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    The Kraken

    4.6 (18 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars, Music Venues
    Closed Closed

    The Kraken Photos

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    1 year ago

    Just a pretty good time. Enjoyed the free music. Parking was tough but everyone was chill. Bar tender was responding!

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    Photo of Mishka L.
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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Play the show there had a great time. Salman's awesome locals are great will be back again.

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    3 years ago

    Incredible place. Very nice people. And they had dog treats. What more could you need

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    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    14 years ago

    Helpful 7
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    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
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    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    7 years ago

    Cheap beer, chill vibes, great music! This is a great local spot. Wednesday nights are the best!

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    13 years ago

    Helpful 5
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    8 years ago

    The Kraken is all that is right about America. It is the best bar in the world, and I'm truly sad I don't live closer.

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    8 years ago

    It's the best, go and have a drink. Go and listen to a show. Go and eat crispy foods in the parking lot. Go and meet great people.

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    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
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    8 years ago

    Wow!!! Truly an awesome place to have a beer. Great music! Great barkeep(s)! No pretentious hipsters with complicated drinks!

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    8 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    Ask the Community - The Kraken

    Review Highlights - The Kraken

    Due to the quality of the talent this place books for live music (regional and national level), its also the best honky tonk around...

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Orange County Social Club

    Orange County Social Club

    3.9(48 reviews)
    5.9 mi
    $$

    Preppy college towns are so dystopian bro-- 27 years on this earth and never been denied entry from…read morea place until the night of my MASTER'S graduation cause bro didn't buy that my R-E-A-L ID (which costs extra, mind you) was real and wouldn't scan it/get anyone else to check. How are you gonna refuse to let a whole adult with a 401k in because you don't feel like verifying a verifiable ID :/ the group after me asked why, and apparently "the edges were peeling", so they showed their peeling IDs and said "well we definitely won't get in then" BUT THEY DID :/ Bless their hearts, they tried to say something, but she just got angrier and snapped at me to have a good night in a way which suggested that she very much did NOT want me to have a good night. My siblings flew out from Philly and NYC for one night together, so needless to say this was a damper, but apparently not uncommon -- you'd think a place with that reputation would have a little employee oversight :/

    For a place that calls itself a liberal bar they are very prejudicial and they showed it on…read moreHalloween night when I tried to bring in my service dog they asked me questions that were illegal to ask like where is your psychiatrist letter which I do have one but I don't have to show it nor do I have to show any evidence whatsoever that my dog is a service dog in all 50 states of the United States and under federal law that is not required once you identify your dog as a service dog that is all that's necessary really in most places but not for Orange County Orange County believes that they are above the law and very soon that will change for them. Do not recommend this place and probably will never go back.

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    Orange County Social Club - Truly the best dark and stormy in town! By far!!!

    Truly the best dark and stormy in town! By far!!!

    Orange County Social Club
    Orange County Social Club

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    He's Not Here

    He's Not Here

    3.9(86 reviews)
    6.7 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.

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    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.

    Zogs Pool - Yeah, we love it here.

    Zogs Pool

    4.4(89 reviews)
    6.9 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.

    The Kraken - divebars - Updated May 2026

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