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    Congress Social Bar

    4.4 (9 reviews)
    Closed 3:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

    Congress Social Bar Photos

    CONGRESS SOCIAL BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Congress Social Bar

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    Reviews With Photos

    East End Sunrise (left), Dark 'n Stormy (right)
    Amit N.

    Highly recommend this fantastic new Black-owned and queer-owned drinks spot in East Durham, freshly opened by the owners of the equally amazing Rofhiwa Book Cafe just down the street. We came on a Friday night at the end of their first week in business and were blown away! The menu is simple, but the cocktails are not only set at impossible to beat prices, but were some of the better crafted and better tasting drinks I've had in a while. Shoutout to our bartender Bradley who took our vague and jumbled drink preferences and somehow picked out exactly what we were really feeling. We started with the Dark 'n Stormy which had a really nice herbaceous flavor, and their East end variation on a Tequila Sunrise, a drink that is often made too sweet but in this case was just right. Later I also tried a Negroni with prosecco -- these have always been hit or miss for me despite the simplicity of the recipe, but I felt like the one I had here really hit the ideal ratio. It is clear that the owners were making thoughtful decisions when designing the place; for example, we were told that all of the wood surfaces were manufactured from start to finish in East Durham itself. There is also a great outdoor space that is shared with adjacent businesses like Mike D's BBQ, making this a perfect spot if you're looking for dinner + drinks. Overall Congress is an authentic and vibrant new addition to East Durham and a must try for both locals and visitors!

    East Durham drink & Whiskey Sour

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    11 months ago

    Helpful 3
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    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
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    11 months ago

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    Photo of Ita Y.
    2
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    6 months ago

    The ambiance and vibe is very nice and awesome. The variety in music is very mixed and vibrant.

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    2 years ago

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    Photo of Amit N.
    6
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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Photo of Tracy B.
    811
    31
    6

    2 years ago

    Incredible spot! The service, ambiance and drinks are amazing. Highly recommend this spot.

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    Ask the Community - Congress Social Bar

    Do I have to have a ticket to come tonight For the Luther party?

    No please feel free to bring as many friends or guests as you want tonight!

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    Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Bacon egg and cheese

    Aaktun Coffee & Bar

    4.4(162 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    English: TL;DR: Beautiful atmosphere, fantastic coffee and…read morefood, thoughtful modern Latin flavors, amazing breakfast/dinner spot, and Fernando, the manager, is awesome. We've been to Aaktun in Durham multiple times for both breakfast and dinner, and it's honestly become one of our favorite spots. I'm Peruvian and grew up with Peruvian cuisine, so seeing lomo saltado -- a classic Peruvian dish -- on the menu immediately made me happy. Having also grown up in Mexico and lived in places like Miami, I really appreciate what they're doing with the menu: a modern, delicious take on Latin flavors that feels creative without losing what makes those cuisines special. The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful. You walk in thinking it's a stylish little coffee shop, then head toward the back and the whole place opens up -- gorgeous bar, tropical touches, cozy alcove seating, really cool vibe. One time we went with friends for a special dining experience they were offering, and it was excellent. The food, drinks, and whole experience were made even better by Fernando, the manager, who has always been incredibly warm, helpful, and accommodating. Highly recommend Aaktun for breakfast or dinner. Still haven't made it there for lunch somehow, but at this point we'd be shocked if it wasn't great too. Spanish: TL;DR: Lugar precioso, café y comida excelentes, sabores latinos con un toque moderno muy bien logrado, y Fernando, el gerente, es increíble. Ya hemos ido varias veces a Aaktun en Durham para desayuno y cena, y sinceramente se ha vuelto uno de nuestros lugares favoritos. Soy peruano y crecí con la cocina peruana, así que ver lomo saltado -- un plato clásico peruano -- en el menú me hizo muy feliz. Además, habiendo crecido en México y vivido en lugares como Miami, me encanta reconocer cómo integran sabores latinos con una propuesta moderna y de fusión. Se siente creativa, diferente y sobre todo riquísima. La atmósfera además es espectacular. Entras pensando que es una cafetería bonita y acogedora, pero luego caminas hacia atrás y el lugar se abre por completo: un bar hermoso, detalles tropicales, mesas tipo alcove... una vibra buenísima. Una vez fuimos con unos amigos para una experiencia especial de cena que estaban ofreciendo y la pasamos increíble. La comida, las bebidas y toda la experiencia fueron aún mejores gracias a Fernando, el gerente, que siempre ha sido súper amable, atento y servicial. Recomendamos muchísimo Aaktun para desayuno o cena. Todavía no hemos ido para almorzar, pero honestamente nos sorprendería mucho que no estuviera igual de bueno.

    **Update 5/12/2026 - I made a reservation to take my mom to brunch on Sunday at 10:15. When we…read morearrived, the hostess said the reservation had been made for outside. I explained and showed her that I booked standard seating and she said that meant outside, which I thought was strange because I was very careful not to book either option that was clearly labeled outdoor. I told her that we wanted a table inside and she said "I have a table that has a reservation for 11:30, can you be done by then?" I laughed and said "sure" but thought to myself that would be up to them! She asked another hostess to seat us, and after we were seated, we waited about 15 minutes and watched staff walk by our table multiple times and no one came by. The original interactions had already put a bad taste in my mouth, so I called another restaurant downtown and asked how long the wait would be for two. They could seat us in the bar area right away, so we got up and left Aaktun to head there. The first two experiences that I had at Aaktun were great. I'm glad I got to try their food because I won't be back after Sunday's experience.

    Photos
    Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

    Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

    Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

    Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

    Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Jerk chicken

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    It's A Southern Thing - Crispy Catfish

    It's A Southern Thing

    4.2(81 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    I did not know this place was here. Just started a new job off of TW Alexander, and looked on yelp…read morefor nearby restaurants for lunch. It's a southern thing popped up. I almost didn't go, because I thought this was the downtown Durham restaurant, which is nice, but parking nightmare. Glad I went, though. The food was solid. I had the fired chicken sandwhich and fries the first day, a buffalo chicken wrap the second day, and the smoked chicken wings the third day, yes, 3 in a row. That has to say something, especially for me. All lunch items were pretty spot on, although I like a little more vinegar in my slaw than most. That was remedied by the texas pete on the bar. The service staff were all hands on. If the bartender was not there, the manager or a back of the house person was always checking on me. Very nice staff. As far as the ambiance itself, nice setup. Good sized bar, nice big patio, clean indoor and restrooms... all in all, I could not ding them for anything. I need to go to check out the weekend brunch or dinner menu. I am sure that I will not be disappointed, however, I have been told to get to brunch before noon, as it gets very busy, also a good thing. Cheers. :)

    We went to It's a Southern Thing on a Sunday morning around 9:30 and walked right in--no wait,…read morewhich honestly felt like a small miracle for brunch. Even better surprise: the patio was wide open and dog-friendly. Immediate bonus points. Service was great. She was friendly, attentive, and helpful with recommendations without being overbearing. I had the Shrimp & Grits, which came with plenty of large shrimp and really rich, flavorful grits. Definitely a solid choice. My date ordered the Blackstone Benedict -a sort of ham, poached eggs, and hollandaise, with breakfast potatoes and gluten-free bread. She was genuinely thrilled with it, which is saying something as she is a hollondaise stickler. By the time we were leaving, a line had started to build, so if you're planning a weekend brunch here, I'd recommend getting there on the earlier side. Parking is easy (big lot), and there's a grocery store right next door, which is surprisingly convenient. Overall, just a really easy, enjoyable brunch spot with good food, great service, and a relaxed vibe. We'll be back.

    Photos
    It's A Southern Thing
    It's A Southern Thing - Fried okra

    Fried okra

    It's A Southern Thing - Fried green tomatoes

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    Fried green tomatoes

    Alley Twenty Six - Y'all when I say this burger lived up to the hype!!! IG: @betterwithju

    Alley Twenty Six

    4.3(426 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    We had an extremely memorable experience at Alley Twenty Six, in large part to our amazing server,…read moreAnthony! We made a reservation for a Saturday night dinner and he made sure we were well taken care of all night. We started the night with their James Bears award winning cocktails, and every drink we ordered was a hit! Spiced strawberry mule, Sunset Sipper, and the table favorite: Earl Please. The latter two drinks were mocktails and they were still standouts! As for the food, the Alley burger was perfectly cooked: juicy patty paired with truffle cheese and simple toppings that really highlighted the burger itself. And shoestring fries are always a good choice with a delicious burger. Ricotta gnocchi was also very good. As our server Anthony said, let's get this burger nominated!

    It's always exciting to go to Alley26, namely for their food. Out of all the options in a block…read moreradius (with the exception of sushi nearby), I will always chose Alley26. Over burgers, over French food, over ramen, over Indian. Why? Because Alley26 serves delectable oysters, succulent burgers, and incredible tin fish. Yes, tin fish. If you haven't seen their extensive menu of fish, you must! While it's not for everyone, it is a tinned fish enthusiasts heaven! I go here to celebrate milestones with a good friend and we always have a mini feast, paired with a glass or two of wine. My favorite time to go is when the weather is comfortable and we can sit in the alley way, it's soooo chic that it feels like you're sitting outdoors at a meal in Italy of France. Service is always on point and I forget the bartenders name that is super knowledgeable and super kind. When I remember, I'll circle back to update this review. If you're thinking about this place, definitely check it out! The only inconvenience though is that I believe is 21+ over, at least at night it is.

    Photos
    Alley Twenty Six - Pimento cheese & pepper jelly

    Pimento cheese & pepper jelly

    Alley Twenty Six - Pimento cheese on baguette

    Pimento cheese on baguette

    Alley Twenty Six - Deviled eggs - lifewithhanny

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    Deviled eggs - lifewithhanny

    Congress Social Bar - bars - Updated May 2026

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