During college, after I turned 21, I certainly came out to the Joyce a fair bit with my roommates. Generally, they have a decent selection of beers on tap (Typical Pub Beers like Guinness, Local Brews Like Fullsteam and Aviator, and Some Exceptional Random Ones Like Dale's Pale Ale). Â In spite of this, the place does have some downsides. Sometimes, especially during busy periods such as the weekend, it can become almost impossible to find seating or even standing room. The place is a bit dingier and less "fancy" than say The Federal or its competitor, Bull Maccabes, but ironically makes up for it with its cramped quarters, which, if you are actually able to get a seat, I feel facilitates having closer conversations with the people you are with. I do like the fire setup that is right outside the door, and the patio area in the back is nice, though it wouldn't be the first place where I would want to go. One thing that I will note is the mixed feelings I have about the Joyce's service. Though generally, the bartenders are fairly knowledgable and friendly, there have been times when I went up to order and felt ignored without any reasonable explanation and there certainly have been instances when my mixed drinks weren't made well. However, perhaps the greatest selling points for me though about the Joyce are the trivia night and the diversity of people who come to the Joyce. Though extremely challenging in terms of the actual questions, Trivia night (Every Tuesday) at the Joyce brings together people from all walks of life in Durham (Duke Students, Local Businessmen) and the diversity of the Joyce's cliente is one thing that the establishment definitely has over its competitors. All in all, this place would probably merit 3 stars if it were located in a bigger city, but I will round it up to four, especially given the lack of other pub options in Durham.
Review Source:I come here often despite a 45 minute drive from home because this is the first bar I've been to that reminds me of some of my favorite haunts back in Cambridge.
The laid back atmosphere, good food, and beer selection make this a great place to hang with friends or catch a game. While you'll occasionally get a few younger patrons, it's a nice place for the 30-somethings without the feel of a meat market. There have been some interesting characters here, but at times we can be the interesting characters so it all evens out.
The staff I've encountered is great. Friendly and engaging, they do what they can to make your trip worthwhile. We are never in a rush for anything other than a refill, but bartenders are as quick as they can be given the crowds; if there's only one person behind the bar and it's mobbed, it might take a little longer than if the place is empty. That being said, I've found the bartenders to be efficient and attentive, and I don't think it's just because they know my face.
Overall, the only drawback is that it is so far from home. This is a great place to relax and grab a drink.
Definitely a real "Irish pub" feel to the place - from the overall layout, wall decorations, O'Connell Street signs, and "Irish castles" posters in the restrooms. Â Doesn't seem like they bought one of the "Irish pub in a box kits." Â It is a very small area, though and the inside can become overwhelmingly crowded pretty quickly. Â There's a back patio with could use a little more care and upkeep, but it can be nice to sit at one of the big picnic tables out back to have a beer in the spring or fall. Â There's also a front patio that is right next to the one at the Federal.
I've ordered appetizers there a few times, and the fries are good, the spinach dip disappointing. Â But I mainly come for the bar, and it's one of my favorites in downtown Durham. Â They have great beer pitcher specials. Â
They also have a wonderful trivia night on Tuesdays at 9:30. Â The place is usually packed, and different brewery/beer representatives come and give away prizes in between the rounds. Â Recents have been Stella, Sweetwater, and Goose Island.
I like the James Joyce. It has a nice Irish pub feel. There is always soccer on, which makes me happy. I will definitely be there during the World Cup next year. They have a decent selection of craft beer and pub favorites (Guinness).
The only serious downside is that its a little dirty...
Went for st patty day bar was packed music was greatest they even had crispin cider in a can. Bartenders were very attentive even with the packed place will def be going back
Update I finally have gotten to try the food and this is my new quick meal spot for what you would pay at McDonald's for a meal but its fresh and tasty and speedy service! I go for the Gaelic burger (well seasoned meat aged cheddar toasted bun with tomato, red onions and a salad mix as the lettuce) it also has a side I always get the garlic fries (fresh cut to order and covered in garlic, there is even a bunch of garlic on top of the fries) the staff is attentive the food is great and the staff and their service is excellent def my fave place to go and eat in Durham
After all these years I finally made it to James Joyce and enjoyed my time here. The outside is very inviting especially on a cool night with it's little fire pits on their patio. It was cold and somewhat rainy while we were here and didn't really notice with the fire keeping us warm.
The inside is cute. It was a little small for the amount of people we were with. I really like the little booths with the stained glass walls. It definitely has an Irish pub feel.
They had decent drink specials and from what I could tell good food specials. I will have to make it back for the food.
Have been there several times for Open Mic on Sunday nights. Honestly, had it not been to go see some talented nice friends play, I wouldn't frequent there. Every time I encounter a staff person it's not good. The staff come across rude and like they could care less. The Sunday night lady bartender is not friendly. We went on a Friday night to see a friend play and they were being hard ass about not letting my friend in to see them because he lost his ID (he thinks there). My friend knew the musician and has played with him.
Review Source:Just did not have a good experience here. I went on a Saturday afternoon while my car was being washed at Bull City Car Wash (thumbs up for them) and the place was not busy, but it was difficult to get any attention. The bartender seemed much more interested in talking to the two college girls at the bar than in acknowledging my existence. I can sort of see his point, since they were much more attractive than me, but still. The beer selection is meh and my fish and chips made me a little queasy. I also kind of got the feeling that if you're not a regular, you're treated a little as an outsider. (That was just my impression, which I can't quantify but can only report my senses.) I'll take Bull McCabe's as my Irish pub any day.
Review Source:James Joyce gets a solid 5 for drinks and craic but a measly 1.5 for the food. My date and I shared the fish and chips on Election Night and it was appalling. Not sure why they don't take their food more seriously, but they don't, so I can't recommend eating here. But they have great beers on tap (Oskar Blues, etc.) and the clientele is a really diverse mix, which I like. Watch out for the crazy Colombian guy though.
Review Source:Went here one night with some friends for dinner. Â We were surprised to find that the menu was very small, minimalist really. Â 3 of us had the burger, and 1 the fish & chips. Â The fish & chips were good -- but the burgers left more to be desired. Â After a lengthy wait, the burgers were not made to order at all. Â Two were supposed to be "as rare as you'll make them" and one "as cooked as you can without burning". Â
The two "rare" burgers were instead cooked throughout and the "well done" had some pink. Â One of the burgers was supposed to come with grilled onions. Â The waitress admitted to forgetting this piece of the order, but then returned with a plate of raw onions with minimal char with a message from the kitchen, "this is the best he can do". Â When sharing that the burgers were not cooked properly, the waitress left, and then came back to say, "he said you can wait for another one or have a gift certificate to come back another time." Â So, we waited for new burgers. Â
Overall it was an awkward experience, and one we hope not to repeat again. Â The blueberry beer was tasty, and the potato skins were delicious.
Service was mediocre. The bar manager was friendlier than the bartender. I sat there in front of her face for 5 minutes trying to get her attention to no avail. After about 5 minutes she actually noticed me, took my order, and then basically ignored me... There was only one other person at the bar.
Food was OK.. Nothing great, but not bad. I had the fish and chips.
Went here to drown my sorrows after the Duke/Carolina game this past Saturday. It was the perfect place to do that and worked beautifully!
I LOVE the Foothills IPA and it was on special! Woo hoo! The company made the visit super great, but what I like about James Joyce is how chill it is. The environment is so laid back, nothing crazy although I hear James Joyce was a bit of a freak in his day so I'm not sure what late-late night has in store. Perhaps another visit late night will be in the plans.
There is seating out front facing the street which is fun on a warm night, of course, inside seating, and then a patio area out back with picnic tables that is also a good time when the weather is nice!
(bar review only)
I'm a pretty simple person ... don't need a lot in an adult beverage establishment for it to earn my favor. Â Fast / friendly service, fair prices, non douchey clientele, solid drink selection, & good space (ie I don't feel like I'm in a sardine can). Â In my experience while it never blows me out of the water on any of them, the Joyce does achieve the above.
I used to come here a lot in undergrad; being 21+ to enter (as opposed to several other Main St establishments that are 18 to enter, 21 to drink) provides a nice change of pace from some nearby spots that always made for a little more aggressive of a night. Â
The atmosphere is very dark / dim, with some Irish and James Joyce themed paraphernalia on the walls / lying around. Â The bar is pretty small given the size of the place, but they generally are pretty fast with service. Â Prices are good (but it's Durham, if it's not reasonably cheap, you're getting fleeced). Â
Main drawing points:
- spacious! Â While the actual inside bar area is fairly small, they also have seating outside in front and a very large patio / yard out back. Â With the exception of wintertime trivia nights where it's too cold to have people sit outside, I have never felt like I'm standing on top of someone
- ...which brings me to point #2: awesome trivia night on Tuesdays! Â It's one of the more competitive / legitimate pub quiz events I've ever attended, in a good way (not so much so that things get too ugly, but people do take this thing seriously). Â You best get your learn on (I recommend <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsporcle.com&s=480f2323f9a642b0b80b2b09426b2605fe6f09203bf0dcfd11d2ffdb26b5c55d" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://sporcle.com</a>) to compete in this town (Research Triangle is one of the most educated metropolises in the country!) Â
Main Street has a lot of good watering holes but I would recommend you check the Joyce out sometime.
My friend and I stopped in here for quick meal prior to a concert and were immediately impressed with the authentic appearances and feel of an Irish pub. Â I've been to the UK so I know what they look like, but I also like pubs in general. Â This one has a great look with the dim lighting and dark greens, woods, and benches to create that authenticity. Â I also appreciated the patio street seating too. Â
We came in on a Monday night and were seated quickly although there was no host. Â We were each feeling a bit low energy so we opted for soup and salads rather than typical pub fare. Â I got the Homemade Clam Chowder. Â I'm a bit of a Clam Chowder fanatic so if it's on the menu somewhere I've usually got to try it. Â I was not impressed with this take on it though. Â It seemed a bit bland. Â My friend's small salad was pretty good and her tasting of the daily soup (a minestrone I believe) was decent. Â
The service was not impressive though and for a slow night I thought we'd get more attention than we got. Â It seemed that once our food was dropped off we were abandoned and then when we wanted our checks we had to go to the bar to ask for them which meant the bar tender then went to hunt down our waitress. Â I'm not sure whether they were short-staffed or not, but the slow service was frustrating. Â I'd like to try out James Joyce on another occasional to give it another go and see how it compares because most of the other reviews are glowing. Â I'd like to find that flare which others are raving about so much.
There are few things I enjoy more than a good pub on a Sunday afternoon. Â It may seem sacrilegious but a good, crisp, crafty beer soothes my soul and I thought for sure James Joyce would deliver.
I came here with a group of 5 for lunch on a Sunday. Â The patio was full and I thought, "well this is a good sign," inside though was another story completely. Â Empty and a seat yourself kind of place... which I have no problem with. Â I do however, have a problem with bad service and that is just what we got.
Between the 5 of us we ordered the cheese plate to start, it was delicious. Â A few specials and I decided on the Gaelic burger. Â It was juicy, slightly overcooked for medium, and have little to offer aside from the burger and buns... Nothing too exemplary to report on there. Â The problem here doesn't lay in the food so much as the service... It took a LONG while to get our first drinks, it took even longer to order our food, almost an eternity to receive said food, and then the same pattern for replacement brews.
Overall this place has a decent atmosphere, the staff are fun and our server cracked some jokes with us, and I can see myself coming back with fewer expectations.
Being a far distant relative of James Joyce (via Adolphe Menjou, a gentleman best known for cooperating with McCarthyism when he wasn't acting), I should like this place more. Â And there are things that I do like: Â the trivia here is a lot of fun. Â It's the 6-round, 5-question per round variety with a picture round to be done during the game itself. Â Â And the Gaelic Burger was decent, a nice tasting meal. Â
However, there are issues. Â The beer is pricey, less so in comparison to the area around it and more so in general. Â $5-6 for beers one could get for $3-4 in Chapel Hill, etc. Â Â More problematic is the atmosphere: Â it's dark here, like really dark. Â Maybe it's an ambiance thing, but it does make trivia problematic, and it doesn't really help bring any cheer.
Also, while the burger's good, the fish and chips are not enjoyable. Â
So I've settled on 3 stars. Â It's okay, but it's not great. Â Good trivia, but I'm not feeling the atmosphere.
As a Duke grad, the Joyce was my fallback place to meet up with friends casually for drinks when I was a senior. Conveniently located on Main St, the Joyce is great when you want to sit down with people and catch up because it generally wasn't full of other Duke students. I love that it's called the Joyce, because the dark, wooded interior seems just the place for a depressed Irish novelist to brood over his whiskey. The staff here is great-- they're always friendly and I'm always served quickly. Also, usually soccer is on TV and they play good music. Somehow I've never had the food here, so I can't comment on it.
The fire pits outside are pretty sweet too!
Just a quick update to say their menu has changed since my last review. Usually menu changes mean places remove whatever things I like, but thankfully they've mostly added here. More apps, and a tasty tasty looking latenite menu that's served every day (starting at 10:30). The beef & Guinness pie is gone (rest its soul) but the Shepherd's pie is a highly suitable substitute. Â
They frequently are out of random menu items, so approach with caution: i.e., try not to fall into a serious depression if they're out of whatever you had your heart set on. Like, say, bread pudding or half their draft beer offerings. Keep calm and carry on, and thank the heavens there are other tasty things to choose from.
James Joyce was our second stop in the Christmas Costume Pub Crawl but it was also my favorite!
Now, It IS very small and sometimes you feel like you're in the servers' way (because you are) but they're always nice, never pushy, nor do they actually push you out of the way (like they do at some other establishments we went to that night)...And normally being so small would be a negative, but it's actually a positive at James Joyce.
Dark wood and low lights make the space seem cozy and even private. Along the side of what would be the main walkway to the kitchen, there are little partitioned 'booths' with a little standing room, a few stools and a small bar. Also, the music was really great - I even remember saying 'I LOVE THIS SONG! - and it was just the right volume. It's really a perfect spot for a small group to drink and chat while keeping an eye on the rest of the bar.
All this and i haven't even mentioned the beer yet! A smallish but very yummy selection of local and seasonal brews are on tap and the man behind the bar knew what he was doing. I unfortunately didn't have a chance to try the food, but I think I need a repeat visit and some of that 'original irish stew' or a 'beef and guinness pie' while the weather's still chilly!
Fergus Bradley---a real-life Irishman from Ennis, Clare County---and Jason Sholtz co-own James Joyce and Alivia's Durham Bistro. Â Their goal is to bring you an authentic and memorable Irish pub experience. Â
I've been to Ireland, and I reckon this place could be there, particularly considering its dedication to sport: in addition to showing all the Duke basketball games, they also show live English Premier League games, FA Cup, UEFA Cup, and international rugby matches. Â They also have the Setanta Sports Network.
Sundays are open mic nights from 9:00 p.m., Tuesdays, trivia begins at 9:30 p.m., and Fridays from noon till 8:00 p.m. is all you can eat fish and chips for $12.95 (no sharing, no leftovers, no takeaway). Â Live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 p.m.
My favorite thing about James Joyce is that it never seems to be overly crowded. Â I've always managed to find a spot to sit. Â And I like the atmosphere very much. Â I feel welcome and relaxed; even if it's busy, the place is just chillin'. Â I like to sit outside with an ice-cold pint in the summer, or warm up at the bar in a cozy little booth in winter.
I actually don't think the pub is on Twitter, but check them out on facebook for semi-regular updates on food and drink specials. Â And it bears mentioning that their website freaking rocks. Â It just looks awesome.
I'll qualify this review by saying this was the first bar I entered upon arriving in Durham and the bartenders will readily share that this has been my second home for the last 3 years.
Having said that, this is not your a 'drink til you sink', fratboy screaming, underclassman barfatorium. At there best, the patrons are mostly a mix of local professionals and service industry people with a smattering of students. At there worst? Well see above...
The beer and booze isn't cheap but the pour might be a bit more liberal at times. The service can be spotty for newcomers but, as it is with some bars, is commensurate with gratuity and familiarity. $1 PBR Mondays might make up the difference though. The menu is what you would expect for an Irish Pub, there are no 'must haves', but I'm more likely to have a hamburger or wings than the more traditional Banger's and Mash or Shepard's Pie, the exception is the Fish and Chips which is better than most.
Weekends are hit or miss with the crowd but the Open Mic on Sunday has been managed almost comically and has to be seen to be appreciated.
The James Joyce is a fitting subject for my first review. This is the first establishment at which I've ever been a "regular." The draw of the Joyce, oddly, has little to do with the drink specials or the food (although $1 PBR Mondays are pretty sweet). The ambiance and the crowd it draws make drinking there a pleasure. The whole bar is cool and dark, with heated seating both out front and out back. The back patio is great for smokers who want to be able to enjoy their beer away from the noise of the street. The heat lamps (and fire out front) keep the outdoor seating pretty comfortable in every season.
This plain, comfy atmosphere attracts the sort of people with whom you (presumably a young or middle aged professional or intellectual college student) would like to have a drink. The bartenders/servers are sharp and friendly, and there's always someone new and interesting to meet. The food specials are usually pretty creative and not too pricey. They cook shrimp especially well for some reason. I was suspicious about "Shrimp Quesadilla" at an Irish pub, but it was delicious and the soup is always well seasoned. If this review prompts you to give it a try, feel free to come and chat with me out back on a Tuesday. I'll be sitting on a picnic table, drinking a PBR, playing pub quiz.
Number one problem with the Joyce: Duke students. Â And I say this as a recent Duke student! Â If you want to get crammed into a bar with a bunch of college students, go here on the weekend during the school year. Â If you're already drunk you probably won't care, but if you think it's gonna bother you, reconsider before coming here.
BUT! Â The Joyce is an excellent bar, and I bet that during the summer or on off nights it's an excellent experience. Â It looks and feels great, down to the wooden booths capped with loose old hardback books. Â This is what people think of when they imagine an Irish pub, and if that's what you're looking for it'll put a smile on your face. Â The pub quiz is one of the best I've been to - it's challenging but with the right mix of people you can do really well and have a great time, too. Â If it's good weather and you can find the space, hang out on the patio and enjoy a Durham summer night. Â A night bouncing back and forth between here, the Federal and Satisfaction's is a night well spent.
If you're driving then you can park in the lot next door but it's often really full. Â And if you're lucky the OnlyBurger truck will stop by, making the night complete.
This is how with-it I am: I'm sitting in the James Joyce Irish Pub for what seemed like about an hour, pointed in that direction courtesy of the esteemed Christina G, when I actually thought to myself "how odd it is that they have all these pictures of a guy in an eye patch." Before I could segue into a story about pirates, it occurred to me that said eye patch (and whatever lurked beneath it) belonged (of course) to said Mr. Joyce, and aside from that noteworthy decor distinction, really what you have here is a pretty cool, somewhat diminutive Irish bar, complete with what you might expect to find in same: some cool brews on tap (bonus points for some of the local options happening), affable barkeeps, and an assortment of local characters chatting the place up.
We chose to camp out in the corner of the bar here, perched in full view of those taps and begging sampling of same. Which all in all, makes for a pretty decent stop in my book.
Being the good Irish girl that I am, St. Paddy's Day was a 'must' in my celebration books. In Toronto, there are heaps of Irish pubs around. Perhaps this has affected my review.
It's great that there were a lot of people coming out, but JJ should anticipate this and perhaps renovate. Going from the bar area to the seating area, there is a hidden step. I don't know how many people I saw ready to drop their glasses because of this unexpected step. In addition, there has to be more washrooms (bathrooms for you Americans). I was in line for a good 25 minutes before I could use the ONE washroom (sorry bladder!). There were portal-potties in the back, but it was so dark outside.
For me, JJ was a 'meh, I've experienced better' place. :)
Had a great time here on St. Patrick's day drinking Guinness and eating corned beef sandwiches. The wait staff was a bit inconsistent, well before the crowd showed up. We got out there at around noon and ended up leaving for Bull McCabe's for a bit - though we did return to JJ about an hour later.
I've been here for lunch a few times and am a big fan of the fish and chips.
Used to love this place until TODAY, yes I'm talking St. Paddy's day at Durham's only Irish pub.
Steer clear of Jason, one of the owners, unfortunately wearing an inappropriate top hat on this particular day, who will rudely interrupt your good time and generally be as terrible as possible. Especially to folks "in the industry." Â Beware! If this is how he treats *his* people, how would he treat a stranger off the street?
MaLaura, our server, was fantastic, however.
A year + later, and we are still slumming it to JJs for the good dive bar feel and the unpretentious attitude that can sometimes overcome other hotspots within the Triangle. Â
The pitchers are still just as fabulous (again... when are they not?) and the food... well it is what it is... who goes to a dive bar for food anyways? Â You do if they offer 12.95 all you can eat Fish n' Chips! Â "Slainte!" ("Cheers" for the Non-Irish).
I digress. Â To put it frank, JJ's puts up with us... Â JJ's has become more than a divebar, he's now our friend. Â Give us another year and we might even be family.
JJ's, you've got a fan, and a friend, for life. Â
Let's all shout it together now... "Eirinn Go Brach!"
Irish pub right conveniently located beside the Federal so you can hop back and forth if you like..and the crowds are fairly different. James Joyce feels like a small crowded authentic pub inside with lots of wood and booths. There's even an Irish(?) bartender and a patio in back for music.
The crowd can be a little.....uhh..douchey? But its a nice change of pace from time to time.
Hey the Joyce let me hang out and get drunk there, and everybody still was my friend (I guess), so I'm cool with this place. I miss it, in a weird way (I've been in Austin since), but I have to say I never really actually liked hanging out there - always had a slightly melancholy vibe... kind of like Joyce....
Shoot, the m.o. is "where you don't have to have a good time to drink"....
So, the important question first. Who does trivia better, James Joyce or Bull McCabe's? Toughie. Bull McCabe's starts earlier, at 9pm (decide for yourself whether that's a plus or a minus), but James Joyce's runs more efficiently. Also, trivia at the Joyce covers more categories, which I like. On the other hand, James Joyce is smokier, also generally more crowded. There's not a ton of space to move around in and your server may have to body-surf thirty Duke students to bring a pint to your table. So, consider all these factors when making your decision. Where do I prefer to get my trivia fix? It just depends on how I'm feeling that week.
Sidebar: can we get some female trivia readers in this town? I'm just about tired of having to care about baseball trivia and emo music. Anyhoo.
Even on non-trivia nights, though, I enjoy James Joyce. It has that authentic, cramped, twisty Irish-pub type feel, but also the small patio for people-watching on sunny days. The menu is pretty good as well - a cut above typical bar food.
I've spent a handful of evenings at the Joyce, and I think my favorite thing about the place is definitely the dark, wood-laden decor. Being an Irishman myself, I love bellying up to the bar in a smoky, dimly-lit pub for a pint of Guinness (or 4). To me, the patio and the inside of the bar are two separate worlds: sitting outside on the patio and enjoying nice weather, I just don't feel that same pub ambience (although I enjoy both nearly equally).
The prices are decent, and I've always gotten excellent service - although I've never been on one of the packed weekend nights. All in all, I enjoy the Joyce, but haven't really found anything to make the experience stand out enough to make it a regular haunt.
When I lived in the Dirty D, my friends practically paid rent at the patio tables outside the Joyce. Afternoon, night, hot or cold ... it didn't matter. They were there, drinking and smoking away.
And to this day I have absolutely no idea what they see in this place. Sure, it's where one of my best friends met her fiancee, but if you're holding out hope to meet the love of your life at a bar, then my review isn't going to sway you.
This place is smoky (bad ventilation), small and crowded all the time. It's almost impossible to get to the bar any time after 7 on a weekend night and ever since Paddy and Bill stopped playing here, there's been no real draw for anyone passed the age of college.
It's true it's been a while since I've been out of college, and perhaps I'm just getting to be an old fogey, but there are so many more bars in the RDU area now that going to the Joyce because it's the only option is no longer required.
God, I'm a fool for a few things in life: items in miniature sizes, cute packaging, and bars with writer's names (:sob: how I miss you, WB Yeats!). Luckily, James Joyce is still around to fulfill my third yearning. Great hang-out in Durham that somehow manages to assert hole-in-the-wall appeal even though it's a pretty popular pub. Grab a seat at the bar or get some friends together and do a table. They typically have late cocktail service, so you can kick back and enjoy. Pretty good food and above-par beer offerings. Plus they do a trivia night that's killer entertainment.
Review Source:I think the problem with my visit to James Joyce in Durham was that I wasn't drunk enough to appreciate it in a 5 stars kind of way. In fact, I wasn't drunk at all and had an iced tea for God's sake. That said, the interior would have made it's namesake proud. Dark mahogany paneling and booths, a cloud of smoke nestled against the ceiling, and a row of interesting-looking characters aligned on barstools toasting the early afternoon with draft Guinness, and about 20 other decent beers. I had a phenomenal time and recommend it highly.
JJ would have have plenty to say about the scene. He most definitely would have said something about the woman in back with the computer and the iced tea utterly detracting from the literary ethos.
The portabello sandwich was really good, but next time I come back I'll be in better form. If you are are in need of a beer and  interesting conversation near Duke, this is the place.
Hey, Durham isn't exactly crawling with pubs, so when a good Irish pub comes along, you gotta appreciate it.
The Joyce has the right feel, and they (usually) know how to pour a proper Guinness, which gives them a star right there. Â If you're just too lazy to go down the 15-501 to Chapel Hill, then this place'll do ya.
This bar was five stars, and if it were in NYC, it might possibly have rounded up to five stars. Allow me to explain:
One-half star is taken off because people can smoke in there. I know, I know, it's practically on tobacco road, but that doesn't mean I like smelling like an ashtray. Yes, I understand that this means no bar that allows smoking can achieve a perfect 5-star rating. This is my review and I can do what I want.
Another half-star is taken off because I went a couple of days ago and they got rid of Red Oak, my favorite beer. This beer can only be found in NC and is not bottled. Needless to say, I was very disappointed.
"The Joyce" as the locals (and former Duke students) call it, is otherwise an awesome place to drink-- my favorite, by far, in the area.
They have a trivia night on Tuesdays. This isn't just any trivia night, though. You are competing mostly against Duke graduate students. Bring Steven Hawking...maybe your team will finish in second place. The prize for winning is a substantial bar tab.
This place makes you feel like you are in a real Irish pub. I have been to real Irish pubs, and this one is pretty spot on. Indeed, whenever I go, I get the sudden urge to drink until I am comatose and get into a bar fight...all in the name of the Pope (and I'm Jewish).
They have great bar food. Sheppard's Pie and Guiness Beef Stew do the trick every time.
I enjoy going there with Ben Y.
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