A favorite spot of mine, Surf Club (in my opinion, of course) is a great mix of drink selection, value, and vibe. The bartenders are attentive, prices don't burn holes in your pockets, and the crowd is more or less mellow. Additionally, MaMa Dukes is usually parked out back on the weekends which is a definite plus! Great for: Cheap(er) drinks. Mellow(er) atmosphere and if you like a bit of an older crowd. Darts, Shuffleboard, a game of billiards (table is a bit shabby) Not so great for: Those that are looking for a dance party Finding "Wooo!" types Great place! Check it out. read more

Wow this place has SO much potential yet a few employees ruined it. First off, love the atmosphere, drink selection, and music (the reasons you go out). Onto the bad. The bartender was more than a dud. Almost a bitch. Takes approximately 7 min to get our drink orders (it's 10:30 and not that busy yet) and when she does has no conversation skills, doesn't crack a smile, and has the aura of "I don't give a shit." That's fine, whatever. They have a food truck outside with fried chicken and various sides (sounds great right?) and yet the person taking the orders is short and has an attitude. I ask for ranch later which is 0.50, which I figured, and she hands me a cup that's less than half full. I ask for a ranch that's either full or another half and she throws it at me. What is with these people? Lastly we were stalked by an individual at the bar, which I get the establishment can't control, but it was THE cherry on top. Needless to say I will never go back to the bar. Should've gone to the drag show next door where everyone was super friendly or the other 2-3 bars that are around. Thanks Surf Club read more

Surf Club is everything you want in a neighborhood bar. Dark, good, with no gimmick. Good beer on tap, good beer in cans. I've been here a few times. The first couple times, almost empty. The last few times I've been, it's been crowded. Even with the crowd, I didn't have to wait long for a drink. Gets away from the family friendly atmosphere of Fullsteam. Swearing here is not going to get you the hairy eyeball. This bar is beer centric for sure. No fancy cocktails here. Wine is described only by its color and price: $3. I'm not a wine guy, but the red tasted fine to me. This bar does one thing. And it does it very very very well. read more

My husband went to Surf Club when it first opened and was ignored for 15 minutes before he walked out, so it took some convincing, months later, to get him to go to back with me. And we're both glad he did! We've been back several times since then. I love the pared-down decor of industrial (very dim) lighting and subway tiles, plus booths flanking tables that aren't attached to the wall. Plus, the bar (the actual bar, behind which the bartender tends) is a really good size and adorned with retro stools. The outdoor space is impressive and I especially like that you can get to/from it from the front or back of the building, or you can order more drinks at the little window. While the beer list isn't as expansive as I would hope for a place such as Surf Club, I can always find something I'll be happy with. read more

Um, lets see: excellent beer, nice staff, relaxed atmosphere, and great patio? What's missing besides free wasabi peas. Oh wait, they have that too. Cowabunga. read more

Surf Club - Free wasabi peas - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

A no-nonsense bar in downtown Durham, Kotuku is plain and simple...just a bar. Just beer (limited selection), wine (white and red) and liquors to feed your fancy. No fru-fru drinks here, I couldn't even get an Old Fashioned (they said they don't have the ingredients..hmm). After that disappointment, I just tried to embrace the atmosphere of prohibition-age decor, cool music...until I got Rick Rolled, literally. Rick Astley and other 80s hits started blasting, messing up the ambience completely. However, just concentrating on the physical location itself, it's small and compact, 5-6 booths, one high table, and the bar, complete with complimentary wasabi peanuts. Staffing was low when I visited (looked like just one bartender), so don't go in a rush. Prices were reasonable: Small beer for $3.75 Mixed drink for $6 Oh, and there is no connection with anything related to New Zealand (Kotuku) or surfing, so just get that out of your head and concentrate on enjoying a drink in one of Durham's newest bars. read more

True diamond in the rough! Reasonably priced drinks with free games to play such as pool, darts, bocce ball, and shuffle board. The bartenders were really nice, and cared about the patrons, asking us about our weekend. They also have big projection screen TVs with sports on. We'll definitely be back! read more

Surf Club - Surf Club Bar - Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I'm writing this in response to the reviews by: Sharanya V. & Vineeth P., since they both decided to post together, as their reviews are for the same experience. Basically, they are complaining because the staff got upset that they were helping themselves to the taps. Those taps are for the staff there, not for customer use. I've gone to Surf Club a number of times. It's one of my favorite bars in Durham. I have never known the the staff not to happily give me a sample, when asked. But yes, they'd get ticked if you asked for a sample *after* they poured it or if, worse yet, you just decided to help yourself. I realize the taps are off to the side and not directly behind the bartender, so it can get a little confusing. But just apologize for your mistake, instead of making it seem like the bar's fault. **EDIT: Went to the Surf Club this past weekend and they now have a rope up to keep people from going to the taps by themselves. ** Surf Club is a great local bar. There's lot of booth seats, which are great for hanging out and talk with a few friends. The selection of drinks of excellent, as are the prices. Despite the fact you can get some fancy beers there, there's no pretentiousness about the place. It's a Bar with a capital B. read more

Surf Club was amazingly fun. I went here looking for 'cheap drinks" and got just that. My friend and I spent a few hours here and the bill was 30bucks. The bartender was a little cold at first but he warmed up after awhile and joked around with us a little bit. The place wasn't crowded but emptied out by 11-12ish. They have a food truck out back and they do take credit cards. They have a great selection of scotch. The beer selection was different, lots of stuff I had never heard of. I love that they have cans. read more

This is an excellent bar as an alternative to the other venues in the area, also would be a great place to stop in before heading to a show at motorco. The drinks are very reasonably priced, the bar is fully stocked and a decent selection of wine. There is a very large out doors seating area with nice lighting and corn hole for those in the mood. Most nights you can find a food truck camped out here as well. A big thumbs up from me! read more

Nice place to get drinks, but the menu is pretty small. They don't have champagne or wine really (have 1 white and 1 red). Also, they don't offer food which I think is a mistake. Overall though, if you're just looking for drinks and don't mind the limited selection, it's a cool spot. *Also, drinks are a bit pricier than most places in Durham. read more

New favorite nice-weather hangout for cheap drinks and Durhamesque atmosphere. The inside is a bar-bar, with dim lighting, dark wood, and cozy booths. Outside has picnic tables and chairs, strung up utility lights, and the occasional resident food truck (Mama Duke's), so you can get your beer & falafel tot on. Drinks are super cheap, and service is fast. I personally like that they give you your drink and mixer separately -- allows you to dilute to your taste, and the drink portion is typically VERY generous. read more

Nice bar menu, good prices & friendly staff. Parking is on the street & no food, but there are food trucks around & you can bring in the food. I was a bit surprised that there wasn't more of a surf or beach theme to the decor. Not that it mattered, the drinks were good. read more

My favourite bar in Durham... The bartenders are all sweethearts and take care of their customers Great and creative beer selection with interesting tap takeovers every so often Even greater liquor selections no matter what you're into (especially whiskey...) Lots of room for activities (pool, shuffle board, darts, bocce ball...) Great outdoor space for the summer! Super awesome clientele, great people to hang out with Richie, daytime bartender on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday always has snacks for his customers!!! I love Surf Club :) read more

I've been here more than any hand full of times. It's a great atmosphere, dig the music selection being played. Love that they offer water coolers so you don't have to wait at the bar. Outside is a great place to socialize with friends or coworkers. The bocci ball courts are a nice offer as well as the free pool. Just wish the pool cues were in better condition. None the less, cold beer and great cocktails. read more

This place is super dive-y, which on this particular night is EXACTLY what I was looking for. They have a full bar for drinks, standing lounge tables if you come by for a quick one, and booths as well. They also have shuffleboard, darts, pool, and bocce out back. There's plenty to do, and if you are looking for a real laid back environment, this is the place. read more

This place has the worst bartenders ever. While one bartender was pissed that I did not taste the beer by myself before ordering; the other bartender snapped at me, snatched my glass away from me with a grin on his face while I was trying to get a taste of the beers on tap. This killed my mood, my wife's mood and my friend's mood for the entire night, thanks to the fucking rude racist bartenders. Thanks very fucking much, Surf Club! You hire the fucking worst bartenders ever! If you're not white, but someone of a colored origin, I'd advise you to stay away from this place for your own good! read more

This is a great bar to come for an evening beer. The bartenders are extremely friend and not at all pretentious. This is one of the great Durham haunts. read more

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This is a great place to hang out with friends. It was raining when I went so I didn't get to experience their outdoor patio which seems really cool. They have a great beer selection of beer without having 100 taps and they serve their beer in (cheaper) 12oz servings so you can try more. They also have a couple TVs, shuffleboard, darts, and pool so you could definitely entertain yourself for a couple hours. My one complaint was that they don't open until 4PM and I would definitely go there on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and watch football all afternoon. read more

This is a cool place with some unexpected draft options. One problem while I was there Saturday 5ish, there was only one dude bartending. No servers or anything. Props to this guy but there are over 30 thirsty people here. Note to management: hire more people. read more

Edit: The toilet situation described below has changed. Have another star guyz. Four stars cos y'all great but this single sad grey star is 100% for misery of the men's bathroom. Nice urinal. Sweet sink. But, my friends, the stall: half wall, no door, no seat, right next to the sink so you can stare deeply into the eyes of whoevers washing their hands if you are brave enough to make an attempt to levitate over the porcelain while doin yr biz. Is this like a piss-only bathroom? Is this a BYO-Toilet Accoutrements establishment? Do you need help making a door? Is this toilet the hot exhibitionist spot of Durham? $3 drafts 4eva read more

If I could give no star, I would. I have been coming to Surf's Club for a very long time for over a year. Now the last 3x times i have been there, I have been overcharged(Mind you, i thought the 1st two were a mistake & wasn't worried about it, but now it's a recurrence). For example, I was there last Saturday, Feb 1st, and my receipt said, $47.00 even. I paid that using my Wells Fargo card. I check today, it now says $56.00(Almost an extra $10 bucks) was paid at Surf's. How in the world does that happen. Furthermore, it didn't just happen to me, it happened to one of my friend as well that night who was charged even more(I will not disclose the amount). He will take it up with Surf's because of the huge amount, but for me I will not because of the substantial small difference. PLEASE make sure you're taking a picture of your receipt(at least) and your bank statements(afterwards) if you're paying with a Debit/Credit card. These thieves like to take a little too much in the cookie jar. read more

Found out there's a membership law of some sort for bars that don't serve food in NC...that along with the fact that you can't purchase alcohol before 12 on a Sunday. What? I do groceries once a week and it happened to be at 11:30 on a Sunday so no wine for my dinner this week and I'll have to come back in 30 minutes to buy it??! Anyway I'm rambling now. Back to surf club. That's kind of how I felt when we were walking in and were asked to pay a penny and sign up for a membership. Confused. But it's not their fault and I appreciated that once I did make it in there was a nice array of games to play, booze to drink and outdoor seating to sit in and most importantly, no fighting 3-12 year olds taking over the games to be played. It was like a little island away from it all where adults can play. Hurray for that! read more

Surf club is one of the most laid back, hip bars of Durham! Great outdoor seating area with 4 huge bocci ball courts and food trucks located out back. Darts and pool table inside and awesome drink specials! When you order a mixed drink they pour the liquor and give you the mixer on the side for you to pour yourself, only place around like it! Definitely one of my favorite bars in Durham! read more

Beer. Alcohol. A movie. A fire truck! What more could a girl ask for?! How about awesome games inside and out? Yes and check! A great place to try new beers and meet new people while watching Bruce Lee and any given movie! #awesome read more

This bar was full of puppies. Beer was pretty cheap/comparable in price to Madiosn, wi

My favorite Durham bar because of their beer selection each night as well as the great indoor and outdoor atmosphere. I however find that I need to carefully calculate my bathroom visits to ensure I do not have to go while I am there. If you absolutely can not hold it in (as all beer drinkers must feel at some point) then bring a flashlight because it is so dark that you will need the light to find you way around. The bathroom aside, my favorite place in the city. I love that the bar caters to the craft beer crowd and provides pool, bocce, darts, and food trucks to create the best place for casual hang out with friends. My favorite time to go is for day drinks and bocce on weekends or a Thursday night chatting and relaxing under the canopy of lights they have outside. read more

Looking around for a good bar after 11pm to close out the night, I was recommended this place and it lived up to my expectations. Strong drinks, indoor/outdoor spots to hang out, a food truck, good aesthetic, and good music. There's also a great view of the sunset from the back slab. An unpretentious place to close out the night for sure. read more

Surf club comes across as a beautiful little bar. I walked in with my uncle, from out of town, and my mother. i was greeted with disdain and hatred, along with my uncle and mother. The hostess didn't introduce herself or give us anything to do while we were there, as we were the only people there. I hated my experience (still tipped) but do not recommend going to Surf Club during the hours of 2 to 6 during a Saturday afternoon. The normally scheduled bartender is quite rude and NOT worth of a tip. read more

A best kept secret in the DIY District? Not for long! An amazing draft list with many hard to find brews from around the country (don't look for local here.) Attentive and knowledgeable staff. There is an array of seating inside and a huge patio in the back where, during nicer months, you will likely find a food truck. If you are feeling sporty, there are darts, shuffleboard and pool options. It's a great place to meet up with friends or have a nice post-date dinner drink. read more

Bocci, shuffleboard, pool, darts (thought board and darts could be better) all for free. They always have a taco truck there, too, to the detriment of my wallet or the delight of my stomach. The outdoor area is hella awesome and the bar window is sometimes a better place to get a drink than the actual bar when it's crowded. There is always a water cooler with a plastic cup dispenser for you to help yourself if you need to hydrate after some heavy drinking--which you might do because the beer selection here is awesome! Don't let the unassuming outside appearance of this place fool you and come in; there isn't a cover on most nights. read more

This place is a diamond in the rough. What makes this place special is its simplicity. The highlight for me are the beers on tap. You won't find them anywhere else, albeit maybe Tylers Tap Room - but instead *all* the beers at Surf Club are seasonal and ordered in small amounts. About the only thing you can expect on tap is Coors Banquet (was Genesee), and all the others are changed regularly. As for liquor, remember this place was opened by the folks that brought you The Whiskey, so they have plenty of that and other spirits. Again, no frills here - no valet parking, but you might see Dr. Noodle food truck on-site from time to time. Check out the shuffleboard table in the back, or stop by when it is nice out and hang out by the lighted patio. Very friendly staff! read more

Cool spot..only been once so far, but it's right by my work so I'm sure I will go again. Great beer selection, moderately friendly service, and lots of space, especially outside. It was a pretty dead Monday night, so I will need to go again to really form an opinion. read more

When the ridiculousness of this area becomes unbearable I love to come here and chill for the rest of the night. They aways have cheap beer available as well as the fancy stuff. The pool table and shuffleboard room are really nice. They have one of the best outdoor spaces in Durham. read more

Late night bocce ball is awesome!

I love surf club! The atmosphere is great, the bartenders are awesome. I love that they have several games that you can play like pool, etc. We went while it was cold outside so we couldn't enjoy that patio, but from what I saw it was huge and very inviting. Can't wait to visit again next time I'm in durham! read more

Really cool atmosphere with a variety of beer selections. I wasn't familiar with the available choices so I asked the bartender what he would suggest based on my preference and he was very helpful! Will definitely go back multiple times. read more

Really great place to grab a drink. The bar is divided up really well in case you want to avoid a group that is there or are with a group yourself that wants to be more secluded. There is a pool table, indoor shuffle board and an outdoor horse shoe? Court. Overall very relaxed place to hangout. Missing one star only because I have not tried/do not know if they have food. read more

Love the atmosphere in this place - always a varied crowd - free pool, darts and shuffleboard. Large outdoor seating area and interesting little nooks to sit in. I love that they always have interesting beer/liquor specials. Nice bar tenders who are helpful - if you have a wine craving don't come here....if you need food, food trucks are usually always right outside or down the street. read more

Bartenders are always on point, beer is always new with awesome variation, and consistency I appreciate with my favorite brews. Hands down my favorite watering hole in my neighborhood. read more