Good service and food. I had no complaints aside from there was not much light at table. It was a little dark and hard to see menu.

Ine of fav spot ti eat and drink. Their specials are awesome. I aleays order off the special board. Today im eating wing confit oh yeah i said wings cinfit unduck fat smoked and glazed in a miso sauce with a thai chili sauce. Nuff said. read more

James Joyce Irish Pub - Irish Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

James joyce shucks..below average food...and below average service...if this restaurant claims to represent Irish hospitality...they do a terrible job...my girlfriend is Irish and this restaurant does not like up to Irish hospitality...I'd never return here other than to proclaim My disappointment...the Irish pub I frequent in my hometown of NC is far superior to this location...James joyce...shame on you... read more

This is how with-it I am: I'm sitting in the James Joyce Irish Pub for what seemed like about an hour, pointed in that direction courtesy of the esteemed Christina G, when I actually thought to myself "how odd it is that they have all these pictures of a guy in an eye patch." Before I could segue into a story about pirates, it occurred to me that said eye patch (and whatever lurked beneath it) belonged (of course) to said Mr. Joyce, and aside from that noteworthy decor distinction, really what you have here is a pretty cool, somewhat diminutive Irish bar, complete with what you might expect to find in same: some cool brews on tap (bonus points for some of the local options happening), affable barkeeps, and an assortment of local characters chatting the place up. We chose to camp out in the corner of the bar here, perched in full view of those taps and begging sampling of same. Which all in all, makes for a pretty decent stop in my book. read more

Just in case anyone would like to know what the laws are, in NC, pertaining to alcohol. I mean, before people start mudslinging and making people look prejudice in any way, shape, or form. To the woman below from another country who claims the bartender is uneducated...you should educate YOURSELF on the rules and laws of different countries/states when you travel. I'm providing you with a list of acceptable forms of ID in NC. Copy and paste to your browser, please! http://www.servercertificationcorp.com/state.php?statecode=%27NC%27 read more

Used to love this place until TODAY, yes I'm talking St. Paddy's day at Durham's only Irish pub. Steer clear of Jason, one of the owners, unfortunately wearing an inappropriate top hat on this particular day, who will rudely interrupt your good time and generally be as terrible as possible. Especially to folks "in the industry." Beware! If this is how he treats *his* people, how would he treat a stranger off the street? MaLaura, our server, was fantastic, however. read more

Bleah. One thing you will get for certain in this place is rudeness. One day, I went in with a colleague at lunchtime. They are open for lunch. After we were ignored for over 20 min and several staff members went past us, we walked out. I won't be darkening the doors in this place again. Yer 86ed. read more

Went here to drown my sorrows after the Duke/Carolina game this past Saturday. It was the perfect place to do that and worked beautifully! I LOVE the Foothills IPA and it was on special! Woo hoo! The company made the visit super great, but what I like about James Joyce is how chill it is. The environment is so laid back, nothing crazy although I hear James Joyce was a bit of a freak in his day so I'm not sure what late-late night has in store. Perhaps another visit late night will be in the plans. There is seating out front facing the street which is fun on a warm night, of course, inside seating, and then a patio area out back with picnic tables that is also a good time when the weather is nice! read more

Fergus Bradley---a real-life Irishman from Ennis, Clare County---and Jason Sholtz co-own James Joyce and Alivia's Durham Bistro. Their goal is to bring you an authentic and memorable Irish pub experience. I've been to Ireland, and I reckon this place could be there, particularly considering its dedication to sport: in addition to showing all the Duke basketball games, they also show live English Premier League games, FA Cup, UEFA Cup, and international rugby matches. They also have the Setanta Sports Network. Sundays are open mic nights from 9:00 p.m., Tuesdays, trivia begins at 9:30 p.m., and Fridays from noon till 8:00 p.m. is all you can eat fish and chips for $12.95 (no sharing, no leftovers, no takeaway). Live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 p.m. My favorite thing about James Joyce is that it never seems to be overly crowded. I've always managed to find a spot to sit. And I like the atmosphere very much. I feel welcome and relaxed; even if it's busy, the place is just chillin'. I like to sit outside with an ice-cold pint in the summer, or warm up at the bar in a cozy little booth in winter. I actually don't think the pub is on Twitter, but check them out on facebook for semi-regular updates on food and drink specials. And it bears mentioning that their website freaking rocks. It just looks awesome. read more

This place is the pits. When we walked in we were overcome with remnants of cigarette and cigar smoke left behind and absorbed by every inch of that place. Sure, there's no smoking there now but might as well be. I don't see how anyone could even smell or taste their food with such a considerable stench and dankness. The menu was a bust and had almost nothing on it listed on their web. No whiskey chicken and no shepherds pie. There was nothing there that would lend it credibility as an Irish pub. What they did have was a page full of various poutines and tacos because why not? Nothing else about this restaurant made sense. The prices were pretty outlandish and not commiserate with the food or ambiance. They have a small patio out front which is tiny and not functional in any shape or form. It's really beyond me that this place has survived especially with all the other options on Main St. read more

Staying overnight in Durham, we ordered delivery service from this restaurant: a James Joyce burger and an Avocado BLT. The food arrived on time, kudos. However, the food was not prepared as ordered and there were no condiments. Additionally, there were no utensils so I had to pitch the salad. Attention to detail was absent. read more

James Joyce was our second stop in the Christmas Costume Pub Crawl but it was also my favorite! Now, It IS very small and sometimes you feel like you're in the servers' way (because you are) but they're always nice, never pushy, nor do they actually push you out of the way (like they do at some other establishments we went to that night)...And normally being so small would be a negative, but it's actually a positive at James Joyce. Dark wood and low lights make the space seem cozy and even private. Along the side of what would be the main walkway to the kitchen, there are little partitioned 'booths' with a little standing room, a few stools and a small bar. Also, the music was really great - I even remember saying 'I LOVE THIS SONG! - and it was just the right volume. It's really a perfect spot for a small group to drink and chat while keeping an eye on the rest of the bar. All this and i haven't even mentioned the beer yet! A smallish but very yummy selection of local and seasonal brews are on tap and the man behind the bar knew what he was doing. I unfortunately didn't have a chance to try the food, but I think I need a repeat visit and some of that 'original irish stew' or a 'beef and guinness pie' while the weather's still chilly! read more

My friend and I stopped in here for quick meal prior to a concert and were immediately impressed with the authentic appearances and feel of an Irish pub. I've been to the UK so I know what they look like, but I also like pubs in general. This one has a great look with the dim lighting and dark greens, woods, and benches to create that authenticity. I also appreciated the patio street seating too. We came in on a Monday night and were seated quickly although there was no host. We were each feeling a bit low energy so we opted for soup and salads rather than typical pub fare. I got the Homemade Clam Chowder. I'm a bit of a Clam Chowder fanatic so if it's on the menu somewhere I've usually got to try it. I was not impressed with this take on it though. It seemed a bit bland. My friend's small salad was pretty good and her tasting of the daily soup (a minestrone I believe) was decent. The service was not impressive though and for a slow night I thought we'd get more attention than we got. It seemed that once our food was dropped off we were abandoned and then when we wanted our checks we had to go to the bar to ask for them which meant the bar tender then went to hunt down our waitress. I'm not sure whether they were short-staffed or not, but the slow service was frustrating. I'd like to try out James Joyce on another occasional to give it another go and see how it compares because most of the other reviews are glowing. I'd like to find that flare which others are raving about so much. read more

The service was good, but the food had a funny spice in it from the clam chowder to the French fries everything had a strange flavor.

A friend of ours Chris Hassey is now a new chef at this restaurant Pub, so we decided to stop by and try it. Although he was not working we still ate a wonderful meal with awesome conversations with Jim the Bartender and Beth their waitress. I so enjoyed the very freshly made Fish & Chips. Amazing flavor! My husband ordered the Corn Beef and Cabbage with a side of homemade mashed potatoes. Simply scrumptious! Thank you Jim and Beth for a wonderful experience! read more

I come here often despite a 45 minute drive from home because this is the first bar I've been to that reminds me of some of my favorite haunts back in Cambridge. The laid back atmosphere, good food, and beer selection make this a great place to hang with friends or catch a game. While you'll occasionally get a few younger patrons, it's a nice place for the 30-somethings without the feel of a meat market. There have been some interesting characters here, but at times we can be the interesting characters so it all evens out. The staff I've encountered is great. Friendly and engaging, they do what they can to make your trip worthwhile. We are never in a rush for anything other than a refill, but bartenders are as quick as they can be given the crowds; if there's only one person behind the bar and it's mobbed, it might take a little longer than if the place is empty. That being said, I've found the bartenders to be efficient and attentive, and I don't think it's just because they know my face. Overall, the only drawback is that it is so far from home. This is a great place to relax and grab a drink. read more

I had their James Joyce burger which was pretty good! Overall good food and service. Our bartender/waiter was great.

What a great place to grab a pint and a fantastic meal! The food has really gotten good over the last couple of years. Best Burger in Town for sure! They also have weekly changing specials that keep me coming back to see what's new! Today, I had the meatball sub with a Caesar salad. Absolutely incredible! Caesar dressing is homemade and has a great spice to it! Best part of the Joyce? The service. All of bartenders are lively and full of personality. read more

Hey the Joyce let me hang out and get drunk there, and everybody still was my friend (I guess), so I'm cool with this place. I miss it, in a weird way (I've been in Austin since), but I have to say I never really actually liked hanging out there - always had a slightly melancholy vibe... kind of like Joyce.... Shoot, the m.o. is "where you don't have to have a good time to drink".... read more

When I lived in the Dirty D, my friends practically paid rent at the patio tables outside the Joyce. Afternoon, night, hot or cold ... it didn't matter. They were there, drinking and smoking away. And to this day I have absolutely no idea what they see in this place. Sure, it's where one of my best friends met her fiancee, but if you're holding out hope to meet the love of your life at a bar, then my review isn't going to sway you. This place is smoky (bad ventilation), small and crowded all the time. It's almost impossible to get to the bar any time after 7 on a weekend night and ever since Paddy and Bill stopped playing here, there's been no real draw for anyone passed the age of college. It's true it's been a while since I've been out of college, and perhaps I'm just getting to be an old fogey, but there are so many more bars in the RDU area now that going to the Joyce because it's the only option is no longer required. read more

Wow stopped here pre vacation for a lunch with the family. Awesome service and great food comming out of a one man kitchen. The blue devil brussel sprouts are the best app ever. We were suprised my the lamb special, very tasty. Reasonably priced with good food, drinks and service. I'll add this to a must stop when I'm rolling thru the area. read more

This was probably my favorite bar while I was at Duke. A little more expensive than most in Durham, especially for an Irish pub, but I do love the atmosphere, and it doesn't get as crowded as the other bars in the area. Tends to be a little older, and less full of younger students, which I appreciated even then. Definitely has a neighborhood bar feel--the bartenders are typically the same, know all the regulars, and more than happy to chat with visitors to the area too. The food is good, if sometimes a little different (though they do have standbys like the burger or the curry fries all the time). They also have events ranging from regular trivia night, to fun themes like a Jaws anniversary party with a steam pot special. Awesome place--whether you live here or are just passing through, make sure to drop in to drink, chat, or just hang out with a book! read more

I've always enjoyed the James Joyce. The Irish food is authentic, delicious and inexpensive. They're also serving food on Holidays when most places aren't. The staff is awesome and every time I got there I feel like a member of the family. If you're looking for an outdoor patio, they have two! Its a great place to grab a pint and keep warm in the winter or have a cold beverage and stay cool in the summer sun. They've always given back to the community and have provided a safe haven for us Rugby Players. Great spot for a date or a large group in any attire. read more

Service was mediocre. The bar manager was friendlier than the bartender. I sat there in front of her face for 5 minutes trying to get her attention to no avail. After about 5 minutes she actually noticed me, took my order, and then basically ignored me... There was only one other person at the bar. Food was OK.. Nothing great, but not bad. I had the fish and chips. read more

Definitely a real "Irish pub" feel to the place - from the overall layout, wall decorations, O'Connell Street signs, and "Irish castles" posters in the restrooms. Doesn't seem like they bought one of the "Irish pub in a box kits." It is a very small area, though and the inside can become overwhelmingly crowded pretty quickly. There's a back patio with could use a little more care and upkeep, but it can be nice to sit at one of the big picnic tables out back to have a beer in the spring or fall. There's also a front patio that is right next to the one at the Federal. I've ordered appetizers there a few times, and the fries are good, the spinach dip disappointing. But I mainly come for the bar, and it's one of my favorites in downtown Durham. They have great beer pitcher specials. They also have a wonderful trivia night on Tuesdays at 9:30. The place is usually packed, and different brewery/beer representatives come and give away prizes in between the rounds. Recents have been Stella, Sweetwater, and Goose Island. read more

After all these years I finally made it to James Joyce and enjoyed my time here. The outside is very inviting especially on a cool night with it's little fire pits on their patio. It was cold and somewhat rainy while we were here and didn't really notice with the fire keeping us warm. The inside is cute. It was a little small for the amount of people we were with. I really like the little booths with the stained glass walls. It definitely has an Irish pub feel. They had decent drink specials and from what I could tell good food specials. I will have to make it back for the food. read more

Went here one night with some friends for dinner. We were surprised to find that the menu was very small, minimalist really. 3 of us had the burger, and 1 the fish & chips. The fish & chips were good -- but the burgers left more to be desired. After a lengthy wait, the burgers were not made to order at all. Two were supposed to be "as rare as you'll make them" and one "as cooked as you can without burning". The two "rare" burgers were instead cooked throughout and the "well done" had some pink. One of the burgers was supposed to come with grilled onions. The waitress admitted to forgetting this piece of the order, but then returned with a plate of raw onions with minimal char with a message from the kitchen, "this is the best he can do". When sharing that the burgers were not cooked properly, the waitress left, and then came back to say, "he said you can wait for another one or have a gift certificate to come back another time." So, we waited for new burgers. Overall it was an awkward experience, and one we hope not to repeat again. The blueberry beer was tasty, and the potato skins were delicious. read more

Had a great time here on St. Patrick's day drinking Guinness and eating corned beef sandwiches. The wait staff was a bit inconsistent, well before the crowd showed up. We got out there at around noon and ended up leaving for Bull McCabe's for a bit - though we did return to JJ about an hour later. I've been here for lunch a few times and am a big fan of the fish and chips. read more

Love James Joyce as a go to bar! Friendly staff. Drinks are cheap and tasty. We love getting fries here (truffle are amazing). Good place to watch sports as well! In the summertime they have a back porch and sometimes have live music! read more

Beth is awesome!! Love this place for one thing and it's not the drinking. I'm a fan of all the appetizers. You can't go wrong!

Great place but every time I order wings they're always undercooked to hell. Chewy and gummy, every time, even when I ask for them crispy. I like hanging out here but will never get wings from here again read more

I just tried the menu for Stout week and had the braised short rib, drizzled with Carmel jus Sauce with the parsnip carrot bread crumb pie.. I think this is the second best thing I have put in my mouth from The James Joyce...needless to say I will be back :) read more

James Joyce Irish Pub - Irish Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

So, the important question first. Who does trivia better, James Joyce or Bull McCabe's? Toughie. Bull McCabe's starts earlier, at 9pm (decide for yourself whether that's a plus or a minus), but James Joyce's runs more efficiently. Also, trivia at the Joyce covers more categories, which I like. On the other hand, James Joyce is smokier, also generally more crowded. There's not a ton of space to move around in and your server may have to body-surf thirty Duke students to bring a pint to your table. So, consider all these factors when making your decision. Where do I prefer to get my trivia fix? It just depends on how I'm feeling that week. Sidebar: can we get some female trivia readers in this town? I'm just about tired of having to care about baseball trivia and emo music. Anyhoo. Even on non-trivia nights, though, I enjoy James Joyce. It has that authentic, cramped, twisty Irish-pub type feel, but also the small patio for people-watching on sunny days. The menu is pretty good as well - a cut above typical bar food. read more

While billed as an "Irish Pub"- and you can definitely find the traditional faves here- with Chef Mark Mishalanie at the helm, you will never know what awesome specials await you. Whatever you order, you can rest assured it will be kick ass tasty! The man is gifted! The service is great, everyone is friendly, and a few are absolutely hilarious- seating out front on the porch, inside the pub, or out back on the patio! Come for a visit, it may just become your new fave. Certainly is for me! read more

James Joyce Irish Pub - Irish Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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This bar was five stars, and if it were in NYC, it might possibly have rounded up to five stars. Allow me to explain: One-half star is taken off because people can smoke in there. I know, I know, it's practically on tobacco road, but that doesn't mean I like smelling like an ashtray. Yes, I understand that this means no bar that allows smoking can achieve a perfect 5-star rating. This is my review and I can do what I want. Another half-star is taken off because I went a couple of days ago and they got rid of Red Oak, my favorite beer. This beer can only be found in NC and is not bottled. Needless to say, I was very disappointed. "The Joyce" as the locals (and former Duke students) call it, is otherwise an awesome place to drink-- my favorite, by far, in the area. They have a trivia night on Tuesdays. This isn't just any trivia night, though. You are competing mostly against Duke graduate students. Bring Steven Hawking...maybe your team will finish in second place. The prize for winning is a substantial bar tab. This place makes you feel like you are in a real Irish pub. I have been to real Irish pubs, and this one is pretty spot on. Indeed, whenever I go, I get the sudden urge to drink until I am comatose and get into a bar fight...all in the name of the Pope (and I'm Jewish). They have great bar food. Sheppard's Pie and Guiness Beef Stew do the trick every time. I enjoy going there with Ben Y. read more

I've spent a handful of evenings at the Joyce, and I think my favorite thing about the place is definitely the dark, wood-laden decor. Being an Irishman myself, I love bellying up to the bar in a smoky, dimly-lit pub for a pint of Guinness (or 4). To me, the patio and the inside of the bar are two separate worlds: sitting outside on the patio and enjoying nice weather, I just don't feel that same pub ambience (although I enjoy both nearly equally). The prices are decent, and I've always gotten excellent service - although I've never been on one of the packed weekend nights. All in all, I enjoy the Joyce, but haven't really found anything to make the experience stand out enough to make it a regular haunt. read more

Being a far distant relative of James Joyce (via Adolphe Menjou, a gentleman best known for cooperating with McCarthyism when he wasn't acting), I should like this place more. And there are things that I do like: the trivia here is a lot of fun. It's the 6-round, 5-question per round variety with a picture round to be done during the game itself. And the Gaelic Burger was decent, a nice tasting meal. However, there are issues. The beer is pricey, less so in comparison to the area around it and more so in general. $5-6 for beers one could get for $3-4 in Chapel Hill, etc. More problematic is the atmosphere: it's dark here, like really dark. Maybe it's an ambiance thing, but it does make trivia problematic, and it doesn't really help bring any cheer. Also, while the burger's good, the fish and chips are not enjoyable. So I've settled on 3 stars. It's okay, but it's not great. Good trivia, but I'm not feeling the atmosphere. read more

Beth, the bartender is awesome. I love coming here with friends especially on Trivia Nights and Open Mic night. Their food here is great too! My gf and I came here for our first date on St. Patty's day. This place will always be special for us. They have a great outdoor area with plenty of seating for when the weather is nice. Definitely one of my favorite bars in the area. read more

(bar review only) I'm a pretty simple person ... don't need a lot in an adult beverage establishment for it to earn my favor. Fast / friendly service, fair prices, non douchey clientele, solid drink selection, & good space (ie I don't feel like I'm in a sardine can). In my experience while it never blows me out of the water on any of them, the Joyce does achieve the above. I used to come here a lot in undergrad; being 21+ to enter (as opposed to several other Main St establishments that are 18 to enter, 21 to drink) provides a nice change of pace from some nearby spots that always made for a little more aggressive of a night. The atmosphere is very dark / dim, with some Irish and James Joyce themed paraphernalia on the walls / lying around. The bar is pretty small given the size of the place, but they generally are pretty fast with service. Prices are good (but it's Durham, if it's not reasonably cheap, you're getting fleeced). Main drawing points: - spacious! While the actual inside bar area is fairly small, they also have seating outside in front and a very large patio / yard out back. With the exception of wintertime trivia nights where it's too cold to have people sit outside, I have never felt like I'm standing on top of someone - ...which brings me to point #2: awesome trivia night on Tuesdays! It's one of the more competitive / legitimate pub quiz events I've ever attended, in a good way (not so much so that things get too ugly, but people do take this thing seriously). You best get your learn on (I recommend sporcle.com) to compete in this town (Research Triangle is one of the most educated metropolises in the country!) Main Street has a lot of good watering holes but I would recommend you check the Joyce out sometime. read more

I like the James Joyce. It has a nice Irish pub feel. There is always soccer on, which makes me happy. I will definitely be there during the World Cup next year. They have a decent selection of craft beer and pub favorites (Guinness). The only serious downside is that its a little dirty... read more