Food was really good. Service was very bad which has put a damper on our entire experience. I've been going to this restaurant fairly frequently for the past year and today was the worst experience I have had. Service was extremely slow with tables next to us getting served faster than us even though they ordered after us. Getting an order in or additional drinks required flagging the server down each time. We asked for a modification (tequila instead of mezcal) on a specialty cocktail and were over charged by 20% until I questioned the amount listed on the bill and we were charged the menu price. We had always gone here as a special occasion restaurant where we could count on great food and great service, but the service was definitely lacking tonight. read more

Wonder experience! Staff were friendly and happy working together, both FOH and BOH. Food was a delicious adventure for every pallete, even the more picky amongst us. Every plate would have been licked clean had we not been on our way to DPAC. A very nice change from our small options on our side of the state and a new destination spot! 4 plates, cannot say which was best!! read more

Bar Virgile - Steak Frites w/ Chimchurri , Pork Shoulder w/ Risotto, Pesto Linguine w/Blackened Shrinp, Pan Fried Salmon with fried Brussel sprouts - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I went to Bar Virgile with a larger group of 7 people on a Saturday at around 7. We had a fairly mixed experience, as the food was overall very good but the restaurant and seating was very small and one of my friends had to send her plain burger back twice due to it being done incorrectly. I'll break it down: Location: it is in downtown Durham very close to the DPAC which is convenient but parking can also be challenging. Restaurant: it has a super cool vibe but it is quite small. As they don't accept reservations expect a significant wait time. Also, there is a VERY small entryway/waiting area so we were literally booties to elbows with other patrons for our 35 minute wait for a table. It also took about 15 minutes to get drinks during that waiting period. Then, they put our group of 7 people in a half moon shaped booth in the back corner that probably appropriately sat 5. One of our friends had to sit sideways with his legs out the side. All this to say, For a group of more than 2 people, I would not go. It just can not accommodate. Drinks: cocktails are eclectic and interesting, and the price is average for a downtown swanky bar (12 bucks or so per drink). My gf got an old fashion and it was one of the better old fashions she has had, with a generous pour. However, our table ordered drinks at the beginning when our waitress came and did not receive them until literally our food came. Our waitress apologized and said several large tables ordered drinks at the same time; but I personally think getting drinks 25 minutes after you order isn't great regardless. Food: several of us got the cheeseburger and fries and it was VERY good. It comes with a garlic aioli dip that was excellent and the cheeseburger was seasoned very well. I would possibly return for that cheeseburger, but would prolly get it to go. But, at 13 dollars for a cheeseburger and fries, it better be good. The one caveat is my friend ordered a plain burger cooked well and it came out with cheese. She sent it back and they made it again and it was plain, but less than medium (closer to medium rare for a burger). She tried to eat it, but couldn't and sent it back to the grill. When she got it for the third time it was cooked right but there were parts in the outside that were burnt and she had to pick around. To the restaurants credit they did not charge her for her meal, but it was quite disappointing considering it was literally the simplest thing to order. She also said her burger did not have any flavor to it. My other friend got the 3 veggie side plate and I sampled the curried veggies and the cauliflower cheese dish and they were both pretty good (15 dollars). Overall experience: I would give 2.5 if i could. The combination of wait time, seating, and how long it took to get drinks (and even our food) plus my friends inability to get a properly cooked hamburger really killed it for me. The overall vibe and crafted cocktails along with the taste and quality of my meal and the kind waitress is the saving grace. Generally speaking, there are far better restaurants in downtown Durham. But, this might be a cool week night date restaurant or happy hour experience. read more

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Food was delicious and service was even better! Staff very accommodating of our large group!

Love their seasonal cocktails! Very creative and provide a balance of different tastes of liquors/juices. You're my type and fix fizz is my fav of the night! Small bites are great too! Would come back for their new drinks! Seats are limited and need to wait during weekdays! read more

Bar Virgile - Ramos Gin Fizz - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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The best cuisine I've had in a while. I'm from NYC and I've tasted great food but this is definitely one of my top five favorite restaurants. Try it, this place won't disappoint you. read more

I've been wanting to dine here for months because it seemed like a staple of downtown Durham. I love that they're a part of the Streetery. I sat at an outdoor table, at the entrance of the garage. We LOVED it! Outdoors, heat lamps, byob of bring your own blanket, a white screen showing old movies, cute random little plants. It was really a cozy cute little area that they created. Those at my table ordered entrees that included the burger, pasta dish, salmon, shrimp dish. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. They had fancy cute cocktails that all tasted enjoyable as well. The employees were very nice. read more

They have great cocktails and delicious food! I had the chance to try the Duck Confit, Salmon and the Pork Chops. All were great!! Duck was served with white beans which matched perfectly. Salmon was cooked very well and it was served with a side of brussel sprouts. In terms of cocktails, I tried the Cosmopolitan and the Manhattan. Both were strong and delishhh read more

Bar Virgile - Manhattan and Cosmopolitan - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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If I could pack this place up and take it back to Seattle with me I would. Great dining experience in a very cool space. I had the hamburger and my partner had the duck, both were amazing. Service was prompt and friendly. Durham is quite fortunate to have such a place to eat and drink. read more

My first time coming here I was a bit intimidated by how long the line was, but the staff here were so kind and accommodating to me. They're cocktails (both seasonal and classic) were absolutely amazing and wonderful. The ambiance of the bar made me never wanting to leave. 10 out of ten, would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a good drink. read more

Great food. My boyfriend and I come here all the time it is our favorite place to go.

All I can say is WOW!!!! We dined here on Friday evening before our show at DPAC. Although the service was slow at first, they more than made up for it with the AMAZING food and kind staff. We had some of everything: pimento mac n cheese, brussel sprouts, mussels, and the burger. Get ready for the best mussels you've ever had...super tender and flavorful. And the burger, oh the burger!!! My husband still can't stop talking about it! The host, Mousa, was great as well. He would come and check on us and chat. Through conversation he discovered that my hubby and I weren't big oyster fans. He had the kitchen fry us up a few to show us how delicious theirs are. He was right! Holy crap!! They melted in our mouth! We are believers now :-). The cocktails were okay. I had a strawberry something off the menu and my hubby had a Moscow mule. Will try something different next time. We will definitely be back soon! read more

Bar Virgile - Burger, Moules frites, brussel sprouts, pimento mac n cheese....All FANTASTIC!! - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Bar Virgile is one of our favorite restaurants in The Triangle. Awesome food and staff. The temporary outdoor patio(weather permitting) is a creative and great way to dine out during Covid. It's a intimate setting and we enjoy table service but equally enjoy a spot at the bar for a cheeseburger and drink. We started coming to BV before events at the arts center and now it's just a great reason to come to Durham to visit. These folks are good people, they work hard and are passionate about what they do! read more

A little slice of Montmartre in Durham! We came here late in the evening on a recent Wednesday for a few cocktails. The interior design of this place is heavenly- ornate tin ceilings, dark wood, chandeliers and cabaret art. At first we sat at the bar (props to the awesome bartender who kindly switched out the rosé my boyfriend ordered for me to the sparkling rosé I had told him to order. Crucial difference!) but then retreated to the corner booth. My friends' cocktails were all superbly crafted. Note: I could have spent the entire evening holed up here. It was a quiet night, but it didn't feel "dead" due to the coziness and just the right amount of people (ie, less than 20). The prices here are fair and many drinks were enjoyed. I can't speak to the food, but I'd gladly go back and order a few small plates if they have any vegan options. read more

Love this place!!! The cocktails are amazing and reasonably priced. Waitstaff is so friendly and the atmosphere is amazing! Only complaint is that it was a little cold inside, but I'm excited to visit again!! read more

We stopped in for a drink on a Saturday night and managed to snag 2 seats at the bar. I had a cosmo and he had a whisky. The bar is small and the restaurant in the back is also small so the place gets packed quickly. It had a cool neighborhood feel. Both the staff and other patrons around us were friendly and unpretentious. Will return to Bar Virgile in the future for future and have dinner for sure. read more

Bar Virgile - Classic Cosmopolitan - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Ok....I love this place! The decor reminds me of the cramped, beautiful, eclectic bars and restaurants you find in Europe, Spain, in particular. The posters on the wall, great lighting, fully stocked bar and hip Vibe won me over quickly when I walked in the door. And then, there was the food...Mussels in such a delicious sauce that I had to ask for bread to dip and pomme frites! We also shared fried oysters which were very fresh and perfectly breaded. This is a must try! read more

Third time is not the charm, and it all comes down to service. For the prior 2 visits we sat at the bar, enjoyed cocktails, and good food. Dropped in this time around 8:30 looking for a table for 2. The hostess looked at the one remaining table (a small 4-top) and said she would 'see if she could do something' - and then promptly did nothing -- one of my big pet peeves! After 10+ minutes I asked her if we could have the 4-top, and her response was that 'they like to hold that table for larger parties'. Mind you, this is getting on 9pm, no one else is waiting, and DPAC traffic is long since gone. She reluctantly offered the 4-top as long as we were willing to share it with another couple - something we would have agreed to do from the start if she had asked. Waitress then asked for our drink order - told her we were ready to order both food and drinks but needed the bar menu back. She took the food order and then disappeared. Took 3 attempts to get her back for drinks. So on and so on. In summary, service with a smile is better than not, but a smile or two cannot overcome poor performance. Oh, the food was good (with one exception - below) - would have been shocked if it wasn't - after all, this is a Scott Howell joint. Enjoyed the burger, the "Paella" Risotto, and the cauliflower shakshuka (not shackshuka). Shakshuka would have been better with small pieces of cauliflower rather than a handful of large chunks, but flavor was good. However, it was ordered as an appetizer, yet came out with the entrees - yup, its the service again. Disappointed - would love to hear back from y'all. read more

This is a great date spot or dinner place. We came here for dinner and ordered their seasonal drinks and a plate of cheese and meats. The cocktails were well done and very delicious. The cheese and meats were also delicious. The atmosphere is great. When you walk in, you will see the bar with herbs, lemons, limes, among other things. Then as you keep walking on your left, you will see the kitchen and tables. Sometimes they also have a band come and play as you eat. The decor is great and very eye catching. Overall, a great place to dine and have good cocktails. Highly recommended. read more

Bar Virgile - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

It was my coworker's last week in NC so I wanted to take him around downtown Durham. First stop was Bar Virgile. I came here last year with a bunch of coworkers and remembered it was a nice spot with great cocktails. This place is also right next to Church Street parking garage which has free parking after 7PM on weeknights so that was nice. After walking in, we were able to find a couple of spots next to the bar area. I ordered the Jack Rose while he got the Martini. The Fried Oysters caught my eye so I got that as well. The Fried Oysters were brought out very quickly but tasted pretty good. The sauce that came with it was pretty amazing. I didn't really care much for the pickled vegetables with it though, most of them were very sour. Overall, the staff was friendly and the drinks are great. The ambiance is also very nice. read more

Bar Virgile - Jack Rose - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Outstanding cocktails and great atmosphere perfect for a date or a night out on the town.

Staff was friendly. I was sat at the bar and had the fried oyster and steak frites. Oysters were delicious and there were plenty on the plate. The steak was another story, it was a bit tough and bland, the fries were cold and unsalted but they were still crunchy. I would return to try the hamburger, heard looks of talk about it. read more

Great food and drink. We had the mac and cheese and steak frites before a show at DPAC. Service was great and food was excellent. Only complaint is that the tables were very close together. It felt very cramped. read more

3.5 Lots of brink menu. Oysters were very fatty, juicy, fresh, succulent.. good sauce and pickles. Cheeseburger was very classic style, moisture, but too salty, otherwise soooooo good. Cajun shrimp has thin pasta.. good sauce and shrimps had fired cajun flavor. Pretty good, but too much oil poured. Creme brulee was wired. The top candy was a bit burned one side. Some part was warm, but some part was cold. Overall, pretty tasty, good service, and good pace to hang out. read more

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As I was dining alone, I saw that at the bar. Got good service for the most part. The bar area was very loud, especially with people waiting for tables. The deviled eggs for basic and had so much salt I could barely taste the caviar. The promised smoked trout was not provided, but instead some over browned bacon bits. The mussels were OK while the accompanying shoestring fries were delicious. read more

First timer.... the bartenders are IMPRESSIVE! I promise I was more intrigued with the different cocktails than anything else. I didn't get any food, however the food looked very tasty. This was just a chill spot - everyone was friendly - and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves! I will definitely be back! read more

Crazy cool interior a crazy cool vibe.. Great cheeseburger and fries Yes lots of other deliciousness offered. EZ parking too. read more

I've never had a bad experience at Bar Virgil's-- my primary complaint is it is overpriced for what you're getting. It is small bar with rotating cocktails. I've been here a number of times and have never been floored with anything (food or drink) despite a generally pricey check. Good place for date night - intimate and dark with lots of plates for sharing. Food - entree wise salmon is good. tapas - the baba Ganush is tasty. 3 for $18 you can pick between a selection of cheeses and charcuterie. Drinks- they have a rotation selection of drinks. They are fancy looking and sometimes tasty. Usually they have just been average. I would however recommend the Mumbai Direct -- fresh and refreshing. Would avoid the El jefe - pretty to look at with minimal flavor. Service - has been excellent and gets 5 stars. I complained about my drink once and they quickly replaced it. Overall- 3.5 stars. Service and ambiance are the huge pluses. Small location perfect for a date night. Overpriced read more

Bar Virgile - Baba Ganush. Recommend! - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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When here for a late meal around 9am. Praise that their kitchen closes at 9:30. I tried their mussels and their bucatini pasta with scallops. The price point for the food is amazing and the quality is great. The bucatini was a tad bit over cooked But it might have been because it was late at night. The fries bear are amazing. I highly recommend getting a dish with their fries. The mussels came with fries so I was able to enjoy both of mussels and the fries with that dish. I ordered a drink that was a fall special but unfortunately it was pretty bad. They were nice enough to take the drink back and replace it with a drink of my choice. I wish I had known about this place when I was living in Durham because I would've visited often. They also have a very trendy bar next-door which is owned by the same people. read more

My new favorite place in Durham. This tiny little Tapas bar has both delicious food and a great cocktail selection. We sat at the bar and received friendly, and precise service. Our bartender paid close attention to detail when he served us and added a friendly but non intrusive conversation to the mix; very nicely done. The food was simple but full of delicious surprises. The Gruyere mac and cheese is a killer dish and cannot be missed. It comes in its own little pot with a lid and bubbles aromatically in your face. A simple, to die for dish! The deviled eggs with trout and mustard sauce came with dried herbs which made it another amazing standout. Top it off with the braised short ribs and Voila! You have a delicious meal that two can share. This is a standout place in an area that has many fine bars and restaurants. read more

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Food is amazing! You have to get the fried oysters...and the burger. Get one of everything! I'd also recommend checking out the bar below. It's a completely different atmosphere with most of the same food. read more

If "Crash" Davis ("Bull Durham") met Don Draper for a drink, they'd meet at Bar Vigile. Only four (4) days old, the new bar teamed by Daniel Sartain is a home run. With exposed brick walls, wood timbered rafters and a tin roof, the artfully crafted cocktails are perfectly at home here. A list of classic cocktails fills the wall opposite the old school bar, including recipes for a sarareq, ramos gin fizz and cosmopolitan. The bar is staffed by handsome hipsters in grey shirts and faded jeans who know their way around a cocktail. Vintage cocktail posters line the restaurant portion. The bar is stocked with a display of eggs for the "Old Cuban," but got to sample the Ramon Gin Fizz, Vesper and Negrone, all artfully made. According to the tattooed bartender, the bar has sold 25 Manhattans and 25 Old Fashioneds in the last four (4) days. Didn't sample the food, but Daniel told us that when he brought his father-in-law to try the food, his father-in-law exclaimed, "this is all the food I love to eat!" (Daniel lived in Italy until he tired of "Italian chicks and scooters.") With a keen sense of what it takes to run a classic bar, ala NY's Death & Co., Bar Virgile is already (four (4) days in), a classic old-school hipster Durham bar. read more

Bar Virgile - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Amazing food, stupendous service. Rachel made our experience. Definitely coming back!

Wow what an amazing experience at Bar Virgile. I've been dying to check this place out and what better time then during Full Frame Festival. The place was busy but we were the lucky two to get the last table in the dining room. The place is very small so be ready to wait on busy nights. I loved the atmosphere and the set-up of the restaurant. You walk in to a cozy dim lit bar and walk through to the small dining area. You definitely get that French bistro feel walking in. We were greeted by our friendly server, I should have got her name because she was terrific. They just launched a new spring cocktail list with some unique drinks. My friend ordered the jalapeno margarita and I had a rum drink that of course I can't remember the name but it sounded especially sweet when I read the description but the waitress let me know it actually wasn't too sweet. She was right the drink was perfect and presented beautifully. Now let's talk about the food. They give you cards with a pencil (sorta like ordering sushi) and you pick what you want and they come by and pick it up. There is a large selection of cheese and Charcuterie to choose from I would have ordered them all they looked so good. We decided on one cheese and chorizo. They served it up on a nice wooden cutting board with little pickles, dijon mustard, and a fruit jam that was divine. Plenty of bread was served along with the cheese plate to enjoy as well, I always appreciate that. All of the food we ordered was delicious there wasn't a single dish that disappointed me. If I had to pick a favorite I'd have to say the lamb sliders OMG so good with the shoestring fries don't miss out on these. I also really enjoyed the housemade pretzel and the charred octopus. I thought the pricing was very reasonable for the amount of food you received as well. The restaurant is very convenient to DPAC and any festivals in downtown - so bookmark it if you don't live in Durham and make sure you get out here and give it a try. read more

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My girlfriend picked this place as our stop before the play at DPAC last night! She did not disappoint. This is a great place to gather with the girls after work for cocktails and small plates! The handcrafted cocktails were definitely crowd pleasers. Although the menu was small, it appears they take pride in what they do create. I ordered the fired mussels and a summer peach salad. Fried mussels were perfection! The salad was good but wasn't a salad. It was just peaches, tomatoes, and cheese on a plate. Still good though! We also split two artisan cheeses which were great as well! It was a nice slice of it too. Some places give you these tiny portions of cheese, however that was not the case here. Now every place can't be perfect so the only negative I saw was the limited space. I remember needing to go use the restroom (which was located outside the restaurant down a hallway, also another con) and having stand in between tables looking very awkward because I needed to wait for the server to get done pouring soda. Definitely not a deal breaker, but not ideal. The actual services was great! Our server was friendly, offers suggestions and his opinion on items when we asked as well as even suggested us coming back after the show for drinks! I appreciate someone who can engage with their guests! My opinion is that this place is definitely worth a try! read more

Bar Virgile - Menu - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I was excited to try this place but the service kept my rating down. The main area was full when we came in so we were taken to the downstairs (?Annex) Pros: Host was friendly; DELICIOUS food, good music and nice ambiance Cons: There were 2 bartenders/servers working the area. When we sat down and greeted the server, she looked at us placed two glasses of water down in front of us and said nothing. No hello, no what can I get you to drink, nothing. It was only us and another couple in the place at the time so it wasn't because she was busy. Very odd, and it went on like that for the rest of the time there. Anytime we wanted to order something we had to get her attention and call her over. She never came over and asked if we wanted another drink or how the food was (the host came by to see how we liked the food). I even wondered at first if maybe she didn't speak English at one point, which I would have understood, but no, I heard her very clearly talking to other tables behind us intermittently throughout the night. The other bartender didn't look thrilled to be there either but was at least attentive to her customers and even made our drinks a few times for her. She may have said 5 sentences in total to us the whole night, closer to tip time, like I said it was odd. She was just miserable, I guess. read more

I met a friend here for drinks and noms on a Thursday night around 6:45pm. We just grabbed two seats at the bar, since they were open, but we probably could have gotten a table- it wasn't crazy packed.. yet. ;) I liked sitting at the bar because you could watch the bartenders make all their fancy drinks right in front of you. They had a list of specialty gin cocktails, and while I'm neither for or against gin, we decided to go for it. I ordered a delicious concoction that honestly tasted exactly like an Orange Julius. I'm not even sure how that is possible, but bar tending is artful wizardry, so there you go. (I took a picture and will post it- it had egg whites and orange juices). I also ordered a glass of wine (don't judge me! it was AFTER I had the cocktail, I wasn't double-fisting) which was reasonable priced at $6 with a decent pour. We decided to split the duck foie gras which came with a handful of tiny dill pickles, bread, mustard, and some jam (foie gras is sort of like a smoother pate for those of you out there who are as un-cultured as I am) and we also split the Lobster Roll, which was an open faced sammy that came with these curious extra, extra shoestring fries. The food was delicious. The drinks were awesome. The bartenders were incredibly friendly and attentive, despite the ever increasing volume of people that trickled in. There were plenty of hooks for coats and purses. The ambiance was classic DT Durham, dimly lit, exposed brick, leather chairs. I would definitely go back. Yes, yes, yes. read more

Bar Virgile - Specialty gin cocktail - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Had a packed, crazy 2 hour dinner here one Saturday night. The wait time was a bit long, so we started ordering some food at the bar. Once we finally got a table, our waitress explained how everything was sourced locally, from as close by as the Durham farmers market. And needless to say, the food was delicious. Served tapas style, we ordered: Fried oysters: crispy, crunchy, umami goodness. As an appetizer, it is thoroughly worth it. Spring tomato salad: perfect combination of cheese and ripe, juicy tomatoes. Pesto and onions were great too. Smoked speck: several thin slices of meat paired well with slices of bread, apple flavored sauce, pickled onions, and mustard. Steamed PEI mussels: delicious. Chocolate pot de creme: very rich. Thankfully, I was able to share this dessert with my BF. As desserts go, it's decent, but I have had better. Ultimately, I took one star off for the price and the wait time. read more

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Wow! Dang . . . I mean a super, duper wow! It's a little place in a nondescript location with barely more than a half dozen tables and it is batting well above its average. (Sorry, I had to use a baseball analogy, it is Durham, NC.) The food is just awesome. From the wide selection of cured meats to the great cheese pairings. We had a bunch of small plate appetizers and split the duck confit. It wa delightful. Super savory and very complex in flavors and textures. This is squarely a mixologists bar - and they pride themselves on the diverse drinks. We went for the beer and wine menu - but I've got a bit of dinners remorse that I didn't try one of their curated libations. Take home: an awesome evening. Great food. Delightful service! I'll be back for sure!! read more

Love, love this place. GM Dusty is an amazing host. The food and service were just as wonderful. Good music, great food and service, and an atmosphere to vibe well into the night. read more