The staff is great here-- serving up that rare beer that I drink; usually some kind of wheat beer with an orange slice. This pool hall is close to campus, but not close enough to me-- too bad! It's a great atmosphere with pretty down to earth people who are having a good time. You can pop on some tunes from the juke box and bop your head while you play pool or just hang out. Like I said before I'm not the best at pool, but it's fun to try. The people are willing to teach you a few tricks of the trade if you're a newbie at pool-- nice! read more

Zogs is not a weekend hangout. That is to say, you can find better places on a Friday or Saturday night, unless you really like the quiet scene. For weeknight going out, though, there's no better. You come here mainly for the games. Pool and darts, that is (sorry, no Jai Alai). It's hands-down the best pool bar in Chapel Hill (not much competition), with tables that actually work and a great atmosphere to play in. Many's the night that me and my roommate would come here to have a few rounds and shoot some pool. It's quiet, the staff is friendly, and you're guaranteed not to have to fight past the rampaging armies of college students you'd normally find around Franklin at night. read more

I had a marvelous time attending Zog's...unfortunately, when closing time came around and I stepped away to the bathroom, my friends were harassed into leaving. Not asked politely to leave (they were finishing their drinks and leaving) but told by the bouncer "get the fuck out." Obviously this was upsetting to me and to them. They said they were waiting for me and we respectfully left. Outside the bar, we were discussing this interaction, and a woman approached, telling us to "chill out" (we were not making a fuss, just having a conversation outside the establishment). I don't know if she worked there or not, but she entered after closing time. This was all, again, unfortunate, as I and my friends enjoyed our time playing pool and relaxing beforehand. We then went to Linda's where we were treated with respect. read more

We are new to the area and were meeting some new friends out. After reading some previous review this sounded like a place right up my alley! I was not disappointed. I was taken back to places I used to frequent in my home town. The unusual art collection, the vibe and the drinks were great! Over all loved the feel of this place. read more

Very rude staff. Took forever to get a drink, pretended like they didn't see us. Called me a "stupid ass bitch" because I sat down in the wrong area. Sorry but I am in the service industry and i would never speak that way to a customer. We will NOT be back. read more

I am new to the area and decided to check out zogs with a friend for a Thursday night drink. The owner Mandy is very friendly and fun to talk to. The bar has a ton of really cool art and New Orleans nostalgia, there was free pool and the cocktail menu was filled with really different and fun drinks. But the best was the movie screen and that they were celebrating Halloween all through October! I will definitely come back read more

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This place is one of the most atmospheric bars around. The bartenders are super friendly! You can order food and play pool, darts, skee ball, or one of a multitude of board or card games. Recommendation: Take a chance on a surprise beer! Dog friendly! read more

Whether it's Rob or John Martin, expect spunk in spades. This is a dive with personality, favoring character over bringing in the masses. You can absolutely catch a game here, but you can also pet a dog, play darts, pinball, or any other random game they have in addition to two beautiful pool tables, catch a improv comedy night, and did I mention pet a dog? It's better than my living room. Tell the cool people you know. read more

Zogs has the makings of a cool spot to hang out: dog-friendly, board games available, inexpensive drink prices (including cheap surprise beers!). I was there for a happy hour on Wednesday, and despite being there for several hours there was no one else in the bar, which I thought was very strange! As a result I couldn't get a true sense of the vibe, but I'll update my review after I've been back. read more

I am really not big on fish or any seafood for that matter. HOWEVER I will have a hankering for their Blackened Catfish BLT salad EVERYDAY for the rest of my life in this realm!!! Where else can you enjoy an AMAZING meal for two, 3 glasses of wine, 3 beers AND 4 rounds of billiards for $45?!!!! The chef and bartenders are TOP NOTCH to boot! read more

The best dive bar in Chapel Hill, with plenty of drink options, the most interesting art (on display and for sale) - and various funky sideshow decorations, darts and pool. Over the years I have seen great hip hop, funk/rock, reggae, vinyl djs and jazz there. Bartenders know how to mix a wide variety of handcrafted cocktails, pretty solid beer selection. Place has a kind of New Orleans flavor to it, with food available from downstairs. Cool and quirky. read more

Definitely not a weekend hangout spot. There was no one in the place when we got there, except the bearded bartender, which was surprising because the Final Four tourney with Duke was going on, guess everybody was watching somewhere else. They have plenty of pool tables (4 I think), several flatscreens (and some projectors), and a bunch of beers I don't normally see. Good, quiet place to hang out and shoot a few rounds of pool. $6/hour or more depending on the day. Parking can be an issue if you aren't lucky enough to grab a space on the street. read more

Wow this place is so awesome! I was really taken aback by this place. It is absolutely one of the chillest and unique bars I've ever been to. I loved the atmosphere, the bartender (didn't get his name), the patrons, the usually bar games, and most importantly the artwork. The artwork packed into Evey nook and cranny is very refreshing, I thought they were all great and was very tempted to by a bunch. Beyond all that the whole atmosphere is very welcoming and super comfortable, basically everyone here was super chill. For the drinks they not only have a ton of great bottled beers (I don't think they had anything on tap), but they had a huge amount of unique cocktails, and even some alcoholic snow cones lol. Their mixed drinks are imaginative and some are very unique, plus they have a ton of special summer drinks...they all looked great. For my first drink here I decided to go with a off menu Yukon Jack, a Bourbon, basil, honey cocktail that was very delicious. Of all the bars I've been to lately this is the one I want to go back to first because its just super awesome! read more

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This is easily my favorite bar in Chapel Hill. Best bartender in town, and killer cocktails. Three pool tables, darts and great mix of music. The regulars (of which I am one) are a friendly bunch. Try the Chupacabra (bloody Maria), the Cajun popcorn and stay for 16mm old school movie nights. highly recommended. read more

One of a kind classic spot. Do yourself and your friends a favor and the lot of you go knock down a few at this amazingly eclectic, uber-appointed, soul-stirring establishment. Local art, pool tables, open mics, mandy, james, Very cool. read more

Aw, I'm having a nostalgic moment for Zogs--the only bar I've ever been to that has a shower in its women's bathroom. Drinks -- especially high-balls -- are well-priced and can be had with no wait, since this place rarely has more than 10 people in it. I started hanging out here heavily during my graduate school days, when I wanted to be in Chapel Hill but felt like I'd phased out of the typical Franklin Street scene. Zogs is perfect for this. In fact, I recently introduced some fellow UNC folks to the joint (they've been in the area for a long while, but had never heard of it). It's undergone some minor facelifts since I'd last seen it -- the actual bar has switched to a center location. They've got a flatscreen TV on the wall that used to back the bar and they've moved the dart boards, from the practically inaccessible previous location, out front. They've also moved all the pool tables to one end of the bar. I didn't check, so I don' t know for certain, but I have a feeling the shower is still there. read more

This is my absolute favorite bar in Chapel Hill, and probably one of my favorite ever. I've had a hard time finding a place anywhere near as cool here in Chicago. Great drink menu, great vibe, good music, pool and games. I never make a trip to CH without visiting Zogs. read more

Cool little spot, with some good drink specials. Its open mic night on Tuesdays which was pretty fun and entertaining, but at times very awkward! ;) some of the cocktails were pretty overpriced but I guess most places are. The place gives off a good vibe but it is super trendy and, hipster so if that's not you're style you might not like it. Pool tables, and some other games available also. The decor was my favorite part, cool, NOLA, artsy thing going on. read more

Okay, so here is the deal. My friend and I stopped here one night when we were in Chapel Hill. We took a seat at the bar and as it was a Sunday Night, it was pretty empty. However, this gave us the chance to talk to the bartender. He was vey cool and was very entertaining. To be honest, the drinks were not that great but we were being tourists and drank fun drinks. However, the ambience was great. The bartender was a load of fun. We got to take home our glasses in which we had been served drinks. What more could you ask for? Loved it!! read more

Cute little dive bar with a friendly owner and bar tender. Went there for a sketching meetup for a Monday nite gig and I had a nice time. I WILL go back despite the difficult CH parking... but hey... great little spot!! read more

Zogs is without a doubt my favorite bar in Chapel Hill! It's a wonderful, laid back atmosphere with one big projector, two smaller TV's, and two pool tables. James is also a super friendly and nice bartender! Their cocktails are great and reasonably priced compared to other bars in the area. Will continue coming back every time I am in Chapel Hill! read more

Zog's is not only one of the best bars in Chapel Hill, but one of the best that I've visited. I will say that I am regular at Zog's, so of course my review may be a bit biased (though I would like to have this gem of a bar all to myself, I will tell people about it). I'm a regular here; however, because the place lends itself towards regulars. I quickly became friends with Mandy, Jed, and James after only a few visits. And whether it is your first visit or your hundredth, you'll be treated like a friend. All are welcome at Zog's too, where I commonly see a ubiquitous crowd of townies, grads, undergrads, non-nationals, and Greeks commingling.The drinks are unique and delicious, the pool tables are great, the atmosphere fun, and the bartenders are friendly and capable. What more could you ask for? Visit Zog's and see for yourself. You can thank me later. read more

Crappy dart board but a great local crowd and bartender. The Soggy Bottom Cocktail is yummy and does the job. Open mic nite is fun and full of talent. A must see. Definitely a check place!!! read more

I go to Franklin Street with the bf and his friends a lot on the weekends since they all went to UNC. Sometimes the usual drinking routine gets old and I just want to do something. There other places on Franklin where you can go - Back Bar has darts and pool (only 1) but it's always crowded (and bf not so secretly hates the place) and Linda's has darts but they're missing so Zogs has sort of become our go-to place when we're bored. The place is pretty hippy and they've got all sorts of board games as well. They have 2 dart boards and 3 pool tables, which is nice. The bartender also makes a fantastic spiked apple cider around the holidays in a big crockpot so definitely try this out if you get the chance. read more

This is the hipster dive bar of choice in downtown Chapel Hill! Overall, this is a great place to hang with friends, especially if you are looking to do something more than just sit around and talk. This place is chalk full of board games ranging from everyone's drunk favorites to some obscure games you may need to do some research on. All of these make for a great time and an opportunity for a different game on each visit. If you are looking for something more active, they also have 2 pool tables and 2 dart boards. While these tend to fill up during busy hours, if you come early you can definitely lock one up for the rest of the night. Also, insider tip: if you check in on four-square you can get a free hour of pool! This definitely makes it worth the trip. As far as the drinks go, I have never been disappointed. They make the classics well and aren't afraid to explore. They have a great variety of fresh ingredients to spice up the cocktail which adds a nice touch. Some of the house specialties include alcoholic sno-cones that absolutely hit the spot in the summer and a "random" beer draw that usually ends up with something you will like. My favorite way to participate in this is with a few friends and then by the time you end up swapping around everyone ends up with what they like at a discounted price! This is especially a great spot for the graduate student community that want to stick around the main portion of Franklin St and aren't ready to wonder down towards Carrboro. read more

Went to Zog's for karaoke and not pool, which I suck at. I like the place, but I was charged 2 different prices for the same tap beer from 2 different bartenders. Was one being extra nice or do the beer prices change at like 10:37 pm? Anyway, it was a nice enough place, the bartenders were very nice and friendly, and I'll probably be back if I'm ever in that section of Chapel Hill again (which isn't often, unfortunately). read more

Mandy is awesome. I love how she has put so much of her New Orleans roots into the decor in a way that isn't tacky. I've been there a couple times to watch my boyfriend's dart matches, which are Thuesday nights, and it was quiet and very chill. With that being said, it was nice to have a bartender who seemed to genuinely care about your experience (she's the owner, too). I'm so glad I decided to step out of line a little bit with my typical bars to check this place out. The popcorn is cajun style (again with the New Orleans touches) and delicious! As another reviewer put it, this is what all dive bars should strive to be. A fun, laid back place where you can find creative new drinks to try. read more

Extremely friendly staff, delicious custom drinks, and fun atmosphere. Some call it a bar. I call it a museum of one-of-a-kind cocktails and quirky knick knacks. In general, I'm a huge fan. Plus, they helped me with an assignment for school, which was super nice. James, one of the bartenders, is usually there when I go, and he's one of the nicest people ever. He always remembers me by name and strikes up friendly conversation. Zog's will always be one of my favorite bars in Chapel Hill. read more

Simply one of my favorite bars in CH. have had many a lively conversation with James behind the bar. Focuses on supporting local artists. Plenty of board games and hilarious drink specials (sno-balls!). Welcoming, relaxed feel with few crowds and no stress. read more

The epitome of a local dive-bar, an awesome place to hang around and play pool or darts. James and Mandy are awesome bartenders and hosts, and are happy to make you a random drink if you request it, or any one of their incredible house Zogstails. Definitely a place to go in Chapel Hill. read more

Awful, awful bar. I have been more than a few times and I am convinced that this is by far the worst far in Chapel Hill. And this is coming from someone who has lived here and enjoyed the area for 3+ years. The drink selections, pool tables, darts are all great. The problem lies ONLY with the staff/ownership. The main owner/bartender (middle aged woman in her 30's) has been extremely rude on multiple occasions that I have been in. One on occasion, she singled out a friend of mine (the only minority in the bar) and nearly threatened to fight him because he accidentally left a beer on the side of a pool table. He didn't even know that this was against any rules. On another occasion, me and my friends came into the bar when it was almost empty. This same lady was very rude when we ordered our drinks and made us feel like we were not welcome. This extreme rudeness and unprofessional nature of this woman has forced me to never want to come back to Zog's. It's a shame, because everything else about the bar is pretty neat. Unless ownership changes or management has a very serious change in philosophy, I would recommend steering clear of this joint. read more

My wife and I recently went to Zogs for a casual outing. Much to our surprise, food from the downstairs restaurant was available in the upstairs bar so we decided to give it a go. What a great decision! My wife enjoyed a salad with the blackened catfish and she absolutely raved about it. I tried the blackened catfish po boy with homemade remoulade sauce. Delicious. Another great touch was the wildcard beer deal where you get a bartenders grab for low price. I tried 3 of these and all of them were great beers at a great price. Then there were the hours of pool we enjoyed on the house. We had a great time at a great price with super food, good music and great service. Highly recommended. read more

They have Fernet!! And the bartender was through-the-roof hospitable, and concocted a mean (habanero?) spicy margarita. There are almost too many cocktail options, but several look quite solid, and you can smoke one of Zog's fine cigars between drinks. And the place was super quiet, but not awkwardly quiet, on a Tuesday night. Did I mention they have Fernet??? read more

I love to go to Zogs when I'm in the mood for pool. They have a lot of tables, and people are overall friendly. Not to mention, they don't see a terrible amount of business, so there is typically no waiting for a spot. It's a shame Zogs doesn't have some sort of parking lot, but the pay lot across the street is often open late on weeknights. The staff at the bar is friendly, and drinks are on par with the rest of the bars in the area. I don't really come here to drink, though, so I'm just happy they have enough pool tables for every one! read more

This is probably my favorite dive bar in town. The surprise beer is my favorite as I'm indecisive and it's always a decent selection, but the options for decisive drinkers are equally tempting. The staff and owner will really make you feel at home if you want to strike up a conversation. I highly recommend this bar for pool after work or a night out with friends on the weekend. read more

Zogs is awesome and weird and Mandey the owner is a fucking badass lady. Don't listen to the reviews posted by losers who got kicked out for being losers, get yourself down here for a delightfully quirky atmosphere, and some drinks. read more

This is a great little spot. The bartenders are very quick witted and will likely leave you laughing. Every drink I've had there has been a winner. They are board game friendly, with pool and darts to boot. read more

Awesome dive bar! Good daily specials with some brews that you don't hear about often. 3 decent pool tables. All around a fun place to drink and play pool read more

A great atmosphere with a great mix of nice clientele and staff, always a safe bet.

As cool as a dive bar gets. When you're in a college town, most bars have Miller Lite, $2 wells, dude-bros, sorostitutes, and vomit toilets. At Zogs, they have everything outside the box that a town like Chapel Hill needs. You can get a $1 can of Natty Bo, or you can get a $12 shot of Cambodian butter whiskey. And you're gonna have a great time either way. read more