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    Congress Social Bar

    4.4 (9 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Congress Social Bar Photos

    CONGRESS SOCIAL BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Congress Social Bar

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    Reviews With Photos

    East End Sunrise (left), Dark 'n Stormy (right)
    Amit N.

    Highly recommend this fantastic new Black-owned and queer-owned drinks spot in East Durham, freshly opened by the owners of the equally amazing Rofhiwa Book Cafe just down the street. We came on a Friday night at the end of their first week in business and were blown away! The menu is simple, but the cocktails are not only set at impossible to beat prices, but were some of the better crafted and better tasting drinks I've had in a while. Shoutout to our bartender Bradley who took our vague and jumbled drink preferences and somehow picked out exactly what we were really feeling. We started with the Dark 'n Stormy which had a really nice herbaceous flavor, and their East end variation on a Tequila Sunrise, a drink that is often made too sweet but in this case was just right. Later I also tried a Negroni with prosecco -- these have always been hit or miss for me despite the simplicity of the recipe, but I felt like the one I had here really hit the ideal ratio. It is clear that the owners were making thoughtful decisions when designing the place; for example, we were told that all of the wood surfaces were manufactured from start to finish in East Durham itself. There is also a great outdoor space that is shared with adjacent businesses like Mike D's BBQ, making this a perfect spot if you're looking for dinner + drinks. Overall Congress is an authentic and vibrant new addition to East Durham and a must try for both locals and visitors!

    East Durham drink & Whiskey Sour

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    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
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    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
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    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
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    Photo of Ita Y.
    2
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    9 months ago

    The ambiance and vibe is very nice and awesome. The variety in music is very mixed and vibrant.

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    2 years ago

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    Photo of Amit N.
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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Photo of Tracy B.
    811
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    6

    3 years ago

    Incredible spot! The service, ambiance and drinks are amazing. Highly recommend this spot.

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    Ask the Community - Congress Social Bar

    Do I have to have a ticket to come tonight For the Luther party?

    No please feel free to bring as many friends or guests as you want tonight!

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    The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge

    The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge

    4.5
    (107 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    Great small bites. I recommend you trying the Elote dip it was AMAZING and perfect for sharing with…read moretwo or more friends! They have great drink specials for different days of the week! Very speedy service all of their bartenders are very sweet and will fix whatever drink to your liking The vibes are disco balls on the ceiling very open very Miami Beach vibes they have an indoor and an outdoor seating area not only that they have fireplaces. If you get a little too far from their heated porch area! The vibes just don't stop. They have an aesthetic fireplace in side as well as a fake tree in the middle beautiful for taking pictures Their bathrooms are adorable, but you might have to wait a little bit on a busy day. But this is the same problem with every bar. Very glad that they have more than one bathroom.

    Stopped by the Velvet Hippo while out in downtown Durham. When you arrive parking can be a bit…read moretricky in this area as you'll need to find street parking or park in a nearby lot. When you walk in you'll need to either take the elevator or stairs up to the third floor. Once inside the bar you'll feel like you've been transported to an upscale, tropical bar. To order you'll need to walk up to the bar to place your order. I ordered the Hot Girl Summer (Olmeca Altos Reposado, fresh watermelon, Gran Gala orange liqueur, house-made habanero syrup, lime, salt half rim) which was so good. I also ordered a cheetahs do it in the dark (Astral Añejo tequila, Licor 43, Caffè Borghetti liqueur, espresso, orange twist) which was also excellent. I'd recommend walking out to the rooftop if it isn't too hot. There are several tables and the views of the city are nice. Definitely will come back to the velvet hippo next time I'm in Durham.

    Photos
    Holiday Decor!
    Holiday Decor!
    Tap & Unwrap
    Tap & Unwrap
    Avocado toast with chopped egg, tomato, onion, and pepitas

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    Avocado toast with chopped egg, tomato, onion, and pepitas
    Aaktun Coffee & Bar

    Aaktun Coffee & Bar

    4.4
    (175 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    If I could give this place 100 stars, I would! From the…read moreoutside, you would never guess what awaits inside. It looks like a small neighborhood spot, but the moment you walk through the doors, you're immediately welcomed by a charming bakery counter filled with fresh pastries, coffee, and sandwiches. Then, as you make your way to the restaurant in the back, the entire experience transforms into something truly special. The ambiance is absolutely stunning--warm, inviting, and thoughtfully designed. I honestly spent half the meal just taking it all in because every detail was beautiful. Now, let's talk about the food... phenomenal doesn't even begin to describe it. Everything was incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. Our brunch came out surprisingly fast without sacrificing quality, and every bite was bursting with flavor. The service was equally impressive. Everyone was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy making sure guests had a great experience. You could tell there was pride in both the food and the hospitality. If you're anywhere near Durham, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit. Whether you're stopping in for coffee and a pastry, grabbing a sandwich, or sitting down for brunch, you won't be disappointed. I'll definitely be back, and this has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Five stars isn't enough--this place deserves 100.

    I have frequently gone here as it's my favorite place to grab curry mussels. With that being said I…read morecame here today to celebrate my girls birthday and it was one to remember for all the wrong reasons. 3/4 of us ordered the same exact meal and I never received my dish. By the time I was able to waive down the waiter , the table was finished eating and they brought out my meal 25-30 min after the fact. I was hopeful that management would own the mistake, but when my bill came nothing was comped. I had to raise my concern with a waitress and she got a manager. Frankly I am disappointed all around by the experience. "Worse birthday ever" was stated a few times by the birthday girl so idk if I'll be coming back. If I'm going to spend $200 on a meal I at least want to eat.

    Photos
    Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
    Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
    Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
    Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
    Jerk chicken

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    Jerk chicken
    It's A Southern Thing

    It's A Southern Thing

    4.2
    (83 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    Visited on a Saturday afternoon with a group of five and were seated right away. The restaurant…read morewasn't too crowded, and though they only had two servers on staff, the team was incredibly friendly. ​The food did take a bit long to come out, but the presentation was excellent. We started with a variety of appetizers, and they were an absolute hit with everyone! For my main, I tried the daily special--a French Dip--which I'd rate a solid 7/10. While one of my friends didn't care for her French Dip, the rest of the table enjoyed theirs. Personally, I found most of the dishes a little on the saltier side, though no one else seemed to notice. Overall, it was a good experience and I'd definitely go back to try more of the menu.

    I did not know this place was here. Just started a new job off of TW Alexander, and looked on yelp…read morefor nearby restaurants for lunch. It's a southern thing popped up. I almost didn't go, because I thought this was the downtown Durham restaurant, which is nice, but parking nightmare. Glad I went, though. The food was solid. I had the fired chicken sandwhich and fries the first day, a buffalo chicken wrap the second day, and the smoked chicken wings the third day, yes, 3 in a row. That has to say something, especially for me. All lunch items were pretty spot on, although I like a little more vinegar in my slaw than most. That was remedied by the texas pete on the bar. The service staff were all hands on. If the bartender was not there, the manager or a back of the house person was always checking on me. Very nice staff. As far as the ambiance itself, nice setup. Good sized bar, nice big patio, clean indoor and restrooms... all in all, I could not ding them for anything. I need to go to check out the weekend brunch or dinner menu. I am sure that I will not be disappointed, however, I have been told to get to brunch before noon, as it gets very busy, also a good thing. Cheers. :)

    Photos
    It's A Southern Thing
    Fried okra
    Fried okra
    Fried green tomatoes

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    Fried green tomatoes
    Alley Twenty Six

    Alley Twenty Six

    4.3
    (433 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    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!

    We hav been here twice and gotten a burger each time. Foie burger is the way to go. Hands down one…read moreof the best burgers I've had. The "wings" were absolutely killer with the perfect sweet and spicy flavor and that dipping sauce with them is out of this world. I would get the burrata again too, the only miss was the gnocchi and I say that but I ate every bite... so it's old a miss compared to everything else. Service was top notch and the drinks are delicious. I want to go get a drink at the funky little ally window one night. Go here! Get the burger! You will not regret it

    Photos
    Pimento cheese & pepper jelly
    Pimento cheese & pepper jelly
    Pimento cheese on baguette
    Pimento cheese on baguette
    House-made tonic soda mocktail

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    House-made tonic soda mocktail

    Congress Social Bar - bars - Updated August 2026

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