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    Arcana Bar and Lounge

    4.2 (62 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Arcana Bar and Lounge Photos

    ARCANA BAR AND LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Live music
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Arcana Bar and Lounge

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    Drink menu
    Shanelle Y.

    My friends and I came here last night for some drinks. The place was packed and initially all the tables were full, but we were able to grab one eventually. The atmosphere in the bar was kind of mystical from the lighting and decor to the tarot reading going on, which was super unique! It felt a bit like I was in another world. The cocktails were great. I loved the April Fools, which ended up being my favorite drink of the night. I tried sips of my friends drinks, and they were all pretty tasty. The drinks and ambiance were on point, however the bartenders could've been a bit more friendly/welcoming. It was pretty busy so I get that they were probably more focused on getting the drinks out. Overall I found this to be a unique bar with amazing cocktails. I will come back for sure!

    Amazing Hierophant and Summer Solstice cocktails
    Glenn G.

    I had been here years ago while volunteering for a local event but had actually never drank here until recently. It is a woman-owned LGBTQ+ friendly bar with an antique southern feel. They have tarot card readers and live entertainment on weekend nights. We enjoyed our cocktails and noticed they even have absinthe offered on sugar cubes. Gotta try that sometime. We enjoyed the musical act and the overall artsy but relaxed basement surroundings. There are so many bars in Durham now and this place has found a nice niche. The entrance is a little hard to find since it's in the back of a building on Main Street and facing a rear parking lot. You also have to walk down some stairs.

    Best queer bar in Durham. Amazing cocktails, good vibes. Highly recommend. The service is phenomenal.

    Janice M.

    There's an esoteric vibe in this bar that borderlines a speakeasy feeling. The place is located on Main Street in Durham, but one must enter through an alluring back entrance, across from the train tracks, and a few doors away from a gentlemen's club. It is down the stairs to the basement, where you'll find an opening to a lounge with vintage, french provincial furniture. On the tables tarot cards eye anyone curious enough to tempt the spirit world with visions of their future and, if you come on the right night, a card reader will be present as a guide. A quirky set of lamps line the room, and the ceiling is dimly lit by glowing birdcages. This bar aids to empowering local artists by hosting their work on the walls in rotation, the energy differing each and every time. A wonderful vibe continues even while scanning the bar menu, where you can order a sophisticated concoction named after esoteric inspired philosophies. My current favorite is The Queen of Cups, a name playing from a card also found within the tarot decks. This is white tequila based with hibiscus, lemon and lime, although I usually substitute the tequila for gin. These drinks are not for the inexperienced, yet they are devilishly tasteful at the same time. If you are looking for a deadly sin to be your downfall, this is certainly not a bad temptation to succumb to. A great time to enjoy this bar is later in the week, such as a Thursday or Friday, before or after dinner. Definitely stop by. There's nothing else like it nearby. The atmosphere is wonderful for a date, or an intimate setting with friends. Some people wrote about wanting more of a mystical sensation within this bar. My suggestion to make anything better is always to add fairy lights. Fairy lights add a touch of magic in any room they light up. Perfect for the twinkling feeling one has just after a tarot reading. If you are looking for quality cocktails, stop in at Arcana.

    The Young Hierophant
    Mark S.

    Came here last week on a Thursday night. I came here once before and there was a house music party so the mood was a lot different not to mention it was a bit hard to hear people as well. Me and coworker of mine came here around 11PM and it was pretty empty inside. The first time I came here, I ordered The Young Hierophant and I remembered it being very strong so I suggested that to my coworker. The ambiance is definitely unique. I asked the bartender Heather and she told me the theme was Tarot cards. Unfortunately, we missed the Tarot card reader who was there earlier that night. I like this place since it's quite different from the other cocktail lounges that I've been to in terms of decor. It feels like you've been transported to a mystical place. Staff was friendly and the drinks are strong which is always good.

    Cori B.

    There's lots of good bars in Durham. And there's lots of good reasons to go to all of them. Aracana though has earned a special place in my heart for many reasons. I love that they are a dark and quiet place in the basement behind/under viceroy. I love that they are heavily involved with the community hosting local bands and tap takeovers. I love the guest tarot readers and the vegan cocktail choices (aquafaba instead of egg white omg!!) I love the welcome of the lgbtq+ community. This is a wonderful fun delicious safe space that I just really enjoy hanging out. Truly a gem of downtown Durham. I love bringing people here to show people what it means to me to live here. #northcarolinahome #allarewelcome #yallmeansall

    Drink menu
    Anthony M.

    Arcana is the newest bar in Durham and so far I love it. I went to the grand opening event yesterday and it is such a cool space. You enter from Ramseur street, the downtown loop street behind main. It is a downstairs bar so it is cut off from light. It is a fairly smallish space that sports a good number of chairs and couches and various art on the walls. They describe themselves as a "a cozy, comfortable, intimate bar space" and that is exactly the vibe it has. The drink menu offers a lot of house cocktails priced at $10 and a good number of beers priced fairly. I tried the Calling IPA while I was there which was potent (8.5%) and tasty. It is a nice lounge, a good spot to have a drink and catch up with a friend or take a date to. It has a more hipstery, chill vibe than some of the similar establishments Overall, I think it adds something new to the Durham bar scene and I wish them the best. (Btw, there was also someone reading tarot cards there. It was a grand opening event so I don't know how often that will happen, not quite my scene but I am sure a lot of people will find that fun. There was a long line to have your turn)

    Tarot and wine makes for a good night.

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    18 days ago

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    1 month ago

    Best management ever! Went beyond the niceties to having a genuinely meaningful conversation past closing time.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Arcana Bar and Lounge

    Are the tarot card readings free?

    Tarot card readings are not free. They vary in price depending on who's reading, and the length of the reading. Usually there is a $10 and $20 option

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Arcana Bar and Lounge

    My current favorite is The Queen of Cups, a name playing from a card also found within the tarot decks.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Conniption Bar & Lounge
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    Alley Twenty Six - Y'all when I say this burger lived up to the hype!!! IG: @betterwithju

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    We had an extremely memorable experience at Alley Twenty Six, in large part to our amazing server,…read moreAnthony! 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!

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    The Waiting Room - Storefront sign

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    This cozy bar & lounge set between the American Tobacco Campus and the DPAC is a great place to…read moreunwind and chill. Got a show coming up? You can come here for a pre-show drink. There is waiter service at the lounge tables. I enjoy the bar service: plenty of seats and friendly bartenders. Old Bull Apartments residents have it best. They can hang out here, steps from their homes.

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    Arcana Bar and Lounge - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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