14 bars in Durham, editor-picked for bars open late. Bars serving past 23:00. All bars in Durham.
Bar Beej ★ 4.7
downtown · 202 Corcoran St, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Mon-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sun 16:00-23:30
An 11-seat speakeasy inside Cheeni, 2025 James Beard Best New Bar semifinalist. Indian spices, tropical fruits and NC spirits. Reservations required.
Kingfisher ★ 4.6
downtown · 321 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Mon 17:00-23:00; Tue-Thu 17:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-01:00; Sun 17:00-23:00
A James Beard-nominated cocktail bar and anchor of Durham's downtown scene. The programme is seasonal, prioritises NC distilleries and is technically serious.
Alley Twenty Six ★ 4.6
downtown · 320 East Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Tue-Sun 16:00-00:00
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.
The Velvet Hippo ★ 4.3
downtown · 119 Orange Street, 3rd Floor, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Mon-Thu 16:00-00:00; Fri 16:00-02:00; Sat 12:00-02:00; Sun 12:00-00:00
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.
Bar Virgile ★ 4.2
downtown · 105 S Mangum Street, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Mon-Sat 17:00-00:00
A cocktail bar on S Mangum with an aperitivo approach: light, vermouthy, food-friendly drinks alongside Mediterranean small plates until midnight six nights.
La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails ★ 4.2
downtown · 110 Corcoran St, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Tue-Wed 16:00-23:00; Thu 16:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-01:00; Sun 11:00-21:00
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.
Arcana Bar and Lounge ★ 4.1
downtown · 331 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Tue-Thu 18:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-00:00; Sun 18:00-00:00
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.
The Pinhook ★ 4.0
downtown · 117 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Mon-Thu 17:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-02:00
Durham's live music anchor with local bands, touring acts, DJs and karaoke through the week. No food, cheap drinks and whatever is playing on the small stage.
Pour Taproom ★ 3.9
downtown · 202 N Corcoran St #200, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Tue-Thu 14:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 14:00-01:00; Sun 14:00-00:00
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.
Boxcar Bar + Arcade ★ 3.9
downtown · 621 Foster St, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Mon-Tue 17:00-00:00; Wed-Thu 17:00-01:00; Fri 16:00-01:00; Sat 12:00-01:00; Sun 12:00-00:00
A 7,000 sq ft arcade bar on Foster Street with NC draft beer, retro games and indoor-outdoor space. Pizza and pretzels; the patio is the Golden Belt area hub.
Queeny's ★ 3.9
downtown · 321 E Chapel Hill St, Suite 100, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Daily 11:45-02:00
Open daily from just before noon until 02:00, Queeny's fills the late-night gap with burgers, bar food and drinks. After 22:00 it goes 21+ and louder.
The Federal ★ 3.8
brightleaf · 914 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30-02:00; Sat-Sun 10:00-02:00
A Brightleaf corner bar with 16 microbrew taps, pub food and one of the largest outdoor areas of any Durham bar. Open until 02:00 nightly on W Main Street.
James Joyce Irish Pub ★ 3.8
brightleaf · 912 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Sun-Thu 11:30-00:00; Fri-Sat 11:30-02:00
A traditional Irish pub on Brightleaf's W Main strip with trivia, entertainment and a Guinness programme regulars take seriously. Reliably full on match days.
West End Social ★ 3.8
downtown · 601 West Main Street, Suite E, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Daily 15:00-01:00
A neighbourhood bar on W Main Street open from 15:00 to 01:00 seven days. The unpretentious downtown option: well-priced drinks, no reservations, local crowd.