Durham bars

Fullsteam Brewery is about 4-5 blocks from the center of Durham on Rigsbee Ave. They serve interesting, well-crafted beers made with local ingredients (NC grits for their Cream Ale, NC sweet potatoes for their Carver Sweet Potato, and local chocolate for their Working Man's Lunch, classified as an American Brown). The clientele is diverse and cool, as well IMO. Definitely worth a stop (www.fullsteam.ag)

 

Just curious why you are staying in downtown Durham but asking about UNC, since those places are fairly far apart?

Tyler's has good beer, but the food stink the one time I are there.

 

Perhaps he's going to be in both cities during his stay.

I agree--Tyler's always has some good beers on tap that I'm excited to try and some food on the menu from which I'm not excited about becoming ill.

Check out Geer Street Garden in Durham. A friend works there...pretty nifty spot, and they have a smallish but well-chosen selection of NC beers on tap (10 or so, mostly NC). They have something called "The Pile," which is fries, fried chicken, bacon, gravy, cheese, etc. In a pile.

 

Stunk* I ate there** haha

 

Bull City Burgers & Beer

 

Agree with Bull City Burgers & Beer.

 

Let us know when you stop by Fullsteam! We still have a couple of 2011 vintage beers on-tap from this past weekend's two-year celebration, including IGOR.

As for barbecue, Allen and Sons (just north of Chapel Hill) is generally more hit than miss. Don't order dessert or fries. Stick with a barbecue plate and enjoy.

Cheers,
Sean

 

Agree with everything mentioned so far. Dos Perros in Durham also has a really good beer selection. Make sure to ask for the "other" beer menu. The food's great too.

My favorite place to drink by UNC is Milltown in Carrboro.

If you make it over to Raleigh, check out The Busy Bee, & Raleigh Times. The Pit also has a nice selection and good NC 'cue.

 

Good suggestions so far. The pub I find myself at most often is missing though.
http://bullmccabesirishpub.com/?page_id=43
Good food and nice mix of drafts.

 

One more place to add: The Federal Lounge in Durham. They have a decent selection and the food is off the hook.

 

While visiting UNC stop by the Carolina Brewery on Franklin St. Also, Top of the Hill is a good place to hang out, has good food and they also brew their own beer.

 

I haven't spent much time in the Durham/ Chapel Hill area but The Federal was the best place I found in my short stays there. Decent selection of taps, including a few real tasty locals, and very tasty food.

 

Hit Mama Dips for some great southern cooking, about 2 blocks past Franklin St. I'd crawl there for some of their Fried Chicken and Green Tomatoes. No beer though.

 

If you want a chill bar, Id reccomend the Whiskey. Its on Main and Chapel Hill St. Good only local beer, rediculous bourbon list, and handmade local cigars. Also, its close to Dame's Chicken and Waffles. Ill also second Bull City Burger & Brewery. Havent been the Federal, but everyone raves about it. Motorco is across from Fullsteam (gotta go there), and has pretty cool live bands if thats youre game. Food trucks are outside of Fullsteam and Motorco every night, and Old North State BBQ Truck is pretty good, but the one that hangs out at Roth Brewing in Raleigh is much better. If youre around saturday afternoon, check out Triangle Brewing and do the tour. The guys are pretty cool.

As for BBQ, I normally just grab a sandwich and hushpuppies at the Q Shack. Its on the corner of University and 15-501. Its pretty damn good stuff, and priced well.

As you travel down 15-501 from Durham to Chapel Hill, stop at the Bavarian Brathaus. Great German drafts and solid food. If you go to UNC, pop on over to Carrboro (literally just past UNC) and go to Milltown. Solid to great draft and really good bottle list. Their food is pretty good too. Acme Beverage on Main St. is good too. As for Chapel Hill, I normally stick to Top of the Hill Brewery and Carolina Brewery only occasionally.

 

Before you make it that far, stop at Guglhupf German bakery and bistro. They have excellent, authentic German bread and some Americanized, but delicious, entrees. Also they serve some good German beers and have a cool outdoor seating section. Definitely worth at least one stop.

 

you can compare the pretzels at both. I love the pretzels at Brathaus.

 

Lots of good tips so far. The bashing of Tyler's food is uncalled for. I've eaten there many times and it's better than most bar food options. I'll also recommend The Pig generally. They have very solid bbq and many other tasty items on the menu like dry rub ribs, house-made hot dogs, etc.
Also, check out the food trucks in front of Fullsteam. Fullsteam is easily one of the best places to hang in Durham. Great beer and super relaxed plus they have pinball.

 

and pingpoing and foosball