LGBTQ ‍ FRIENDLY They have small bites, though I wasn't interested in them! I was star struck after reading their creative cocktail menu! I had a Sazerac and my friend had a high passion or something like that! These drinks were worth the price had me feeling really good and tasted very good! I should've taken pictures of the drinks, but they were really good. I just drank them. The mood lighting, sets the vibe for pictures and close interactions They host burlesque shows, dance classes, talent shows and so much more events. Follow them on Instagram!!! Also, their bathrooms are very clean!!! Right next to viceroy Indian food read more

Arcana Bar and Lounge - Me in their bathroom VERY CLEAN AND SPACIOUS! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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

Definitely always a vibe here. Love their themed nights and fun drinks to match. Also love when they have vendors and I like how they switch up the artwork. read more

My partner and I went here after we got married not knowing it was a gay bar. However, the staff and people there were friendly and wonderful. Not our normal drink choices but the place was set up beautifully. The bartenders were friendly. Would go again, simply for the vibes. read more

We loved the vibe here. It was very 1920's speakeasy meets LGBTQIA+ bar. Great music. Nice bar staff. Their espresso cocktail was to die for. We will be back. read more

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! read more

Arcana Bar and Lounge - Drink menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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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. read more

Arcana Bar and Lounge - Amazing Hierophant and Summer Solstice cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I've been to Arcana a few times now and the vibes are so good! They always have a really great selection of signature cocktails and their espresso martini is among the best I've had in a while. It's a small-ish space so great for a more intimate hang, but they do occasionally have big parties here like goth prom. You can also get your tarot read here, which is really fun! My only complaint is that there really isn't any outdoor space at all to take a breather or a smoke break, but other than that, this is a super cute great little bar and I will definitely be back. read more

Really love this cozy queer-friend space But, it is expensive ($17 for a cocktail in Durham). And the space itself just not accessible to folks with mobility issues (stairs to a basement) or the immunocompromised. There is zero ventilation here with a low ceiling, and on crowded nights it is shoulder to shoulder - it is moist and sticky. A couple of stand-alone air filters would help, but they don't even have fans. And it is incredibly loud. This all wouldn't be a big issue if there was an outside area, but there is no where to get a break from the crowd and noise. I like the idea of the event nights that they have there, but the space just isn't conducive to it, so I tend to go occasionally during down nights instead read more

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

Arcana Bar and Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

What an amazing warm atmosphere here in Durham. The drinks are delicious and staff are so friendly and kind. Even if you aren't familiar, do yourself a favor go and order a Hierophant! They also have amazing shows and music so you can't go wrong any night of the week. read more

Lowkey cringe vibe. Upon walking in, I realized at the tender of 22 that nobody within my vicinity was less that 35 years old. This is not a problem, it is just not ideal for me. Namaste read more

One of my favorite bars in Durham. It's a place you can bring someone you want to impress, very much speakeasy meets classy dive vibes. There are always lots of unique events going on. From figure drawing to live music, you're sure to find an event of interest. The cocktails are excellent, unique and high quality. Plus, the entrance is a little hard to find, but that makes it feel like even more of a hidden gem! read more

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. read more

Arcana Bar and Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I had to help my disabled friend, who has two prosthetic legs, down the basement stairs and the staff incorrectly assumed we were intoxicated because she had trouble with their stairs. We ordered one drink from the bartender with a cold reception. I didn't think this was too odd, since it was a Saturday night and they were busy. My disabled friend was wearing a dress and it was clear she had bilateral prosthetics. We sat down and had our one drink and I asked for another for us and the owner told us we were cut off for being too intoxicated. We had ONE drink. I promptly paid the tab and escorted my friend back up the stairs. I asked to speak with the owner who repeatedly insisted I was the problem without any reason instead of owning up to their mistake. We literally had done nothing but sit there for 20 minutes listening to the live music. We had one overpriced, watered down cocktail drink each. Drunk you say? Own up to your mistake. You saw my friend stumbling and didn't see her prosthetic legs on your uneven stairs or floor. Ableist and disgusting. Do not ever patronize this establishment. read more

Had a drink at Arcana after a fun date dinner in Durham (I am from Raleigh). I appreciate their COVID protocols and that we had to show proof of vax. Drinks were very strong/-classic, and the DJ music was very chill and on-vibe. I had a lovely tarot reading from a South African woman (I didn't quite get her name through her mask). She was empathetic and somewhat mysterious and seemed to tear up every time I did. Loved the whole experience. read more

My friend, who happens to be wheelchair bound, finally came into town to visit and I brought her to Arcana, this awesome little hole in the wall bar I had been raving about for months. Now, this bar is in a basement, which makes accessibility difficult. However, I called ahead of time asking if they were accessible since I knew their location was in the basement. The person that answered the phone "yes! we are, just call when you are outside we will meet you upstairs and escort you down the elevators." So we did just that! My friend isn't able to accompany me to many places due to the inaccessibility of some businesses and their buildings, but Arcana and her staff made our visit together that much more special, and the drinks were amazing. Thank you Arcana for finding ways to make your business accessible to those with modified mobility needs. We will definitely be back! read more

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. read more

Arcana Bar and Lounge - The Young Hierophant - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Unimpressed. I came here for a 90s Hip-Hop/R&B party. The doorman was grouchy and impersonal; so our wait outside in the cold was less than enjoyable. When we got in, it seemed like the venue was not really equipped to host events like this. Beside it being packed. The DJ was set up in the booth the the back corner with two standing speakers...that's it; two speakers for the whole space. It felt a lot like somebody's basement party. I couldn't hear the music over people talking, and what I could hear was pure static and sounded terrible. My friends and I had a decent time, but we had to make a party ourselves. read more

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 read more

Arcana Bar and Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Wonderful and unique... a great hidden oasis in Downtown Dirtytown. A very different vibe early than late but both are great... read more

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) read more

Arcana Bar and Lounge - Drink menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I am so happy that a friend introduced me to Arcana because you really wouldn't find it unless you know where to look-- it is around the back of Beyu Caffe down a long flight of stairs. Once you get inside you have found a hidden Durham gem. The space is definitely cozy and intimate with lots of mix-matched antique furniture. When I was there it was full but not crowded and it was quiet enough that you could actually have a conversation. The drinks were fairly priced and the tarot theme is definitely present but not overdone (unfortunately there wasn't anyone reading tarot when we were there but we had fun just "reading" each others cards). I will definitely be back next time I want to catch up with a friend over a glass of wine or cocktail. read more

Arcana Bar and Lounge - Tarot and wine makes for a good night. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Went to Innocence and Lies "sad bar" dance party. It felt like a house party out in (an intimate) public setting. In the best way possible. I had The Hermit (amazing matcha cocktail), which turned out exactly as I hoped it would taste. First time here, so I am not sure if it was the bartender's skill or if the Hermit can be my new reliable go-to drink. We shall see. The set up was nice. I liked the couple of couch areas with circled seating, some hightop tables, bar area, and small dance floor beside seating areas. Card-reading looked cool. Nice ambiance in the entire place. Decor is amazing. Really sets the mood. You can tell everyone was having a really great time. Cool local art. People were smoking right outside the front, which I very much like. read more

Arcana Bar and Lounge - Nice couch area. Dance floor and hightop tables behind me. Cardreading and seating against the wall would be to the left of the photo. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This bar is awesome, we came for the first time on a Saturday. It's got a very down-to-earth, grungy, hole-in-the-wall feel, but with awesome live music that started at 9pm. My partner and I were all dolled up for our 4 year wedding anniversary, which was funny because it's obviously a dive-bar. But we didn't feel out of place since no one bothered us or looked at us--the drinks are great, the furniture is cozy, and the live music was a cherry on top. We had a babysitter waiting for us to come home, otherwise we would have stayed longer. The only thing that would have made it better was if we had gotten our cards read. We'll do that next time! read more

This place sucks. Seems like they didn't even want our business. Told us immediately when we sat down that they close in 40 minutes. Really unwelcoming. read more

Love this cute little divey basement bar! Not a fancy place at all.. so no need to dress up in your cocktail dress! Loved the whole vibe of the place. Only thing is it's a little difficult to find if you haven't been here before! But worth the search! read more

Arcana Bar and Lounge - people sitting at the bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I certainly pictured something very different when I read that Arcana falls under the category of Lounge and cocktail bars. I thought it would be upscale or elegant. It was very hipsterish and lots of quirky people. Not really my thing. Kind of grungy and dingy interior. Like some guy had converted his basement into a bar and filled it with very random objects that don't match (think IKEA lamp and a bird cage and a coffee table). There was a lady with green buzz cut getting body point artwork done on her body, by a local artist I assume. Like I said, quirky. There was a five dollar cover for entering. After walking down the stairs I felt this was the worst way I had spent five dollars in a long time. Because it was very empty and nothing going on at first. But I do have to admit it got better later in the evening. And the music the dj played was pretty good most of the time. They have some creative and interesting cocktail drinks on the menu. And they are quite strong! The prices are reasonable. I had a 1554 black lager, which was good. The bathrooms were surprisingly clean. They dont serve food, but apparantly you are allowed to bring in your own. read more

Can I live here? Like, just pull up a little cot and live in the back? This place is really awesome. I truly love my gin and this place does not disappoint. They featured a Cardinal Barrel-Rested gin that just made my life - and the bartender knew just how to make it pop. When it comes to gin in North Carolina bars, it's hard to find a spot that doesn't always blend their gin with citrus - which is great, but utterly monotonous. There's a big, beautiful world of gin-based cocktails that let the liquor shine without hiding it behind limes and lemons. But here? They really get it. The owner pumps out new cocktail recipes stemming from their own love of gin and it shows. The bartenders execute perfect drinks that balance smell, taste, and sight expertly. And their gin collection is top-notch considering what's available in this state. The atmosphere is chill. There are plenty of couches and chairs tucked around to have a private conversation with a close confidant or a small group. The low lighting and interesting books scattered about add to the comfortable mystique. In short, find your way into Arcana and prepare yourself for a night of quality cocktails. read more

Everything was going ok until I went to close my tab for the night. I patiently waited and got ahold of the owner Lindsey to ask for my tab, she told me to hold on. I stood there and waited for about 10-15 minutes watching her serve other people and doing other random thing but not closing my tab. I asked again and she had an attitude and told me to wait again. At that point I got upset and demanded my tab and with some push back from her eventually got my tab. She argued with me and acted like I was crazy for even saying the things that I was saying. It was completely unacceptable. There were other brown people that Lindsey just ignored and over looked. I'm very saddened by this because this was a cool little spot to come and chill and get decent drinks. I'm not sure I will be returning or telling anyone to come. I refuse to be treated differently because of the color of my skin. read more

This is a fun little spot. I came here with my girlfriend on a Thursday night for a drink. It definitely maintains the speak easy vibe--you descend down a back alley stair case to the basement located behind several other restaurants. Inside, the place is decorated in a sort of boho chic; there were tapestries and artwork with a sort of tarot theme on all the walls, and a lady reading tarot cards. We ordered our drinks at the bar, and had a seat...the drinks were all original and very good, some with ingredients I'd never heard of before. The highlight of the trip was the owner manager. In addition to random puzzles and board games scattered around, he came by several times to offer his favorites. Awesome spot to kill an evening with a few drinks, or as a follow up to a show at DPAC. I'll definitely be back! read more

Honestly, we love coming here for an after dinner drink! Last weekend I brought my family in from out of town for a cocktail. We were treated as if we didn't exist, as if we were a nusense. When we did get our drinks the bartender slid them our way without telling us what they were. Let's just say we started guessing because our bill for 70$ was just put in front of us. Usually never post bad reviews, but when spending this kind of money I feel as if it's important to let the public know. Pretty disappointed read more

Unique, hidden location with a dark, vibe. The bartender/ Co-owner was fantastic, welcoming and made a delicious rosemary martini. Highly recommend on a chill night when looking for some music and a delicious cocktail. read more

Once you find this place, it's well worth it. The entrance is next to the back door of Beyu Café (though I understand that is moving soon, so it may not be a landmark long). You descend a long staircase to a room that would be a dive if it weren't so distinctively decorated. It's dark and cool, with a bartop made of laminated gold and black ceiling tiles. The walls are painted an antique green and there are various vintage pieces all around; it has sort of a feel of a gracefully aging Havana. (I've never been to Havana, but this is what I imagine a bar there might look like, anyway.) They have a short list of specialty cocktails; I enjoyed the Flor de la Fortuna (rum-based) and the Isabella's Card (gin-based). They were carefully made and balanced. They also have wine and beer of the upscale variety, though the prices are reasonable. There seems to be a tarot-card reading theme as well. This is a fun place to hang out and certainly feels different from downtown Durham's other cocktail lounges, so it's a great addition to the scene. read more

Arcana Bar and Lounge - Stairway downtown the bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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So glad we found this place!! Cocktail bar that is semi unknown since you enter through the back of a building and the sign isn't that big that was started by an ex-professor who just wanted to work in a fun place and make drinks for people--what could be better? This bar is pretty cool. Their menu is like a little piece of paper art, their drinks are pretty inventive, and they have a few local beers too. A small bar area, lots of standing room, and then there are some random other chairs and couches that had to chill, hang out vibe of this cocktail spot. Yes, there was also a tarot card reader and eventually they had some live DJs come and spin some music and there was a mini dance party (I chose to sit and drink at the bar and watch from afar like a creeper though ha). But the fact that this little spot has so much character I think it definitely adds to the cocktail scene of downtown durham and can't wait to go back! read more

To start, this is not a place you will likely stumble upon without searching. I had some trouble locating the entrance to Arcana, but I'm glad I made the effort. The bar has a bit of a speakeasy feel to it as the entrance is not only difficult to find, but once at the entrance, the bar itself is only accessed by going down a flight of stairs. The main entrance, as other reviewers noted, is shared by Beyu Cafe and is accessed on the backside of Main Street. The backside of Main Street can be accessed by the alleyway just beyond Toast and Criterion. I had two cocktails here that were well done-- the Sage Empress (Vodka, blueberry lemon, sage) and the Magus (black rum, black pepper, lemon). The Sage Empress was a very light and refreshing drink with real blueberry pulp in the drink. The Magus was different from any cocktail I've had, but it was pleasant. I was apprehensive about the black pepper, but the flavor came out nicely without being overpowering. The bartender here puts a lot of care into her drinks and that comes across in the quality of the cocktails. At $10 a cocktail, the prices are fair for the quality. Really enjoyed the atmosphere here-- laid back, friendly vibe. Bar seating is available in addition to couches and a few tables that are dispersed throughout. There's a tarot theme here, but it isn't overwhelming. Aside from the tarot, there are games situated around the bar-- I played mancala while enjoying my cocktails, but there was also chess and checkers available. Fun spot. Will definitely return when in Durham. read more

I came here on two occasions and have not been disappointed. On Saturdays, they have rotating artists who play live music. First time was a jazz group and the second time was a guitar duo. I enjoy the ambience of this bar. It feels like a speak easy because of the location as well as the size of the lounge. They have many cocktails that rotate seasonally. The only downside is that it usually is on the expensive side of $10-15 per drink. read more

This is a great casual bar! I went for the first time tonight and I loved the vibes. Their drink menu was spectacular and they stock a number of rare liquors, which I definitely appreciate. The edgy vibe might not be for everyone, but I'll definitely be back! read more

Love the atmosphere. Lovely music, vibes, chill and great cocktails. There was live music and tarot card readings. There is art on the walls and the lighting is muted and mysterious :). Cocktails are starting at $10- about $15 if I remember correctly. read more

Went in tonight with 3 friends for a cocktail. 2 guys, 2 ladies. Another guy sitting at the bar, who was clearly inebriated, started asking me a lot of questions about who we were, where we were from, and if we were on a double date. I tried to brush him off, but, unfortunately, he persisted. My other guy friend got a little fed up and told him we were from nowhere, then this drunk guy became combative. When I tried to calm him down he called me a CUNT. I moved to the barstools further away, because I wanted to punch him in the throat, and told told the bartender what he had done. She blew me off. I like Arcana. I want to feel like this is a place where people can feel safe, all people. But when they turn a blind eye toward some guy who is clearly wasted and is accosting people who just want to enjoy an amazing cocktail, I can think of other places to spend my money. read more