Alley Twenty Six is a bar in Downtown, Durham.
The first NC bar to reach James Beard Outstanding Bar finalist status. A rigorous programme deep in amari, vermouths and rare spirits on E Chapel Hill St.
Editorially verified June 24, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Food program: Small plates
Address: 320 East Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
An 11-seat speakeasy inside Cheeni, 2025 James Beard Best New Bar semifinalist. Indian spices, tropical fruits and NC spirits. Reservations required.
Signature drink: Indian-spiced cocktails with NC spirits
Food: Cheeni menu items available
A cocktail bar on S Mangum with an aperitivo approach: light, vermouthy, food-friendly drinks alongside Mediterranean small plates until midnight six nights.
Signature drink: Aperitivo-style cocktails
Food: Mediterranean small plates
Indy Week's Best Neighbourhood Bar for 2024 and 2025. Third-floor terrace views, well-priced cocktails and a vibe that is younger and louder than Kingfisher.
Signature drink: Creative cocktails with rooftop terrace
Food: Bar snacks
A Mexican cocktail bar with mezcal and tequila at its core and quesabirria tacos on the food side. Runs late on weekends for agave-forward drinking downtown.
Signature drink: Mezcal and tequila-driven cocktails
Food: Street-food tacos and bites
A bar on W Main Street with a rear entrance and seasonal cocktail list in a low-lit room away from the busier sections downtown. Good for wind-downs.
Signature drink: Seasonal cocktail menu
Food: Snacks
A self-serve taproom with over 50 NC craft beer taps where guests pour by the ounce. Best format in Durham for navigating the Triangle's craft beer scene.
Signature drink: 50+ self-pour NC craft beer taps
Food: Bar snacks
An 11-seat speakeasy inside Cheeni, 2025 James Beard Best New Bar semifinalist. Indian spices, tropical fruits and NC spirits. Reservations required.
Signature drink: Indian-spiced cocktails with NC spirits
Food: Cheeni menu items available
A cocktail bar on S Mangum with an aperitivo approach: light, vermouthy, food-friendly drinks alongside Mediterranean small plates until midnight six nights.
Signature drink: Aperitivo-style cocktails
Food: Mediterranean small plates
Indy Week's Best Neighbourhood Bar for 2024 and 2025. Third-floor terrace views, well-priced cocktails and a vibe that is younger and louder than Kingfisher.
Signature drink: Creative cocktails with rooftop terrace
Food: Bar snacks
A Mexican cocktail bar with mezcal and tequila at its core and quesabirria tacos on the food side. Runs late on weekends for agave-forward drinking downtown.
Signature drink: Mezcal and tequila-driven cocktails
Food: Street-food tacos and bites
A bar on W Main Street with a rear entrance and seasonal cocktail list in a low-lit room away from the busier sections downtown. Good for wind-downs.
Signature drink: Seasonal cocktail menu
Food: Snacks
A self-serve taproom with over 50 NC craft beer taps where guests pour by the ounce. Best format in Durham for navigating the Triangle's craft beer scene.
Signature drink: 50+ self-pour NC craft beer taps
Food: Bar snacks
