Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    West End Wine Bar

    3.5 (89 reviews)
    Closed 3:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    West End Wine Bar Photos

    WEST END WINE BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    More like West End Wine Bar

    Recommended Reviews - West End Wine Bar

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Jeff F.

    This is a really nice bar to go if you want to actually be able to have a conversation with the person you are with. The place is warm and inviting and the bartenders are great! The patio is a great place to chill out on a cool night. Plus most of the bartenders aren't stingy with the amount of wine they put in a glass (unlike some other wine bars I've been to).

    stacy W.

    I love wine. I love bars. This place only fits the bill for one. It's honestly the worst wine bar around, but a decent bar if that's what you're looking for. The Jonald and I stopped in at a usually "happening" hour on a Friday. It was pretty much dead. But we weren't put off by that, we got a nice seat by the window to sip on our wine. As I strategize on how to review this place, I really don't know where to start. Which is kinda how I feel about this place entirely. There's wine on the menu, but it's nothing to write home about. Actually, I put it down and didn't bother to finish it - I was dissapointed with the pricey-er wine I selected - I don't like vinegary wines. Jon struggled to get his down as well. The selection of wine is not that extensive or sophisticated. They do however have other things to drink - like beer and liquor. Which may be the way to go honestly. I asked for a wine recommendation from the bartender and he just looked at me... ( o _ O ) so that was awkward... The atmosphere is just as confusing. A really cool space as a bar, but not as a wine bar. I love sports, trust me, my Saturdays revolve around football in the fall. But, when I'm hitting up a wine bar, I'm not so sure that a ton of TVs playing sports really fits the ambiance you'd expect for a wine bar. They do have some outside seating which is nice on a cool summer night (although rare in durham!). I'm sure this is a cool space to hang it in, it certainly has potential and it's clean and has some food and drinks - As a wine bar though, I was really disappointed. If it were called the "West End Bar" - this review would be different probably. But since I have standards and expectations for what a wine bar is and should be, this one falls pretty short. Especially compared to a place like Six Plates that's right down the road!

    This is $15 (3 orders) worth of cheese & almonds. I could eat this myself while watching one sitcom. Wtf.
    Chase A.

    A really nice place for group mixer kinds of events. Nice wine selection for the cheapskate nonconnoisseur (and presumably for those who actually know about such things too -- but I lack personal experience in that department). Decent beer taps too. Nice outdoor area -- small but usually not occupied, in my experience so far. Let me tell you about something i *do* know about, however: food. And specifically cheese. We got $80-something dollars of cheese (in addition to other stuff) and it failed to satisfy the handful of people who were circling it. I asked if there was a mistake with the order -- seriously, there was barely any cheese on this thing. Nope. Just extraordinarily chintzy. So I got another 3 solo orders of cheese (for $15), and 3 of us had enough for a small snack. Wtf, give me more cheese. Even Whole Foods' most expensive cheeses (which the West End ones are not) are relative bargains.

    Daniel H.

    This is a good place to sit and relax after work and/or to visit with your friends/significant other(s). The ambiance/atmosphere is great (not too loud), especially the number of couches available on both floors, plus the outdoor seats. The bartenders are very good, attentive, and most importantly know how to make drinks! (Yes, making drinks in a consistent basis is actually a pretty good skill). The place also has a good selection of cured meats/cheese plates, a good wine selection, as well as live music. I would recommend this place if you are looking for a place to have a nice conversation with friends (or even dates) over good drinks.

    See all

    10 months ago

    Where is the wine??? Cool atmosphere...lots of spirits available but lackluster wine list.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mave T.

    Mave T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mave T.

    Mave T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Onja B.
    26
    75
    53

    3 years ago

    Very friendly and knowledgeable bartender/sommelier. Picked the perfect wine for my taste!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mave T.

    Mave T.

    Thanks so much for the lovely review, Onja!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mave T.

    Mave T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ron W.
    854
    1194
    6466

    15 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Carl K.
    10
    69
    156

    10 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Olivia G.

    Olivia G.

    Thanks so much, Carl! We hope to see you again soon.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Adam B.
    319
    550
    2419

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Olivia G.

    Olivia G.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mr V.
    2
    224
    0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Naomi K.
    488
    2076
    7396

    15 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tonya P.
    1847
    691
    12266

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nick F.
    50
    33
    0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ken A.
    5
    16
    64

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex V.
    69
    19
    5

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Pretentious snobby bartenders, pretentious snobby patrons, drunk Staceys. Five stars.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan M.
    0
    22
    0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - West End Wine Bar

    Review Highlights - West End Wine Bar

    i was in town durham but only for a couple of days but gave this place a try.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Wine Bars 479 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Killer Queen - Interior

    Killer Queen

    4.9(33 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    I was excited to try Killer Queen for a downtown girls' night. We don't make it downtown very…read moreoften, so I've been enjoying exploring some of Durham's newer spots -- and this one was absolutely worth the visit. The wine list is broad and thoughtfully curated, with options that feel approachable whether you're a casual wine drinker or someone looking to try something new. The sommeliers were welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about helping us find something we loved. The space itself is adorable, with eclectic décor and cozy lighting that makes it easy to settle in and stay awhile. It's a great spot for conversation and a relaxed evening with friends. The only downside is that the space is fairly small, and I would have loved to see one or two more lower seating options for small groups rather than mostly high tops. That said, I could absolutely see us coming back for a pre- or post-theater glass of wine or an easy catch-up night.

    Love this place! It's definitely a bit on the pricey side when it comes to the wine, but the…read moreoverall experience makes up for it. The service is awesome--our server was super friendly and gave me a great drink recommendation when I wasn't sure what I wanted. It ended up being perfect. My friend and I shared a glass of the 2023 Cederberg Bukettraube (sweet white wine) and got the charcuterie board for one with the truffle salami. That board was so good--I can't stop thinking about it. The toasted baguette slices with truffle salami and mustard? Unreal. It was the perfect little snack to share. We also had the citrus lavender crème brûlée, which was surprisingly delicious. I don't usually go for crème brûlée, but this one was light, not overly sweet, and just had a really nice flavor. I've also tried their shepherd's pie before and loved it--wish it was still on the menu! The vibe inside is moody and cozy, and they've got a cute outdoor patio too. Overall, such a great spot. A little pricey, but I'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend checking out Killer Queen.

    Photos
    Killer Queen
    Killer Queen
    Killer Queen

    See all

    The Wine Feed - Brussels sprouts

    The Wine Feed

    4.6(56 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Great decor - large, open space, with very light furniture. There are quite a few places to sit…read moreoutside, if you want to ask the host(ess) for a place out there. There's an S-shaped bar along the right side as you walk in with a few smaller tables scattered to the left and ahead, but if you walk around the plantings, there are larger tables in the rear. We had reserved a place for eight, and they fit us in with plenty of room around as a buffer. Few other parties joined us back there, so it was very quiet and great for friends catching up. We tried several wines, but I was a bit shock ed that the list wasn't longer: three reds, three whites, a few rosés and sparkling offerings was all there were. The only Italian red was a blend, which was ok. 60% Sangiovese, it was ok, but I'd have loved a bold Tuscan red like a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo or a full-on Sangiovese. I ordered the wild mushroom flatbread and the pasta carbonara. the flatbread was delicious, and very filling. Half went home for a lunch treat the next day! The pasta was ok, but there weren't the flavors I was expecting. Hardly any meat was in the dish, and it was just a kinda "ok" creamy pasta dish. But the service and the atmosphere was amazing! It's funny - many in this group have met since and we always remark how other places have such a larger wine selection than this one that has "wine" in the name. Maybe they need to change the name if they aren't going to have a wider selection. Still a fun place, just done expect a lot of selection.

    While in the area I decided to stop in prior to attending a showing of the Broadway play The Wiz…read morenearby at DPAC. A friend purchased a Gift Card for me years ago after learning that I enjoyed my experience at a wine tasting & small bites event at their sister location in Downtown Raleigh. That location has since then closed and I had not gotten around to visiting. Upon arrival I sat at the bar and was kindly greeted. The bartender shared with me my options for redeeming my Gift Card. I decided to have a wine flight and small bites before heading to DPAC. I chose the Charles Gonnet French White wine. The wine is made with Jacquere grapes grown organically in clay and limestone soil. It is medium-bodied and dry with melon rind, green almond, and pear notes. Very nice. I also chose the Brooks Rose . This rosé wine is made with Pinot Noir grapes from Willamette Valley. Lastly, I had a Greek white wine called Tethalassomenos. A famous wine of ancient Kos (4th century BC). In ancient times wine was diluted with water before consumption (krasi). However, the Ismiotes (Municipality of Kos who lived in Kefalos in the present Greek region) diluted it with sea water. Each chosen paired perfectly with my appetizer or choice, the Burrata Crostini. This was topped with sprouts(micro greens) and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Delicious! Service was friendly and attentive. I really enjoyed winding down here prior to attending the show. I highly recommend this as a nice place to enjoy prior to or after a show in the area.

    Photos
    The Wine Feed - French toast

    French toast

    The Wine Feed - Entrance from the back room

    Entrance from the back room

    The Wine Feed

    See all

    Liberty & Plenty Distillery - The Liberty & Plenty Distillery lounge is situated in the front of the distillery, and features a full cocktail bar and patio.

    Liberty & Plenty Distillery

    4.8(16 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    What a lovely surprise to find this gem tucked away in downtown Durham! I had heard great things…read moreabout their espresso martini, so when we finally visited, we had to try it. And, it truly lived up to the hype. One of the best we've ever had! I also tried two other cocktails made with their house-distilled rum and gin, and both were delicious and perfectly balanced. The seasonal menu is creative and reasonably priced, we were genuinely impressed. The ambiance is charming and cozy despite a bit warm inside (the AC was pretty weak), but quiet and tastefully decorated with velvet couches, exposed walls, vintage touches, and fresh flowers on each table. We had fun flipping through their amazing cocktail book collection on the shelf too. The bartenders were very friendly and offered us focaccia from Ninth Street Bakery to pair with our drinks for free, which was such a thoughtful and tasty addition. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and are so happy to see a micro-distillery thriving in the heart of Durham. Can't wait to return for an official tour and to sample more of their spirits!

    Really fun cocktail bar- that specializes in rums! First impression- I called ahead to see if our…read moredog was allowed to sit on the outside patio, and they told me not only is she allowed, but we aren't allowed to come without her. That response will get a smile every time. Super dog-friendly, to say the least, both outside and inside. Outside has several tables under a covered area, and inside has a few couches (with tiny tables) and a long bar you can sit at. We've been a few times now, and the service is super friendly and helpful, every time. It's small and intimate inside, but we never have a problem finding a seat! I love that they have snacks you can help yourself to, in airtight jars at the bar (peanut butter filled pretzels, sour worms, etc). Also important to note- the inside is NOT air conditioned. We stopped in on a HOT day, and it's brutal inside, with cloth couches and just one small fan. Love this bar, all of their cocktails (wine available too), and all of the staff! Will be back (a lot)!!

    Photos
    Liberty & Plenty Distillery
    Liberty & Plenty Distillery
    Liberty & Plenty Distillery - Damn good Espresso Martini

    See all

    Damn good Espresso Martini

    Alley Twenty Six - Y'all when I say this burger lived up to the hype!!! IG: @betterwithju

    Alley Twenty Six

    4.3(426 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Alley Twenty Six - Pimento cheese & pepper jelly

    Pimento cheese & pepper jelly

    Alley Twenty Six - Pimento cheese on baguette

    Pimento cheese on baguette

    Alley Twenty Six - Deviled eggs - lifewithhanny

    See all

    Deviled eggs - lifewithhanny

    Aperitif - Tiramisu - very good quality, perfect temperature, taste and texture!

    Aperitif

    4.4(57 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    This is a great little bistro/wine bar/neighborhood spot. It's definitely upscale in feel, but…read morestill reasonably priced. Most of the seating is on a second-floor covered terrace, though there are tables inside as well. It has interesting city views of the University Hill area over South Square towards the "hypodermic building." There are parking options on all sides. The wine list is nice, but I like trying their specialty cocktails. These tend to have interesting additions such as tea-infused syrups and other creative ingredients. I've always had great sandwiches here at lunchtime, particularly the Santorini (a take on a gyro) and the Yacht Club, which is similar to a club sandwich but brightened up and made scrumptious by apricot jam. Their side of Caesar salad is always nice and crisp, with just the right amount of dressing and flavorful cheese shavings. The staff is engaged and attentive without going overboard. There's really no better lunch experience in the area on a nice warm day when you can just hang out and relax with a varied, delightful menu.

    Located in University Hill, this bar offers a host of daily drink specials, charcuterie and…read moresandwiches. We visited on a weekend evening and seating was plentiful. We sat outside since the weather was nice - they have comfy lounge chairs and an aesthetic setup with string lights which really add to the ambiance. We ordered a couple of sandwiches - mine came with chicken, bacon, and plenty of cheese. The food was tasty but average. The service was a bit slow and we unfortunately ended up having to go inside the restaurant to request the check to get to our next destination in time - however, staff were super friendly. Overall, the vibes outside were amazing and I would consider returning for drinks on a warm evening.

    Photos
    Aperitif - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Aperitif - Ch ch ch cherry bomb, boozy tiramisu, expresso martini

    Ch ch ch cherry bomb, boozy tiramisu, expresso martini

    Aperitif - Bar and inside sitting area

    See all

    Bar and inside sitting area

    West End Wine Bar - wine_bars - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...