Featured image: Discover Durham
The Durham cocktail scene is as diverse as the bartenders who pour them, ranging from classic martinis to frozen tropical concoctions. Mix in a taste of gastronomy, a splash of locally distilled spirits, and a swirl of creativity for some of the best drinks in the South.
Whether you want to dance all night or sip an intimate pre-dinner cocktail, here are some of our favorite spots.
Image originally taken for The New York Time’s 36 Hours in Durham, NC piece and licensed from Kate Medley for Discover Durham use.
Corpse Reviver Bar & Lounge
Located in a former coffin shop with a dimly lit mystical vibe, Durham Distillery’s onsite bar is a fitting spot for a Corpse Reviver Cocktail. Also noteworthy is the Purple Rain martini, which gains its luxurious hue from the house Conniption Kinship gin.
Dessert drinks like the s’mores martini and house-made chocolate liqueur make Corpse Reviver a perfect resting spot for the night (no pun intended). The inviting covered and heated patio is perfect for group gatherings.
The Velvet Hippo
Looking for a tropical vacation without leaving home? Head to the Velvet Hippo, a rooftop spot with an indoor garden and expansive patio overlooking Durham. This female-owned bar makes everyone feel welcome, whether you’re sipping solo, or joining the weekly Saturday night dance party with friends.
Creative cocktails range from the smoky and spicy Smokeshow to rotating frozen drinks. The “Tomorrow Friendly” menu of no- and low-alcohol drinks like the Peach Blossom means there’s something for everyone.
Kingfisher
A 2023 semi-finalist in the James Beard Awards for Outstanding Bar, Kingfisher is where terroir and mixology meet. With purple cabbage, fresh sage, figs, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes, the ingredients in Kingfisher’s drinks read more like a dinner menu than a cocktail list.
These “ground-to-glass” cocktails showcase ingredients grown in and around Durham, each adding a unique element. Slide into a cozy booth with a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich and one of the most creative cocktails around for a true taste of the South.
Alley Twenty Six
With over a decade in business, Alley Twenty Six is North Carolina’s first James Beard finalist for Outstanding Bar program, changing the craft cocktail landscape in the city. Inventive farm-to-sip cocktails are paired with a full dining menu, making it a great spot for dinner and drinks, or dessert and an after-dinner cocktail.
The Coastal Gin & Tonic, with hints of coconut and spice, highlights the bar’s homemade South Indian Tonic syrup. Pick up a bottle or two of their own syrups, bitters, or shrubs and join a virtual cocktail class to recreate the magic at home.
Bar Beej
If you didn’t think drinking a cocktail was like traveling to another country, think again. Indian culture and flavors spill over into the drinks at Bar Beej, an Indian Bollywood-inspired speakeasy. The bar is a natural extension of Cheeni, the homestyle Indian restaurant run by Preeti Waas and daughter Amy.
Fan of Chai? Try the Chai Martini, with spicy notes from black pepper and fennel. Gastronomy-forward cocktails infused with cardamom, green mango, and ginger celebrate community around food. Indian dance music and bar bites like chili cheese naan spice up the journey.
Ment Beverage Co.
Looking for a hip place to sip that’s family friendly? With a bright, bee-themed mural, Ment Beverage Co. is a colorful new addition to the local craft beverage scene. Sample 24 taps of honey-fermented mead, cider, and Durham’s first locally brewed sake.
The Lucky Strike cocktail showcases strawberry lemonade mead with hints of ginger and lemon. The non-alcoholic Old Bull blends hop water with hibiscus tea, grapefruit, and mint. Bring your knitting for stitch and sip craft night, or stroll around the Bullpen, Durhams’s social drinking district, cocktail in hand.
Arcana Bar & Lounge
This woman-owned LGBTQ+ friendly bar prides itself on being a safe and inclusive space. A bit of sleuthing (through the alley and down the stairs) leads you to this queer underground bar and art space for a night of tarot card readings, burlesque shows, and special events like Queer Disco and Goth Prom.
Sip a signature Gaia Kiss, with beet shrub, gin and lemon, or go bubbly with the beautiful Purple Empress. Equally impressive is the list of creative non-alcoholic drinks. Choose the Pucker Up with tamarind and lime, or go Wild and Free with mint and hibiscus. arcanadurham.com
Liberty & Plenty Distillery
With high-backed leather chairs and flowers on the table, this swanky spot is the perfect place to dress up for a drink. The intimate space invites conversation over cocktails made from the distillery’s spirits. Basil and tomatillo in summer, and spiced apple reduction in fall provide inspiration for seasonal drinks.
Personal suggestions from the bartender will steer you in the right direction, whether it’s a classic Maple Old Fashioned, or a signature Cap and Pain with toasted coconut, rum, and tiki bitters. libertyandplenty.com
Check out more restaurant and bar guides here.
