Oh man, I love He's Not Here. It's the only place that's an easy walk from campus where you can consistently be able to sit outside and enjoy some fresh air along with a beer. Note that the beer comes in 33oz "Blue Cups" by default, so if you want a smaller cup make sure you let the bartender know (but why would you not want a blue cup????) All the reviews saying that the inside is disgusting, dark, and super sketchy are 100% correct! However the whole point is you go in, get your beer and then get your ass outside to sit at the picnic tables and enjoy the fresh air. I would never drink inside this bar and I've only used the bathroom once (NOT RECOMMENDED). Also, avoid it like the plague on Fridays in the Spring when it'll be about 90% Frat and very crowded. It's much much better in Fall, Summer, or on weeknights when the crowd is more likely to be grad students and locals. The bartender is a jovial santa-type, he's fun to chat with when you get your beer but if the place is hopping you'll wait in line a looong time because of his tendency to chat. My main complaint is that sometimes there's something a little off about the beer. Occasionally I've gotten a Blue-y New-y (Newcastle Blue Cup) and it's tasted skunky. Other times it's been fine. Never had a problem with the Blue Moon though, and you get an orange slice! Also keep in mind there's a $10 Credit Card minimum so you may need to bring cash or get at least two beers at once. read more

It's a testament to its enduring popularity that He's Not Here attracts one of the most diverse crowds of any bar in Chapel Hill. I actually don't find it fratty at all - when I was a student I don't think I had a single friend who didn't love this place on a warm Sunday/Tuesday night. The blue cups are all domestic beer and typically around $5 each, except for on Tuesdays when they are, of course, $2. If it weren't for the fact that it has a large outdoor area, I'd probably consider He's Not a dive bar. The place is old, dirty, and infested with cockroaches, but those blue cups do the job so quickly that you likely won't notice them. And I think MIchael Jordan usually stops by He's Not once per summer while his basketball camp is in session. I've received those "OMGcometoHe'sNotMichaelJordanishere!" phone calls for several years in a row now. read more

It's obvious that the "He" in the bar's name refers to a certain UNC Geography student who will remain unnamed. That being said, I appreciate He's Not has an extensive outdoor area, unique for Chapel Hill (with the exception of The Lodge). It also has a decent inside, with various arcade games and some form of slot machine thing that I saw a guy hang out at for a whole hour. All of this being said, make sure you're clear with the bartender what size you want, or you will likely get the giant blue cup. This isn't a bad thing in most situations, but when it is, it is a definite problem. Also, avoid the bathrooms. They're... um, unique. No sinks, just a hand sanitizer thing outside of the bathroom. Overall, the beers are cheep. But this is an undergrad bar, and not in the fun way that a Bub O'Malley's can be (what I'm saying is that they need more shuffleboard). read more

Remembered from the old days, original owners - does anyone know what happened to the portrait of a nude woman that was placed behind the bar in the original HNH? It was painted by a Chapel Hill legend, Bill Wyatt and I would love to locate it, in Bill's memory. read more

Blue cups, pint nights and cool vibes - this is a great place to go whether you want to hang out with friends or go out for drinks. I bring my friends from other universities to He's Not, and they love it as well (they also say it's quite Fratty haha)! It's definitely a place for college kids to hang out, but I probably will not be going back here once I graduate. I'm not a fan of beer, but I still go to this bar to hang out. This isn't really the place to go if you're trying to get plastered though. I think it's more of a chill place or somewhere to stop by after going out to other bars. They have $5 blue cups, which gets filled to the brim with beer. On Wednesdays, they have Pint Night where you can get a glass instead of a plastic cup. There's indoor and outdoor seating. Because most of the bar space is outdoor, it's a great place during the warmer season but a lot more empty when it's colder. He's Not also has bands play, which adds to its great atmosphere. Like other reviews said, the bathrooms are pretty gross (they usually don't even have soap - ew) and be careful where you step because the ground tends to have random dips and raises. read more

Loved this place as a grad student in the 90's and although the Blue Cups have gone up in price, it is still the best beer bar in Chapel Hill. Met some people for pre-game last Saturday afternoon and they had an awesome band playing an incredible mix of covers that got the crowd very engaged. HNH-keep on rockin'! read more

The blue cup. The blue. Freaking. Cup. In some corners of Chapel Hill, you'll find it spoken of as if it were some mythical object of immense power, granting its holder unspeakable abilities and the right to be the King of all England. Then you go there and you realize that everyone has a giant blue cup full of whatever flavor of the limited selection of taps they prefer. Of course, by your second or third blue cup, you can be convinced that anything is legendary. When it's cold He's Not is a curiosity. You have to cross an expansive courtyard and climb some steps to get into what is a dive bar's dive bar. Low ceiling, dirty in a charming way, dark, and kind of small. There's no one who wouldn't get a little claustrophobic on their first trip. Once things warm up though, that courtyard comes to life and attracts most of Chapel Hill, as if a big blue beacon was beckoning them to come and drink. But what kind of big blue thing could possibly have that kind of sway? read more

Don't make the mistake of visiting Chapel Hill and NOT stopping for a blue cup at He's Not. Whether you're a student, townie or alumni- He's Not is a must see. Grab a blue cup (or bottle of champagne, if that's more your style) and some friends and soak in the awesomeness of this classic UNC drinking hole. Whether you're wearing yoga pants or a cocktail dress, you'll fit right in at He's Not. read more

He's Not Here - The upstairs bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Going to He's Not on a warm night is like going to a party at your friend's friend's house. You'll know the people you arrived with, they'll know a few other people; you'll stand around outside, drink beer out of a giant cup, and probably chat it up with a few random strangers. The only difference? You'll spend a few dollars at He's Not - but only a few. If you've never been, it's a little hard to find. The entrance is in the alley just beside I Love NY Pizza, between that building and the Caribou/Kinko's building. Blue Cups: 33oz. domestic beers, $2 on Tuesday, $5 otherwise. There's plenty about those in all the other reviews, so I won't rehash. Because of the setting, the atmosphere at He's Not is really laid-back. People wear real clothes, girls wear comfortable shoes, t-shirts are commonplace, and a blue cup mishap on your shirt is not grounds for leaving in shame (I know). Recently, He's Not started accepting credit cards, which may have made my life. In addition, they also sell champagne...bet you didn't know that! It's cheap champagne, of course, but one of these nights I'm going to have to buy a bottle of champagne and pop it there... "I heard champagne...where's the rich guy?" - 'He's Not Here.' read more

He's Not Here is a very fun take on the Chapel Hill bar scene. This patio bar puts you right under the sky of Blue Heaven with a rambunctious college-aged crowd. He's Not Here isn't much more than a fenced in patio behind some Franklin Street storefronts. There is a smaller indoor bar built on top of a neighboring building, but most of the action remains outside. They offer what they call "Blue Cup Specials" which is a variety of different beers on tap filled to the brim of an over-sized "Blue Cup". If you end up out in Chapel Hill on a pretty night He's Not Here is tough to beat. read more

Walking into He's Not Here is like entering a time machine, and I, for one, am glad to see this Chapel Hill institution is virtually unchanged from my long ago undergraduate years. The bartenders are still friendly, Blue Cups are still around, the décor is still comfortable and unpretentious, and the outside area is still He's Not Here on the Village Green...meaning the freshly-planted grass lasts until the first huge crowd. The only changes here are actually improvements...a larger beer list, including many nice craft beers and microbrews, and a recently renovated women's room. Cheers to that, He's Not Here! read more

Hands down the best bar experience in Chapel Hill!!! Don't miss out. Great selection of beer at great prices. Be sure to check out Wednesdays at He's Not where you get a free pint glass if you purchase the selected beer of the week. Take home a blue cup TODAY read more

Home of the big blue cup! It's one of the best deals on Franklin Street. It's often like getting 2-3 beers for the price of one. Fun college bar vibe. Good place to have a beer and sit outside when the weather is nice. read more

I went into He's Not Here last night and this was the SECOND time I've had rude customer service. It was crowded (which was understandable), so I waited patiently at the bar with my friend while the bartender finished making another couples drink. We waited there for 5 min without any acknowledgement and as soon as a guy walks up the bartender acknowledges him and asks what he could get for him?! By then my friend and I were completely taken aback because we not only waited patiently for service to be completely ignored to help another patron. I give them a NEGATIVE 5 Stars. The place smelled of wet dog and they'll never get another dime from us. I'll be sure to spread the word to my friends to avoid this place bc it seems they only acknowledge certain people anyways. So spare yourselves, He's Not Worth It! read more

Quite a college bar, He's Not Here is a bit hard to find without a guide. It doesn't exactly look like a bar, what with the actual bar (where the beer resides) on the second floor, in a building that looks like the loo. Much has been written about the large cups, 32 ounces and awesome, so I won't go there. Instead, He's Not offers a great outdoor area with live music. Very chill, although the enclosed area doesn't allow much of a breeze. However, all in all, it is a pretty good hang. read more

This place is the last destination to go to when going out or going for drinks. It is gross, beat up, and old both inside and outside. When it gets packed inside I feel like the a.c. isn't even working. Someone mentioned a urinal smell, they weren't lying. The place needs a serious renovation or it will keep just attracting these old sketchy grimy locals with the groups of fratties. Only pro is the blue cup. read more

If you've heard about Blue Cups, this is the place to get 'em. Not exactly charming on the inside, but you can get a tasty beverage in your choice of sizes 16oz, 24oz, 36oz, etc relatively cheaply, depending on your class of beer. The outdoor space is nice on a warm night if you can find a space at one of the picnic tables. The live music is really what will make or break your night here. Good band = good night, bad band = bad night, since they are front and center outside. I think they charge cover on weekends ($2-$5), which is kind of laughable, but tolerable if the band is ok. read more

This is my favorite bar in Chapel Hill! I love the laid back atmosphere and the friendly staff. The selection of beer can't be beat! I HIGHLY recommend checking out He's Not if you're in the Chapel Hill! read more

Wow.. The best out-door bar I've visited. Amazing atmosphere, Great chat with nice people. Blue cups experience will be NOT forgettable. read more

Trashiest, shittiest bar I've ever been to. Smells like a porta-potty and they don't even have glassware. Low ceilings and everything is dirty. Will never come here again read more

Don't hate me people, but I wasn't a big fan. Came here for the first time not knowing anything about it - this was a little over a year ago, but I basically felt like I walked into a frat party's backyard. The outdoor area had no seating available, and the bench that did had a bunch of bird poop and spilled beer on it. I had no idea that the bar was upstairs. Once I figured that out, the bartender (or beer-tender I would say) was not that friendly and looked at me like I was from another planet when I asked if they had wine. I get it, you only serve beer, but it was just a question. Anyways, the place just seemed a little too young for me, but I'm sure other people and most Tar Heels love it. read more

My only celebrity sighting (I mean, unless you count Mark Jacobson [yes, I'm talking about the one of the Mark Jacobson dealership]). Anyway, I saw Michael Jordan one summer evening a few years back. He strolled into the bar with his entourage (however casually one can "stroll" with an entourage, that is), went upstairs, ordered a beer, came back downstairs, and grabbed a seat by the downstairs bar. By this point, there's a huge line forming at the ID check, people are standing on tables with cameras and camera phones and calling everyone they know to spread the word. I was really too short to see much of him once the crowd started to pick up. But he had his one beer and then left. And it was kind of sad how we all gawked at him like he was an animal at the zoo. Anyway, I've always figured since then -- if it's good enough a watering hole for the legend, then it's good enough for me. read more

So perfectly college how can you not love this place! Big beers, outside space and music a touch too loud.

A favorite of some local college students. He's Not Here is the home of the "Blue Cup," which is a quart sized plastic cup filled with your choice of flat beer. There is a nice outdoor space that the establishment uses to bring in above average bands. The inside is often crowded, with wet floors, and long lines for bathrooms. The bouncers are friendly... to their friends (and no one else.) Overall, it isn't a bad spot, but the owners could take more pride and care of this establishment, as simple things are missed. read more

Oh, He's Not- the best outdoor bar in Chapel Hill. A college favorite for the large, infamous blue cups with the Bar Logo on them, He's Not Here is a favorite of UNC students and Chapel Hill residents alike. For around $5, you get a 32 ounce cup full of your choice of domestic beer. Come on Tuesdays and for a $3 cover, those cup prices drop down to $2 a piece. Be warned, however, that He's Not does not serve liquor and they just recently started taking credit cards with a $10 minimum. Be ready for a big crowd in the warmer months and on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights. One last tip, come by Sunday's to hear the sweet sounds of Karaoke from the upstairs bar. read more

Right when I walk into this place the simple QandA enters my head... Q: Where is the man in my head telling me not to make a bad decision A: He's not here With huge 33oz blue cup beers this place is sure to make you black out with a passion. Yeah the beer taste like piss, and yeah after about 15 mintues it gets warm, but at about $3 a pop who gives a shit? The place is packed with college kids on a warm night and if you have about 3 beers in an hour you will be making friends with everyone. Basically you have to make your own night here which involves settling in at one of the large communal tables and forcing friendships. Rules are if you graduated you buy the beers...everyone will like you, and at the end of the night you will have spent a total of $30. Cheers it up and get ready for a large scale frat party where the beers aren't free. I enjoy it but that is because it takes $9 to black out...(much like nickle beer night at the thirsty turtle did in the days of yore). read more

He's Not Here is a dive bar, it's not trying to be anything else. The interior is a bit cramped, but it is also comfortable. It has a great location on Franklin and has become something of a local institution. Most alumni worth talking to will know about this bar, so it is worth checking out when visiting. There are also cover-free music performances by local bands during the summer and spring. read more

Dear god this place is sketchy. I went with a few friends and had a drink. It seemed like a lot of locals. The bar smelled exactly like a urinal cake (seriously). If you are of a gender that is not male, imagine a sickly sweet synthetic cleaning odor. Horrible. Their selection of beer didn't seem that impressive. I guess it was sort of cheap, but the building was just short of condemned and overall there was really nothing that would make me want to come back here. There was also a crap-tastic Bob Marley cover band playing. In short, it was terrible. Next time I go (if there is a next time) I am wearing a painter's mask. One of the heavy duty gas mask type ones. Not just a regular one. Oh, and probably latex gloves to avoid touching anything. Gross. read more

He's not is great for large groups and beer lovers. They have TV's which are nice on game days and a large selection of drafts to choose from. If you're not into beer they also have champagne, seltzer and cider! read more

Favorite place by far. Is Mark still the owner? And does Jordan still frequent it during the summers when his kids are at basketball camps?! HUGE BEERS! They're 33 oz blue cups of beer. My friends al worked here, so i was got in underage and drank for free. The outdoor area is wonderful for hot summer nights in chapel hill. It's fratty late night, but during the afternoon, it's a great place to grab drinks with co-workers after work... all during the summer though. don't go if it's not spring or summer. If you can't wear a tank top or a t-shirt and cute jeans... Don't go. Also, sunday night karaoke ruled. LOVE IT. read more

The man serving us beer was extremely unfriendly and rude. It seems like customer service here is as crappy as the bathroom. There are many bars on Franklin who will actually appreciate your business and provide cleaner, nicer-smelling bathrooms. Will not come here again. read more

Awesome hanging out in the courtyard with the buds & ladies. Love the big blue cup(s) at a great low price. This Friday and Saturday is going to be on!! read more

I really enjoyed the college girls... TUNA!

Ultra dive bar with a "beer garden" that has turned to just dirt from so much foot traffic. Upstairs (very dangerous for drunk patrons) is the dingy beer bar with a tap list that has been upgraded over the past few years from all macro junk to craft beer focused. Cheap prices with great deals for their world-famous 32oz blue cup. These are great for taking home and constitute about 90% of the casual drinkware in my house. read more

Almost everyone in Chapel Hill absolutely loves He's Not and sadly I don't number among those people. I have given it a number of tries and it just doesn't work for me. If you don't like beer then you are out of luck. Your only other option is very low quality champagne. When it is warm outside, both outside and inside are jam packed with swarms of people. Although it is a great place to go and see everyone in one spot it just doesn't work with me. It's dirty (and not in the gun divey way) and dank. While the blue cups are iconic they don't live up to the hype. read more

The perfect college bar. $5 Big Cups...Enough said. Note: If you are over 25, you will be welcome but looked at oddly. read more

It's a bar! Hidden back off the Main Street. 32oz cups. Think of it as two pints in one cup. Local craft beers and some commercial grade. They have a god delivery wing, and other food, place plus a pre arranged discount. Should stop in to say u did. read more

He's not is the perfect college vibe. The students/customers there are chill and on a beautiful summer night, conversing over a blue cup is what we live for. However, there is one person there who has no chill, and unfortunately, that is the manager. Flaming, or Flemming/Fleming (??) seems like the kind of guy you never want to work with. He often seems upset while working. His sometimes gruff demeanor makes me (and others I've gone with) feel uncomfortable. He has been rude and snippy at times. read more

There were a few people in here Monday, but $5 miller high life is ridiculous and laughable. This is my second bad experience with this bar, I will not come back!! read more

Know what you are getting into before you get there. This is a dive bar and more importantly a college bar. But when you get a great craft been in a 32 oz blue cup for $7, even beer snobs can't pass this place up. They don't open until 2pm on Saturdays so if you trying to get a few drinks in before any UNC game, it often is difficult unless it is an evening game. read more