Hidden behind an alley and large wooden door is this eclectic speakeasy. You're guided up the stairs to this beautiful old building with large bay windows and antique wood everywhere. The small plates pair nicely with all of the cocktails but the drinks are the star of the show. Try something new and let your bartender use their skills and get creative. Trust me, it'll be a new favorite spot! read more

See all

It's never a nice experience to be given false information from the place that feeds you and then not have it addressed at all. Alley Twenty Six runs a promotion that from 4pm to 5pm theyre oysters are priced at 2 dollars each-- a great deal. Finding myself craving oysters on a Saturday, I called them and asked if they were still running their promotion. The answer was yes-- every day. I was convinced and ran on over. Having enjoyed some nice oysters, I was then shocked to see that my bill did not reflect that promotion at all-- upon further questioning they said it was only on weekdays. Given that I called the bar on Saturday and asked about exactly that day, only ordered oysters, and was obviously confused, it would have been nice if this was addressed in a manner that admitted the mistake of the bar. In the past, I have given Alley Twenty Six a 4/5: the food is good, the ambience is nice-- its everything you want in a nice bar. Theyre never the kindest at their establishment and there is always some sort of back and forth, but I have been a returning customer. They even have cloth towels in the bathroom which is always a sign of a classy establishment. Nevertheless, as most places inevitably do, Alley Twenty Six made a mistake and I'm very sad that it was ruined for me. read more

Let's just start by saying that I've never had one of their cocktails that I haven't enjoyed. The menu is thoughtfully curated to include seasonal flavors, tried and true favorites, plus some inventive combinations. I do wish they were a little heavier on the alcohol content for the price tag, but the flavors are delicious nonetheless! The food menu is also fantastic! I've never been brave enough to try anything on the tinned fish side, but I've heard wonderful things. You'll usually catch me on an oyster happy hour before enjoying one of their highly underrated burgers :) This is a great place for drinks with friends, a date night, or even a solo drink to enjoy the evening air in the alley. Service is always spectacular and come with great recommendations for however you wish to continue the day or night's adventure. read more

Alley Twenty Six - Smoked paprika and bacon deviled eggs - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

Terrible rude service. Hostess and bartenders incredibly hostile for no discernible reason

This review is only for drinks as I have only tried the cocktails on the few occasions I've been here. They have a variety of different cocktails. They all seem to be carefully curated. They also had frozen cocktails and hot cocktails for the winter. Some nights like one night I went they had a specific guess offering discounting a bourbon. It's kind of cool to have those events to highlight some of the beverages. The service is always good when we are there. The bartenders are friendly and there is always someone checking on you at the bar. The atmosphere is nice. It's a bit upscale but still a friendly vibe. I know in the summer they have a nice outdoor section as well as some tropical cocktails. I've seen their mixers for sale out in the community as well and I think they use fresh ingredients in the drinks. I heard the food is good as well but I will have to check and see one of these days read more

Alley Twenty Six - Alley cocktail and Peach spiced mule - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Stopped in here on our Taste Carolina food tour in Durham and this bar had the best vibes. It was down an Alley and in the heart of downtown Durham. Always love to see a Mocktail section in a cocktail bar menu and these were delicious! The earl grey Mocktail was my favorite and the pimento cheese snack was everything you'd want in a bar snack. Housemade Tonic soda Earl please Pimento cheese & pepper jelly Beet G + T read more

See all

A perfect place for a night out in Downtown Durham! The staff were very attentive and explained the menu well, mentioning all the local touches that made each offering unique. The standout for us was the lemon poppyseed compound butter served with local bread and microgreens -- it was absolutely delicious! Highly recommend for anyone looking for a chill spot with great drinks. read more

Alley Twenty Six - Butter & Salt Small Plate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

Exceptional drinks and friendly bar staff / mixologists. Best part of our quick Durham visit! read more

Alley Twenty Six - Watermelon mule and Mexican herbalist - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

As a burger enthusiast I must say hands down best burger in Durham and surrounding area. Servers are great and now with their late night menu it's evening better. Make sure you make your reservations, tough to get a spot during the day without one. read more

I've heard a lot of good things about Alley 26 so decided to check it out with a friend on a Friday evening. The interior is pretty spacious and there are tables and bar seating available. It was pretty busy so we had to wait about 20 minutes for a seat. The bartender was super friendly, provided drink recommendations, and even gave me a sample of a drink that I had a question about. Food wise we ordered the meat board and fries. I didn't try the meat but my friend said it was delicious, and the fries were good too, crispy & salty. We were satisfied with the cocktails we ordered and overall had a great time coming here. Just be aware that you might have to wait for a table if it's busy! read more

Alley Twenty Six - Meat board, fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

I've been here so many times and my friends and I always say that Alley Twenty Six never disappoints. That's still true! Amazing food, great service, and the best cocktails around...I will always keep coming back here. Love the themes they select througout the year and Whiskey Wednesdays! read more

It has been on my list to try Durham's Alley Twenty-Six. The inside is cute and clean and has comfortable ambient lighting to match. There is a nice distance from the bar to the seating area. The staff is professional and personable and delivers great customer service. I had the Nashville hot cauliflower, which I enjoyed. I had the steak with a side salad. The steak didn't arrive with a steak knife, but it was worth the wait once I could cut into it. I was pleased that the steak was a perfect medium rare steak that was tender and tasty. The salad was delicious. The Pickled Red Onion, Radish, Reggianito, and Lemon Tonic Vinaigrette on the salad were divine. Everything I had was a perfect 5* on my flavor palette. I enjoyed my Accepting Fate with Hendricks instead of Bourbon. Changing the alcohol resulted in a pricey upcharge - be prepared. The cocktail was very good. I only needed one. The addition of the Angostura bitters in this cocktail was very yummy in every sip, and I only needed one cocktail, and I was feeling tipsy. Great food and a good time! As a James Beard Foundation Award finalist for the Outstanding Bar Program - Alley Twenty-Six did not disappoint. It's a YES for me. Alley Twenty-Six met my expectations as an outstanding bar that I plan to visit repeatedly. read more

See all

Food was good I had the Musubi and other items but my wife loved it for her first time trying it. The atmosphere was dope not to bright right up my ALLEYand the drinks was TOP NOTCH I really liked the Paloma's Go Holla when you get a chance read more

I made reservations for a table of 11 for my team's happy hour social/team building. We ordered a few rounds of cocktails, beers, wine, and cocktails and shared 2 each other of the following: Chef's Board: A variety of cheeses imported from France and salami, chorizo, and cured pork shoulder. Chicken Liver Mousse: Foie gras mousse with dried cranberries and toasted baguettes. Absolutely delicious! Huli Huli Wings: Spiced chicken wings - really crispy & perfectly seasoned with a dry rub. We had a great time! The ambiance was cozy and energetic at the same time. Service wasn't the greatest, but we had too good of a time to care. read more

See all