Kingfisher is a bar in Downtown, Durham.
A James Beard-nominated cocktail bar and anchor of Durham's downtown scene. The programme is seasonal, prioritises NC distilleries and is technically serious.
Editorially verified June 24, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Food program: Bar snacks
Address: 321 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
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.
Signature drink: Classic cocktail riffs and spirit-forward originals
Food: Small plates
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
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.
Signature drink: Classic cocktail riffs and spirit-forward originals
Food: Small plates
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
