Fullsteam

4.3 (515 reviews)

ModerateBreweries, Sandwiches, Beer Gardens

Closed • 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

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Fullsteam - Patty Melt - Breweries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Fullsteam - Interesting industrial interior - Breweries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Fullsteam - Old Bay Blackened Catfish Po' Boy - Breweries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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FULLSTEAM ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?

Inside

139 Photos

Outside

56 Photos

Live music

Classy

Casual

Moderate noise

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Ana H.

This place is really cool the attention was so good, and the beers were delicious and as for the food I'm glad I waited until I got here! I ordered the smash burgers and tots, you definitely want to get this one! As for the beers, I had their Farmhouse Lager, Pilsner and their hazy IPA. The ambience was very relaxing and more when you're surrounded by so many cute plans and nice murals. The service was on point, very helpful and attentive.

Flight, prices vary (about $16 for these 5)

Mary W.

Mixed reviews about this place, some gripes of which aren't at the fault of Full Steam. I'll start with the positives. The venue is really nice, super chill with great vibes. It's also very spacious with two separate sections and lots of seating, one side is the bar with some seating and the other is an open almost garage like area with many long tables. Bartenders are also great, friendly and efficient. I'm clumsy and accidentally spilled one of my beers, and she kindly poured me a new one which was so sweet! I ordered a flight which is 5 5oz pours of any beers on the menu, prices vary. I paid about $16 for my 5 which I didn't think was too bad. I didn't care for the 6/19 or the Uncle Ricky's, but that's personal preference. The Southern Basil on the other hand was phenomenal! Yum! I'll definitely be back specifically for that one. Now, the not so positives, mainly just two. It was honestly so hot inside that it made it uncomfortable (for me, at least). Plenty other patrons seemed fine! The bar side was cooler, yet still hot. The "garage" side was swampy, which I know they realize as fans are set up, and the garage door was open so it definitely would be unbearable if not. I'm not sure if this is par for the course or just because of the time of year. I also bet during cooler months it's really pleasant! Secondly, totally not Full Steam's fault but unfortunately a huge factor...PARKING (or lack thereof). I'm not a local to Durham so I'm not used to this, though I recognize most probably are. There's a lot directly across the street and if you're lucky to find a spot, you'll spend between $8-$10 for 2 or more hours. The cost really isn't the problem, it's more the finding a place to park. There's so much construction in the area right now, too, that many lots or decks on the map are inaccessible. My friend that I planned to meet up with drove around for, no exaggeration, an hour in search of parking. We finally gave up and she picked me up and we went elsewhere. Summarily, I would go back here and recommend to others. I would simply be aware of these two main issues listed above and plan accordingly. I didn't get a chance to try their food this time, sadly, due to the parking conundrum, but I'd love to try it next time.

Jessica H.

This place is a great meeting spot for a large group! I have gotten the vegan Reuben twice in the past few months- once with a side salad and once with fries and both were equally delicious. You order food at the bar and you get a buzzer to tell you when it's ready. The service is friendly and the food is quality! Great beverage selection, too. It's pretty cold there in the winter. And hot in the summer, which is my only complaint. I wish they would control the climate a little more.

Savannah K.

Fullsteam has a wide variety of beer options. I got a flight so I could try multiple (the flight comes with 5 beers rather than the normal 4!). The most unique beer had a basil flavor which I had never had before. There are tons of tables inside and outside with an outdoor covered area as well. They have games you can play while enjoying some brews. Good vibes and friendly bartenders.

Grant S.

During a recent conference in Durham, we did a local brewery tour. The stand out brewery for us was Full Steam Brewery. From the outset, we were impressed by the space. Huge, open, and welcoming, there is outdoor seating, covered open air seating, and air conditioned indoor seating. Something for everyone! We also felt welcomed by the LGBTQIA+ flag hanging out front. Thanks for making us feel included! The next best moment was how wonderfully friendly and helpful the bartender was. As a first timer, I had lots of questions and she helped with kindness and positivity. I always appreciate that! My husband and I both got beer flights and the beers were AMAZING! My husband got a flight of IPA's and absolutely loved them! Between the two of our flights I really enjoyed the Westea IPA, the Oops...We HS17701Ed Again, Brumley Forest, Todor Vapor, and Southern Basil. However my favorite was the classic Biscuit Wheat Beer made with local NC ingredients. It was so flavorful and delicious. Yum! We also shared the Queer Beer on tap from Mill Whistle Brewing and thought it was delightfully yummy and Pride festive! We also tried the food and LOVED it. My husband got the Piedmont Chicken sandwich and liked how uniquely flavorful it was. I got the blackened catfish sandwich and found it wonderfully delightful! Bursting with flavor, but not too spicy. And the bread was a perfect baguette. Both sandwiches came with southern seasoned fries and they were literally like drugs they were so deliciously addictive. I could've eaten a whole other basket, even after being full! Prices were excellent, the space was clean, and hours were ideal. If we are ever back in the area, Full Steam will be stop #1 on our list. We tried 7 other breweries and it was definitively our favorite. If you're in the area, be sure to stop by for great beer, delectable food, and a lovely time!

Meri A.

Great bar and craft beer! Surprised to see so many food options, as well. Neat bar space and additional seating in a covered patio space, had an outdoor feel with plants and some live- edge tables. A big barrel shaped sliding door opens the space between these 2 sections. Got there early before a concert nearby and service was quick. Started to fill up as they were getting ready for a trivia night- looked like a fun crowd.

Lori W.

The Lowdown: I was impressed with the food and size of the building. The service and knowledge from the bartender, Jenelle was exceptional. Four stars because : I was a little disappointed in the beers that were available(although I'm not a beer drinker my friend is). Parking sucks and there was a smell of what resembles natural gas near the front entrance. Oh and yes, the front door is that big red thing under the sign (see photo) Fun fact: Triangles 3rd largest producer of beer in the triangle and they In Source most of their meat, cheese, grains. The worst part about my experience here was the parking and walking around all the construction happening in front and the natural gas-like smell near the front entrance just after you walk in. We will come back and I will update my review during the spring when their Girl Scout Cookie beers come out and the construction will hopefully be finished.

Heather M.

We just arrived in Durham, and were looking for a place to burn some time while waiting for friends. We found this gem and could not have been happier with our choice. This is a relaxed, family-friendly brewery with ample seating, and industrial fans for warm days. Great selection of beers, and although we did not eat, several people around us had what looked to be delicious appetizers and sandwiches. We enjoyed the Paycheck (Pilsner), Biscuit (wheat), and Oops... Again! (Pilsner/IPA blend). These three beers were fantastic. The bar staff was friendly and helpful and will allow you to sample beers. When we are back in the area, we will certainly be back to Fullsteam!

Shaun C.

Very open space, lots of seating, the bar area itself isn't very large, but it's still a good size. We showed up about 10-15 minutes before the cutoff for ordering food, but didn't have any issues. My wife and I both ordered the Smash Burger, which was really good. It comes with their house-made "Rocket Sauce" which is delicious. There's horseradish in it, so it's got a little kick, but not so much to not enjoy it. Everyone we met was super friendly, and very welcoming.

Raelynn V.

There is ample seating with a ping pong table and beautiful decor. While we visited we had the pleasure of watching an artist work on a mural on one of the walls. The bartenders were extremely friendly and provided great recommendations. The peach sour and coffee pilsner were tasty and very unique! Have yet to try the food, which everyone says is great. Rating 3 stars because it was super warm inside. Everyone in our group was sweating despite giant fans. For a summer cold beer this is not the place to sit back and cool off.

Kong L.

I haven't stopped here for a while so I decided to stop by for a bite. I highly recommend grabbing a bite somewhere else. I ordered the chicken sandwich and received overcooked fries, and a piece of breaded chicken sandwiched between a burnt bun. How do you even dare to serve me this? How does this even pass through the kitchen? This is quite disrespectful in my opinion. Spent over $25 on food and drinks to receive this? I left feeling like I was robbed.

Will R.

I've had Full Steam beer before via grocery stores & taprooms and their Rocket Science IPA has become one of my go-to IPA's, so I was pretty excited to go to the brewery in Durham. Very good sized brewery. Due to COVID, there was a path you go through to order and then to your seat (this is a good thing, as it was organized). Of course, they had plenty more options on draft so that was an excitement to try as well. The bartenders were very nice and didn't rush at all when selecting a beer. Our seat was in the main area and you can tell many events had (pre-COVID) been held there previously, which were probably very fun. The brewery itself you can see in the back through the glass, which is cool. The only bad thing was that we went during peak summer and their AC was not on, but rather open air. There are huge, multiple fans but only pushed around hot air. Aside from this, I still love their beer and would return to try more. I recommend.

Andrea A.

Came to Fullsteam absolutely famished and got the patty melt with french fries, both of which were delicious! I loved the soft focaccia bread they used for the patty melt (I'm also a sucker for caramelized onions on sandwiches). The fries are on the crispier side, which I enjoyed. I'm not the biggest beer fan, but I had to get the Girl Scout cookie flight because I've never seen this anywhere else! The cookies hit ofc; my favorite pairings were the Lemonade cookie with Road to Nowhere and the Peanut butter cookie with CIFC. Service was good- friendly and relatively speedy. Ambiance is great- awesome place to hang out with friends, very open space. 7.5/10 would recommend Fullsteam brewery!

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Kathleen J.

12 years ago

Our trip to Fullsteam (Sunday afternoon) was really fun! We got attentive service from a friendly bartender and then sat on the indoor patio to play darts for a while. The beers were tasty (Cack-a-lacky was a particular favorite from the flight) and the atmosphere was great. With big picnic tables and board games, people clearly felt like they were at home and there were kids and dogs present. We'll be back! read more

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Tommy G.

14 years ago

Best hangout spot, bar scene, food trucks, place to go in the Triangle. Period

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Debra N.

12 years ago

Aleays a great place to chill with friends and have a beer or ten. Bring your dog! Great place to spend an afternoon.

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Hannah A.

14 years ago

LOVE! The have my new NC #FavoriteBeer! Summer Basil! Great atmosphere, fun events and clever brews.

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Abby G.

11 years ago

I just loved this place! Went there for the first time last weekend and loved it. Such a chill, friendly atmosphere and I loveeee that you can bring dogs! My pup will certainly be joining me next time! And the beer was awesome, duh! read more

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Chris G.

14 years ago

PROS: I used to think the beer here was average to good, but I changed my mind after drinking the Hogwash smoked porter. And the Basil summer ale. The beer here is good. The atmosphere is a definite plus, great rebuilt-industrial ambiance that's so very Durham. I like being able to see into the brew room, too. It's clear that they take pride in their beer. CONS: This place is PACKED on weekends. If you want to find a place to sit with some friends, you have to get there way early. Also, the place is overrun with hipsters and toddlers. Family-friendly is nice, but all the moms give you dirty looks if you happen to cuss around their kids. Come on now, it's a bar. read more

Business owner information

Sean W.

I'd start by getting rid of the hipster toddlers. They're the worst.…

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Kristina A.

13 years ago

I'm actually not a big fan of their beer (sorry!), but I'm happy to support them do their thing nonetheless. Have no fear if you're not a huge fan either, because they usually have three other local brews on tap. It's great for large groups, and there's plenty to keep everyone busy: ping pong, picnic tables, food trucks, dog-friendly ... the list goes on! read more

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Jake S.

11 years ago

Dog friendly always takes the cake for me! The staff is incredibly knowledgable and always talks you through the brews in stock so you find something delicious! I do wish they had more live music though. read more

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Hannah C.

167

9 years ago

Great atmosphere with many beers to try. They had five different brown ales, which are my favorite. I had a draft which includes five 5 oz. pours for $12. My favorites were Hogwash and Lucky Straw. They had many arcade games and ping pong. It was all decorated for Christmas and many people were there for a Wednesday night. This made for a fun time! read more

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Brooks D.

105

9 years ago

First frost '16 version if you want your life changed. For the better. Great staff. Huge place and beer flights pretty creative. A definite stop for beer drinkers. read more

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Josh H.

12 years ago

Absolute favorite place in and around durham. Great family atmosphere, amazing beer, and great people.

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Donald H.

11 years ago

Great beer great atmosphere knowledgeable staff. The bar area can get a little crowded but it is primarily a brewery. All of the beer is very good frequent this establishment often. Great place to relax and drink great beer and the always have great food trucks. read more

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Kim H.

16 years ago

Fullsteam is Durham at its best! The owners are just great guys, the beer they brew is unique and really yummy, and the vibe of the place is just right. The location may seem a bit obscure, but just keep driving and look for the big F on the door. read more

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Gina R.

130

11 years ago

Had a great time visiting this brewery for a drink. Great atmosphere. Live music playing. The bartender was very helpful. While we were enjoying our beer, he took it upon himself to pour us a sample of a new sour beer and said we should give it a try and told us a bit about it. Very nice! I loved the ipa I had. One of the best I have tried! I will definitely come back here! Would love to try a flight of different beers next time. read more

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CN D.

11 years ago

I came here on a Saturday and really enjoyed my beer and the atmosphere. Lots of good seating, and some nice picnic tables on the side. Definitely will come back. read more

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Julie L.

114

9 years ago

We really enjoyed Fullsteam. They had a lot of beers to chose from, and some very unique ones that we really liked! The bartenders were very quick and friendly. Even though the bar was packed I got good, speedy service! I loved that they have board games to play too! They always have a food truck out front too so we were able to enjoy a snack with our beer. read more

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Louise R.

10 years ago

Brought my exchange student from Germany - loved the vibe of the food trucks, the dart board and ping pong table. I had the sampler tray and was very pleased enjoyed 5 of the 6 samples bar-key did a nice job explaining which would fit my taste buds. Great that family can be on site until 9 PM. Will bring my pup next time. Awesome unique place so refreshing to have something different. read more

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Claudine D.

Elite 20

205

370

295

13 years ago

Great place to have beer to cap off the work week and start the weekend. Staff is great and friendly. Plus you can also get your food truck fix here. read more

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Matt K.

Elite 17

162

576

293

11 years ago

I've been past this place dozens of times, but we finally visited last week. Inside reminds me of a beer garden. There are lots of picnic table bench type things set up and you just grab a seat, drink, chat, play board games from the big pile, or whatever! It's pretty no frills. There is a big tv inside to watch the big game of the evening, but they don't have a lot of other screens from waht I could see. read more

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Lauren S.

Elite 16

323

431

11 years ago

Love Fullsteam! It's such a versatile spot. It works for a date night, catch up night with friends, afternoon drinking on the weekends, etc. Their beer is good, although their year-round lineup isn't anything really standout. They do make some pretty good seasonals. The environment is cool, just a bunch of picnic tables in a big room, with games you can play. Sometimes they have a food truck parked out front. I would definitely like to check it out when they have live music. read more

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Arika S.

Elite 14

429

339

14 years ago

Cool place for happy hours - nice beers, but the space is not that big on the inside. Would recommend going on the earlier side.

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Alessio Z.

Elite 13

110

12 years ago

Awesome local brewery where you'll see everyone from older folk, college kids, babies, and dogs! Fun events like trivia, board games sitting around if you want, awesome brews. GREAT PLACE. hipster, renovated garage feel is a total plus. read more

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Ha N.

Elite 21

103

378

160

11 years ago

This is an awesome place to hang out. When the World Cup was going on, they had a large projector screen for you to come and watch for free. The tables are perfect for perfect for your pet companions to sit under and for you spread your work on, so all you have to do is decide on whether it's a good idea to do hw in a place that serves good beer. There are always food trucks around and they're pretty good about letting you eat at the tables outside; just make sure you clean up after yourself. They also host some cool events, like one not too long ago where they hand out growlers of their beers and had a bunch of local restaurants and food enthusiasts cook stuff with them (that was great, free food btw!). This is a must-try kind of place if you're in town. read more

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Jen A.

Elite 24

167

223

110

10 years ago

Fullsteam has it all - great beer and plenty of space to enjoy it. I tried Cack-A-Lacky, and I really enjoyed it. Next time I'd love to try the Iced Coffee Porter, so we'll be back for sure! read more

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Stephanie B.

Elite 18

204

12 years ago

I love the atmosphere and the beers are generally pretty solid- always something a little different but still accessible and delicious. My complaint lies with the bartenders, who I've always found to be less than helpful. They tend to be impatient, not really wanting to answer questions or offer samples, and when they poured me the wrong beer and I asked them for the right one, I got an eye roll. It doesn't have that big an effect on the overall experience, but I can see it being offputting to a newcomer. read more

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Lauren B.

Elite 14

11 years ago

Some of my favorite breweries are in North Carolina. And this place is one of them. What makes this place special to me is: atmosphere and environment as well as its big industrial size (plenty of space no having to squeeze into a corner here),entertainment and games (lots of them) and overall good beer. It's more than just a brewery its a social event, with a family friendly, no bias atmosphere. read more

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April G.

Elite 24

143

278

12 years ago

The brewery in a repurposed industrial area. Beer is brewed with unusual ingredients (basil, pepper, ginger). I love the idea of creating unique beers, but they did not quite hit the mark for me in terms of flavor. Ambiance/ area/ service all very good. read more

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Rubianne G.

Elite 19

12 years ago

Very neat place, stumbled upon it on a Thursday night and the place was PACKED. Apparently Thursday is trivia, although we did not participate we got to talking to a few younger people and made a few friends. The crowd seemed to be a mix of young professionals, older students, and parents out for a good time with their friends. We only tried two beers the rocket scientist (IPA) + fearington spring. They were very tasty and we were able to enjoy them with snacks from the chirba chirba dumpling food truck. Didn't see a food menu, but would definitely go back to taste more of their brews. read more

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Jen B.

Elite 16

276

111

12 years ago

Yuuuup. Love it. Located next to The Pit and across from Motorco, Fullsteam is a fun stop in a night-long adventure. Or feel free to show up Tuesday night for Trivia (full house). Or Bollywood night. There always seems to be something going on here. Picnic bench seating (even some outdoors) to enjoy the latest Basil brew creation. You can buy flights here, or just ask the bartender to try a few...they're ready to pair you with a beer you'll love. read more

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Amanda U.

Elite 18

145

11 years ago

What's not to love? It's a huge space, really nice and patient bartenders, and tasty beers. Definitely not the best beer I've ever had, and not even the best beer brewed in Durham, but it's a solid, all-around awesome place to grab a drink with friends. Sometimes you can dance, other times you see a 3 year-olds birthday party (and the parents having just as much fun as the kids with their adult beverages), and other times you play board games. Even better, there's so much good food on the block between food trucks and Parts & Labor that you can get a great dinner with your beers. read more

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Alberto M.

10 years ago

One of the best breweries in the Triangle. Excellent beer selection and spacious seating hall with plenty of board games, dart boards, ping pong table, and old fashioned arcades. It's right across a place where you can get food, and there's usually a food truck right outside. Extremely dog friendly too! read more

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Cate W.

14 years ago

Warehouse appeal mixed with a comfortable and warm (for such a large, open space) atmosphere. I came twice in the last week, had the Toro Shandy both times (because I'm a sucker for summer drinks and it sure felt like summer in Durham this week). Tasted the Fullsteam name beer, liked it. One night had a saucy transvestite calling Bingo for free beer, one night was quiet and easy going. Lots of long tables, a ping-pong table in the vestibule and seating outside adjacent to nomadic food trucks. If I was a grad student in this town, I'm sure this would be a frequent stop-in. Not too stuck in one generation of drinkers, this place accomodates students, parents, the very cool and the terminally un-, and then all the large dogs in Durham. Seriously, someone has a Grand Pyrennes in North Carolina? read more

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Nate L.

Elite 12

214

139

12 years ago

This place a great atmosphere, it's a really fun brewery with games, a stage and place to kick back. Your typical speak easy for a refreshing microbrew. Take a friend or take a group, plenty of seating and great atmosphere. read more

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Nikki W.

11 years ago

Okay, so I will preference this review by saying I'm not a big beer fan. The good stuff first; the service was great! The bar tender explained all the choices. We chose to do two flights so we could try a good bit of the options that week. The ambience is fun, not stuffy and all ages. The bad; we started with the lightest beers to darkest beers. Some sounded interesting but all tasted awful. I mean awful. The flavor additives like basil, lavender and chocolate nibs are a wonderful idea! The flavors are so disjointed and overpowering I left feeling very disappointed. And thirsty. read more

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Jessica B.

10 years ago

Love the laid back, easy-going feel of this bar. Delicious draft selections, friendly staff, awesome games and darts ain't too shabby either! Thank you! read more

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Larry K.

14 years ago

Nice place. Good beer. Bands are questionable.

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Bella J.

13 years ago

Went there on Saturday for the first time. Good beer, definitely will go back!

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Amelia Z.

12 years ago

Great place for NC beers and for hanging out and playing games. They have plenty of board games as well as a slew of beers from them as well as other NC breweries. Great place for young couples with kids during the day. Dogs are welcome, which is a huge plus. There's usually a food truck outside in the evening, the schedule for which you can find on their website. Though they have a huge projector they will show games on, I wouldn't recommend it for watching big sports games if you're into a lively atmosphere. I went with a group of friends to watch the Duke/UNC game last night after having dinner at The Pit, and was shocked at how few people were watching the game. Not a bad thing, especially if you're not into the game and don't want a loud, rowdy atmosphere, but I would suggest somewhere else for a more fun and lively watching experience. read more

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Michelle A.

173

11 years ago

Love this place. It was super packed the night we went due to a charity event. Staff was on point with keeping up with orders and tabs at the bar. Loved how the menu listed out what they had and described the beers. Also was glad you get a small sample before committing to a full pint. Very hipster but not in an over bearing way. Will come back for sure! read more

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Jennifer G.

122

9 years ago

This place is simply wonderful! I only wish I lived nearby, but it's a must-go when I'm in Durham. Games! Food! Locals! Creative, plow-to-pint beers! Homemade sodas! I love that the community uses the space for yoga, farmers markets, and more. Highly recommend. read more

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Page 11 of 13

320 Blackwell St
Ste 101
Durham, NC 27701
Directions
(919) 438-2337
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.fullsteam.ag

Full menu

Hours

What time does Fullsteam open?

Fullsteam opens at 4:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.Fullsteam opens at 12:00 PM on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Fullsteam close?

Fullsteam closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Fullsteam closes at 8:00 PM on Sunday.

Mon-Wed 4:00 PM - 10:00 PMThu-Sat 12:00 PM - 10:00 PMSun 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Fullsteam take Bitcoin?

No, Fullsteam does not take Bitcoin.

Does Fullsteam take credit cards?

Yes, Fullsteam takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Fullsteam have catering options?

Yes, Fullsteam does have catering options.

Does Fullsteam have a drive thru?

Yes, Fullsteam has a drive thru.

Does Fullsteam have a happy hour?

No, Fullsteam does not have a happy hour.

Does Fullsteam serve alcohol?

Yes, Fullsteam serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Services

Is Fullsteam by appointment only?

No, Fullsteam is not by appointment only.

Indoor Amenities

Does Fullsteam allow dogs?

Yes, Fullsteam allows dogs.

Does Fullsteam have TVs?

Yes, Fullsteam has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Fullsteam have bike parking?

Yes, Fullsteam has bike parking.

Does Fullsteam have parking?

Yes, Fullsteam has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Fullsteam wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Fullsteam is wheelchair accessible.

Does Fullsteam allow outdoor smoking?

Yes, Fullsteam allows outdoor smoking.

Does Fullsteam have free WiFi?

Yes, Fullsteam has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Buying from local farms. Giving back to the community. Making beer in the process. Fullsteam's mission is to craft a distinctly Southern beer style using local farmed ingredients, seasonal botanicals, and heirloom grains. You can find us throughout the Triangle on tap, in retail stores, and at the Durham and Western Wake Farmers Markets. Our all-welcome, casual, and lively tavern is open seven days a week. We now serve tasty food to complement our plow-to-pint beer. Check our event calendar on our website for our upcoming community events, weekly trivia, and random silliness like Bad Movie Night. All welcome | Dog-friendly | Family-friendly until 9pm

History

Established in 2010.

In the past few years, North Carolina's beer selection has flourished with beers around the world: Belgian dubbels, tripels, and quads; English bitters and barleywine, German lagers. Amazing craft beer from US breweries establishing regional traditions and styles: the West Coast IPA phenomenon. Hearty Wisconsin lagers. Experimental beers from the Northeast. But we have yet to develop a Southern craft beer identity. Fullsteam's mission is to craft this identity. To create a distinctly Southern beer style that celebrates the culinary and agricultural heritage of the South.

Meet the Business Owner: Sean W.

Sean Lilly Wilson is owner and Chief Executive Optimist of Durham, NC-based Fullsteam, a "plow to pint" brewery and tavern. Fullsteam's mission is to pioneer a Southern Beer Economy through the act of commerce, fostering economic opportunity for farmers, foragers, and agricultural entrepreneurs in a post-tobacco South. Sean's beer career began as president of Pop The Cap, a grassroots nonprofit that helped modernize North Carolina's beer laws in the mid-2000s. He is past president of the NC Craft Brewers Guild and, in 2015, received the guild's first-ever "Industry Impact" award. His passion for connecting beer to the region's farm and food systems earned him three James Beard Foundation semi-finalist honors in the Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional category. In 2017, the North Carolina Business Council honored Sean as a "Visionary Leader" in Civic Engagement. He recently joined the Triangle Land Conservancy board to support its mission to protect natural habitats.

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Review Highlights - Fullsteam

“For instance, I never thought I would like a basil-flavored beer, but their Summer Basil made me a believer.”

Mentioned in 21 reviews

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I'm going to open by saying that the fun and humor of this restaurant is amazing. The interior is…read morenice and vibrant, with a perfect mix of minimalist and maximalist designs in the building (especially with the brewery apparatus being visible--which is awesome!!). Even before me an my party entered we could hear music playing from the building, which kept the vibes up! Moving onto the food, a certain menu item caught my eye. Something that I'm legally obligated to keep quiet about... but let tell you- this burger was Gooood. This "Signature Secret Burger" was rather unique, as it was like you took a pretty simple egg burger, and just ramped it up. My initial thought when I first tried it was that it was a burger squared, the mystery ingredients amplified the flavor to make such a savory meal. It wasn't to overbearing like many other burger places that I've visited, not immediately making me feel fat and full after taking a few bites. Our party also ordered a whole quart of fries, and they were SO GOOD!!! I'm a sucker for good fries, and you knocked this out of the park! Your fry soft was nice and mellow and complimented the fries perfectly. (And even afterwards, the fries warmed up really well and were still Really freakin' good!) Finally, during my visit, their anniversary event (Happy 15th By The Way ) and they were offering FREE DESSERT for someone who happened to sit in a randomly chosen seat. And by the luck of the gods my little brother found his way onto the seat! It was just really awesome to see a restaurant doing such awesome things for their birthday, y'don't see that every day! Overall, this place is definitely a place to stop by if you're in Durham. If you're in the area visit IMMEDIATELY if you love good fun food!

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Several friends in a meetup group met here for lunch on a random Tuesday. We had some drinks and…read morechatted, and then ordered lunch. The waitress was great about bringing us everything we needed. I ordered the salmon filet on greens with sweet potato cakes. The salmon was great - perfectly cooked, and the greens seemed fresh, but the whole dish was doused in a sweet maple syrup sauce, which rendered the sweet potato cakes so soaked that I couldn't choke them down. I left most of the greens as well, since the maple syrup didn't really go with a salad. The fish was fine, as I could salt it a bit and have serve as a foil to the sauce. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food. The Rueben looked amazing. So, the moral of the story is, when you go to a bar, don't try to eat healthy! Get the bar food.

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Lots of seating for you and your drinking buddies

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

35 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Cait H.

Elite 15

179

292

242

14 years ago

This is an A+ place to casually hang out, enjoy some drinks and maybe pop over to one of the frequent food trucks. Fullsteam offers an awesome, laid-back vibe that I really dig. I love that there's a bagillion dogs and I'll happily pat each one on my way to play darts, or ping pong, or even Apples to Apples. Jay's a big fan of their farm-to-pint varieties, including the Sweet Potato brew. Many Durham food trucks like to park it outside and serve up good eats into the evening. Since you're welcome to bring your schnacks into Fullsteam, you can really have a different experience every time you go. We recently visited on a Friday night, and while it was busy, the open seating area was a great place to sit back and chat. And they have hard cider! This beer-hater can happily enjoy 3 different ciders with friends, and in a much fancier glass thankyouverymuch! read more

Beth S.

12 years ago

What a fun place this is. Fullsteam has a great open air feel that promotes camaraderie among its patrons. In the summer you can hang outside playing games on the sidewalk, or you can head inside, play ping pong with an authentic Fullsteam ping pong ball, check out the vintage arcade games, or even better - pick a board game from their enormous stash and join your friends in a game LIFE or Monopoly! The beers are local and so good. The atmosphere is fun and relaxed. Fullsteam is a great place to meet friends and have a low-key unpretentious evening. read more

William S.

12 years ago

Went to Fullsteam over the weekend for the first time and this place was great. The ambiance is industrial sheik with a a lot of space that was filled to the gills when I went in. After telling the bartender in the kilt that I am not really a beer drinker he provided me a couple of samples based on my liking coffee and I found a beer that I actually liked some kind of chocolate beer. I would have to say that this is a great place to go have a drink and people watch. read more

Alec K.

192

6 years ago

A-Ok, with the potential to be amazing! Fullsteam has everything going for it except for the temperature inside. I went here during the summer and was steaming! They have this massive fan that blows throughout the location but it does nothing. I was... sweating my balls off! Which, if you're trying to make a good impression, is not a great impression. Besides the heat this place is good vibes and great beer! Definitely check it out if you're in the neighborhood read more

Janet K.

7 years ago

I really enjoy going to Fullsteam Brewery for the running group, not too pleased with the customer service afterwards. When I am hot and thirsty from running I should not have to beg someone or wait an ungodly amount of time to be served....or not served at all. This has happened more than once so, I run at Fullsteam but drink elsewhere now. read more

Kit P.

2 years ago

Go support your local breweries! These guys are the best! Great food and growing neighborhood! I can't wait to see what it looks like over the next few months. Employees are very nice and gave me a great recommendation. Thanks guys! I'll be back for sure. read more

Cal N.

11 years ago

Great place for tastings and finding some unique wines in a decent price range. tastings are free (!) They have a lot of wines from smaller wineries, so not just your standard supermarket brands. read more

Michael R.

111

8 years ago

They stated serving food and everything is tasty. It's very informal and remember they are about the great beers they serve. So keep that in mind. That being said, everything we had was excellent read more