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I came here with my boyfriend and another couple for some drinks before dinner and was instantly amazing at this place. To get in, you walk down some stairs with some cool art and open the door to this very cool underground cocktail bar where there's different areas to sit, like the bar, couch lounge area, tables, countertop, or private rooms which are open for everyone first come first serve. Our waitress was amazing and informed us that some items for drinks were out, which made sense for a Sunday night, but luckily the drinks we wanted were available. I got the glacial maximum which was amazing!! I have never tasted a cocktail like that before but it was made perfectly. Overall, I believe this was the best cocktail bar to go to for pre dinner and the vibe was amazing and not like anything I've seen before. Sadly I'm from out of town but I hope to come back here when I'm back in town.
The bar is in the basement of the building. Very unique decor and I enjoyed it. The bar is very dark and you may not have cell phone service. I actually enjoyed that. I was able to enjoy my friend's company without distractions. The drink menu is eclectic. The nice thing about that is you can enjoy a unique cocktail. They also have cocktails not on their menu...just ask. I tried the Time Off. I didn't enjoy it. The waitress offered another suggestion and her suggestion happened to be one of my favorite drinks. I really enjoyed the expresso martini. There is plenty of seating indoors but almost twice as much outside. I bet his spot is awesome during the late spring/summer. I am going to make a point to visit this summer. Love love love this place. They also gave mocktail versions of their drinks.
We have been wanting to check this place out. We've heard great things, but left very disappointed! The ambiance was cool and thought drinks were creative. However the prices were outrageous! We paid $42.55 for two drinks. There are too many other affordable options in the area. We will not be back.
This is a speakeasy type bar with a very unique ambience. They had it very nicely decorated for Halloween. Our server was excellent and was able to describe the drinks really well when I asked which helped me make my decision. The drinks are very unique. My favorite was the milk and honey. They did a really good job incorporating local foods and flavors into the cocktail menu.
So many fun drinks to choose from it was hard to decide. I enjoyed sitting at the bar and watching them mix up some of the drinks. I chose the watermelon daiquiri after seeing them make one for another customer. The drink was tasty! They have a lot of cool seating areas if you are with a smaller group.
Kingfisher is a must visit! This bar/lounge is perfect for a date night or a small gathering with friends. You can make reservations for a table, sit at the bar or chill in their whimsical back patio/garden. They have an extensive cocktail menu including fun seasonal drinks. My brother enjoyed his rye old fashion and I was adventurous; trying their summer drink with Italian Ice with Miller Lite (shandy). The drinks here are pricy but the quality, attentive staff and ambiance are worth it!
Love this place!! Service is quick and friendly (we had the nice blonde woman as our bartender). My bf and I were in Durham for the weekend and came here twice! We tried to go with a friend during our last visit but it was closed for a private party- the hype did not disappoint. Be careful of the cocktails- I ordered something I didn't like at first, but then stuck with the delicious Bee Durham after that (got some 'gramable pics) Basement vibes are so cool and their AC works great. it wasn't insanely crowded or hard to get a drink. I will for sure be returning and recommending! I wish this place was in my home town! read more
Nice, hidden bar with cool decor. I like that they have you show proof of vaccination upon entrance but I just wasn't a fan of the service. The hostess wasn't very warm or welcoming and same for the bartender. Maybe we went on an off night but we definitely didn't stick around for more than one drink because we just didn't feel like we were welcome. Maybe we weren't dressed up enough? Really unsure what the vibe is here. Some people were working on their laptops so I don't think it's supposed to be super posh but who knows? The drink was pretty good with nice presentation but yeah I probably won't go back. read more
2 years ago
When it comes to upscale bars, I'd have to put Kingfisher near the top of the list even though it's so new to Durham. It's cool, underground speak-easy location opens up to a wonderfully decorated space with private table areas (concealed by a curtain), a bustling U-shaped bar and plenty of stuffed couches. It reminds me of a combination of Fox Liquor bar and William & Co. in Raleigh. Kingfisher is focused on ground to glass cocktails leveraging as much in the way of local ingredients with cocktails in the $12.50 range. I tried the Waterworld with was watermelon-based and it was solid but not my favorite. Kingfisher offers a handful of snacks and buns to whet your appetite if you're hanging around for a while. Just note that the place is popular and that there may be a wait for a table. So four stars for now and we shall see if Kingfisher earns that fifth one from me over time! read more
Business owner information
Sean U.
Thanks for the review, Ron! So glad you liked the space and the bar!…
3 years ago
4 years ago
Came here while in town from NYC and wanting a fancy cocktail on a Saturday night. Kingfisher feels a bit speakeasyesque -- down a nondescript staircase, and on this particular night no one at the hostess stand -- but thankfully lacks the usual speakeasy snobby air. You seat yourself, a (very friendly and helpful) server comes, no one is rushing you out...very chill! And the cocktails are truly unique and surprising. We had the Scotch Old Fashioned (smooth and subtle with almond flavor) and Time Off (somehow tastes of both coffee and tart fruit and that may sound weird but it's definitely yummy!). Loved the overall vibe and would return for sure if we were locals. read more
3 years ago
We really enjoyed this bar!! We had a great time!! Great atmosphere and great drinks. The staff was very nice and had great recommendations! Will definitely be returning read more
5 years ago
We descended a stairway into the place. Rachel greeted us with her cheerful manner. She said it was recommended to have a reservation on a weekend but we did not know. I told her we tried to call but there was no phone number on Yelp or the website. She said they use resy. Now we know! We ordered food outside (see separate review of Queen Burger) brought it in to the table that Rachel set up for us with water. I ordered the The Return of the King. It was amazing and I would order it again. My friend ordered the Bee Durham and he loved it. I ate his dried lemon garish and it was delish. Vibe was very much a speak easy. It was a bit loud with chatter due to hard surfaces. But the music was also loud and upbeat. We were still able to talk so the volumn was good. We liked the hat the owner wore so much we bought one. They have a metal ice cube "stamp" of a kingfisher. Good marketing! When the check arrived, the clay tray had a beautiful kingfisher. read more
2 years ago
Good water. The bartender provided the water without us even requesting it, which was wonderful! It comes in a short glass. The water could have been colder. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
Favorite cocktail bar in the Triangle. They have very unique, creative cocktails. The ingredients may sound funky at first but I would rely on the commentary in italics below each drink's description to get a better sense of how the drink will taste. I'd recommend starting with the Bee Durham if you're a gin fan. This drink stays on their menu year round and is just absolute perfection. read more
Sean Umstead and his wife Michelle Vanderwalker are attracting crowds and catching the eyes of craft bar enthusiasts by adding personal touches and incorporating seasonal "ground-to-glass" craft cocktails to downtown Durham. They turned an unexpected basement of an old office building next to The Durham into a beautiful, artisanal and intimate lounge with exposed shelves displaying Mason jars of varying preserved and fermented ingredients fresh from the farm. You can sip on a fresh strawberry daiquiri all year long, Kingfisher's signature cocktail, thanks to the local dehydrated strawberries from the spring that they keep stocked. The cocktail menu morphs with the seasons, as the husband and wife duo typically source surplus ingredients from local farms. Take the Stage Door, for example, which showcases NC Granny Smith apples, celery gin, lemon, and cocchi americano. The combinations of ingredients are unique and always perfectly executed. I've never had a "too sweet" or "too strong" cocktail at Kingfisher. It's always been just right! For the ambiance and the quality of the cocktail alone, I'll return to Kingfisher again and again. But perhaps my favorite aspect of the craft bar is the concept itself. Kingfisher is a thoughtful culmination of two people's passion - cocktails and art. In a world full of bars, Kingfisher stands out thanks to the intentional personal touches sprinkled throughout the cozy bar. Most notable to me is the ceramic glassware that cocktails are served in. There's just something fun, untold, and new about sipping a craft cocktail from a rough, beautiful, and handmade ceramic glass. Michelle, a ceramist, made these along with many other elements at the bar including the dinnerware and the stunning hand-tiled 12 seat bar top. I am grateful for this downtown Durham addition and look forward to many seasons of imbibing at Kingfisher! read more
4 years ago
6 years ago
Just a lovely little speakeasy lounge. I really love the atmosphere and vibe this has going. We tried several of the delicious concoctions and were not disappointed and also ordered the pickled tray for something to nosh on and it was a great sampling of different veggies pickled and a nice change from standard nibbles. If you have a chance to stop by for a cocktail you should. read more
Business owner information
Sean U.
Thanks Lorraine! I’m glad you enjoyed your time, drinks, and snacks!
Walked into kingfisher after dinner. This gem of a place has some of the best cocktails I've ever had. It's tucked in the basement with a dark ambiance which is perfect for a date night. They check vaccinations when you enter. My boyfriend and I sat at the bar where we were promptly greeted by our bartender Oliver or Ollie. He was super personable and gave us great drink recommendations. We ended up have a horchata sour, sea plane, and the return of the king. The drinks were delicious and strong! read more
If you love cocktails, this is definitely one of the best cocktail bars in Durham. I tried a few but enjoyed open border policy the most! Tequilla, gin, cucumber, chili, lime husk agave. It was really different, cucumber and spice stood out for me. Also, too much sweet is not my thing! This is also a basement bar, well done interiors and good vibes. Parking in Durham downtown is mostly never a challenge. Go, give this place a try read more
5 years ago
My friends and I were going to meet up for drinks here. It was a bit confusing to find because it is in the basement of the building. It felt a lot like a speakeasy and vaccination cards are required to enter. The ambiance was very relaxing and chill. However, the drinks were a bit pricey. The drinks are all very unique and something that you won't get anywhere else. I just wish I didn't have to pay as much for a small drink. read more
6 years ago
Tucked away under The Durham Hotel is Kingfisher Bar. If you are facing the building you will see a set of doors on the bottom right, that's where you need to enter and then go down the stairs. The stairwell is highlighted in turn turquoise blue. Anyway, as you enter you find a trendy and contemporary style lounge area with a lot of various seating including the bar, couches with tables, dual seat tables for two towards the back, and private booths that looked like they could seat 8 to 10 people. Everywhere you look you will see snowflake cutouts hanging from the ceiling and walls, and their glow in the purple / orange lighting makes it quite magical. Their drink menu is not very extensive, but they have a full bar so any concoction you desire can likely be made. I went for the Winter Fritz, which is a non-alcoholic beverage, but asked them to add vodka. It came out in a super tiny glass, but it was refreshing. As others have indicated it's a bit pricey. Also, their beer selection is limited to a handful of local craft beer. In the very back they have a room with a fascinating art exhibit. Just head towards the restrooms and you can't miss it. Staff was friendly, but not very tentative as I sat without a drink for nearly 20 mins waiting for someone to come by. That won't keep me away as this place is a great addition to the Durham scene. Cheers! read more
3 years ago
Spectacular speak easy with typical ambiance. Takes a while to find a seat here on a Friday night. Great cocktails especially "The Return of the King". They had me and the old lady lit. read more
We came in and we were able to get a seat on the bar, which I love. I get to see how the bartenders make the drinks and get to know a little more about the place. The place is well decorated and have many pickled jars on one side of the wall. They also use many local items to make the cocktails and the food items. There are also rooms inside the walls which are absolutely adorable but you must have more than 2 people to get one of those tables with curtains that provide some privacy. There is also a couple of sofas, tables, and a long table. Well decorated and amazing lighting. We ordered the Bee Durham which is beeswaxed conniption navy strength gin, honey, lemon and the Water World which is the blacktail watermelon, basil, dry vermouth, campari, soda. Then we ordered the Simple Pleasure and the Strawberry Daiquiri. Will definitely come back and try their grilled cheese. read more
Business owner information
Sean U.
Mindy!! Thank you so much for taking the time to write about us! So…
4 years ago
This bar is nestled underground in downtown Tampa and you could instantly tell it was a very intimate vibe as soon as you walked down the stairs. We were seated immediately at a table and ordered the Bee Durham with local honey, and it came in a very cool glass read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
This is like a cool, secret bar that only the in-crowd knows about. It's in the basement of the building right near The Durham hotel and they work on the premise of farm-to-cocktail. They buy a lot of local ingredients and even preserve many of them for later in the year when they are not in season. We came during the week and got a small table for two. The gourmet nuts and cocktails we ordered were wonderful, but pricey. The lighting is dark and jazz was playing over the speakers. I think they have live jazz on some nights as well. They also serve their drinks in ceramic glassware made by one of the owners -- very cool. Keep in mind, however, that their prices are not cheap. These are more artisanal cocktails and not your run-of-the-mill highballs and well drinks. We'll be back when we want to splurge on some awesome cocktails. read more
Business owner information
Sean U.
Thanks Glenn! You should certainly come for Jazz, it’s awesome and…
I stumbled upon this bar randomly during a walk around Durham. Outside the bar is a catchy fluorescent kingfisher sign. We walked into the building and then down a set of stairs. The bar had this underground, otherworldly feeling. It was dark with mysterious lighting. The menu had a range of Durham-themed beverages, including "Muscadine Mai Tai" and "Durham Bee." I had the Durham Bee, which was made with local honey and Gin. It was adorable and tasty! Great service! The drink prices are a bit on the higher side-$12.50 per drink. read more
Business owner information
Sean U.
Thank you so much for coming Sweta! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself…
4 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
I've been to Kingfisher multiple times. I love their curated drinks and atmosphere. I had even posted them on my Raleigh/Durham food and travel blog on social media as one of my top cocktail bars. I won't be going back to Kingfisher after my recent experience. I'm not saying other people should not explore it. I personally did not like my encounter with the hostess and the moral aspect of it. Our table server was very kind! I do have recommendations of other Durham bars/places to grab a drink with good customer service. The only issues are their reservations, time it takes to get a drink during weekends, and seating. I had a bad experience this past Saturday 1/28/23. A group that was sitting in their reservation booth had left and the booth was empty. So I went to go ask the hostess about how those booths work. I was told that it was for groups of 7 or more and that once a group had left that I could sit there with my group, which was a group of 7, so I was good to go. Since the hostess told me I could go sit there with my group, I said thank you and walked over back to my group to let them know we could go over. My group was sitting at a table directly next to the group booth. When I walked over, a girl had quickly sat down there alone. I let her know I just spoke to the hostess that my group could sit there because it was empty and we were a group of 7. The girl argued that she sat there before my whole group physically walked over and she was going to have a group of 7 also. I then told her I had already spoken to the hostess literally 15 seconds ago about my group sitting at the booth, but the girl continued to argue with me so I told her we could just go speak to the hostess. We went up to ask the hostess about the situation and the hostess said "oh she sat their first then so they can have it". Although when I first asked her it was empty and I asked permission prior to sitting in a booth that clearly says "reservation". I was very disappointed with this interaction. For anyone planning to go to Kingfisher, I highly suggest going at less busy hours. There is a lack of seating because it is a small bar. If you plan on wanting a reservation booth, I suggest contacting them by email directly so you won't experience the issue that I did. Other preferred bars with great service in Durham versus Kingfisher - Dram & Draught, Bar Virgile, Annexe, The Roof at Durham Hotel, Bull McCabes Irish Pub, Pour, Slush, Kotuku Surf Club, 106 Main, Federal, Clouds Brewery, The Patio at Unacripted, Parts & Labor, Boxcar Bar. read more
Wanted to try this place for a while. I walked past it before it opened and added it to my 'must try downtown Durham bar' list. The place didn't disappoint! It is a small basement bar with some tables, a couple of cut into wall section tables and a half circle bar. We got there about 6:30pm on a Saturday night and all seats were taken, but it wasn't a total mob scene. The drink menu is interesting to say the least. He got the drink called the 'Buried Treasure' that was made with tequila and beets. What? I know. Do tequila and beets go together? I got the Strawberry Daiquiri (I think) as I don't see it on the online menu but pretty sure it was there in person. The bartenders are cool and can tell by looking at you whether you are on your 1st date or your 20th. The place reminds me of a Washington, DC hangout or Boston bar. Definitely will be back! read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
Came over to Raleigh / Durham and was looking for a great place for cocktails. Kingfisher didn't disappoint. Was told they had only recently opened, when we were there. Had that speakeasy feel and the bartenders were very capable. Asked for something spicey and he made me something (apologize I can't remember the name) with jalapenos. It wasn't overly spicey but snuck up on you after. read more
6 years ago
I visit this place with some friends. It has a neat vibe. Very hipster-ish. They serve "ground to glass" (or farm to table) cocktails. The cocktails are all $12.50 before tax. I tried the Bee Durham and the Stage Door. I liked the Stage Door the best. My favorite part was the grilled cheese and pecans. I would come here just for these. The atmosphere is very cool/loungey without being over the top. This would be the perfect place for a girls night or first/second date. read more
This place just keeps getting better. We went back on a weekday, and sat at the bar. Their choice of music and mood lighting is pretty fantastic. Our second time around, we decided not to just order cocktails off the menu, but discussed our preferences with the bartenders. They came up with some great cocktails for us. We are regulars now! read more
Business owner information
Sean U.
Thanks Sonali! Your review literally made my face hurt from smiling!…
More info about Kingfisher
321 E Chapel Hill St
Durham, NC 27701
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http://www.kingfisherdurham.com
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Ask the Community - Kingfisher
Can you bring outside food in or is food available there?
I don't believe they allow outside food (as I've never seen anyone bring anything and I do know they offer a limited food menu). In terms of food offering, they have some light bar bites such as a charcuterie/cheese board, roasted nuts, etc. we've… Read more
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