I am a US Veteran and I was often at the tavern due to geography. I would give The Tavern 3 1/2 stars on a regular day. The Tavern is what it sounds. It is a bar. They have darts and pool. They have a regular bar crowd. They have a jukebox. The other day I was not kicked out, but invited myself out because I chewed out someone for supporting Marxism and Kaelpatrick. The bar employees seemed to be on the wrong side. In general, the Tavern is a good bar to go to around Duke. Supporting communism and being losers is unacceptable. read more

I posted this to their Facebook page (with some additional comments for further explanation) and I figure I will do it here as well because sadly this needs to be seen. -------------- Our first and possibly last time here. I'm doing this review in a time format to show you what we experienced. Little after 5- sit down and 5 mins later get drinks. After we got our drinks the waitress/bartender said she'd be right back. There was just me, my husband, a few people at the bar. Also the sweet tea tastes really watered down. 5:30- We waited for her for 15 mins before she finally came back to us. First thing she says to us is 'Sorry ya'll I got distracted!' ** **Come to find out later, there was a table of 10 outside, however that doesn't excuse the 2 times she came around within eyesight of us and didn't at the very least let us know she was busy and would be with us. On top of that, just the sentence itself, without any further explanation, is extremely poor customer service. Just saying that makes me think you completely forgot about us. 5:45- Food comes. Cheesesteak is decent/ husband's burger is OK** but the 'chips' are cold, soggy, and feel like they've been sitting in grease for a while. Not happy with the food overall. **Later on that day, my husband was 'indisposed' for most of the day because of said burger. 5:53- Couldn't eat this food any longer. I took a bite or two of the cheesesteak and couldn't continue eating further. Explain the issues to the waitress and she apologizes and tries to offer alternatives. Honestly turned off to the whole experience, thank her, but decline. -------------------- While the waitress/bartender did comp our meal and apologized for our experience, it doesn't take away from the fact that something needs to be done about the service and food. Some people will excuse it as 'Oh, it's a bar/pub, they're food isn't going to be good anyway.' That is a copout. I have been to many pubs/taverns/bars that served food and it was top notch. Having subpar food just because of the type of establishment you are or the time of day it is, is laziness at its best. As for the customer service, while I understand the waitress/bartender was busy serving a larger group outside, there is still a protocol to follow. If you're busy, you take just a few seconds to let customers who have been waiting a while know that you will be with them soon and apologize for the wait. Keep them engaged. A few seconds can do a lot to calm an already aggravated customer. Had this been done I would've been more understanding, would've accepted the offer for alternative foods, and this review wouldn't be as harsh. So that is my take away from the experience. Perhaps one day a few months down the road I'll return to see if any changes have been made....it's only fair to give them a second chance. read more

I love this place. Great beer and good wings. The staff is nice. There was a time when the staff was a bit rude but this new staff is super. The music is pretty cool. Give it a try. read more

The Tavern - They have pool tables and great beer! - American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

3 stars is about right. Probably 4 or even 5 if it's your scene. Townie bar most of the time and college bar occasionally. Good cheap drink options. Pool tables and darts are available and it's usually not too crowded. Fun place to hang out. It's one of those places I'm kind of surprised hasn't closed down yet, but then I always have a good time when I go. read more

The best environment for good times in Durham, NC. Good drink specials, good food, pool tables and most importantly, the staff put real effort into their work. In particular, ask for Christina. One of the fastest, nicest bartenders I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. read more

Great bar to hang out in.... super friendly staff, good food, lots of beers.... Just an awesome place all around. I'm a bartender and this is where I like to go when I'm off. Definitely check this place. Tennessee is the best!!!! read more

The Tavern - Aaaaaahhhhhhhh....... so refreshing - American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

been dragged here twice by my family the past week and I have gotten the same waiter (male with afro) and he has the nastiest attitude. Super impolite. Low food selection which took FOREVER and we were literally the only people here. Never getting dragged here again read more

Wow, the bartender could not have been more offensive. Thanks so much for embarrassing me in front of others and ruining my night tavern!

A decent, if divey, large sports bar near Duke. A good place to go for a big game, as there is plenty of seating both up and down stairs. The food is pretty standard bar fare, but gets the job done. It has some cool decor and games, with a decent set of seats outdoors as well. read more

Nothing really special. I had chicken fingers and fries...they were OK. The place was absolutely dead on a Monday night.

This place sketched me out a ton Then I went inside. It really isn't bad. There are darts, pool, etc. The people are sketchy and I dunno if I would eat the food, but the beer is cheap and it is really fun to go and play darts with a friend If I were a woman I would probably steer a bit clear though....lots of locals read more

The tavern is ok. Neither good, nor bad. They have a decent draughts selection, but the staff never seems to know anything about what's on tap. They still don't have any food, despite the sign out front! It's a great space with a ton if potential, but that's it, potential. Watching the majority of the regulars, I feel as though I'm home, lazy on a Tuesday afternoon, watching a taping of Maury, and wasting my life away. read more

We ate at the Tavern for dinner recently because we were there to watch a band. I got the chicken pita and it was tiny and I was left starving $10+ later (plus $6 cover charge). My husband felt the same way with the meal he ordered. Way overpriced for too little of food. read more

Yikes! Okay, so let's start with the upside: this is a good place to watch a big game - mostly because it's huge and not very popular, so you'll be sure to get a seat. However, please do yourself a favor and eat before you come. The food here is awful. We were served the world's saddest nachos: tiny, expensive, cold and mostly lettuce (see uploaded photo). The sad nachos took over 45 minutes to come out and our server was very apologetic and sweet. As he apologized he offered my husband a condolence beer - which he then charged us for... We won't be back. read more

The Tavern - World's saddest nachos. One chip, so much lettuce, so tiny. - American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Want to grab a drink? Some great wings? Listen to the jukebox? Play pool? Go to the tavern! Great relaxed environment and always a pleasure to see whichever amazing mixologist is behind the bar! I Love This Bar! read more

Very big place with daily specials. Wednesdays have $5 LITs. The place has several pool tables and bar games and a nice bar. It was empty on a Wednesday night, but I think some of the other bars in the area were more crowded. This didn't appear to be the student spot, but I was just passing through. I would definitely call my encounter with the people there very awkward... read more

I love The Tavern. The people, the conversation, the cheap drinks. I also hold this place very close to my heart. It's where my fiance proposed to me. Definitely try their hush puppies with honey butter. SCRUMPTIOUS! read more

I have come here a few times and I always get the Caribbean Chicken Salad. Honestly one of the best salads I've had. Ingredients are very fresh and Caribbean sauce is amazing. Today I decided to go with one of their burgers. I had the jalapeño, onion and bacon stuffed burger with cheddar cheese, lettuce and mayo with a side of fries. The burger ranks pretty high among the Triangle burger elites. The burger was cooked perfectly. I was afraid that the jalapeño might be a little over powering but I was just the perfect amount. I will definitely be trying another one of their burgers soon. The Tavern is my Saturday lunch destination after a morning at the Durham Farmers Market. read more

Great beers on tap, delicious food and exceptional staff! We stopped in Friday afternoon for a late lunch and beer. We were super pleased with the quality of food. I had the shrimp and grits and it was delicious and fresh. Husband had the cheesesteak and the house chips, both were awesome. Chris was very friendly, attentive and kept the beers flowing. Thanks for an all around great afternoon lunch! read more

Anyone concerned with bad reviews that are being put in for this establishment should be aware that those reviews may stem from an incident where the staff would not serve alcohol to a group without proper ID and they are being punished by that group with phony reviews. They were simply following the law. read more

All around awesomeness. Great beer on tap, huge dance floor, great crowd, and it's a big, open place. Perfect for those like me who get a little claustrophobic in crowds from time to time. Even if it gets packed like on Halloween, the open tall ceilings make things feel bigger. There's also a great patio section at the front with chairs and tables that's also very large. read more

Definitely not the best food around, but its decent. Great atmosphere to catch a game! Most of the staff are great. (notice I said most)

This place is terrible. Dirty, bad food, rude bartenders. Hopefully it will go out of business and be replaced by something good. It's a prime location for the expanding 9th st scene. read more

Fine place. Nice place to hangout with friends, have a drink or snack. Celebrated my Birthday here, too.

I like a good sports bar but seriously, this place is gross. The bartender got to drink wrong, the pool tables are disgusting and the crowd is creepy. We walked in and there was NO music playing for at least 30 mins. Just don't. read more

Gross, gross, gross. Owner can be volatile. Bartenders are usually out smoking and don't seem to care either way. It might have been a good place for a gathering but the place just looks filthy. The bartenders are usually outside and if you sit at a table you have to wait yourself. read more

went here a few weeks ago, loved how big and spacious it is. I had the chicken wings (to die for) they were delics.. I've been in her quite a few times and there are a few bartenders who i did not like, they were rude, one was this older lady and a short man.. But i do love the short blonde girl, she was very sweet and made me feel at home, even gave me a complement on my necklace. Next time i come i will call to see who is working. read more

Huge fan of the TAV. The new cook is a magician in the kitchen. Beware of bar drama, though. This used to be my favourite hang out, until recently. You might wait 20 minutes before getting a beer, because someone's text/Facebook or other smartphone related device is their only concern. I'll only go back when Oz, Chris, Nikki, Nichola, or Jessica are working. read more

Great neighborhood place to play pool, enjoy some food & good drinks. Came here from out of town, was exactly what we were looking for. Make sure to ask for Christina...She's the best server & bartender! read more

If I could give this place zero stars I would. The customer service was horrible. First when I arrived it took about thirty minutes for a waitress to arrive at my table. When she finally did arrive it took another 20 Minutes to bring drinks back to the table. She then left and another waitress had to take our food order. Then another waitress bring our food out. At this point I have encountered three different waitresses. I ordered the chicken nachos when they came out it was cold and I didn't like the taste of the chicken. I called for the waitress to come to see if I could get something else she then stated she would ask the manager. The manager comes to my table with an attitude stating that he will only discount my food and not make me anything else. He proceeds to yell and says that nobody else has a problem with the nachos and that it is just me. This man is yelling and touching on me trying to say that I am wrong. After arguing with me he still proceeds to bag up the same food I told him I do not want. I will never go here again the customer service was horrible and the owner was very unprofessional and racist!! read more

Laid back, big TVs, not too pricey. I'm there lots during college basketball season. The only bummer is when the Duke students rent out the side room - the mellow bar suddenly gets flooded people and thumping music disrupts the conversation. But..that's the price of living in a college town. read more

Hillsboroughish crowd, but they have great bar food! They need to fix the "do not let slam" door. I have been dealing with it for years.