Great small bites. I recommend you trying the Elote dip it was AMAZING and perfect for sharing with…read moretwo or more friends! They have great drink specials for different days of the week! Very speedy service all of their bartenders are very sweet and will fix whatever drink to your liking The vibes are disco balls on the ceiling very open very Miami Beach vibes they have an indoor and an outdoor seating area not only that they have fireplaces. If you get a little too far from their heated porch area! The vibes just don't stop. They have an aesthetic fireplace in side as well as a fake tree in the middle beautiful for taking pictures Their bathrooms are adorable, but you might have to wait a little bit on a busy day. But this is the same problem with every bar. Very glad that they have more than one bathroom.

Stopped by the Velvet Hippo while out in downtown Durham. When you arrive parking can be a bit…read moretricky in this area as you'll need to find street parking or park in a nearby lot. When you walk in you'll need to either take the elevator or stairs up to the third floor. Once inside the bar you'll feel like you've been transported to an upscale, tropical bar. To order you'll need to walk up to the bar to place your order. I ordered the Hot Girl Summer (Olmeca Altos Reposado, fresh watermelon, Gran Gala orange liqueur, house-made habanero syrup, lime, salt half rim) which was so good. I also ordered a cheetahs do it in the dark (Astral Añejo tequila, Licor 43, Caffè Borghetti liqueur, espresso, orange twist) which was also excellent. I'd recommend walking out to the rooftop if it isn't too hot. There are several tables and the views of the city are nice. Definitely will come back to the velvet hippo next time I'm in Durham.

I came here to watch a game and it was delightful. The bartender was extra kind and let me know…read moreabout go to offers. He had Aguardiente! Which is a big deal. The place is between many places so just watch for that. But once inside is very welcoming. The lighted wall is awesome!!

A relaxed bar and lounge behind Mezcalito and Aaktun, Barbaro's open space is built for a cocktail…read moreor beer and some conversation. Inside you've got a centerpiece bar in back, neon sign corner along with a karaoke room! Some TVs and refrigerated cases fill out the rest of the space. It's fun, a bit quirky and very chill.

GRATUITY ALERT I go to Kingfisher on occasion for the…read moreatmosphere. The drinks are very very innovative, which makes it disappointing every time that the drinks are always watered down. Way too much ice in rocks glasses and not much of the drink ourself. Watered down, over shaken martinis. **However, the real issue is the mandatory 20% gratuity. ** After the bartender forgot to make my drink, then waiting 20 minutes for the check, I noticed that in the details, my one cocktail had a mandatory 20% tip. When I pointed it out, I was informed by the bartender that I didn't have to add an additional tip in top of that, but "it would be appreciated" Are you kidding me?!?! I thought I bought a $15 drink. But it was really $18. And then they expect another tip, taking this to a whopping **$22 before taxes.** I won't be back - and with so many cocktail bars in Durham that don't stealth charge you, I don't need to.

Kingfisher is the cutest cocktail lounge located in downtown Durham. I struggled to find it at…read morefirst, but it's down the stairs. The service was great, drinks were delicious, and the aesthetic make for a great night! Also, the music was enjoyable and at the perfect volume. I will definitely be back!

My first stop anytime I visit Chapel Hill is The Crunkleton. The bartenders always go above and…read morebeyond with both conversation and service. I was here recently for a concert, and Abigail noticed my band t-shirt, complemented it and then slyly played them on the speakers. Talk about going the extra mile! I always feel at home here even when I'm traveling. They have both creative cocktails and classics. This is a must-go for anyone staying nearby.

This terrific upscale bar serves up delicious cocktails in a warm, cozy setting that will make it…read moreyour go-to spot for drinks in Chapel Hill. Offering a refined escape from the college bar scene that dominates Franklin Street, The Crunkleton blends a superb selection of top-shelf liquors with expert mixologists, friendly service and a dapper decor you won't want to leave. Wait times at the bar can be long at peak hours, and there's a sizeable crowd almost every night of the week. But find a spot at the bar or in one of the comfortable leather booths along the wall, order a classic Old Fashioned or Bourbon Bramble, and settle in to enjoy one of the best cocktails around. A Chapel Hill institution, the Crunkleton is worth a drive from anywhere in the Triangle, and a must for anyone visiting this fantastic college town.

Downstairs has been less dangerous than upstairs, but still not a great experience. There's…read moreconstant staff turnover, so service is inconsistent. I've been served and then aggressively carded right after, which feels unnecessary and unprofessional. I went in there around 10 o'clock on a Thursday for food and was told their kitchen was closed... mind you they close at 12AM.... There was a woman in the kitchen. It seemed like they just didn't want to take my order... Then I had a friend text me later and tell me not only did they stay open after saying that they were gonna close early... But that they usually serve people food. Those people usually do Coke though. As a young Black woman, multiple times I've come in and they have less than 10 people in the room and STILL it's difficult to get acknowledged or served, it is a small space. So being ignored by the bartender when they could barely minimum acknowledge me It's a bar like if y'all don't even have food why can't I get in contact with the bartender? I went in with one of my friends from out of town and she told me they were being racist. This is a white woman I went in there just to ask them what time the upstairs dance floor was opening not only did they ignore me they acted like they had move around and disappear to the hallway not making a drink at all just to make it look like you're busy so they don't have to answer my question. Upstairs, the environment feels unsafe and even more poorly managed, with serious boundaries being crossed and ignored. I watched a female on their staff get groped and nobody cared. You will never catch a black woman bartender there. It's by design. Overall, this place is not the safe, welcoming space it used to be. Please be careful. #RIPANGELA

If you like dive bars with sticky tables, this may be your place. I had the jackfruit tacos which…read morewere ok but nothing special. The bartender was friendly and efficient, though.

Absolutely love Bralie's!!! Seeing as it is a Bills backer bar it is great to go see a game there,…read morearrive early or you will miss out on a seat! Love that all the bartenders are able to keep everyone straight and are always checking on you. Their wings and mozz sticks are the best! Love all the Bills swag on the walls! They also have a pool table, darts, etc games to play while there! Super fun times

Folks, this is such a cool place to visit! I have been here more than a few times and every time I…read morehave had the coldest beer and some of the most scrumptious food. They have a reputation of having one of the best and biggest burgers in a triangle. I have even grabbed the chef by the arm and shook his hand because of his food being so good! One of the bartenders by the name of Tennessee -- I tell you, she has to be one of the nicest people I've met in Durham over the past years and I really like her. They have a huge assortment of TVs to watch movies, TV shows and of course your favorite games. They have a nice assortment of pool tables and games, including darts throughout the area and I tell you folks, this place is huge so there's no lack of space. Everyone's friendly and welcoming, and I foresee no problems or issues at this place because I consider it one of those friendly neighborhood sports bars.

The Capulet Cocktail Club completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment I walked in, it felt…read morelike stepping into another time--almost as if I had been transported straight into the Renaissance. The ambiance is incredibly immersive, with artistic details that make it a perfect spot for anyone who appreciates creativity and aesthetic experiences. Beyond the atmosphere, the service truly stood out. The bartender was not only attentive but also efficient, ensuring drinks were prepared and served promptly without sacrificing quality. That level of care really elevated the entire experience. Overall, it's a beautifully curated space with a unique vibe and top-tier service. I'll absolutely be returning and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something a little different and memorable.

Lovely space. The drinks were fantastic, and the ambiance is beautiful, just as other reviewers…read morehave mentioned. We also had great bar service. The only remark I'd make is that the lighting inside could be a touch dimmer at night to really set the mood. just a smidge more. That's it. We'll be back!!

I walked in on a Monday night and I was the only person The…read moreinside is simple but gawdy - if you're confused you can blame my vocab. But this is what the vibe was... An extensive cocktail menu that will Not make you want to leave this bar anytime soon. I was so lost (mind you I'm not usually lost cos there's a lot of low hanging non inventive fruit that I disregard in most menus - not here!!!!! I asked the bartender what they would recommend after telling them my preferences and they gave me the Imli. It was spicy and boozy and hint of smooth but not sweet at all. I really enjoyed my drink and wished I could have more but I didn't I also tried their kings Indian defense - another well balanced cocktail for whiskey lovers. I did get the ghee flavor but it you don't get it immediately try it after a gulp of water - it's very subtle. I practically yapped the entire time with the bartender! So you know I'm giving 10/5 on service Note: you can also order food while at the bar from their restaurant Cheeni (review on the restaurant t yelp page) I'm not surprised they were a James beard finalist or something :) Highly recommend

In full disclosure, we've visited the restaurant Cheeni and the adjacent Bar Beej several times and…read morehave chatted with the owners, who are lovely people. There's nothing like Bar Beej that we've ever been to -- a bar with Indian-inspired cocktails, bar bites and that plays old Bollywood movies on a big screen. The space is small and intimate but the vibe is very unique. The bar was nominated for a regional James Beard Award, so you know it's pretty good. This isn't the type of bar to get cheap drinks but a place to try new flavor combinations and creative cocktails.