We used to regularly watch basketball games at the Tavern when it was located on 15-501. It was one of the few places in town that was large enough and off-the-beaten path enough that you didn’t have to fight for a spot to watch a game. When the Tavern moved to its current location on Markham just off 9th street, we had high hopes. We stopped in the first week it was open only to be greeted by oversized bouncers outfitted in mesh shirts …

Last night was the soft opening of Surf Club – Durham’s newest watering hole. Surf Club, just a block up from Fullsteam and Motorco, is the brainchild of Rhys Botica, a partner or owner in some of the popular bars around town (Whiskey, The Federal, Bull McCabes). A rare Durham site, Surf Club is just a bar bar – no themes, no gimmicks, no food – just a well curated beer and liquor selection. It’s refreshing.

 

The décor is dark and lovely …

Looking for a neighborhood bar with cheap beer, free pool, lots of TV’s and a friendly vibe? Then Doyle’s is for you. Hidden next to Piper’s Deli, just a block off University – Doyle’s is a laid-back sports bar and would be a great spot to catch a game.

Staring at a TV, nursing long-necks isn’t your thing? Doyle’s has five pool tables, a ping-pong table, dartboards, shuffleboard, foosball, bumper pool, a bunch of arcade games and a shoe shine stand. It …

There’s nothing like good buzz to precede a restaurant opening and Seth Gross, owner of Bull City Burger and Brewery (BCBB) knows that better than anyone. In the first two days of business, BCBB served over 1100 customers. You see, Seth had Durhamites anticipating BCBB long before its doors opened on March 25th through the Golden Bull contest that awarded five lucky winners one free meal a week for a year. Although I never found one of those golden bulls, I still felt like a …

I’m sure most of you have seen that non-descript white building just up the road from Fullsteam with the Lloyd’s Lounge sign out front and like us wondered what’s inside. This past Saturday night, overwhelmed by the crowds/music at Fullsteam and needing a break, we popped into Lloyd’s. And as it turns out – it’s awesome. We’ve been scoping around town for a go-to laidback bar since the Down Under closed down and in Lloyd’s we may have found it.

Pretty nice on the inside, Lloyd’s has a …

Like the Federal, Bull McCabe’s is just one of those places where we routinely end up for dinner. It’s affordable with a great atmosphere, extensive beer list and a cool, laid back vibe. Most of Carpe Durham readers have probably checked it out for themselves – popped in for a burger, played trivia or just spent some late nights having beers there.

So why the review? I wanted to make sure that folks aren’t missing out on some of the gems on the menu. As many of …

Nice sign, huh? Motorco is an almost two-month-old addition to the corner of Rigsbee and Geer, transforming a former car dealership into a rock club with a capacity for 500. I went for a show during Troika, and I thought the sound was fantastic, but I’m no expert on these things.

It’s got the classic, dark rock club feel in the main room, with a nice curveball of a full-length window that runs nearly the whole length of the establishment. It adds a wonderful, street-scene appeal to the …

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Fullsteam Brewery’s tavern has been open since August, serving up beers that focus on Southern ingredients, from the grains to the produce that sometimes gives them a bit of extra flavor. I’m not a beer drinker, but I am someone who loves to try new things including interesting ingredient combinations. With a line of offerings that have ranged from Carver sweet potato ale and Hogwash hickory smoked porter to Summer Basil farmhouse ale, they’ve got plenty of that! Beers are available at very affordably …

There are two exciting events coming to downtown Durham this weekend to support our local businesses and the Triangle’s local nonprofit organizations. First up is Bright Lights, Bull City on Saturday, 10/23, an event sponsored by Durham Magazine to celebrate our vibrant downtown, Brightleaf, and West Village businesses. There will be live music at Alivia’s and free food and drink at several businesses including Fifi’s, Posh the Salon, and Magpie’s from 2 to 6 pm. Much like an art walk, this event is designed for you to make your …

So first off, Bralie’s doesn’t have food. Though each of the two times I’ve been there, I’ve been offered a slice of Domino’s pizza.

Yep, that’s the type of place this is. It’s a bar with a neighborhood feel and friendly service. It’s the type of bar where you can get pizza delivered, share it with your fellow patrons and no one bats an eye.

Bralie’s has cheap beer and lots of daily specials. It’s not fancy and it’s not trying to be. You can order beer by the bucket, …