I went for a private event, a birthday party, in a beautiful Thursday evening. I found the space easy to find, thanks to directions on where to park (555 S Mangum deck, with 10 hours of free validated parking via a QR code the Lenny provides) and clear signage on where the elevator was. The food and drinks exceeded my expectations! Since this was a private event, we had signature cocktails to choose from, and the selections were so cute- we were told the bartending staff came up with them! The heavy appetizer buffet was amazing- charcuterie, flatbreads, adorable salad rolls, chicken wings, sliders, grilled chicken skewers, grilled veggie skewers, and bite sized desserts. Everything was delicious and there was plenty of food. This might be unique to a private event but worth mentioning- the AV was on point. There was a slide show of the birthday boy on one of the TVs, and when toasts started the staff immediately turned down the music, which was such a nice touch. The staff also came around to clear plates very frequently. The views from the rooftop were awesome, and gave everyone lots to talk about. We could also see right into the Durham Bulls Park, where a game was happening. Super fun night, thanks to The Lenny. Would definitely be back, highly recommend! read more

The Lenny - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

A friend recommended Lenny to us and it did not disappoint. Located in the heart of Durham on the 11th floor. Lenny offers great views of downtown durham. We were really impressed with the location and views. This is what we got: Smokey Mirror: this is their take on a Smoked Old Fashioned. It was made perfectly! Corn Ribs: I loved these. Perfected seasoned with lime and tahin. I can have these all day Tuna Tartare: it was really flavorful. I just wish it was that "saucy" Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich: This could have been better. The flavors were good but the chicken itself seemed like it was a processed patty instead of being a real chicken breast. Carnitas Pasta: A bit tomato forward but overall good flavor. The carnitas were cooked perfectly Red Berry Baba: we wanted to try something so we got this. It definitely did not disappoint. Really light and fluffy. Full of flavor. I am definitely going back when it gets a bit warmer. read more

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Really enjoyed our experience here. Had a date night with my wife, and it had been nearly a year since we were able to do our own thing without the kids. We chose the Lenny. We made the perfect choice. We arrived around 8 pm and were already positive about the experience because the parking garage is conveniently located nearby and they validate parking. Despite not having reservations, we were seated by the window, which is precisely what we wanted. We could see the festival of lights at the Durham Bulls stadium, which was one of the reasons we decided to come here, and it was beautiful. We went onto their patio to really get a good look, and it was really lovely. For drinks and food, we shared the Brussels Sprouts and Burger. Sprouts were solid, but the burger, fries, and salad were incredible. My wife and I were impressed with everything. We ordered a cocktail with liquor-infused hot chocolate (the name escapes me) and a sour cherry ginger beer mocktail. Both decent. For dessert, we shared the affogato. Also impressed us and was satisfying. The total bill was only $75 after the tip, so it wasn't too bad on that front. Waitress and general service were top-notch. I want to come back in warmer weather and check out their patio vibes properly read more

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The lenny is gorgeous and overlooks the Durham bulls stadium. I ordered a fish sandwich. It came with fries and a salad. My meal was ok. I also ordered an peartini which was sweet and would be good for those who like sweet drinks. The calamari was good. Overall the better for the fish sandwich could've used more flavor like lemon and a ton of black pepper. Our server was nice and balanced a full house. I'd come back and try something different entirely. read more

The Lenny - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Went to a fancy private event for one of my wife's former coworkers that had rented out their event space and had a curated custom menu with drinks. The food was excellent. It was a private event so their service was very prompt about getting new drinks or offering food, taking dishes, that type of thing. The food was excellent. From the slider burgers, chicken skewers, vegetable wraps, grilled veggies, charcuterie plate and desserts. Their crafted drinks were very nice as well. The parking situation is very easy, their ability to validate parking works but is a bit temperamental. The view of downtown is truly unmatched especially at sunset. read more

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Potential for sure! But... give them some time to pull it together. First, they need better directional signage. Multiple people were milling about the street trying to figure out where to go to get in the restaurant. When you finally enter the actual restaurant it is stunning. Beautiful view of the Ballpark and Durham University area. Very nice outdoor rooftop seating. However, the extra chairs and haphazard placement of unused cocktail tables threw off the vibe. And the service, well it left a lot to be desired. We got promptly seated for our reservation and were given water. Took a few minutes to get our cocktail orders taken. Then it was a good 45 minutes before our cocktails arrived. Half of our appetizers were not brought out. We waited forever for our food and one of our guests then got the message that what he ordered was no longer available. It was such a mess that the manager offered to comp us for whatever we wanted in the way of drinks or other food. So a couple of drinks were ordered and another appetizer. I had ordered a summer salad and mussels. The summer salad was delicious the muscles never came out. When my bill came the muscles were still on it and the pizza appetizer we supposedly were getting free was on the bill as were the "free" cocktails. Our waitress was ridiculously inept. Thankfully her assistant that was busing our table was amazing and he went overboard trying to make things right for us. The manager was also very friendly and tried to help. Because of this we will it another try but we're going to give them a bit of time to figure out these issues. read more

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I'd already eaten so I just got the potatoes. Some friends got flatbread and meatballs. The service was great. We had a pretty decent sized party and the server, Molly D was amazing. She was truly on top of everything, so thank you! Aside from the views, one of my favorite parts about The Lenny is the artwork. It really adds to the atmosphere. read more

The Lenny - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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While I know this place started with some lower reviews, after eating here a few times, I can honestly say it gets better every time. I keep coming back for the incredible view--it's definitely my favorite rooftop bar and dining spot in Durham. Just be aware that during the summer, it can be quite bright on the deck, even right before sunset. The service can be a bit inconsistent with some of the staff, but it's typically good. The food, though, is fantastic; you have to try the tuna tartare and the red snapper. The drinks are also spot on--my favorite is their smoky old fashioned. If you want a place with an amazing view and great food for a date night, this is the first place that comes to mind. read more

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Came here on a whim and last minute reservation for 1 at their opening time (5pm). There were not many people there at that time on a Tuesday which was great. I was able to choose where k wanted to sit. I sat indoor which was cold along the window bc of the AC. I did notice that those outside came inside after some time because it was hot out. The food was all amazing! The drinks were delicious and pretty. Server gave great recommendations! Decent serving sizes. I will be back to try more off their creative menu. Really great flavors! read more

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The ambiance was nice here but sadly the food did not impress us and the service was really slow. The meatballs were very salty and the lava cake was just okay. But the flatbreads were good! If you order one thing, let it be that. I preferred the fig, but the buffalo chicken was also tasty. The fries were crispy and good too. The cocktails were great! I ordered "I'm in love with a bartender" and my friend ordered "full time lover". I liked mine more but they were both delicious. read more

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Patience was nice, the food delicious but the Manager in the overly tight pink sweater dress set a bad precedent for employees with her bad attitude and condescending comments. read more

Very cool new spot on the 11th floor of an office building, overlooking Durham Bulls ballpark. Tried this place about a month after opening. Service is settling in, and minor wrinkles getting ironed out. We had a great meal, and it heartening to see a new place with full tables! The office building is new, and not fully occupied. There's parking in the adjacent deck, but it's kind of confusing to get to the restaurant. After a little trial and error, we found the elevators! The interior features windows on 3 sides. One overlooks DBAP, the other downtown Durham. Great views! Looking forward to grabbing a cocktail and sitting outside watching a game. Interior design is very cool, with a central bar, open kitchen, bar seating facing the windows and tables scattered throughout. I'd call the design industrial chic, lots of exposed concrete and ductwork, plus funky wallpaper and upholstery, gold fixtures. Very cool. Tried a couple of small plates and an entree. Truffle gruyere croquette is arancini-like with cheese inside instead of rice. Delicious crunchy outsides, gooey rich cheese on the inside. These are not your kids cheese sticks! Also tried panzanella salad. It's a melange of tomotoes, onions, olives, peppers and a garlick-y oil and vinegar dressing interspersed with house-made croutons created from stale bread. Unique, flavorful and very pleasing to the eye. Had the summer fettucine, added shrimp. Wonderful spinach fettucine, cooked perfectly al-dente, tossed in unique pea & mint pesto and then topped with a mix of sundried tomato, zucchini and mushrooms, adorned with parmesan. It's very light, a right-sized serving. 5 plump shrimp accompanied. Well prepared - crisp on the outside, firm on the inside. This is a cool concoction. Delish! Overall, a very good new spot to try. I'm sure it will get harder and harder to get a table - but worth it! read more

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I was sooo excited to return to the Lenny for my second dinner experience last night with two of my friends! I hate that I didn't get my services name but her was fabulous and he's studying business at UNC-great guy! The atmosphere was great and the view of the ballpark with holiday decor was cool to see as well! I must say that I was a bit disappointed that the drink I had last time was no longer on the menu, but the one I did have was amazing! We girls just ordered a bunch of food items for sharing, there was some disappointment when we tried to order oysters and learned they didn't have any! On to the food we did have; the what I now call "garlic foam" shrimp were amazing as was the tuna we ordered. Corn ribs were a whole new experience for me and they were so flavorful! I tried a bite of the octopus-my first time and personal I was underwhelmed but loved the bed of potatoes they were served on! We also ordered two flatbreads; the buffalo chicken and one with figs on it-I must say I miss the Gorgonzola fig from the previous menu, much better flavor than the current fig one, the buffalo chicken one however was on point!! Thank you for a fabulous dining experience!! Lastly, please, please, please do a better job of providing directions on how to get up to the roof top-the directions really are not clear and this was my second visit-I fumbled thru but there could be better signage and written information provided to your patrons on how to access the restaurant! read more

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What a cool spot! This is up on the 11th floor and it's so nice inside and out! Amazing view if you go out on the patio. I had the H2O melon mojito, chicken flatbread, and hibiscus brussels sprouts. Everything was really tasty and I was super full. There were 6 of us so I also got to taste a few other items - margarita flat bread, patatas bravas, and fries. All were yummy! Our server was great! Very attentive, and super accommodating splitting our checks up per couple. We let her know we were going to a show at DPAC and she was great about making sure we were in and out in plenty of time. read more

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I didn't enjoy my carne asada flatbread but that doesn't mean I wouldn't come back. The flatbread had too much marinara sauce on it and it was a tad spicy. The steak was too heavy for the flatbread which made it messy to eat. The brussel sprouts were amazing and my friend enjoyed her burger and fries. The fries were nice and crispy too! I expected my mojito to be flavorful but it was watery. My friend enjoyed her passion fruit cocktail though. The oysters seemed to be a hit with everyone around us. The prices are decent; really depends on how much you want to spend. Wine and cocktails run $12-$15. There are plenty of NA/mocktail options too. We waited for our food and drinks for a while but they did get busy shyer a certain time due to the game. And I understand they are newly opened and still getting their footing right. It was tricky getting inside as the front doors are locked so you have to follow the signs to the back, then enter a code to get upstairs via the elevator. There is nearby parking at the justice parking deck next to the courthouse, but a bit of a walk (FYI for my ladies that wear heels). I would return for another menu item or to try their brunch. The views are immaculate and the space/aesthetic is really nice. All of the servers were friendly and helpful. read more

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Delicious ... 1st timer and will definitely be back! Liam was also a great waiter! Space is a vibe. read more

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This review will be short and sweet as we only went here for drinks. The vibe is great, location is nice, they have friendly people working at the bar and at the front door. We will be back to try their food. The view outside is really nice as well. It was a little too cold for us to hang out there long but it was really nice! Can't wait to check them out for brunch and dinner! read more

The Lenny - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Can't beat this view. At night or during the day, it provides such a lovely POV of the city. Food is solid and drinks were great. It's a bit confusing getting up to the location - it took us 15 minutes to figure out the elevator situation which was slightly frustrating. But the service was good - very attentive staff. My favorite bite was the steak and the gambas. The decor is cool as well. I'm going to give brunch a try. read more

The Lenny - The view! - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I heard about the amazing views so obviously had to come see for myself. My friend and I dined in mid-day on a Saturday without a reservation and we were seated right away. The process of getting to the actual restaurant / bar involved being escorted to and from an elevator, an employee-controlled elevator ride, and walkie talkie communication which I was not expecting! We decided to sit outside and I can confirm the views are immaculate. A storm was coming so eventually we had to move inside, but I highly recommend sitting outside if you're able to do so. I didn't order any food but my friend got a flatbread and seemed to enjoy it. We also shared 2 cocktails which in my opinion were subpar especially considering they were $15 each. One was watery and flavorless and the other one was overly sour (despite the waiter telling me it was their sweetest option!) so neither were that pleasant to drink. The service was also slow even though it wasn't busy, so I'd be hesitant to dine here during busy times. On the plus side, all of the workers were friendly and accommodating. Final take: come for the views and maybe the food but skip the drinks. read more

The Lenny - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We have been here twice: once for a Durham Chamber function and once to dine with friends. We sat outdoors on a nice evening, ordered beverages and apps and enjoyed the modern ambiance. One friend is from France and chatted with one of the chefs. We enjoyed the patatas bravas, salad and pasta primavera. When we tried to find our waitress to pay, we were told ahe was busy with another table. Our friends had another appointment and needed to leave soon. After a long while, she returned and we were able to pay. Prices are on the mid to high end and we were a little surprised they charged ys $10 to add chicken to the salad and pasta. There is validated parking and a separate elevator that takes you up to the restaurant. It was also nice to walk around and check out the views of Durham. read more

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My husband and I attended the opening week of the Lenny at 555 Mangum. Overall, we had a great time and I would definitely come back even though there were a few interesting elements. Location: the restaurant itself is not the easiest to find, but with the map and instructions that the Lenny posted on their social media, it does make it substantially easier to locate the establishment. Once you arrive, I was greeted by a maitre'd and manager who led us to the elevators on the way up to the 11th floor. The view is worth the hype. Incredible sights and views of Durham Bulls Stadium and the nearby scenery. Waiting for our table: I don't know if this was because the table times were off, but everyone then re-checks with us another maitre'd on the 11th floor and is made to sit at the bar first and have a drink. This is a little odd as it forces you to the bar assuming you want a drink beforehand. And it took 15 minutes after our reservation time to sit for dinner. The drinks themselves were good. I had the H20 Melon Mojito while my husband had the Smoked Vanilla Old Fashioned. We both enjoyed our drinks. The food menu: is an eclectic mix of appetizers, small and bigger plates, as well as sides. I'll go through each dish we had and preface that while I didn't love each menu item, I didn't hate everything either. The food was solidly good, with nothing that blew me away. Our order was: Gruyere Croquette, Tuna Tartar, Gambas al Ajillo, Panzanella Salad, Seared Octopus, and the Pretzel Crusted Cheesecake for dessert. Gruyere Croquette- this item was good; as warm, gooey, and crunchy as you'd expect for a fried food item stuffed with cheese 4/5 Tuna Tartar- what you'd expect in a typical preparation of fresh, minced Tuna plated on top of an Avocado mousse. This item lacked salt, which would have really brought the flavors to life 4/5 Gambas al Ajillo- I wanted to love this item as it was packed with shrimp. But also, there was a huge helping of some garlic-like white foam served with the dish that just threw things off. The taste was too much and I'm not sure if it was a Garlic whip or cheese foam? Either way, it was weird. 3/5 Panzanella Salad- if you've had a Panzanella salad before, you'd quickly realize this was off. The bread pieces weren't prominently featured, the greens were under-dressed, and there was some mystery white drizzled sauce across the top. All in all, this salad was mid and didn't really do much for me. 3/5 Seared Octopus- this dish was well-portioned and cooked nicely. I particularly enjoyed the cabbage and potatoes it was served with. 4/5 Pretzel Crusted Cheesecake- this was lovely and very yummy! I loved the sweet/salty combo of pretzels and Salted caramel. Delicious way to end the meal 5/5 Side Note- our waiter, while nice was visibly a newbie. He struggled to confirm if the bottle of Rosé wine we're ordering was still or sparkling. And when he brought the bottle over, he mightily struggled to open the bottle and needed to enlist another server for help. And the kicker, when we first sat down, the waiter let us know that the oyster bar was closed since they didn't have anyone to service that area. All in all, the restaurant has potential and we did enjoy ourselves. The Lenny has sleek vibes, good music, and a fun time! I hope their food kicks it up a notch in terms of flavor, but again, it's certainly not the worst we've had. read more

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This is a drinks based review only, I have not gotten to try the food. But there were a few things on the menu that look appetizing. We sat at the bar and we were served very quickly despite their being quite a few people at the bar. The bartender was very knowledgeable of the drinks and attentive and answered any questions we had. They have an assortment of cocktails on the menu for everyone with different flavor profiles. From smokey to fruity to sweet. We each got two cocktails each. And the presentation and taste were great with all of them. They all came out fast. Pro tip in the winter you can see all the lights from the Durham Bulls stadium's holiday event. I'm sure the views are beautiful and it's a nice time to be outside when it's not in the dead of winter. Overall it was a fun time! read more

The Lenny is located on the 11th floor of a new building and overlooks the Durham Bulls Ballpark. We dined in with a group for dinner and really enjoyed it. We all started off with a round of drinks. For food my husband and I split the patatas bravas "lenny style" and truffle gruyere croquettes then it was the gambas al ajillo for me and the gruyere burger for my husband. All of the food was really good but the table favorite was the gambas al ajillo. The service was also excellent. I can't wait to return. read more

Had a wonderful Sunday brunch experience at the The Lenny! Started with a bottle of champagne for their mimosa special, then ordered the Brussels sprouts, and a few flatbreads! Especially love the Carne! Highly recommend! read more

The Lenny - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I had the pleasure of eating at The Lenny for both dinner and brunch over the last month. As a newly opened restaurant that opened 4 months ago, there are going to be challenges in identifying great service professionals, especially with the current labor market. Today, however, I wanted to provide a different perspective, focusing more on the food than the service. I have had the opportunity to try restaurants and cuisines from all over the world, having traveled to over 69 countries and 36 states. When I reviewed the menu, I noticed that the chef was pushing the envelope on how to combine different flavors to curate a well-balanced cuisine. Here's what I found. Dinner: Appetizer - Creamy Hibiscus Brussels Sprouts, Entrée 1 - Grilled Pork Chop with mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, and chimichurri, Entrée 2 - Lamb Ratatouille with Roasted Potatoes, and Demi Glace. Brunch: Starter - Truffled Gruyère Croquette, Entrée 1 - Pork Belly Hash, Entrée 2 - Chicken and Waffles, and Entrée 3 - Fig Handheld (Flatbread) - Not a fan of the name handheld. The Creamy Hibiscus Brussels Sprouts was a delightful combination of floral and sweet flavors, combined with smooth creaminess, taking a mundane vegetable dish to an unforgettably spectacular level. The Grilled Pork Chop, served with creamy mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and an amazing chimichurri, provides a heavenly blend of tastes and textures. Lamb Ratatouille was tender, juicy lamb accompanied by roasted potatoes and opulent demi-glace. At the same time, the Truffled Gruyère Croquette was an indulgent, melt-in-the-mouth experience, pairing earthy truffles perfectly with nutty cheese. The Pork Belly Hash was rich but balanced with crispy edges mingling with silky flavors. The traditional Chicken and Waffles was served up to absolute perfection, with an exquisite contrast of crispy, juicy chicken and light, buttery waffles. Last but certainly not least, the Fig Flatbread represented an elegant combination of sweet and savory, with fresh figs providing each bite as a refined conclusion to the meal. Overall, the menu was so cleverly planned in terms of flavor combination, fantastic execution, and beautifully described. Every dish was well crafted, with the presentation drawing you into the dish while the blended flavors kept you wanting more and more. With a fantastic view overlooking the skyline of Downtown Durham, including Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the American Tobacco Campus, it creates a stunning opportunity for friends, family, dates, and large groups to enjoy the beauty of the views with the amazing cuisine. read more

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Vibes for days. The Lenny is upping Durham's rooftop bar game. It feels super fancy with its downstairs check in, host walking you to the elevator, elevator with no buttons that goes straight to the 11th floor bar. It's huge. Very trendy. Beautiful. The decor of the internal space is gorgeous. The outside patio space is expansive and also vibey. It overlooks the Durham Bulls stadium. Pro tip on Friday nights when the stadium does fireworks, you' have the perfect view and s and are actually above the fireworks looking down at them. The service was great. Drinks were delicious. Loved the small plates. Our crew didn't love the large plates as much. It's also not super pricey given how nice it is. Highly recommend!! I see you Durham! read more

Cute new rooftop bar in Durham near the athletic park! Lots of signage to help you find the place. The rooftop has an amazing view of the city. The food and drink menu are pretty expansive and offer vegetarian and vegan options. I tried the brussel sprouts (topped with garlic cream and hibiscus) and the vegetarian flatbread. I really enjoyed the food--everything is fresh and flavorful. It gets pretty packed on weekends so be prepared for a wait. Look forward to visiting again soon! read more

The Lenny - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Got a Friday night reservation for two and had a great time! The view is certainly the best part with a great view of the stadium and downtown. Food was pretty good and I'd come back for apps with friends or drinks with a view. read more

The Lenny - View - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

You can't beat the view. The food was flavorful and reasonably priced. Parking is free if you can the code to validate. On a game night it will probably be an awesome view read more

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Went during the opening week for drinks and a light meal with some friends. The views from the restaurant are beautiful-- unlike anything in Durham before. With a bonus of overlooking the Bulls stadium and a perfect place for the fireworks. The drinks were fairly standard, a little too sugary for my taste. The French fries we ordered were cold and soggy by the time they were served to us. Service was excellent and they were attentive. Looking forward to trying here again in a few weeks to see if the food is better! read more

The Lenny - Outdoor view - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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This was a great experience for us. Came to celebrate my daughter's birthday. We got greeted with a Happy Birthday right off the by, the host and managers were so accommodating. One even charged my phone - which I needed to capture pics. The food was very good- Tarte flambé ( highly recommend) and the cheese/charcuterie board was really a great value at $25 - good enough for 5-6 people Beef tartare was a winner and the desserts ended up being a great finish. Overall a great meal- and there was a baseball game to boot!! So got to watch the Durham Bulls for a bit as well. read more

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I met with some work colleagues on a Monday night and was awestruck by the view. The Lenny is on the 11th floor of a residential building. The menu had many interesting food and drink options; we opted for the truffle balls and Brussels sprouts for starters and then the duck and lamb for our mains. Everything was delicious, but the truffle balls were the most tasty. We had the pistachio crème brûlée, which was so good. They had many gluten free options as well, which I was pleased to see. I would definitely go back to the Lenny. read more

Food was not great. Service was amazing, server had GREAT energy and was great. I would only recommend for the service the food was horrible. read more

Cocktails, atmosphere, and service! This was our third time returning in one month to this spot. It's rare to find a near perfect dining experience but the Lenny does not disappoint. read more

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Came here with my wife for dinner and cocktails. The atmosphere is definitely the highlight--lively, energetic, and the views of downtown Durham are great. It's a fun place to be, especially if you're looking to hang out or grab drinks with friends. Service was solid as well; our waitress was attentive and on top of things. That said, the food was just... fine. I'd call it one notch above okay, but nothing memorable. The octopus in particular was disappointing--rubbery and lacking flavor. The cocktails fell into the same category: not bad, but not great either. Overall, this feels like a spot you go to for the vibe and the views. If you're hungry, they have food, but it's not the reason to come here. I'd come back to hang out or have drinks with friends, but I wouldn't return specifically for the food. read more

Sat at the bar... ordered a Pinky's Up & it did its job!! service was excellent. Came for drinks but the smell of the food lured us in. Food came out quick... ordered the mussels and frites... you HAVE to dip the bread in the broth! WOWWW!! read more

The Lenny - Pinky's Up!! Delish!!! - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The view is beautiful. Decor inside is awesome and the outdoor patio is spacious. Food was delicious and the menu is thoughtfully crafted. Eddie was an outstanding server. read more

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My new favorite rooftop cocktail bar in Durham! Definitely one of the best views looking over the baseball field and the cocktails are as good as they look! I've tried just about their whole drink menu and truly like them all. I'll continue to be a frequent customer! read more

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Unacceptable Sanitary Conditions and Discriminatory Service at The Lenny Tonight, I experienced one of the most appalling and unsanitary dining situations I've encountered in a long time--made worse by the dismissive and demoralizing service my party received. I visited The Lenny to celebrate a milestone with friends. The venue came recommended by someone in our group, and though we didn't have a reservation, we expected to enjoy the rooftop in a casual, flexible way--some of us at the bar, some at tables, some just mingling on the terrace. From the moment we arrived, we were met with hostility. The downstairs hostess, instead of greeting us, pushed us aside and radioed for a manager. Meanwhile, white patrons--some also without reservations (b/c they were a smaller party)--were being checked in and welcomed while we stood off to the side, ignored and treated like an inconvenience. When the manager arrived, I explained our intentions, and he eventually took us upstairs, where the rooftop was visibly under capacity with plenty of open tables. Despite that, we were seated isolated in a far corner. The service was disorganized and slow, which I might have overlooked as growing pains for a new establishment. However, what followed was inexcusable. While dining, through the side window, I observed a female bartender stir a drink, remove the spoon, lick it, and then proceed to stir another drink. She then wiped her runny nose on the back of her hand--twice--and continued making drinks without washing her hands. A friend at my table witnessed this as well, confirming what I saw. I immediately asked to speak to a manager, and a young man named Derrick came over. After I explained the situation, he responded in a loud, dismissive tone, claiming he had "never seen anything like that" at his bar. He said he would review the security footage and get back to me. However, he returned much sooner than expected and stopped to speak with the bartender first--who responded with noticeable expression and body language. They then pulled the shade down on the window, blocking our view of the bar entirely (clearly and rudely on purpose). If there was nothing to hide, why shield it from view? When Derrick finally returned, he prioritized discussing other matters like our bill and food before I had to redirect him to the footage. He claimed he didn't see the spoon incident and admitted he watched the tape at 2x speed. He did acknowledge that she sneezed from her nose and didn't wash her hands but minimized the severity by suggesting she sneezed into her elbow (which was not true). It was clear he was more focused on defending his employee than addressing a legitimate health concern witnessed by multiple guests. Due to the unacceptable sanitation practices, dismissive management, and what felt like racially biased treatment from the moment we walked in, I will never return to The Lenny and strongly advise others--especially Black patrons--to be cautious. I intend to report this to the local health department to prevent further incidents like this from affecting others. To make matters worse, I also became sick after eating. I developed a stomachache on the drive home that has continued since. I felt completely fine all day until eating at The Lenny. This experience was deeply disappointing and should serve as a warning to those considering a visit. Edit: I finally received a response from the events manager--three days later--which clearly reflects a lack of urgency or concern. The reply was generic and dismissive, with no real accountability from him or his team. I've now requested the names and direct contact information of the business partners so I can escalate the matter appropriately. read more

Beautiful restaurant and kind service! Food is great too! Sitting outside and inside is both amazing! read more

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