What I recommend: The pear cocktail and the tacos…read more Ruby's was awesome. It has an old-school bar vibe that feels comfortable the moment you walk in. It wasn't very crowded when we went, which made it a great spot to grab a few drinks before dinner. My friend and I ordered the pear cocktail and it was fantastic. We liked it so much that we immediately ordered another round. The tacos they were serving were also really good and paired perfectly with the drinks. The bartender was great, the whole staff was A1, and the energy in the place was exactly what you want from a neighborhood bar. Loved it here and we're definitely making this a weekly stop.

Multiple times me and my friends have come in I've been disrespected by their multiple staff…read more After asking simple questions. ***Be careful if the downstairs bar has two white bartenders it's a white bar night. They will turn their noses up at you for asking simple questions like when their upstairs bar is supposed to open. And that's if you can get their attention. (they're not really a busy bar.) they are ignoring you. And they say they are a "restaurant" but the food is inconsistent. You never know what they have, if they have anything at all. Really a place for people who like to do nose powder *sniff*. Used to be a safe place for LGBTQ. It seems like they only open the kitchen for certain people. But show up when you search up food downtown... They keep it dark I guess to help hide with the sexual harassment happening on the dance floor. I watched their own karaoke host to be groped. And nobody did anything. Also had a friend drugged without consent here... Not only that sometimes they charge you after you leave make sure to take a picture of the receipt after you close your tab! They like to make random charges like Apple I've sent other friends there to try and have a good time and they have all told me that they're never going back to Durham after going there... Durham has good spots. This is just isn't one.

I went to see Muscadine Bloodline at the Carolina Theatre and honestly, I can't recommend this…read morevenue enough! If you love live music but aren't a fan of huge crowds and overpriced everything, this theater is a total gem. First off, the vibe here is just cool and intimate. It's one of those places where, even if you're sitting a bit farther back, you still feel close to the action. The acoustics were great, every note and every lyric was super clear, which really made the performance feel special. Muscadine Bloodline killed it, by the way! One thing I really appreciated: the whole experience felt easy and relaxed. Getting there was a breeze and there's a parking garage directly across the street, so no crazy searches for a spot or long walks in the cold/rain/heat. You can literally be inside the theater within minutes of parking. Inside, the concessions were surprisingly reasonable. I was bracing myself to pay $20 for a beer like most venues, but nope, drinks and snacks were actually affordable. It's a little thing, but it made the night even better. Being able to sit for the show was also huge for me. The seats were comfortable, with a good view from just about anywhere. I loved not having to stand the whole time or jockey for space. It's honestly the perfect size, big enough for a killer crowd atmosphere, but small enough that it's not overwhelming. All in all, the Carolina Theatre just nails it for live shows. Great music, chill atmosphere, reasonable prices, and zero hassle. Can't wait to catch another concert here!

It's historic so it's hard not to love…read more I saw the movie hundreds of beavers here and what a wild ride. While I love that movie, and generally the shared reaction from the crowd is what I love about the movie going experience, these people laughed WAY too hard at bits that had already been done a bunch throughout the movie. I think it was because they really wanted to have a good time, so they laughed harder than was warranted. That isn't the worst crime but just to give you an idea of the people who I assume frequent this establishment. Mhm: -old -pretty -weird stuff to see -solid move going experience Mm-Mm: -the shallowest steps I may have ever encountered inside the actual theatre (where it's dark) -I remember the concessions being kinda disappointing but nothing in particular -overzealous crowd -atrocious parking

We came in for a show and loved the dive bar vibe. The show we saw was a NOLA style brass band and…read moreit was so fun. My only complaint was not having more seating. Everything else was great. We will be back to catch more shows soon.

Must-Visit Bars for a Night Out in Durham…read more This bar has an excellent selection of music, and the vibes are always on point. I really enjoy the themed nights--they're a blast, and it's great to see so many people get dressed up. I feel completely safe and comfortable here, making it one of my favorite spots.

We had an extremely memorable experience at Alley Twenty Six, in large part to our amazing server,…read moreAnthony! We made a reservation for a Saturday night dinner and he made sure we were well taken care of all night. We started the night with their James Bears award winning cocktails, and every drink we ordered was a hit! Spiced strawberry mule, Sunset Sipper, and the table favorite: Earl Please. The latter two drinks were mocktails and they were still standouts! As for the food, the Alley burger was perfectly cooked: juicy patty paired with truffle cheese and simple toppings that really highlighted the burger itself. And shoestring fries are always a good choice with a delicious burger. Ricotta gnocchi was also very good. As our server Anthony said, let's get this burger nominated!

It's always exciting to go to Alley26, namely for their food. Out of all the options in a block…read moreradius (with the exception of sushi nearby), I will always chose Alley26. Over burgers, over French food, over ramen, over Indian. Why? Because Alley26 serves delectable oysters, succulent burgers, and incredible tin fish. Yes, tin fish. If you haven't seen their extensive menu of fish, you must! While it's not for everyone, it is a tinned fish enthusiasts heaven! I go here to celebrate milestones with a good friend and we always have a mini feast, paired with a glass or two of wine. My favorite time to go is when the weather is comfortable and we can sit in the alley way, it's soooo chic that it feels like you're sitting outdoors at a meal in Italy of France. Service is always on point and I forget the bartenders name that is super knowledgeable and super kind. When I remember, I'll circle back to update this review. If you're thinking about this place, definitely check it out! The only inconvenience though is that I believe is 21+ over, at least at night it is.

Visited on a Wednesday evening. Brett Chambers Open Mic was featured. Band was strong possessed…read morewhat appeared to be large repertoire songs. Music was mainly R&B classics. Open mic singers were quite good. Food was terrific and wait staff were fantastic. I had the fried catfish, chili, and coleslaw. All the dishes were fresh and perfectly cooked. Only blip was the sound engineer on several songs had mics/sound system too loud for the small venue. I really enjoyed the overall experience.

It was our first time here and we had a fabulous time. Waitress was amazing, beer on tap ice cold…read moreand wings perfectly cooked and yummy. It was a shag St. Patrick's Day party and it was so fun. We will definitely return.

LGBTQ ‍ FRIENDLY…read more They have small bites, though I wasn't interested in them! I was star struck after reading their creative cocktail menu! I had a Sazerac and my friend had a high passion or something like that! These drinks were worth the price had me feeling really good and tasted very good! I should've taken pictures of the drinks, but they were really good. I just drank them. The mood lighting, sets the vibe for pictures and close interactions They host burlesque shows, dance classes, talent shows and so much more events. Follow them on Instagram!!! Also, their bathrooms are very clean!!! Right next to viceroy Indian food

Best management ever! Went beyond the niceties to having a genuinely meaningful conversation past…read moreclosing time.

I've been coming here for years and just haven't reviewed it yet…read more... There is truly not a bad seat in the house. I've sat in Orchestra, on the first floor, the grand tier, and the balcony and they've all been great. You can see everything. I have enjoyed every show I've ever seen here (Chicago, Wicked, Something Rotten) as well as concerts (Alison Krauss, Singer/Songwriter) to name a few. The employees are SO friendly and helpful. They go out of their way to make sure you know where you're going and that you're having a good time. I'm always impressed with the customer service when I go. They have those Bavarian nuts that are so delightful and a bar with domestic beers and wines. Quite a few soda options to chose from as well. There is a parking deck right next to the venue and if you get there early enough you shouldn't have a problem. There are other parking decks in the area as well. There are numerous places to eat surrounding the DPAC, so many amazing choices. I would highly recommend buying tickets to see a show here and make an evening of it with one of the close by restuarants or bars. Downtown Durham has become utterly amazing!

"Not a bad seat in the house"…read more It's been nearly 10 years since my last visit, and DPAC continues to be well maintained. Staff courteous, friendly, and helpful. This was my first time in nosebleeds seats and sound quality and unimpeded vision range was great. Leg area is limited. I'll be back!

Always a thoughtful, tasty and memorable experience. From the warm and inviting atmosphere,…read moreattentive, responsive and respectful customer service, sublime libations and delicious food, Bar Virgile never disappoints.

Bar Virgile is a must-visit in Durham. The drinks were top notch--crafted really well and…read moredefinitely stand out. The burger is easily one of the best in town, cooked perfectly and full of flavor. We also tried a couple appetizers and they were amazing, especially the deviled eggs--honestly some of the best I've ever had. The overall vibe is great too, just a really solid atmosphere to hang out and enjoy a good meal and drinks. Definitely recommend checking this place out if you are in durham

I love having this performance space in Durham!…read more My small improv team likes to perform a few times a year, and our show at Monkey Bottom was so easy and so much fun. We didn't have to fill a whole theater, and the stage was perfect for 40 or so high-energy audience members. There's a larger room too that's perfect for a party after the show. The basics are all covered (chairs, restrooms, a fridge, a bar area, PARKING) - but it's not so fancy that it becomes unaffordable. There's even a sweet little outdoor garden with a fire pit. So great. I can think of a ton of other events the space would be perfect for - classes, seminars, rehearsals, dance parties, any kind of performance, hosting a kids' camp, on and on. Best of all, the people who run the place are super nice and easy to work with. Anyhow, go check it out!