Best Bars in Durham
Hungry in Durham? Explore top-rated bars with menus, reviews, and local recommendations. Open the free web guide or Evendo app.
The best bars in Durham
- Top rated
- Closest to the centre
- Price level: low to high
- Time to spend: shortest first
- A–Z
20 bars
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Pub4.2★2,081 reviews
The Library
Located at 46 Saddler Street in Durham, The Library is a lively pub and sports bar known for its extensive drink selection, creative vegan options, and welcoming atmosphere. Open from morning until late, it offers a casual spot for locals and visitors to enjoy quality food, drinks, and social events in a quirky, student-friendly setting.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Cocktail bar4.4★1,036 reviews
Slug & Lettuce - Durham
Slug & Lettuce Durham is a lively cocktail bar and restaurant located at 7 Walkergate, Durham. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, diverse menu including vegetarian and vegan options, and popular cocktail offerings, it serves as a perfect spot for socializing, casual dining, and late-night drinks. With a welcoming beer garden for summer weekends and regular events like Flamingo Bingo Fridays, it blends contemporary style with a fun, inclusive vibe.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–4 hrs
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Pub4.2★1,096 reviews
Swan & Three Cygnets
Nestled at the end of Elvet Bridge beside the River Wear, the Swan & Three Cygnets is a charming, traditional Samuel Smith’s pub known for its cosy interiors, no-technology policy, and affordable drinks. Popular with students and locals alike, it offers a welcoming atmosphere with leather seating, framed old photographs, and a riverside outdoor area perfect for sunny days. The pub serves classic pub grub including a notable Sunday roast, making it a beloved spot in Durham’s historic city centre.
Mon–Sat 11:00–23:00 · Sun 12:00–22:30Price level $Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Pub4.1★1,142 reviews
The Three Bridges
The Three Bridges is a vibrant pub located on North Road in Durham, offering a welcoming atmosphere with a blend of modern and traditional British pub culture. Known for its extensive menu featuring British classics and burgers, it also boasts a great selection of hand-pulled ales, craft beers, and cocktails. The pub’s spacious interior, recent refurbishment, and lively ambiance make it a popular spot for casual dining, socializing, and watching sports.
Mon–Sat 10:00–24:00 · Sun 11:00–23:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Pub4.4★967 reviews
The Half Moon Inn
Nestled in a Grade I-listed Tudor building on New Elvet, The Half Moon Inn is a renowned pub in Durham celebrated for its rich history, excellent selection of real ales and craft beers, and welcoming riverside courtyard. Known for its lively local atmosphere and friendly staff, it offers a quintessential British pub experience without serving food, focusing instead on quality drinks and conviviality.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Pub4.1★977 reviews
The Fighting Cocks
The Fighting Cocks is a popular pub located at 4 South Street in Durham, known for its lively atmosphere, affordable drinks, and friendly vibe. Open daily with extended hours on weekends, it offers a casual setting ideal for socializing and enjoying reasonably priced food and drinks in the heart of the city.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Pub4.3★766 reviews
The Shakespeare
The Shakespeare Tavern is a beloved traditional pub located on Saddler Street in Durham, known for its cozy atmosphere, rich theatrical history, and reputation as one of the city’s most haunted pubs. Housed in a 12th-century building, it offers a welcoming space with real ales and a quirky, authentic vibe cherished by locals and visitors alike.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Pub4.5★673 reviews
Ye Old Elm Tree
Ye Old Elm Tree is a traditional pub located at 12 Crossgate, Durham, known for its cozy, friendly vibe and rich history dating back to at least 1600. It offers a well-curated selection of real ales, a lively yet comfortable interior with exposed stone walls and wooden beams, and a dog-friendly environment. Popular among locals, students, and visitors, it features an L-shaped bar, a separate upstairs room, and a heated outdoor patio, making it a versatile spot for socialising and enjoying quality drinks.
Price level $Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Pub4.2★754 reviews
The Drunken Duck
Located at 91-91a Claypath in Durham, The Drunken Duck is a lively and moderately priced pub known for its warm atmosphere, quality drinks, and friendly service. Open daily with varied hours, it offers a quintessential British pub experience in the heart of the city, making it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Pub4.5★573 reviews
The Angel
Located at 53 Crossgate in Durham, The Angel is a traditional British pub known for its warm atmosphere, local ales, and hearty meals. With a cozy interior featuring punk-inspired decor, live music nights, and a welcoming vibe, it offers a quintessential pub experience blending history and vibrant social life in the heart of the city.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
The Station House
The Station House is a distinctive pub in Durham known for its excellent selection of real ales and ciders served straight from barrels. With a welcoming artisan atmosphere, communal seating, and a unique no-bar hatch service, it offers a relaxed and sociable environment just a short walk from the city centre. Awarded CAMRA North East Region Pub of the Year, it is a must-visit for beer enthusiasts seeking quality and character.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
Revolution Durham
Located in the heart of Durham on North Road, Revolution Durham offers a dynamic blend of a stylish cocktail bar, restaurant, and lively nightlife venue. Enjoy creative cocktails, fresh seasonal dishes, and stunning views of the River Wear, Durham Castle, and Cathedral from its heated rooftop terrace. With a relaxed daytime atmosphere that transforms into a buzzing party scene at night, it caters to diverse tastes from brunch to late-night dancing.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–4 hrs
Dun Cow Durham
Nestled on Old Elvet in Durham, The Dun Cow is a historic pub renowned for its traditional character, excellent cask ales, and welcoming atmosphere. This Grade II listed building dates back to the 15th century and features period interiors including Tudor Revival bar fittings. Visitors enjoy a cozy setting with a rich heritage, complemented by a selection of well-kept ales and a friendly local vibe.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
Old Toms Gin Bar
Old Toms Gin Bar, located at 33 Riverwalk in Durham, is a vibrant and stylish spot famed for its extensive gin selection, artisan cheese and charcuterie boards, and expert bartenders known as Ginologists. With riverside views and a welcoming atmosphere, it offers a perfect blend of historic gin heritage and contemporary mixology, ideal for relaxed afternoons or lively evenings.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–2 hrs
Champagne Bar
Located in the vibrant Walkergate area of Durham, The Champagne Bar by Ebony offers a stylish setting for enjoying vintage champagnes, expertly crafted cocktails, and a selection of fine wines and beers. Known for its lively yet relaxed atmosphere, attentive service, and delicious food platters, this bar is a popular destination for celebrations, casual drinks, and social gatherings in the heart of the city.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar - Durham
Nestled on Durham’s iconic Elvet Bridge, Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar is reputedly the smallest gin bar in the world, renowned for its intimate atmosphere and vast selection of over 200 gins. This quirky, cozy spot offers expertly crafted drinks tailored by passionate ‘Ginologists’ in a space licensed for just 16 guests, making it a unique and memorable experience for gin lovers and visitors alike.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–2.5 hrs
The Holy GrAle
Nestled on 57 Crossgate in the historic city of Durham, The Holy GrAle is a vibrant craft beer bar known for its extensive selection of local and international brews. Housed in a former board-games café, this open-plan venue offers a quirky, relaxed atmosphere with vaulted basement live music sessions and a well-stocked bottle shop. It’s a must-visit for beer enthusiasts seeking quality cask ales and craft beers in a friendly, welcoming setting.
Mon–Fri 15:00–23:00 · Sat–Sun 12:00–23:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
The Woodman Inn - Durham
The Woodman Inn is a traditional pub located on 23 Gilesgate in Durham, offering a welcoming atmosphere with a well-stocked bar featuring lagers, real ales, gins, and malt whiskies. Known for its spacious beer garden and friendly vibe, it serves as a popular local spot for casual dining and drinks, open daily from noon until 11pm.
Daily 12:00–23:00Price level $Time to spend 1–3 hrs
33 Durham
Nestled on Neville Street, 33 Durham is a sophisticated speakeasy-style cocktail bar offering expertly crafted drinks in a cozy, vintage-inspired setting. With a secretive entrance and a focus on classic and innovative cocktails, it provides an exclusive nightlife experience in Durham’s city center. Open evenings until late, it’s perfect for those seeking a stylish, intimate atmosphere.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
Blue Eye
Blue Eye is a vibrant cocktail bar located at 25 Elvet Bridge in Durham, UK. Known for its creative mixology, stylish decor, and welcoming atmosphere, it offers an extensive menu of classic and signature cocktails. Open late into the night, it serves as a lively social hub, especially on weekends, with friendly staff and themed events enhancing the experience for locals and visitors alike.
Mon–Thu 15:00–2:00 · Fri–Sun 13:00–2:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–4 hrs
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