The Federal is a bar in Brightleaf, Durham.
Editorially verified June 24, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Food program: Elevated pub food
Private tour · 2 hours
Take a walking tour around historic Durham. Visit the city's attractions while also hearing intriguing stories of crime and punishment through the ages from your guide.
Private tour · 7 hours
Discover the history and culture of Durham on a guided walking tour. Visit the Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, and enjoy coffee and cake at a local café and a beer...
Private tour · 4 hours
Explore Durham on a private walking tour. Discover the city's history, visit the UNESCO-listed Durham Cathedral, and enjoy coffee and cake at a local cafe.
Address: 914 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27701
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.
DrinkPoured Guinness
FoodTraditional Irish pub food
A deli, bar and bottle shop hybrid near Ninth Street. Craft sandwiches, rotating draft beer and a curated bottle shelf from early morning until late evening.
DrinkNC craft beer on draft and bottles
FoodCraft sandwiches and deli items
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.
DrinkPoured Guinness
FoodTraditional Irish pub food
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.
DrinkHouse cocktails
FoodBurgers and bar food
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.
DrinkHouse cocktails and local beer
FoodBar snacks
A James Beard-nominated cocktail bar and anchor of Durham's downtown scene. The programme is seasonal, prioritises NC distilleries and is technically serious.
DrinkSeasonal house cocktails with NC spirits
FoodBar 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.
DrinkClassic cocktail riffs and spirit-forward originals
FoodSmall plates
