18 cocktail bar places in Durham we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Durham | Cocktail Bar across every city.
Durham drinks above its weight class. Kingfisher is a James Beard-nominated downtown anchor with a seasonal, produce-driven list, Alley Twenty Six was the first North Carolina bar to reach Beard Outstanding Bar finalist status, and Bar Beej, the 11-seat speakeasy inside Cheeni, made the 2025 Best New Bar semifinals with Indian spices in its glasses. The looser end runs from La Mala's mezcal and quesabirria to The Velvet Hippo's third-floor terrace, Pour Taproom's 50-plus self-serve NC beer taps, and The Pinhook, the city's live-music constant.
Kingfisher ★ 4.6
downtown · 321 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
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
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.
Bar Beej ★ 4.7
downtown · 202 Corcoran 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.
Bar Virgile ★ 4.2
downtown · 105 S Mangum Street, Durham, NC 27701
A cocktail bar on S Mangum with an aperitivo approach: light, vermouthy, food-friendly drinks alongside Mediterranean small plates until midnight six nights.
The Velvet Hippo ★ 4.3
downtown · 119 Orange Street, 3rd Floor, Durham, NC 27701
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.
La Mala Mexican Inspired Cocktails ★ 4.2
downtown · 110 Corcoran St, Durham, NC 27701
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
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.
Pour Taproom ★ 3.9
downtown · 202 N Corcoran St #200, Durham, NC 27701
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.
The Pinhook ★ 4.0
downtown · 117 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701
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.
Boxcar Bar + Arcade ★ 3.9
downtown · 621 Foster St, Durham, NC 27701
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.
The Federal ★ 3.8
brightleaf · 914 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27701
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.
Common Market Durham ★ 4.0
ninth-street · 1821 Green Street, Durham, NC 27705
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.
James Joyce Irish Pub ★ 3.8
brightleaf · 912 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.
Queeny's ★ 3.9
downtown · 321 E Chapel Hill St, Suite 100, Durham, NC 27701
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.
West End Social ★ 3.8
downtown · 601 West Main Street, Suite E, Durham, NC 27701
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.
Kingfisher ★ 4.6
downtown · 321 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
James Beard Outstanding Bar semifinalist open to 01:00 Fridays and Saturdays. Seasonal Southern cocktails with late-night charcuterie at E Chapel Hill St.
Alley Twenty Six ★ 4.6
downtown · 320 East Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
James Beard Outstanding Bar finalist serving classic cocktails from a bar-cabinet-lined room. The first NC bar to reach Outstanding Bar finalist status.
Bar Beej ★ 4.7
downtown · 202 Corcoran St, Durham, NC 27701
An 11-seat reservation-only speakeasy inside Cheeni with a 2025 James Beard Best New Bar semifinalist nod. The themed cocktail programme rotates monthly.