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Nightlife:

C+

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Nightlife Grades:

Quick Stats

Useful Resources for Nightlife

  • triangle.citysearch.com
  • www.rtplinks.com/Entertainment_and_Recreation/Night_Life

Student Favorites

  • Carolina Brewery and Restaurant
  • George’s Garage
  • James Joyce’s Irish Pub
  • Satisfaction Restaurant & Bar
  • Shooter’s Saloon

Primary Areas with Nightlife

  • Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street
  • Durham

Favorite Drinking Games

  • Beer pong
  • Card games (A$$hole)
  • Century Club
  • Power Hour
  • Quarters

Bars Close At

2 a.m.

College Prowler Take

Duke’s social scene involves a large amount of on-campus, organization sponsored parties with copious amounts
of alcohol. However, finding clubs and bars in the immediate vicinity can be difficult. Fortunately, for those who must have alcohol to get a party going (which is, arguably, the case for just about every campus in America), there are an abundant number of parties happening on campus where drinks are free, and no one’s checking IDs. Be aware that Duke Police do sometimes come to check up, and if need be, crack down on parties where underage drinking is rampant.

In Durham, there don’t seem to be too many clubs or bars worth visiting. When you reach that great and enlightened club-and-bar-scene age, your best bet is Duke’s perennial college town standby, Chapel Hill.

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Anonymous says:

I’m not a big partygoer myself,...

I’m not a big partygoer myself, but for those who do like that sort of thing, there are almost always frat parties on the weekends (and sometimes during the week, I think). George’s Garage, which is on Ninth Street, seems to be the most popular bar, and Shooter’s is also pretty well-liked.

Nightlife
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Anonymous says:

Bars and clubs around here are...

Bars and clubs around here are lame. There is too much drinking and not enough Twister going on at the parties.

Nightlife
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Anonymous says:

You really have to venture off...

You really have to venture off campus to find good night spots. The campus is about five miles from any significant town, so you would be doing some minor commuting. There are, however, several nightspots (bars) once you get there. I really haven’t been out too much because of the workload, since I major in law.

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Anonymous says:

There are six or eight clubs...

There are six or eight clubs within a short distance of campus, but only a few bars. Most Duke students that want to drink at a bar choose to drive or take a bus to Chapel Hill, where there are literally a dozen unique bars.

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Anonymous says:

If people want to go partying,...

If people want to go partying, they go to Chapel Hill, which is very close to Durham—around 10 minutes by car. I think there is a University bus going to and from Chapel Hill on weekends.

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Facts

Organization Parties

Most every student association, be it frat or minority club, throws parties with plenty of drinking and dancing. Sometimes they are held at clubs in the area (George’s is a favorite), but on-campus parties are just as common.

Club Listings

Ringside has a mysterious vibe about it, with tight hallways and shady bathrooms. DJs on the second floor spin techno and electronic music most nights.

Ringside

308 W. Main St.

Durham

(919) 680-2100

Bar Listings

Carolina Brewery has won several awards for its drinks and food. They brew over 20 specialty beers including Dunkelweizen, Funky Monk Ale, and To Hell n’ Bock.

Carolina Brewery and Restaurant

460 W. Franklin St.

Chapel Hill

(919) 942-1800

Charlie’s is a great local bar. It’s a favorite of many students for its laid-back atmosphere and promximity to campus.

Charlie’s Pub & Grill

758 Ninth St.

Durham

(919) 286-4446

George’s is enormous. It holds a huge dining room, buffet line, full sushi bar, open kitchen, and a large bar. Drinks can be a little more expensive than the small neighborhood bars, but the atmosphere makes up for it.

George’s Garage

737 Ninth St.

(919) 286-4131

Mug Shots has a great menu and a large outdoor deck thats perfect in the warmer months.

Mug Shots

746 Ninth St.

Durham

(919) 416-8595

Player’s is in nearby Chapel Hill and is a favorite of students and alumni. It offers great drink specials and have a huge dance floor with a variety of music playing throughout the night.

Player’s

159 1/2 E. Franklin St.

Chapel Hill

(919) 929-0101

Satisfaction is one of Duke students’ favorite bars. Nightly drink specials draw students here. It can get packed on basketball nights. They serve a large variety of beers on tap and in bottles.

Satisfaction Restaurant & Bar

905 W. Main St.

Durham

(919) 682-7397

Shooters boasts two bars and booths and tables for customers. It also has a dance floor, though not quite as large as some other clubs in the area.

Shooter’s Saloon

827 W. Morgan St.

Durham

(919) 680-0428

The Duke Coffeehouse is open seven days a week, and offers bands, open-mic night, poetry readings, and film series.

Duke Coffeehouse

Crowell Building

Durham

(919) 684-4069

This bar offers music and live DJs. There are open-mic nights, jam sessions, jazz, and R&B nights.

Talk of the Town

108 E. Main St.

Durham

(919) 682-7747

Try Joyce’s for a night of drinking, traditional Irish-style.

James Joyce’s Irish Pub

912 W. Main St.

(919) 683-3022

jamesjoyceirishpub.com

Visions is popular with females and offers a dance floor and pool tables. There is line-dancing and karaoke on certain nights.

Visions

711 Rigsbee Ave.

Durham

(919) 688-3002

What to Do if You're Not 21

Many of the clubs (including George’s and Duke Coffeehouse) allow 18 and over, but you’ll have to rely on classic college fallbacks to get a drink.

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