A fab set! Cute and comfy. Tasty and fun! Loved my tour and tasting. Great conversation and I had a…read moreball. Parked right out front. Support local! See my pics!

Definitely a new go to spot! The staff were very warm and friendly. My husband and I had a round of…read moredrinks and a round of shots. I had a cucumber drink and my husband had a Mezcal + gin drink. The pretzel bites were phenomenal with the queso.

My friend and I came to Annexe after attempting to go to Bar Virgile, which was popping (on a…read moreMonday night!). The BV server said that if we didn't want to wait, Annexe was their sister bar downstairs with the same kitchen. While BV's vibes are ~adult, sultry, modern~ Annexe is more ~young, party, fun~ Honestly, we were just hungry and didn't care too much. On Mondays, they have a $12 burger deal that comes with fries and a beer, which is a steal. As a not beer girlie, I appreciated that they allowed me to substitute a house soda. My friend is gluten-free and they allowed substitutions for her meal as well. The burger was good- not the best burger I've had in my life but tasty. Same with the fries. I got the Pistachio Orange house soda, which was interesting and refreshing, albeit a tiny bit heavy on the spices. My biggest qualm was with the wait- it took at least 25 minutes for our drinks (it wasn't super busy like BV) and 1 hour for our food (understandable I suppose with the shared kitchen). Now I was busy yapping with my friend so that wasn't too big of a deal for us, but I feel like it was notable. Service was also maybe a bit too attentive, with multiple attempts to grab our plates before we were fully finished- again not a huge problem for us in the grand scheme of things. Overall, a good option if all you care about is food and BV is too busy, but the vibes are completely different. 7/10 would recommend!

This is a really chill vibe with great food, customer service, and well crafted drinks. Everything…read moreabout this restaurant was unique and thoughtfully crafted. Highly recommend.

Five stars for Liberty & Plenty, a true gem that we didn't even plan on visiting. We were headed…read moredown the street to somewhere else, saw the sign, looked at each other and said, "Let's check this out" and I am so glad we followed that impulse because it turned into one of those stops that completely makes your afternoon. What was supposed to be a quick pop in turned into two full hours of socializing, tasting, talking and working our way through a lineup of spirits that dhows just how much care and craft is happening inside this place. I need to say, Stephanie is a darling. She's not a bartender. She's a proper mixologist, the kind of professional who knows her spirits, knows her history, knows how to read a customer, and somehow manages to be both entertaining and deeply knowledgeable at the same time. She walked us through their menu with the kind of confidence that makes you trust every recommendation, and every drink she made had that extra flourish that tells you she actually loves the work. It's rare to find someone who can make you laugh, teach you something, and hand you a drink that's better than what you expected all in the same moment, but she does it effortlessly. Somewhere between the rum and the vodka, we learned that they're gearing up for a big move to Wilson, expanding from two stills to a dozen, which is wild and honestly well deserved because the quality here is already top-tier and the idea of them scaling up that much is exciting. You can feel the ambition from the crew here, the sense that they're on the cusp of something bigger, and it made every sip feel like you're getting in on a story that's about to blow up. That said, I'm begging. Please, please, please, find a way to keep a tasting room in Durham. You're awesome, the vibe is awesome, the people are awesome, and this city needs places like this where you can wander in on a whim and end up staying for two hours because everything feels and tastes just right. Expansion is great, growth is great, Wilson is lucky to have you, but Durham will really miss you if you disappeared completely. Liberty & Plenty is the kind of spot you stumble into once and then start recommending to everyone you know. If you're anywhere nearby, go. And if Stephanie is behind the bar, settle in, because you're in very good hands. [Review 1073 of 2026 - 4782 in North Carolina - 26252 overall]

What a lovely surprise to find this gem tucked away in downtown Durham! I had heard great things…read moreabout their espresso martini, so when we finally visited, we had to try it. And, it truly lived up to the hype. One of the best we've ever had! I also tried two other cocktails made with their house-distilled rum and gin, and both were delicious and perfectly balanced. The seasonal menu is creative and reasonably priced, we were genuinely impressed. The ambiance is charming and cozy despite a bit warm inside (the AC was pretty weak), but quiet and tastefully decorated with velvet couches, exposed walls, vintage touches, and fresh flowers on each table. We had fun flipping through their amazing cocktail book collection on the shelf too. The bartenders were very friendly and offered us focaccia from Ninth Street Bakery to pair with our drinks for free, which was such a thoughtful and tasty addition. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and are so happy to see a micro-distillery thriving in the heart of Durham. Can't wait to return for an official tour and to sample more of their spirits!

As a first time visitor, the ambience was a whole vibe. I enjoyed the music, seating, service, and…read moreexperience. The bartender made a special drink for my mother and me. We are pleased and will return again. Thumbs up for me. The lounge was not smoky or loud. The location is convenient, and is central to downtown stores and restaurants in Durham, NC.

My best friend and I came here to jointly celebrate our birthday. You cannot beat the vibe in here…read more All the artwork was hysterical and the rose wall was absolutely stunning. Actually, all of the decor was stunning. I absolutely adored it. It was actually relatively early on a Saturday evening when we came so it wasn't super busy. It was also the Duke-Carolina game so maybe it was less busy because of that? Although the game was on at the bar. I feel awful, but I don't remember the names of the drinks I had, but I do know that they were excellent. There are a few places downtown that sell pricey cocktails that sound good but are so disappointing when you drink them. I had three different cocktails here and they were all really good. I look forward to coming back here! (We parked in the parking deck at Mangum, and it was a very short walk.)

I walked in on a Monday night and I was the only person The…read moreinside is simple but gawdy - if you're confused you can blame my vocab. But this is what the vibe was... An extensive cocktail menu that will Not make you want to leave this bar anytime soon. I was so lost (mind you I'm not usually lost cos there's a lot of low hanging non inventive fruit that I disregard in most menus - not here!!!!! I asked the bartender what they would recommend after telling them my preferences and they gave me the Imli. It was spicy and boozy and hint of smooth but not sweet at all. I really enjoyed my drink and wished I could have more but I didn't I also tried their kings Indian defense - another well balanced cocktail for whiskey lovers. I did get the ghee flavor but it you don't get it immediately try it after a gulp of water - it's very subtle. I practically yapped the entire time with the bartender! So you know I'm giving 10/5 on service Note: you can also order food while at the bar from their restaurant Cheeni (review on the restaurant t yelp page) I'm not surprised they were a James beard finalist or something :) Highly recommend

In full disclosure, we've visited the restaurant Cheeni and the adjacent Bar Beej several times and…read morehave chatted with the owners, who are lovely people. There's nothing like Bar Beej that we've ever been to -- a bar with Indian-inspired cocktails, bar bites and that plays old Bollywood movies on a big screen. The space is small and intimate but the vibe is very unique. The bar was nominated for a regional James Beard Award, so you know it's pretty good. This isn't the type of bar to get cheap drinks but a place to try new flavor combinations and creative cocktails.

Came here for lunch on a Sunday. Did a flight and had some lunch. The staff were nice. Not many…read morepeople in there. Nice location and nice bar. Plenty of seating. The apple flavor whiskey was not good. Too syrupy and the peach flavor is insanely sweet; may be good in a mixed drink. The sweet potato was good. I could sip that easily. For food I had deviled eggs and brisket nachos. The deviled eggs weren't that good. The nachos tasted good and a nice portion. Though it's not bad, it also wasn't good. Glad I tried it off my list, but won't be back.

We came here on a whim and at the recommendation of my friend. First off, the aesthetics were…read morepleasing and we entered to the sound of live jazz filling the space. The acoustics were amazing and it added to the ambiance. There wasn't a hostess so we weren't sure how seating worked until we were approached by a someone working there who advised us that we could sit anywhere. While the ambiance was pleasant, the literal chairs that we were sitting in were falling apart and actually hazardous to the point that we advised the manager that the chairs had dangerously wobbly legs. Our server seemed pleasant and we ordered wings, a chicken sandwich, the Main Street old fashioned and the Ehh what's up doc. The drinks took a while to come out but they were delicious. Our food on the other hand took about 40 minutes to come out. The menu indicated that my sandwich came with kettle cooked chips but l didn't expect that it would be a literal bag of chips. I actually expected the chips to be made in house so it would be good if the menu actually said "bag of chips". Our server stated that the delay was because there was a large order that came into the kitchen but the large party that was there was actually leaving and didn't leave with a large food order. As it turns out, the food that came out before ours belonged to our server and her friends who were eating at another table close to the bar. We declined the free drink we were offered as an apology and had beignets to-go instead but being lied to about the reason for the wait on what appeared to be a slow night was unacceptable. Do better.

My first stop anytime I visit Chapel Hill is The Crunkleton. The bartenders always go above and…read morebeyond with both conversation and service. I was here recently for a concert, and Abigail noticed my band t-shirt, complemented it and then slyly played them on the speakers. Talk about going the extra mile! I always feel at home here even when I'm traveling. They have both creative cocktails and classics. This is a must-go for anyone staying nearby.

Wow!! What an absolute stunner of a bar! We truly loved the ambience from the wall of liquors to…read morethe antique showcase of spirits to the billiard table. What a cozy place to have a drink. We sat at the bar with Chris who is a master at his craft. He really takes pride in creating the perfect cocktail. They have so many different liquors that I've never seen in my life and they have barrel bourbons that they make on premise. We started with an Old Fashioned and a Bramble. Both were perfectly prepared. For my second drink I tried the Painkiller and it was the best one I've ever had. Don't tell the Soggy Dollar Bar! Thank you Chris for a wonderful experience. We highly recommend this bar.

Great small bites. I recommend you trying the Elote dip it was AMAZING and perfect for sharing with…read moretwo or more friends! They have great drink specials for different days of the week! Very speedy service all of their bartenders are very sweet and will fix whatever drink to your liking The vibes are disco balls on the ceiling very open very Miami Beach vibes they have an indoor and an outdoor seating area not only that they have fireplaces. If you get a little too far from their heated porch area! The vibes just don't stop. They have an aesthetic fireplace in side as well as a fake tree in the middle beautiful for taking pictures Their bathrooms are adorable, but you might have to wait a little bit on a busy day. But this is the same problem with every bar. Very glad that they have more than one bathroom.

Stopped by the Velvet Hippo while out in downtown Durham. When you arrive parking can be a bit…read moretricky in this area as you'll need to find street parking or park in a nearby lot. When you walk in you'll need to either take the elevator or stairs up to the third floor. Once inside the bar you'll feel like you've been transported to an upscale, tropical bar. To order you'll need to walk up to the bar to place your order. I ordered the Hot Girl Summer (Olmeca Altos Reposado, fresh watermelon, Gran Gala orange liqueur, house-made habanero syrup, lime, salt half rim) which was so good. I also ordered a cheetahs do it in the dark (Astral Añejo tequila, Licor 43, Caffè Borghetti liqueur, espresso, orange twist) which was also excellent. I'd recommend walking out to the rooftop if it isn't too hot. There are several tables and the views of the city are nice. Definitely will come back to the velvet hippo next time I'm in Durham.

I keep trying to remember the last meal out I've had where EVERY bite of EVERYTHING was 150%…read more Nerra, this weekend, comes close and could perhaps exceed that benchmark. Nerra is at 506 Ramseur Street, Durham, NC. Get a reservation. Don't show up hoping. We went for a belated Father's Day, a week late, because my wife and son let the date slip past them. They'll deny it. I know better. And I'm not actually upset about it, because if they'd remembered, we'd have missed this. We started the night with the Baker's Flight (pumpernickel, cheddar rosemary biscuits, cornbread, house butters). The pastries were excellent. The butter was something else entirely. I asked for 8oz to take home, which is not a thing I do. I don't need more butter in my life. Seriously. But this butter was coming home wiht me regardless. Our entries: Shrimp and Grits (built on stone-milled grits with jumbo shrimp, spinach, seared peppers, smoked gouda and parmesan, under a Cajun cream sauce). Number two, the Sun-Fire Jerk Chicken (bone-in, braised and marinated, with fried plantains, island jerk sauce, jasmine rice, and a salsa). Lastly: The Whole Roasted Fish (Snapper this particular night, with spinach, tomatoes, citrus caper, and roasted potatoes). Each dish was spectacular. As if not enough, we still ordered dessert. Mama Made, we were told. Cheesecake and a Chocolate Brownie with ice cream. I'm not going to lie here and say either were shared. Somewhere about this time I was doing math in my head of how we could come to Nerra on a weekly basis. Seriously, I was. The Chef came by the table. The Chef's Mama came by too. Our server, Andrea, did the kind of work that doesn't get talked about enough. Andrea was attentive without hovering, present without performing. Andrea should take some time to right the manual on how to take care of a table and party, cause she's a master at it. If none of this moves you, I don't think I can do more for you here. If it does, you already know you're booking a reservation in the next 30 minutes. We are absolutely going back. The only question is how often I can make that happen without rearranging our entire budget. I'm working on it.

I don't go to restaurants to complain and disparage. But Nerra was a seriously uneven experience…read more The good news is: friendly solicitous staff, great fish, Caesar salad, brussels sprouts. At home I put a good deal of salt on my food, so even though I had read the Yelp reviews saying that the chef was overly generous with the salt shaker, I thought, "This should be no problem." I was wrong. My brother-in-law's short ribs and my gumbo were at the top edge of salt tolerance. We did our best to politely eat, and didn't complain at the start, which some might say is our fault. By the way, I have eaten a lot of New Orleans gumbo, which characteristically is thicker and less salty. I ate half of mine, not wanting to stop the party, and when I was full, I called the waiter over and quietly mentioned the high salt level. She seemed astonished and said I should have asked for a different dish. Indeed I had waited too long, but when is it the diner's responsibility to sound the alarm about the chef's excesses? At this point, we paid the bill and I left a generous tip. On the way out, I chatted with the host/manager and politely informed her about the salt. She had her own explanation: the gumbo has been cooking all week and thus it gets very reduced and salty. Again, if this is true, there's no oversight in the kitchen, no one tasting the dish before it hits the table. Finally, it was too late, because of my polite hesitation, to offer me another dish. Was it too late to adjust the bill? Had that been offered, I would still be drinking many glasses of water but I would not be writing this review, an anomaly for me since the majority of my Yelp reviews are wildly positive. Eaters beware.

This is a go-to place for my wife and I on date night. It's small and intimate, and has a great…read morecocktail menu. My wife likes the Bee's Knees. I usually go for a beer or two from their carefully curated draft list. They've got a nice outdoor space, and you can order food that is delivered to you from The Pig, which is amazing! We recommend a plate of BBQ Nachos. There is, maybe, no better bar food in existence.

We love PiggyBack! The cocktails and beer are great. The food from the Pig is ! The bartenders…read moreare the best. Splurge on the membership and give it a try.