Lots of great music flows through here, local and non-local. Even when I don't have time to check out who's playing when I'm heading over, it's always a pleasant surprise because the booking is rock solid.
Excellent cocktails at a cheap price, very friendly staff, patio out back when you need a breather, excellent sound system, free popcorn, excellent trivia, movie nights. The list goes on.
My favorite Durham Bar.
Just finished hosting a Soul Train party here as the Emcee for an organizations fundraiser, and have also had this venue be one of our locations for Troika...There is definitely an eclectic mix of audience and music at this particular venue and it is a great place to get your dance groove on.......
Review Source:While visiting Durham I walked past The Pinhook. I knew nothing about it, but decided to stop in. I was so glad I did. A eclectic mix of people,  suburb atmosphere, and great music. Traveling alone, I felt perfectly at home here. After a great first night there, I actually went back the next two nights due to the interesting music scheduled.  I was not disappointed. Can't  wait to visit again when I return to town.
Review Source:It's Friday night and you want to have a lil' fun... what is one to do? I used an app on my Android phone and stumbled upon this place. Met my "new" friend there and we had a real good time... the people were quite eclectic and friendly, it was karaoke night and the crowd was very supportive even though I did not have my trademark "autotune" to assist me with the vocals. I will definitely add this to my "places to have fun" list for when my "out of towners" come up/down.
Review Source:I kick it on the sofa in here when I'm waiting for 5 o'clock traffic to tone down. Pool table, arcade games, and giant owl mural greet me readily. The bartenders are friendly and commiserate about shitty Mondays with you. Delicious local beers, bands, and (what else starts with a b?) uh..vegan brunch.
Review Source:After going to the Pinhook about a billion times, it's time to update my review. What makes the Pinhook so great, as others have stated, is that it doesn't define itself as a queer or straight bar. Everyone is welcome as long as you're open-minded, and that mix of people makes a much more interesting environment.
The welcoming vibe and the interesting variety of entertainment has really turned the Pinhook into a community gathering spot. There might be bands playing, a burlesque show, dance party, vegan brunch, square dancing, karaoke or a movie playing.
It's certainly the hippest, most punkrock scene in town..and if you have preconceived negative notions about that then you probably won't like it here. But just because someone dresses differently than you doesn't make them an asshole..so give me a break on the hipster bashing. People here are just as friendly as anywhere else.
The bartenders are attentive and are all really great people too. I'm not saying they are going to make you a drink on the level that Whiskey might..but that's not what the Pinhook is about.
Highly recommended if this sounds like your crowd. Best patio view in town!
Very chill place to grab a drink in downtown Durham. And they have something cool (80s prom, vegan brunch, live music, drag dance parties, movies & popcorn) going on every night of the week. From the door guy to the bartender to the bands, nothing about this place felt pretentious or even too-hip-for-you. Everyone was actually really friendly.
They had some local beers on offer for $5, so I perched with an Aviator brew at some seating across the bar. There isn't a ton of seating space here, but the lounge-y mix of second-hand furniture really makes for a comfy hide-out. I was surprised to see so many people pouring in on a Sunday night. But then again, given the cool space, the great tunes, and the friendly folks, I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised! It's a place I'd want to go any night of the week...
While The Pinhook doesn't (and shouldn't) shy away from it's queer friendly reputation, I'd like to make it clear that this isn't actually a gay bar... Straight guys and gals are as welcome as anyone, and ANYONE is welcome so long as they're not complete douchebags. Â
Until very recently, The Pinhook was the only *real* live music destination in Durham; a surprising fact considering the wealth of amazing bands and musicians pouring out of The Bull City year after year. The place was actually founded by a couple of local musicians, so they've really got their fingers on the pulse of what's worth listening to from the local scene, and they bring in a lot of obscure/underappreciated acts that don't have a big enough draw to play some of the larger rooms. As a general rule, everything they book is probably at least worth a listen on reverbnation, and since most of the shows are only 5 bucks there's no reason not to support the ones that spark your interest.
They also throw some of the best damn dance parties in the triangle.
It's worth noting, too, that this is one of the few dedicated live music venues in the area that runs nightly drink specials... Great music and cheap bar tabs? If that's not your thing then you probably shouldn't be in Durham anyways.
This past Saturday we paid a mere $5 to see Aden, Big Hell, and the Balance, and it was probably the most badass show I've seen at the Pinhook yet, complete with a poetry slam, a dance off, and some stunt roller skating action that would put the punks in Roll Bounce to shame. Â I've got to check these folks out again.
Pinhook patrons are, generally speaking, a 25+, liberal crowd which, lemme tell you, is a big of a relief. Â I'm thirty now and am afraid that one of these days the kids at Cat's Cradle are going to start thinking I'm someone's mom. Â Hell, some day I probably will be. Â
Anyhootieandtheblowfish, the Pinhook's recently built a new stage, which can easily accommodate one big-ass band. Â By the speakers, you go deaf (I'm getting old and my friends made me stand there), so I'd recommend putting in them earplugs. Â Lordy, did I just say that? Â Well, it's only because, after so many shows, one goes a bit deaf. Â Not the very best acoustics, and there's definitely an annoying hum coming from one of the amps. Â And at least one of the band's mics went dead during the show, but the tech dude was quick about swapping them out.
They've got a great beer selection on tap: always two or so from Fullsteam and Bell's Two Hearted, Bad Penny, and the like. Â Love it. Â And there's a full bar, which was great for my one non-beer-drinking friend (she is missing out, tho, IMO). Â I don't think the bartenders are the friendliest. Â Suffice it to say, they don't suffer fools. Â And apparently I'm rather foolish ...
It also bears mentioning that there's a $10 minimum for credit card purchases, so either plan to drink at least two pints, or else hit the cash machine beforehand, so you'll have enough for the cover and drinks.
Free water! Â They've got one of those Igloo coolers with lots of plastic cups. Â It's super duper awesome. Â And they've got a few little snacks there, too, like packets of crisps and whatnot.
Clean bathrooms, two stalls, chalk to scrawl some temp graffiti there, if'n you're feelin' the urge.
This place has never been overly crowded any of the times I've visited, and it's in a great, central location near Five Points and any number of other lovely joints with great nightlife. Â I can dig it.
I totally agree with what others have said. The Pinhook is a "gay/lesbian" friendly establishment that does not LABEL itself. Â Since Durham does not have a major gay bar (other than Steel Blue) it is a welcoming place for the community. Durham is very welcoming I have found. If you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight or whatever...it DOES NOT matter because everyone here is welcome. At The Pinhook you find and eclectic mix of people across the age spectrum. It is very alternative and always hosts a friendly crowd of people. The attitude is left elsewhere. There really are no cliques here and I like that! The people watching is amazing!
Their beer selection is great and they had the Fullsteam Carver on tap which is my fav. Everything is very affordable. If you do not want to break the bank you have ample PBR as per usual. Might I add, they can pour a strong drink. I had a couple of vodka and cranberry's and they were potent but did not kill my wallet! Â
The staff is very friendly and fun! Me and my group were there the other night for Karaoke and managed to get there around 10ish and they were very busy. However, the bartenders stayed attentive and cheerful. I briefly chatted with the owner, who was awesome..but forgot her name. Back to Karaoke, what a blast! The host is Marilyn Manho who is 'effin awesome! This lady knows how to put on a show. Â As the night progresses virtually everyone gets up there to pour their heart out on stage...yes, even your trashed Duke sorority girl.
Other nights that I have been here there have been live bands (The sound can be a bit clangy). They really have varied events: From gay pride to country night (which they had an event scheduled for Dolly Parton's 65th birthday..I can only imagine) and everything in between.
I am always happy to see this place busy. More good times to be had.
One of the best things about Pinhook is that it seems to avoid being labeled. It's not really a "lesbian bar" or anything, more like a "gay and lesbian friendly" bar. Not everyone might agree with me, but I think most places in Durham are very unpretentious and welcoming to ALL. Pinhook has a great relaxed vibe! There were all kinds of people, all kinds of ages hanging out.
We were there on karaoke night. It was pretty much empty when we arrived at 7ish, and by about 11 it was packed. There's tons of retroish furniture. It is long and somewhat has at least two different areas. While it got crowded around the stage when the karaoke started at 10, it was still pretty calm in the front section (the bar is somewhat in the middle). I think there is only one bathroom? At least I only saw one unisex bathroom that has two stalls. But the bathroom is cool - they used chalkboard paint on the walls and have some chalk so you can write whatever you want! I'm not sure this place would make a good music venue... the acoustics are probably not so hot.
Local beer selection is decent. There are less than 10 lines on tap, but there is PBR (in bottles or tall boy cans) and Schlitz (my favorite college battle cry: "Let's get SCHLITZED)!!! I didn't have a problem with service at the bar, but we did get most of our drinks before it filled up. Pretty cool to see downtown Durham hoppin!
My Pinhook tis of thee, sweet land of dance partiessss...
When the Pinhook first opened two years ago it was rumored around Raleigh as being a lesbian bar. Womp womp on all that, there is some lesbians WORKING there. But most of us know that the gay can spread through osmosis and mind control so if you can't roll with the homos you might as well stick to familiar territory.
The Pinhook can have an odd dynamic, being a neighborhood bar right smack in the middle of downtown on some nights and crawling with sloppy drunken dance party participants the next. You get chill nights, you get live shows, free movies on Mondays, vegan brunches on [usually] the first Sunday of the month, karaoke, open mic, trivia, benefits...the works.
Their credit card machine was down for a hot minute but now it's back and the ATM is still housed by the arcade video games. A pool table for the sharks, a back patio and a rearranged main room that sounds a whole lot better with the stage facing the back of the bar.
It's a People Friendly establishment without carrying any labels on being strictly this or that...and that is big ups in my book.
Check out their website and blog and Twitter and Facebook and and and...for their list of events and booking information. Word.
I was asked to head to Pinhook one night for a Sugar Skull themed party and had no idea what to expect. After paying a $5 cover fee upon entering, I felt oddly at home. I am not big on clubs/partying but felt a more laid back vibe here. As mentioned previously, there are different areas to hang out in which is nice. I was a but confused seeming there did not seem to be anything relating to the theme there but I think that had more to do with the party promoters than Pinhook itself. I have not been for brunch yet but would love to do so! The other reviewers made it sound so yummy!
Review Source:A really cool venue with a fun vibe. Â Went this morning for the once-a-month Sunday brunch and had a great time. Â People tend to show up about 20 minutes early, so if you get there before noon, there will definitely be a decent-sized queue going down the block. Â It's also a good idea to come on the early side as they only make enough food for a certain amount of people (maybe 100-150?). Â
It's a great event as long as you're prepared for an off-the-beaten-path kind of brunch. Â You pay $8, get food in a cafeteria style line, and scope out a spot which hopefully has somes chairs and/or a table. Â We were lucky to have a couple give up their seats just as we were looking for a space to camp out. Â But a lot of people ended up standing or sitting on the stage. Â I'm not vegan, but enjoy trying different types of food. Â This is definitely mark-your-calendar-worthy.
I like the place. They do live music most nights and they have movie night on Monday. The cover is sometimes outrageous for what's playing, but I guess that's the price we're going to start paying to have live music in Durham. Check out their website for an accurate schedule.
There's a nice porch off the back. It's a fantastic view out to the DPAC and DBAP and if you're there early enough you can see the fireworks at night.
I went to see a metal show last night, so it's hard to give an accurate review (metal's just not my thing, you see) but I do like the atmosphere and the collage stuff they've got going on the walls. The acoustics are ok - if you're over by the stage. If you're in the front of the bar everything sounds really "tinny." And sitting out back for a metal show gives pretty good sound too.
I'm glad to have a live music venue in Durham. So for that, yay Pinhook!
First Sunday of every month from 12pm-2pm, a vegan cooks up vegan brunch and serves it up at Pinhook. The food is always great. Creative and delicious. For example, the upcoming menu for August is Crêpes filled with Grilled Asparagus and a Pea-Mint Purée, topped with a Roasted Tomato Ragoût served on a Summer Squash Gratin with a Coconut Milk Béchamel. Who doesn't want to try that?
You get all this for $7.
Also, at the bar, you can get bloody marys or other alcohol filled beverage to go with your meals.
The only reason it is 4 stars is because 1) the food gets to pinhook pre-prepared. It's served out of a big tray, and so it tends to get kinda cold. Room-temperature food always takes something out of a good meal. 2) the Pinhook, as great a bar it is, is not the best brunch spot. It lacks some light, and can feel a little dark and dank for brunch sometimes.
But maybe if you eat enough of the great food and drink enough bloody marys, you won't care!
After 2 trips here, I will frequent this place as little as possible. Aside from the bipolar nature of this place regarding events and performances, it is the worst bar service I have ever experienced in the Triangle. Â Saying "It's a hipster bar what do you expect" does not give it a free pass. OCSC, Reservoir, Fuse - these places are often accused of hipsterism - yet you do not have to wait 30-40 minutes to get a bottle of beer, I'd even argue that the service is very good in those places. Â If you have a credit card, as I witnessed one poor soul use, forget it. Â The dude behind the counter will take every order before you. Â If you find yourself here - bring cash.
Other problems, art shows are poorly lit - and oddly spaced. Â I would never recommend someone show their art here. Stage and sound, if there are many people - you will not be able to see much, and to make up for poor sound you just turn it up as loud as it will go. Â Thirsty? Finished that beer? forget it - getting back to the bar to wait 40 minutes for a yuengling isn't my idea of a great time. The free-access unisex bathroom is also a disaster waiting to happen, as a guy I guess this is easier on me than some of the ladies. It might be ok when it's not crowded, but imagine when it is... Â
Pluses.. It's a place in Downtown Durham that appears to be hip which I think for most people adds 2 stars, I'd give it 0 stars - but hey, it's in Downtown Durham. Â Alternatives nearby, go to Bull McCabes, Whiskey, or maybe try out that new nightclubish place - Revolution?
A bit cool, a bit hip and very comfortable, the Pinhook is a great little venue to hang out and maybe catch some music! Â I stopped in a for an art show last night and was surprised at the space. Â Not much to look at from outside, the Pinhook is long and deep with three separate areas. Â Up front you've got the pool table and couches, in the middle a smallish bar, and in back the stage and some more seating. Â Reminds me a bit of the Pourhouse but with a more hipster, arty crowd. Â Music posters and bills line the walls in various places including the restrooms. Â
They had a drag-fest going on last night which would probably be a little out of place in Raleigh. Â However after spending some time in this area, I can safely say that Durham does it a bit dirtier then its more conservative sister city across the Triangle! Â So the crowd was really mixed (figuratively and literally) last night. Â Mixed gender-wise, lifestyle-wise and across the color barrier, so a thumbs up there. Â If I were younger and lived in the hood I'd probably pop in here from time to time because it's a reasonably mellow meeting spot and bar. Â All y'all Durham-ites, enjoy the place for what it is, an interesting little music club that brings in all types!
Just a few blocks from the new Durham Performing Arts Center, this bar has huge potential for being the destination in Durham to hear great music. Â I was excited to see my favorite local beer on tap, and got a kick out of the old school video games. Â
Although it opened only a few months ago, the floor and much of the hardware are undoubtedly reclaimed or original materials, so it feels like the well-worn bar you'd find in a hipster area. Â True, the employees were a bit on the gruff side, but strangely enough, it added to the character of the place for me. Â I will definitely return, hopefully to hear great up-and-coming bands.
This is the spot in Durham! Â Hella good change from the Joyce and Federal. Â Unlike those spots, the Pinhook is a place where people are actually social. Â
In regards to Andrea D.'s comment: From my experiences there--which are numerous--the bartenders are usually too busy for social pleasantries. Â It is a hipster bar, what do you expect? Â Ever been to The Haight or Mission districts in San Francisco? Â How about Williamsburg, Brooklyn? Â Hipsters are too occupied with ... something... for smiling.
Durham city composes an eclectic group of folks. Â The Pinhook provides a nightlife answer for a segment of that population. Â You want fake pleasantries on a Friday or Saturday night? Go to South Durham and drink a beer in some corporate bar at "The Streets of South Point" or Meadowmont, Chapel Hill. Â Do the same thing people are doing in Maryland and Virginia.
Every weekend, local musicians perform at the Pinhook. Â Another thing I love about this place, no Televisions. Â Just a widescreen WVGA projector, that is used on Mondays for movie night. Â
THE PINHOOK SIGNIFIES A CHANGE IN DURHAM, AN ACTUAL NIGHTLIFE WHITIN BULLCITY CENTER.
Um, wow...
If the downtown revitalization means more places like this Derm will be in good shape.
This place is comfy, cool and smoke free! It also hosts some great events: lots of good music, movie nights(!) and dance. Be sure to make it when DJ Yammy is in charge. Â I'm looking forward to checking this out on a Tuesday night to see how it feels but, if the other two times I've been are any indication, this is probably the best place in town to hang out.
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