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    Dain's Place

    4.1 (289 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Bars
    Closed 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    Dain's Place Photos

    Business Info

    DAIN'S PLACE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Dain's Place

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    David B.

    This is a great little dive bar near Duke University East Campus. It has a great selection of on tap beers, ales and ciders. We also had fries and fried mozzarella triangles (like sticks). The bar tender and cook where great. I am definitely going back!

    Vibe
    Rahima J.

    A solid place to grab some greasy American food. The vibes and drinks are more so what you go for than the food but the food still hit too. I liked that you could customize it all but would have liked a wider array of dessert options

    Tots (we ate 95% of them this was full enough for 2 people )
    Maia H.

    This is a great place for a first time Eagles fan! The bartenders are quick, the people are amazing and there are lots of TVs showing the game I'll be back

    The fans over the bar seating oscillate slowly with a visible gearbox. You can't see it in here, but it's really cool.
    Smythe R.

    Daub's is a Ninth Street institution. I've been here many times over the years, with my girls, with the whole family, by myself on a slow, hot afternoon during the week, and the service and food is always the same - frosty cold beer, hot tater tot's, and great sandwiches! There are some sidewalk picnic tables out front for the smokers, and they'll bring your food out or take orders there if they have staff covering. Inside, the entire left side of the small place is a wooden bar, with a TV in the upper corner over the can coolers, as well as at the far end, usually with a sports ball game on. A few tables crowd the center and booths line the right side. It's dark, without being unlit, but compared to outside, it's cool and welcoming. The fans over the bar seating is worth coming in to see. The Dainer is my go-to, a burger like you'd make at home with cheese, bacon, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato slices, and a side of fries, chips, or the aforementioned tots. Easy choice. Right now, there's a women's soccer game between the red and white jerseys. The room seems to favor the team in white. Shouting at the points. (Don't come here during basketball season if you're not a Duke fan!) I'm just here for dinner and a brew.

    Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich

    Solid cheesesteak. Quick service. Multiple TVs. Clean bathrooms. Some unique items on the menu as well. Could probably find less expensive sandwiches elsewhere but that's alright.

    Pimiento cheese burger and spinach salad -- so good!
    Shannon A.

    This is a true wonderful hole in the wall type of burger place! The interior is spartan but the burgers are delicious! Very juicy and perfectly cooked. I got the burger with pimiento cheese and it was as good as my favorite burger place in Greensboro (Big Burger Spot). The pimiento cheese was plentiful and tasted amazing. The bread is buttered and warmed. I got the spinach salad on the side and it was excellent. I tried the tater tots and they were yummy as well. Highly recommend this place!

    Custom burger
    Tina M.

    We stopped in here after working a gig in Durham. We aren't drinkers but not much was open at the time. We thought we'd give it a try based on the good reviews online. We seated ourselves in a booth, the place is not very large. Immediately the bar tender came and sat down with us to take our order. The music was blaring 80s hits, it was a great atmosphere. Our food arrived crazy fast. We all ordered custom burgers with a split of tots and fries, and it was out of this world. The bun was Amazing !! So so delicious. This was a 4 napkin burger!! So juicy and full of flavor. The tots were perfectly crispy as were the fries. What a pleasant surprise to find such great food in a bar. We will definitely be back! Ray & Jose......keep up the awesome work. Thanks for a wonderful dinner and experience. See you soon !

    Full menu until 1am Wed-Sun
    Lexi M.

    We went here this past weekend and we knew we were going to like it once we saw the decor. Very eclectic and a regulars bars for sure. The bartenders aller extremely nice and fast. We saw the loaded tots before we went and we had to try them out. We. We're. Wowed! HUGE portion of food, but it was delicious. Mower will be making this a regular stop for us. The best thing that I love about this place is that they have a full menu Wednesday - Sunday until 1am!

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    4 months ago

    Food, Service, and Ambience were great! First time there and will definitely go back again!!

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    2 years ago

    Pretty averagely good food. Cool atmosphere and quiet enough for talks but also lively enough for fun meet ups.

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    1 year ago

    I thought this was simply a bar, turns out they serve food! The hamburger is probably the best in town for real a must try I guarantee it.

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    Page 1 of 8

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    The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge

    The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge

    4.5
    (107 reviews)
    1.5 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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    Alley Twenty Six

    Alley Twenty Six

    4.3
    (433 reviews)
    1.5 mi
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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!

    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

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    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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    Killer Queen

    Killer Queen

    4.9
    (33 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    I was excited to try Killer Queen for a downtown girls' night. We don't make it downtown very…read moreoften, so I've been enjoying exploring some of Durham's newer spots -- and this one was absolutely worth the visit. The wine list is broad and thoughtfully curated, with options that feel approachable whether you're a casual wine drinker or someone looking to try something new. The sommeliers were welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about helping us find something we loved. The space itself is adorable, with eclectic décor and cozy lighting that makes it easy to settle in and stay awhile. It's a great spot for conversation and a relaxed evening with friends. The only downside is that the space is fairly small, and I would have loved to see one or two more lower seating options for small groups rather than mostly high tops. That said, I could absolutely see us coming back for a pre- or post-theater glass of wine or an easy catch-up night.

    Love this place! It's definitely a bit on the pricey side when it comes to the wine, but the…read moreoverall experience makes up for it. The service is awesome--our server was super friendly and gave me a great drink recommendation when I wasn't sure what I wanted. It ended up being perfect. My friend and I shared a glass of the 2023 Cederberg Bukettraube (sweet white wine) and got the charcuterie board for one with the truffle salami. That board was so good--I can't stop thinking about it. The toasted baguette slices with truffle salami and mustard? Unreal. It was the perfect little snack to share. We also had the citrus lavender crème brûlée, which was surprisingly delicious. I don't usually go for crème brûlée, but this one was light, not overly sweet, and just had a really nice flavor. I've also tried their shepherd's pie before and loved it--wish it was still on the menu! The vibe inside is moody and cozy, and they've got a cute outdoor patio too. Overall, such a great spot. A little pricey, but I'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend checking out Killer Queen.

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    Interior
    Interior
    Killer Queen
    Killer Queen

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    Liberty & Plenty Distillery

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    4.8
    (16 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    What a lovely surprise to find this gem tucked away in downtown Durham! I had heard great things…read moreabout their espresso martini, so when we finally visited, we had to try it. And, it truly lived up to the hype. One of the best we've ever had! I also tried two other cocktails made with their house-distilled rum and gin, and both were delicious and perfectly balanced. The seasonal menu is creative and reasonably priced, we were genuinely impressed. The ambiance is charming and cozy despite a bit warm inside (the AC was pretty weak), but quiet and tastefully decorated with velvet couches, exposed walls, vintage touches, and fresh flowers on each table. We had fun flipping through their amazing cocktail book collection on the shelf too. The bartenders were very friendly and offered us focaccia from Ninth Street Bakery to pair with our drinks for free, which was such a thoughtful and tasty addition. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and are so happy to see a micro-distillery thriving in the heart of Durham. Can't wait to return for an official tour and to sample more of their spirits!

    Really fun cocktail bar- that specializes in rums! First impression- I called ahead to see if our…read moredog was allowed to sit on the outside patio, and they told me not only is she allowed, but we aren't allowed to come without her. That response will get a smile every time. Super dog-friendly, to say the least, both outside and inside. Outside has several tables under a covered area, and inside has a few couches (with tiny tables) and a long bar you can sit at. We've been a few times now, and the service is super friendly and helpful, every time. It's small and intimate inside, but we never have a problem finding a seat! I love that they have snacks you can help yourself to, in airtight jars at the bar (peanut butter filled pretzels, sour worms, etc). Also important to note- the inside is NOT air conditioned. We stopped in on a HOT day, and it's brutal inside, with cloth couches and just one small fan. Love this bar, all of their cocktails (wine available too), and all of the staff! Will be back (a lot)!!

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    Liberty & Plenty Distillery
    Liberty & Plenty Distillery
    Damn good Espresso Martini

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    Damn good Espresso Martini
    Aaktun Coffee & Bar

    Aaktun Coffee & Bar

    4.4
    (173 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    amazing! I love this location, food is always good and coffee is always great! the service is…read moreamazing too!

    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.

    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
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    Jerk chicken

    Dain's Place - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

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