Surf Club

Surf Club is just about everything you'd want in a chill, no frills neighborhood bar.

It's got the dim lighting, awesome booths, darts and shuffleboard, and a spacious outdoor patio. Furthermore, the drinks are reasonably priced, the craft beer selection is admirable, and there's a cut out in the patio side wall so you don't even have to come inside to order should you be enjoying a beautiful Durham night outdoors. Score!

For better or for worse, Surf Club never seems to be super packed so you can usually find a spot easily, engage in some conversation without yelling, and have your run at the darts or shuffleboard without being harassed or hustled. Though I like the freedom of not being packed in like sardines, I sure hope Surf Club does well enough to stick around!

Surf Club has become one of my favorite places to grab a beer in Durham.

The inside area feels hip and inviting and they rock a spacious outdoor area.  The beer selection is impressive, fairly priced and they give you 12oz pours allowing you to try more and they are priced accordingly.  There is a shuffleboard table to use which is always fun.

They don't allow kids(a plus for me), which makes sense as this place is clearly intended to be a bar.  The clientele as a whole is usually a laid back group of people, definitely a different vibe than the weekend brightleaf square crowd ( their liquor selection includes a lot of whiskeys but not the ingredients for most popular bombers).

They don't serve food but the delicious Mama Dukes is often there and there are usually food trucks at the nearby Fullsteam and Motorco that you can bring in.

It's a rather odd place to describe as there is nothing "special" about Surf Club, it is just a bar, but a good one and I respect that.  If I am enjoying a couple beers with friends it has become one of my favorite places to go.

Nice place to get drinks, but the menu is pretty small. They don't have champagne or wine really (have 1 white and 1 red). Also, they don't offer food which I think is a mistake. Overall though, if you're just looking for drinks and don't mind the limited selection, it's a cool spot.

*Also, drinks are a bit pricier than most places in Durham.