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    Goodfellows

    3.8 (57 reviews)
    ModerateBars
    Open 8:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Goodfellows Photos

    GOODFELLOWS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    DJ
    Karaoke
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Goodfellows

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    a man walking down a flight of stairs
    Kevin S.

    Great college bar with awesome traditions and vibe. A must sop when out and about on a night in Tar Heel Country. Try a PickleBack shot and start your own UNC tradition! Love this place that is hidden but not definitely not unknown

    Kelsey B.

    Wow. I mean if you want to get LIT. Like Long Island Tea LIT, go to Goodfellows. And no I'm not joking, they literally have a Long Island Tea section of their bar. I think I drank like 1/4th of mine and gave up hope of not having a hangover the next day. The line to get in can be kind of long because it's a popular spot, but generally the wait goes by quickly. There's a narrow staircase that goes downstairs to the bar, which is a large room complete with tables and a dance floor. It can get pretty loud so I wouldn't advice for a quiet drink with a date or anything, but otherwise it's a great spot for friends on the town. My favorite part of GF's is the pickleback challenge. If you order a certain amount of picklebacks (it's A LOT - probably will take you a few years unless you're an alcoholic but hey no judgment). You get a plaque or something for completing the challenge. Definitely unique and original.

    Christina G.

    Maybe the closest thing to a dive bar in Chapel Hill (possibly 2nd to Lindas) and my very favorite Franklin Street watering hole from my undergraduate era. You have to go down a steep flight of stairs to get to the bar (and then back up them to leave). I've seen some nasty falls, so it's a good thing to bear in mind when you're on your 4th melon ball shot and don't want to wind up crumpled up at the bottom of a stairwell, legs akimbo, with your skirt pushed up around your waist (totally hypothetical here). It's a narrow bar with a few TVs that's best enjoyed with a small group when you can nab one of the wood-slat benches lining the walls. Otherwise, it can get pretty crowded on the floor - and difficult to hear one another on a well-trafficked night. It tends to be a student scene, but without the frattiness of Top O' and others.

    photo from http://www.goodfellowsbar.com
    Brad G.

    Fellas, as many affectionately call it, is one of my favorite places to hang out in Chapel Hill - almost in spite of itself. It certainly has many factors that I find appealing in a bar: it's dark, cramped, has a tavern feel, drinks are cheap, and there's karaoke. The bartenders have always been friendly and chatty during the slow times before the crowd picks up. When the students pour in wall-to-wall, you'll probably be waiting a few minutes for a drink - but not because of the bartenders. They're always working hard and pouring drinks feverishly, trying to dole out booze to the masses vying for a spot at the bar. Of course, with drink specials like notoriously-strong $4 LITs, it's a wonder you can ever reach the bar at all. As for the patrons, it is definitely a college crowd, but seems like a better mix than a lot of the Franklin Street mainstays. Trivia Tuesdays usually brings out a great crowd, and most everyone there is participating. For those karaoke fans like me, Fellas has a karaoke vibe that's rather unique to the area. You'll be hard-pressed to find any professional or semi-professional singers and you won't hear many slow songs. The singers and the audience are all about having fun. You'll hear 80s mainstays, cheesy hip-hop classics, and obscure tunes that somehow every college kid in the place knows by heart. Everyone sings along and if you're a hit, the crowd cheers like Carolina just won the ACC tournament. If you can really enjoy karaoke without taking yourself or the venue too seriously, you'll have a hell of a time at this underground haven.

    Kamikaze shots
    Christina G.

    This place is small, but it never got super crowded when I was there, though there are many possible reasons. 1) I went in the middle of the week 2) I went at a time when practically everyone was on winter break 3) the place just never gets super crowded. In any case, I went on karaoke night (Wednesdays) and had an excellent time. No cover. Great selection of music, but it takes FOREVER for your requested song to pop up. You can definitely tell who the regulars are. Plenty of room for dancing, but really, everyone just sings along to whatever song is playing. Curious to know what it's like on a busy night like Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays.

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    5 months ago

    Goodfellows service is the best!! My friends and I enjoyed the Happy Dads at a pickleback party. Great vibe and popcorn before a night out!

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    3 years ago

    Great bar. Try the LIT. They have trivia and karaoke. Service is great. The old bay on the popcorn is great

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Goodfellows

    Review Highlights - Goodfellows

    Sometimes the only frustrating thing is the parking is on Franklin Street, so finding parking sometimes is hard.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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    He's Not Here

    He's Not Here

    3.9(86 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $

    Chapel Hill's iconic college bar, He's Not Here is worth a visit just for the experience of…read moredrinking 32 ounces of beer from their famous Blue Cup -- one of the essential Carolina experiences. No, it's not the cleanest bar in town, but the friendly service, spacious beer garden and energetic vibe are just a few of the reasons this is consistently voted one of the best college bars in America. If you don't like beer or cider, you're not going to find much else on the menu, but for hopheads, it doesn't get much better than this. Upstairs, you'll find more than a dozen beers on tap, including a number of local and NC craft brews (and no, you don't HAVE to order one in a Blue Cup, although it's a great value). There's also a smaller bar on the Beer Garden level, which also has about a dozen picnic tables and a small stage for music (there are shows most weekends). He's Not Here is pretty strict on checking IDs, so don't show up without one, no matter how old you think you look. My only complaint was the $5 weekend cover charge, which seemed a little egregious for a place that just serves beer. But that aside, this is a great spot to meet friends, enjoy some live music and drink a few beers. Just down the alley past YoPo at W Franklin & Columbia, and definitely worth a stop if you're in Chapel Hill.

    You don't get more Chapel Hill than this place. Nine dollar buckets of beer they call a blue cup…read more Fantastic music! Sports are always on. Sit at a picnic table and have a blast catching up with friends. You never know who's gonna show up. The service is quite perfect... I mean, they know their beer. The best part about it is you can stock up your bar card at home with your very own blue cups.

    Photos
    He's Not Here
    He's Not Here
    He's Not Here - Our absolute most favorite place to come when we are in Chapel Hill! What's in this picture? The blue cup of course.

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    Our absolute most favorite place to come when we are in Chapel Hill! What's in this picture? The blue cup of course.

    The Edge Bar & Lounge - Dirty *Xtra Dirty Martini

    The Edge Bar & Lounge

    5.0(2 reviews)
    4.0 mi

    Tony, Maddie & Lane = The Ultimate Bar Dream Team!…read more Where do I even begin?! Tony (Bar Manager), Maddie (Bartender), and Lane (Bar Concierge) were PHENOMENAL--hands down the best team I've experienced! The atmosphere was on point, and their hospitality made the whole night feel effortlessly elevated. Tony crafted me the most incredible extra dirty martini--perfection in a glass. Maddie followed it up with a Manhattan that was smooth, rich, and beautifully balanced. These two know their craft, and Lane kept the vibe seamless with impeccable service and charm all night long. You could feel the genuine energy and care they brought to every interaction. Now imagine if this spot took things up a notch for the residents! A dedicated DJ one week, a live band the next Karaoke or Trivia Nights with themed cocktails Latin Night with rotating special drinks from 6-8 PM, followed by regular pricing Bar snacks like Chex Mix, nuts, or even a popcorn machine Food trucks parked just for bar hours With this kind of energy and top-tier staff, the bar could become the heartbeat of the community--a place to unwind, connect, and celebrate. Huge shoutout again to Tony, Maddie, and Lane for making the night so memorable. They are absolute stars, and I can't wait to come back for more!

    If you haven't been to the rooftop bar at Carraway yet, you're missing out on one of the…read morecommunity's best-kept secrets! This place has an amazing vibe that instantly lifts your mood. Tony and Maddie are absolute stars behind the bar--fun, creative, and the perfect mixology team. They'll whip up something unique just for you, whether you're looking for something bold or smooth, and they even share a few behind-the-scenes secrets about their homemade mixers that truly elevate every drink. The rooftop itself is stunning, with cozy couches, lounge seating, and plenty of TVs to catch your favorite games. There's even a game room with pool tables, making it a great hangout spot after a long week. It feels like a high-end bar you'd find in Raleigh, Durham, or Charlotte--but right here at Carraway. Drinks are priced fairly, comparable to other local bars, and the setting is far more stylish. While there's no food service, you can snack on popcorn, bring your own, or order in. The setup makes it perfect for relaxed evenings with neighbors and friends. Carraway residents--this rooftop is your own private retreat. Grab a drink, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy the best view around. Hopefully, we'll see the bar open more nights soon--Thursday through Sunday would be amazing!

    Photos
    The Edge Bar & Lounge - Manhattan

    Manhattan

    The Edge Bar & Lounge - Lounge

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    Lounge

    The Gathering Place - Exterior entrance

    The Gathering Place

    4.4(8 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    TLDR: cute place, a bit pricey, interesting ambiance but I like the idea of it…read more Came in on a Wednesday for the more open random game night with friends. The place is pretty tucked away and didn't know it existed until I was invited. First thoughts were uh this is a bit shady walking up stairs and the building itself was not super well kept (not their fault). The bathroom looks so outdated and wasn't super comfortable that the bathroom is a shared one (two stalls, a urinal and it's just open to all) so wouldn't feel comfortable drinking alcohol and then possibly being alone in a bathroom where men are peeing right next to me. That's just my opinion and comfort. Regardless the place was cute- the bar had a lot of options for tap, they had MEAD! Extremely exciting as I LOVE Starrlight mead. The music was kinda all over the place from like 70s music and then the next was like a Fern Gully song -would just stick to one genre. The employees were also pretty nice (they ?Meredith? helped me over the phone as well). Notes: DO NOT PARK IN THE GRAVEL PARKING LOT- it's not theirs They seem to automatically tip, not sure how much, I wasn't given a receipt and didn't have the price of my drink so I can't deduct from my charge. They seem to have a pretty big card charge as well so maybe cash is better? They have a ton of events so check when you want to go during the week! I've added a photo.

    So there's this human-hybrid bathroom where men and women can use the restroom at the same time??…read moreI'm all for equity at a logical level but this is a disaster waiting to happen. Also the bathroom was disgusting and I threw all my clothes in the wash. It's near the college which I guess explains the sounds coming out of the speakers. Actually they were more like a series of constant screams accompanied by the unplugging and re-plugging in of instruments. Major cons: *limited parking *pee * about 10 tables * no one asked me about board games or cared. Pro: that brief period when the music stopped. Thankfully there were plenty of edgy hairstyles Do places like this care about money or is it just a front for the magic the gathering store?

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    The Gathering Place
    The Gathering Place - Shared bathroom

    Shared bathroom

    The Gathering Place - I want my own glass next time

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    I want my own glass next time

    Zogs Pool - Yeah, we love it here.

    Zogs Pool

    4.4(89 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $

    Zan is the best bartender I've ever had, everyone needs to come here to chill and get your drink…read moreon. Made my friends birthday the best experience ever, would hang out with him socially given the chance

    Want to go to a nice place to unwind after a long day? Don't go here! If you don't trust me, check…read morethe other 20 one-star reviews describing the poor and discriminatory service provided by Chris Pope. Chris is a racist and demeaning bartender. I have been going to this establishment for several years, but I am now forced to avoid it on Thursdays (when Chris Pope works) because he is unreasonably rude and insulting. Even his own co-bartender begged him to, "not be an a--hole tonight," before the two of them fought in the back. It is incredibly disappointing and hurtful, and, frankly, it raises serious concerns about the bar's negligent--or, based on the copious negative reviews, reckless--retention of this employee. Zog's, an otherwise fine establishment, opens itself up to needless liability due to Chris' inability to perform his role without aggressive and embarrassing theatrics. Several other bartenders have called him out on his unacceptable service, including Daniel, but they all refuse to report it because they are afraid of the consequences. (If Daniel were the sole bartender, Zog's would likely have nothing except five-star reviews.) No one wants to work with him, and no one wants to attend this bar. Numbers are dwindling, and other patrons universally acknowledge that they, too, avoid Zog's solely because of Chris. I am keen on taking this further and will not relinquish my efforts until Chris Pope is let go. Zog's is a great establishment that is being ruined by his presence. For those disappointed by this result, Four Corners is a great bar just up the street! I would suggest going there, where the bartenders are courteous. I genuinely hope management takes these concerns seriously, because Zog's could be a great spot-just not on Thursdays.

    Photos
    Zogs Pool - A collage of Zog's environment; colorful, inviting, & cray

    A collage of Zog's environment; colorful, inviting, & cray

    Zogs Pool - Get funky with Christmas lights.

    Get funky with Christmas lights.

    Zogs Pool - Live music monthly! Here's our Hip Hop Rap Round Robin.

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    Live music monthly! Here's our Hip Hop Rap Round Robin.

    Goodfellows - bars - Updated May 2026

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