Speakeasy vibe, wonderful cocktails. The house gins are quite good, especially the navy strength. Crowded at 4 pm opening on a Saturday in December. Great place to start your drinking, better place to finish it read more

Well, a relatively new spot at RDU to take your money in exchange for waiting for your flight. The people working here are outstanding although I am only comparing them to those at other establishments at the airport. Definitely high stars for customer service. They could work anywhere I think and be noteworthy. The drinks were solidly on the "ho-hum" scale. Nothing out of the ordinary. In all fairness, I only tried one and maybe if I had a second, I would be more impressed. For the drink (espresso martini), the espresso beans floating in the glass were an unexpected fun addition, but they didn't have much flavor. Maybe after the alcohol, I should have expected that. If I sound "meh" -- yeah -- it was that. The food started out almost the same way, but as I worked my way through it, it got a bit better. The tempura squash is almost like light fried ravioli. While okay, I would have preferred more flavor from the squash rather than from the marinara sauce. It still didn't overwhelm me with flavor, but it was decent enough. Overall, I couldn't decide between 2 or 3 stars, but the employees alone were enough to put it at 3 for me. read more

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Great hidden gem! I had seen these bottles in liquor stores and did not realize this place existed. They were closed for tours but we were able to enjoy a couple drinks inside. I really enjoyed my drink and the fun cups. The servers were friendly. It wasn't crowded and the decor and vibe was apt for a gin bar in some way. Coming back to try more options and do a tour. read more

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Friendliest airport staff I have ever met and you can tell they don't hate their job like other airports I travel to. Food and drinks were great too! read more

Interested in trying the globally acclaimed gin from the producers themselves? The downstairs bar and lounge featured a dimly lit lounge offering outstanding cocktails that complemented the gin, catering to every palate. read more

Conniption Bar & Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Conniption is a really cool place. They have an awesome speakeasy atmosphere and do a great job adding fun holiday decorations. The staff was really friendly too. If you enjoy gin, I can't imagine you'll find a better local gin distillery within 100 miles either. It's very smooth and they do a great job pairing it with smart ingredients in their cocktail list. read more

The atmosphere was simply amazing enjoyed the live band accompanied with a few old fashions and S'mores martini. The conniption mocha and chocolate liquors was tantalizing to my palette. The conniption Barrel aged is the win. I highly recommend for friends and date night Annette staff are friendly and knowledgeable. read more

Conniption Bar & Lounge - Pretzel bites - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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This is one of my fave go to bars in Durham ! Their Halloween drinks just dropped and they are so interesting especially the Zapps Chips one! Of course the service is great or I wouldn't be back. If you get the chance try their rotation deviled eggs! read more

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Loved sitting outside at this bar for a few drinks! I can't comment on the cocktails (other than my partner enjoyed several of them), but I was recommended a rosé wine they had, and I thought it was crisp, dry, and delicious! Perfect on a hot summer day. The staff were all really, really nice and welcoming. They let us sit outside at the tables 15 minutes early, so we didn't have to stand around until they officially opened. They were ALL dog people, and brought mine several treats and cuddles. I really appreciated how friendly everyone was to her! When it started storming outside, they helped us move to another table (you will stay dry for the most part under the covered area outside, it was just extra windy and rainy). Food was just average- we tried the charcuterie board, and the pretzels with mustard. Good for bar snacks, really can't complain! I would definitely return here. read more

Came here recently with my wife and had a great time! Importantly, the entrance to the bar was tucked away at the back of a building. This could have bee confusing but there was a big helpful sign telling you where to go :) Stepping inside, I was immediately struck by the cool vibes! Dim lighting and it definitely felt swanky. Our server did an awesome job throughout our time at Conniption, refilling our water and checking on us regularly. She also had great cocktail suggestions! I really enjoyed the menu, which had a chronological detailing of the different gin-based cocktails created from the 1800s to today. Everything I tried was delicious! We also ended up ordering a few different items from the "Small Bites" menu and everything was tasty. Food and drink prices were not super cheap but seemed fair. I would definitely come back here! read more

Came here for the Xmas pop-up. The atmosphere was really cute and had a speakeasy in wonderland vibe. The service was fairly inattentive and the waiter seemed distant, but we still had a nice time. Most of the appetizers were delicious, but I did order a pigs in a blanket and the sausage was a little cold once we got to the middle which was a little disappointing. Will give it another try and see what the vibe might be. Felt like it might have been a slightly off day, as you can tell there is a lot of thought put into the design, vibe, and menu. read more

I happened in here on a weeknight, and thought I'd stop in. I entered the tasting room in front, and had a nice conversation with the person there and tasted a flight. While we were talking, I mentioned getting food, and she explained that the actual Corpse Reviver is in the rear of the building. I finished my drinks and she escorted me through the building to the rear and pointed out the entrance. There is a parking lot off street that holds a dozen or so vehicles. I went in and was hit with a festive atmosphere: glittering tree, strings of lights, tables filled with folks chatting and drinking and laughing. I requested a seat at the bar and was escorted to the opposite side of the room, where I could enjoy the video of a toasty fire and hear the strains of holiday music. I ordered the house signature cocktail (I love a Corpse Reviver!) and was surprised that it was on tap! They even somehow improve the mouthfeel (through nitro, I think she said? I was feeling the flight I had drunk upstairs by this time!) We chatted off and on as she made orders for other clients, and I asked about food. The menu was sparse, but had what I wanted: deviled eggs. I love these at most places, and was not disappointed. I was not ready for the festive green yolks, but the taste was great! I also ordered a cheese plate. It arrived with toasted bread and a few other tasty treats. The goat cheese is warmed a bit and whipped, so it's very spreadable. This and the eggs make a nice dinner for me. I had some writing to catch up on, so was able to sit at the bar and enjoy the vibe, the foodstuffs, and the spirits. I closed the night with a Verper martini. I can't remember if the bartender shook it or stirred it, but it was properly chilled and perfectly diluted, and the extra was in a little sidecar on ice. This isn't the cheapest place to get great cocktails in town, nor is it the most expensive. But it is, I must say, one of the most creative, both in planning/developing the tastes and in presentation. Everything I saw leave the bar was a subdued yet clever statement. I'll definitely be back! read more

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I couldn't recommend this spot more! The drinks are exceptional and what makes them even better is that Conniption spirits are distilled right upstairs at Durham Distillery - every cocktail is crafted just steps from where you're sipping. The vibes are amazing, and their Halloween pop-up is such a fun and creative experience. I love visiting for all of their seasonal menu changes - the Halloween pop-up was SO fun! read more

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This bar and lounge connected to Durham Distillery is a total hidden gem. Sexy, moody vibes with both indoor and outdoor seating. It's a perfect spot for date night or a chill evening with friends. The cocktails are incredible with a rotating menu of beautifully crafted drinks alongside standout signatures that showcase their gin perfectly. It can get busy on weekends (first come, first serve), so arrive early or book ahead if you're rolling deep (groups of 6+ can reserve). Always a great night there! read more

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This is easily one of our favorite bars in the Durham area. It is cozy yet able to accommodate a large number of people between the interior and the heated patio. The vibe is almost like going over to a cool friend's house. The decorations are always very seasonal and the staff is always very attentive and helpful. The drinks are extremely creative and taste as amazing as they look. read more

Conniption Bar & Lounge - The ghost of Christmas passed is more spirit forward and the grandma got run over by a reindeer was a hot drink so delicious - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Very cool back bar restaurant with a speak easy vibe that we entered thru the Durham Distillery. Wonderful crafted gin drinks. Their signature Gin & Tonic was served in a huge glass with rosemary sprige, and dried slice of fruit on top. I ordered a strawberry concoction that was light with rose notes. They had a small bite food menu too. Drinks were between $14-25. read more

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Another favorite from a local Durhamite! I love the dark, moody vibe inside but it's also great they have outdoor seating too when it's nice out! Their cocktails are always made perfectly and they rotate their menu often so there's always something new to try. I've always loved conniption gin so I knew I'd love this spot too! The bartender/service is always nice as well! read more

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Love love this bar!!! They use the best gin from the distillery and made an awesome dirty martini! The staff is very friendly, All the drinks are great value for price and we would definitely come back. A must try for everyone who wants to try the distillery alcohol- would highly recommend the distillery tour as well! read more

Conniption Bar & Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This is a hidden gem. The atmosphere was dim. My party sat outside. There was live music, strong drinks and great appetizers.

Still my favorite cocktail bar around! I've been back many times since and had a wonderful experience every time. Movie nights, jazz night, dessert flights...it's all fun! The menu rotates regularly and each new drink is amazing! The staff are absolutely the best. Can't wait for my next visit! read more

Came here with a friend last night for the first time. They have indoor and outdoor seating, and we chose to sit inside. The tables each have their own lamp which you can tap to adjust to suit your level of brightness which I thought was unique! A friendly waitress showed us to a table, provided us with water and a drink menu, and came by shortly to take our orders. She was very friendly and eager to offer drink recommendations. The drink I chose per her recommendation was the Singapore Sling, which I enjoyed. It had a strong cinnamon/nutmeg flavor but wasn't overly spice-y! My friend ordered a Moscow Mule and he enjoyed it. Overall I had a great experience here! Heads up for those planning on coming here: the entrance is on the back side of the building, on the side opposite of the road. I will admit that my friend and I walked around aimlessly for a few minuets trying to find it!! read more

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I don't drink gin as often as i do whiskey. I have also been disappointed with supposedly good cocktails around here that are all punctuation marks and nothing to say. But I tried Psychopathia Sexualis and Closed Casket, which gave great conversations on different topics. Apparently different variety of Conniption Gin (made next door) in each. I believe the bartender who made them is Taylor. Even if it turned out she made only one of them, she's damn good at this mixology thing. Nice ambiance as well. read more

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Great place for a date... cozy with a speakeasy atmosphere. We sat at the bar and enjoyed watching the bartender making his magic potions! Thank you will definitely come back again! read more

After trying this place a few more times, we truly appreciate the seasonal rotation! Love the complexity these drinks bring. So far it's definitely our favorite gin bar in durham!! read more

Conniption Bar & Lounge - a person holding a glass of alcohol - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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They just opened at the airport in Durham. Absolutely fabulous... classy, excellent service, great drinks AND Unbeatable prices. I fly a lot and the bars in many airports are not great. Poor service, poor ambiance, poor food AND VERY EXPENSIVE. If traveling through Raleigh Durham... it's the place to go before getting on the plane. Cannot review the airport one yet because cannot find it on yelp. Kudos to the owners! read more

We've been here twice now, and I thought I had written a review but guess I hadn't. We had toured Durham Distillery years ago and had always wanted to come drink here. The bar is in the back with a small parking lot. You might need to park elsewhere if the lot is full. Wow, we really liked the interior, which was suitably moody with an art deco feel. On our first visit, we had cocktails and spiced nuts. We saw on Instagram that they had dessert flight pairings in August so we came back to try that. Wow, the desserts an accompanying cocktails were amazing. My wife also enjoyed a hand pie they had. This is the kind of cool place we'd take visitors from out of town. There was a big screen showing artsy, moody visuals and I guess they occasionally show movies as well. read more

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Excellent cocktails with lots of flavor and depth. One of the best cocktail bars in Durham. There are also snack and dessert options. Will be coming back to check out the July flight special. read more

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A fun place to go on a night out! They specialize in cocktails- so definitely try one of the famous cocktails. They don't have any options for non-alcoholic beverages, which is hard when coming with others who don't drink. I liked their charcuterie board a lot and it was so beautifully made! read more

Conniption Bar & Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I almost don't want to review this place because I don't want anyone else knowing about it so it doesn't get packed....but that would be truly selfish not sharing this GEM. Corpse Reviver may be my new favorite bar in all of Durham. If you love fancy craft cocktails and Gatsby, this place is for you. First. The most important, the drinks. I tried 4 drinks - the French 75 which was 2 liquids combined in front of you and CHANGED colors AND HAD EDIBLE GLITTER what else could you possibly want. It was delicious and sweet and I could chug a gallon. I had April Showers which was beautifully presented with a flower in the drink and tasted of complex delightful flavors. I also had the Aviation which for someone who doesn't love gin drinks, I was a huge fan of. Slightly floral and balanced. My friend got the Monarch's migration which was herby and earthy and delicious. 5/5. Amazing all around. Delight for the eyes and taste buds! Second. The ambience. Again, dark, loungey, fancy, Gatsby-y vibes. A place you wouldn't feel weird dressed up. Few places in Durham which such a classy fun vibe. I could've been in NY for all I knew. Loved it. The outdoor space was cute too - more casual vibe. Then, the service and snacks. Most fancy cocktail bars have servers and bartenders that get annoyed with you for asking them what the unpronounceable 8 ingredients in each drink are. As if we're all dumb because we can't figure it out. I appreciated our server for being friendly and knowledgeable and happy to explain. They serve snacks and we got the pita and whipped goat cheese with honey. Reminded me of my fave crostinis from Toast. But better. Large portion too. I drool thinking about it. TLDR: big fan, check it out, you won't be disappointed!!! read more

Conniption Bar & Lounge - Aviation and Monarch's Migration - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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The place was packed on Saturday night! We were able to get a couple of bar seats and watch the bartender at work. She artfully concocted a ton of drinks for the searching staff to garnish and serve to eager patrons. The drinks were all amazing, I loved the Winter gin and tonic with fresh rosemary, cranberries, and anise star. The Vesper my husband ordered was refreshing twist on this cocktail with cucumber and olive to the regular lemon flavor. It is a pretty small space behind the Durham Distillery but has that retro vibe. read more

One of my fave cocktail spots in Durham and one I recommend a LOT to locals and out of owners. Such an elegant glam vibe with their decor and furniture. They are attached to the Conniption distillery which is known for their gin and my favorite damn fine liquers! In addition to tasty drinks they have several small bites/plates. read more

Corpse reviver is a great little cocktail bar that I highly recommend. On top of the great ambiance, there is a wide range of excellent cocktails (primarily gin based) and the staff is very knowledgeable about the drinks, flavor profiles, and suggestions. We tried quite a few of the cocktails and all were good to great. Highly recommend the espresso martini - among the best I've tried. read more

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I've been in Durham for about two years now and have been to almost every bar around downtown and Corpse Reviver is THE best. Their menu is very heavy on the gin and, as someone who would never pick up a bottle of gin, this place has changed my view on this spirit. The cocktails never disappoint and really it's all thanks to the bartenders. If you tell them what flavors you're looking for, they'll recommend you a drink that will match exactly what you're looking for. Also- I never liked espresso martinis but, their espresso martini is THE ONE. Nobody else makes it like theirs. Get it with their mocha liqueur. Just trust. Aside from their menu, the vibe is very much Great Gatsby and I love it! read more

This is my favorite cocktail bar in the triangle. I love that they switch up the cocktails and every one I've tried is thoughtfully curated and executed with finesse. The only downside is that it closes at 12am. I just want to stay there the whole night! read more

Conniption Bar & Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Lovely evening spent here enjoying cocktails with my husband. We ordered the Beatnik Bohemian and a peach cocktail. These babies were STRONG and delicious! Atmosphere was fun. It got crowded fast on a Friday night. As a side note...the parking lot entrances are terrible. Several cars, including our SUV, hit our bumpers hard on the pavement because there are big dips in the gravel when you enter and exit the lot. Better to stick with street parking! read more

Conniption Bar & Lounge - Peach cocktail, beatnik bohemian in the background - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Probably my favorite bar in Durham because not only are the drinks great, but the atmosphere is also cozy. Great for a date or a GNO. The menu changes which is why I keep coming back - I've yet to be disappointed! The drinks are strong but have a nice balance and the flavors pull through even to the aftertaste. Not to mention the snack options that elevate the experience! read more

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I love the spirits from Durham Distillery so I was excited to check out this cocktail bar. It's cute and there is seating available both inside and outside. Reservations are for inside only online as outside is first come, first served. My party of four did 2 rounds of cocktails. I tried the April Showers and Pink Lady (my fav was the April Showers) and my husband tried the Corpse Reviver #2 and White Negroni. In addition to cocktails they have wine and a very slim beer list. The reason for my 3 star review is that the service was not good. It was extremely slow (and they were not at full capacity), it was too delayed to get round 2 and our checks. read more

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It was ok I didn't like the parking for starters! I didn't eat anything all day and the food on menu was not going to satisfy my appetite! Don't get me wrong it was the right food for a cocktail spot but not for dinner for a hungry man, I do recommend this place for cocktails and live music was great! read more

Sunday only has drinks on tap. Deviled eggs are made with miracle whip, gross. Empanada was warmed in a microwave and soggy Gravel lot, don't wear heels. Overall a disappointment read more

This is a bar that transports you to another city, maybe New York, Philadelphia, or Nashville. The building is quite unassuming, but turn around the corner from the main road and you'll notice a cute outdoor patio with people enjoying the creative drinks amidst bustling conversation. Step indoors, and you'll feel like you've entered a speakeasy with low lighting, intimate seating areas, and classy craft cocktails. Other things to be aware of: They took 20-30 minutes to make our two cocktails. No dress code, but I did feel a little underdressed to be seated inside because we wandered into the area while waiting for a dinner reservation next door. Be prepared to pay big city prices for the craft cocktails. read more