Corpse Reviver Bar & Lounge

At first I was worried about how dingy it would be. Walking down a sidewalk around the back of a distillery isn't the most luxurious! However, once we entered the space, we were met with a quality environment. We were seated quickly. The ambiance is so unique and lots of fun!! The cocktails were very enjoyable, especially if you are a gin lover. If not, there are still lots for you to choose from. It wasn't too busy for a Friday night. Would be good for groups of six or less. Felt very much like a cocktail lounge, less like a bar. :)

Drinks are brilliant. We had their pink gin, s’mores martini, Durham calling, and poinsettia. Their s’mores martini is creamy and not the best. Durham calling and poinsettia were both very refreshing. We went on a Friday and vibes were great.

Casual watering hole attached to the distillery. Creative cocktails with a nice selection holiday-themed choices. The patio is nice, even on a cold night. Try Grandma Hot Run Over by a Reindeer on a cold night!

This is a gin joint. A Beautiful place. Hidden in the back of a distillery. The vibe lighting and vaporwave music alone make it a must visit. The drinks are gorgeous to look at and with a wide range of flavors to test any palette. Small bites menu nothing for a meal but enough to keep you sipping. Worth a try outside seating also available but at least take a look inside!

**Corpse Reviver: Durham's Best-Kept Secret** Corpse Reviver Bar & Lounge is, without a doubt, Durham's most impressive, most popular best-kept secret. If you're a cocktail enthusiast seeking a secluded, high-end experience to impress out-of-town guests, a date, a cozy corner with a book or a romantic outing with your partner, look no further. As the showcase for Durham Distillery's world-renowned gins, this intimate bar offers a truly unique experience. Each cocktail is a masterpiece, expertly crafted with the finest spirits off the hands of Durhams literal 'best in class' bartenders. The ambiance is sophisticated yet inviting, making it the perfect spot for a romantic evening or a night out with friends. Whether you're a gin connoisseur or simply appreciate a well-made drink, Corpse Reviver is a must-visit. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. 11/10

A new regular spot for me for sure. It's got all the creepy cool vibes and historical background with some of the most expert cocktails I've had in Durham. A great little lounge under the Durham Distillery that features a variety of gin based cocktails (though they have more options than only gin). Music is not too loud, food was delicious, it was full but not overcrowded, and the staff was attentive and friendly without being over present. It was a perfect date night spot for us!

Walked up the side of the durham distillery to find this gem of a coktail bar. It's named after probably the most forgotten classic of all time(next to the 20 century) the decore was seasonal for sure. A Christmas tree, poinsettias, string lights and wrapped presents. There was even a projector displaying snowfall to add to the asthetics. There were many people packed inside and on their insulted outdoor patio. Unfortunately I did wait 30 minutes for somone to take my drink order. One bartender cannot handle the volume you will need more staff to keep somone sitting for 30 minutes without taking the order is ridiculous. Is my time not worth anything to you? That's how the guest feels when they come to your bar. Prices are fair. Very dissapointing experience to say the least. There are way too many great bars in Durham to get stuck here. All in all I could only recomend this bar to immortals with infinite time and people who love to wait a long time for service. I ordered the psl milk punch. It was okay but def not worth the 30 minute wait. I'll have to come back on a much slower night and give it another shot all the waiting agitated me to the point where I'm not able to give a truly objective review. 1 round 1 hour and 30 dollars later what a total bummer. The bathrooms were decently clean and the bar does have purse hooks. The music is light and indie alternative/edm rock to encourage conversation. There's no real place to escape so probably not a good first or blind date spot. However if you know the person or group well you'll have a blast. I repeat 30 minutes to order and 20 minutes for the first drink. I never thought I would actually waste an hour of my life waiting for a cocktail. I did wait after I let one of the staff know it took me an hour to get the first drink he comped the bill and brought me a second one on the house. Obviously I was a bit upset at the wait sonI can't give them 5 stars. The cocktails are good tho so it's probably still worth the trip. I really do like this bar I just can't give ot 5 stars since I had to wait that long for service. When I come back on a slower night I'll try and update this review hopefully it's less than an hour next time. Great bar but def a bad night. The food is really good too. It's small and more of a bites menu than actual dinner.

I was interested to check out this gin bar. Looked like a cool place. When I arrived I learned their gin is of a corn base. I have awful hangovers to corn based spirits (whisky/bourbon), and this includes corn-based gin. Love gin but can’t do gin with a corn base, it’s seriously awful for me. It seems the rage of American distillers is to distill gin from corn (why???) including Blue Coat, Empress, etc. and it out their house gin is from a corn base. They should indicate that. I asked for one of the signature cocktails but with another gin substituted but was told by the rude bartender that they couldn’t do that. Okay, none of my money for you! Overall a rude and obnoxious experience.

I happened in here on a weeknight, and thought I'd stop in. I entered the tasting room in front, and had a nice conversation with the person there and tasted a flight. While we were talking, I mentioned getting food, and she explained that the actual Corpse Reviver is in the rear of the building. I finished my drinks and she escorted me through the building to the rear and pointed out the entrance. There is a parking lot off street that holds a dozen or so vehicles. I went in and was hit with a festive atmosphere: glittering tree, strings of lights, tables filled with folks chatting and drinking and laughing. I requested a seat at the bar and was escorted to the opposite side of the room, where I could enjoy the video of a toasty fire and hear the strains of holiday music. I ordered the house signature cocktail (I love a Corpse Reviver!) and was surprised that it was on tap! They even somehow improve the mouthfeel (through nitro, I think she said? I was feeling the flight I had drunk upstairs by this time!) We chatted off and on as she made orders for other clients, and I asked about food. The menu was sparse, but had what I wanted: deviled eggs. I love these at most places, and was not disappointed. I was not ready for the festive green yolks, but the taste was great! I also ordered a cheese plate. It arrived with toasted bread and a few other tasty treats. The goat cheese is warmed a bit and whipped, so it's very spreadable. This and the eggs make a nice dinner for me. I had some writing to catch up on, so was able to sit at the bar and enjoy the vibe, the foodstuffs, and the spirits. I closed the night with a Verper martini. I can't remember if the bartender shook it or stirred it, but it was properly chilled and perfectly diluted, and the extra was in a little sidecar on ice. This isn't the cheapest place to get great cocktails in town, nor is it the most expensive. But it is, I must say, one of the most creative, both in planning/developing the tastes and in presentation. Everything I saw leave the bar was a subdued yet clever statement. I'll definitely be back!

This is easily one of our favorite bars in the Durham area. It is cozy yet able to accommodate a large number of people between the interior and the heated patio. The vibe is almost like going over to a cool friend's house. The decorations are always very seasonal and the staff is always very attentive and helpful. The drinks are extremely creative and taste as amazing as they look.

Still my favorite cocktail bar around! I've been back many times since and had a wonderful experience every time. Movie nights, jazz night, dessert flights...it's all fun! The menu rotates regularly and each new drink is amazing! The staff are absolutely the best. Can't wait for my next visit!

Very cool back bar restaurant with a speak easy vibe that we entered thru the Durham Distillery. Wonderful crafted gin drinks. Their signature Gin & Tonic was served in a huge glass with rosemary sprige, and dried slice of fruit on top. I ordered a strawberry concoction that was light with rose notes. They had a small bite food menu too. Drinks were between $14-25.

Love love this bar!!! They use the best gin from the distillery and made an awesome dirty martini! The staff is very friendly, All the drinks are great value for price and we would definitely come back. A must try for everyone who wants to try the distillery alcohol- would highly recommend the distillery tour as well!

One of my fave cocktail spots in Durham and one I recommend a LOT to locals and out of owners. Such an elegant glam vibe with their decor and furniture. They are attached to the Conniption distillery which is known for their gin and my favorite damn fine liquers! In addition to tasty drinks they have several small bites/plates.

We've been here twice now, and I thought I had written a review but guess I hadn't. We had toured Durham Distillery years ago and had always wanted to come drink here. The bar is in the back with a small parking lot. You might need to park elsewhere if the lot is full. Wow, we really liked the interior, which was suitably moody with an art deco feel. On our first visit, we had cocktails and spiced nuts. We saw on Instagram that they had dessert flight pairings in August so we came back to try that. Wow, the desserts an accompanying cocktails were amazing. My wife also enjoyed a hand pie they had. This is the kind of cool place we'd take visitors from out of town. There was a big screen showing artsy, moody visuals and I guess they occasionally show movies as well.

Came here with a friend last night for the first time. They have indoor and outdoor seating, and we chose to sit inside. The tables each have their own lamp which you can tap to adjust to suit your level of brightness which I thought was unique! A friendly waitress showed us to a table, provided us with water and a drink menu, and came by shortly to take our orders. She was very friendly and eager to offer drink recommendations. The drink I chose per her recommendation was the Singapore Sling, which I enjoyed. It had a strong cinnamon/nutmeg flavor but wasn't overly spice-y! My friend ordered a Moscow Mule and he enjoyed it. Overall I had a great experience here! Heads up for those planning on coming here: the entrance is on the back side of the building, on the side opposite of the road. I will admit that my friend and I walked around aimlessly for a few minuets trying to find it!!

I've been in Durham for about two years now and have been to almost every bar around downtown and Corpse Reviver is THE best. Their menu is very heavy on the gin and, as someone who would never pick up a bottle of gin, this place has changed my view on this spirit. The cocktails never disappoint and really it's all thanks to the bartenders. If you tell them what flavors you're looking for, they'll recommend you a drink that will match exactly what you're looking for. Also- I never liked espresso martinis but, their espresso martini is THE ONE. Nobody else makes it like theirs. Get it with their mocha liqueur. Just trust. Aside from their menu, the vibe is very much Great Gatsby and I love it!

It was ok I didn't like the parking for starters! I didn't eat anything all day and the food on menu was not going to satisfy my appetite! Don't get me wrong it was the right food for a cocktail spot but not for dinner for a hungry man, I do recommend this place for cocktails and live music was great!

After trying this place a few more times, we truly appreciate the seasonal rotation! Love the complexity these drinks bring. So far it's definitely our favorite gin bar in durham!!

Corpse reviver is a great little cocktail bar that I highly recommend. On top of the great ambiance, there is a wide range of excellent cocktails (primarily gin based) and the staff is very knowledgeable about the drinks, flavor profiles, and suggestions. We tried quite a few of the cocktails and all were good to great. Highly recommend the espresso martini - among the best I've tried.

A fun place to go on a night out! They specialize in cocktails- so definitely try one of the famous cocktails. They don't have any options for non-alcoholic beverages, which is hard when coming with others who don't drink. I liked their charcuterie board a lot and it was so beautifully made!

The place was packed on Saturday night! We were able to get a couple of bar seats and watch the bartender at work. She artfully concocted a ton of drinks for the searching staff to garnish and serve to eager patrons. The drinks were all amazing, I loved the Winter gin and tonic with fresh rosemary, cranberries, and anise star. The Vesper my husband ordered was refreshing twist on this cocktail with cucumber and olive to the regular lemon flavor. It is a pretty small space behind the Durham Distillery but has that retro vibe.

This is my favorite cocktail bar in the triangle. I love that they switch up the cocktails and every one I've tried is thoughtfully curated and executed with finesse. The only downside is that it closes at 12am. I just want to stay there the whole night!

Excellent cocktails with lots of flavor and depth. One of the best cocktail bars in Durham. There are also snack and dessert options. Will be coming back to check out the July flight special.

Lovely evening spent here enjoying cocktails with my husband. We ordered the Beatnik Bohemian and a peach cocktail. These babies were STRONG and delicious! Atmosphere was fun. It got crowded fast on a Friday night. As a side note...the parking lot entrances are terrible. Several cars, including our SUV, hit our bumpers hard on the pavement because there are big dips in the gravel when you enter and exit the lot. Better to stick with street parking!

Wanted to pop in for a cocktail, 3 seats at the bar and we had 4 people. Told us we weren't allowed to go there because "we don't allow standing". Staff was horrid

Sunday only has drinks on tap. Deviled eggs are made with miracle whip, gross. Empanada was warmed in a microwave and soggy Gravel lot, don't wear heels. Overall a disappointment

Probably my favorite bar in Durham because not only are the drinks great, but the atmosphere is also cozy. Great for a date or a GNO. The menu changes which is why I keep coming back - I've yet to be disappointed! The drinks are strong but have a nice balance and the flavors pull through even to the aftertaste. Not to mention the snack options that elevate the experience!

I'm not a huge gin fan but it was fun learning about their variety and about the drinks. The ambience was great and service was very friendly. The drinks can all add up eventually but a good experience.

Perfect for a date night or night out with friends with high quality drinks, service, and food to snack on. If you like gin drinks, this is definitely a place you should try! They make their own gin, which my partner and I were already a fan of before trying this place. I got the corpse reviver #2 which is a good pick with a strong lemon flavor! The clover club cocktail, Negroni, and winter gin and tonic were also good. The food here is also unexpectedly amazing!! We ordered the duck deviled eggs, whipped goat cheese, and the charcuterie board. The chef here really puts thought into the charcuterie selection and came to explain the charcuterie board to us. This was one of the most unique charcuterie board selections I've had and our group devoured EVERYTHING. The chef really put thought into every component and selected unique cheeses and meats that you don't often find. Hearing the explanations from the chef himself made the experience a 10/10. It seems like the food menu is changed around every so often as I've seen other pictures of the charcuterie boards and they're all different.

This is a bar that transports you to another city, maybe New York, Philadelphia, or Nashville. The building is quite unassuming, but turn around the corner from the main road and you'll notice a cute outdoor patio with people enjoying the creative drinks amidst bustling conversation. Step indoors, and you'll feel like you've entered a speakeasy with low lighting, intimate seating areas, and classy craft cocktails. Other things to be aware of: They took 20-30 minutes to make our two cocktails. No dress code, but I did feel a little underdressed to be seated inside because we wandered into the area while waiting for a dinner reservation next door. Be prepared to pay big city prices for the craft cocktails.

I love the spirits from Durham Distillery so I was excited to check out this cocktail bar. It's cute and there is seating available both inside and outside. Reservations are for inside only online as outside is first come, first served. My party of four did 2 rounds of cocktails. I tried the April Showers and Pink Lady (my fav was the April Showers) and my husband tried the Corpse Reviver #2 and White Negroni. In addition to cocktails they have wine and a very slim beer list. The reason for my 3 star review is that the service was not good. It was extremely slow (and they were not at full capacity), it was too delayed to get round 2 and our checks.

I almost don't want to review this place because I don't want anyone else knowing about it so it doesn't get packed....but that would be truly selfish not sharing this GEM. Corpse Reviver may be my new favorite bar in all of Durham. If you love fancy craft cocktails and Gatsby, this place is for you. First. The most important, the drinks. I tried 4 drinks - the French 75 which was 2 liquids combined in front of you and CHANGED colors AND HAD EDIBLE GLITTER what else could you possibly want. It was delicious and sweet and I could chug a gallon. I had April Showers which was beautifully presented with a flower in the drink and tasted of complex delightful flavors. I also had the Aviation which for someone who doesn't love gin drinks, I was a huge fan of. Slightly floral and balanced. My friend got the Monarch's migration which was herby and earthy and delicious. 5/5. Amazing all around. Delight for the eyes and taste buds! Second. The ambience. Again, dark, loungey, fancy, Gatsby-y vibes. A place you wouldn't feel weird dressed up. Few places in Durham which such a classy fun vibe. I could've been in NY for all I knew. Loved it. The outdoor space was cute too - more casual vibe. Then, the service and snacks. Most fancy cocktail bars have servers and bartenders that get annoyed with you for asking them what the unpronounceable 8 ingredients in each drink are. As if we're all dumb because we can't figure it out. I appreciated our server for being friendly and knowledgeable and happy to explain. They serve snacks and we got the pita and whipped goat cheese with honey. Reminded me of my fave crostinis from Toast. But better. Large portion too. I drool thinking about it. TLDR: big fan, check it out, you won't be disappointed!!!

Making outdoor eating and drinking spaces out of parking lots is a 2020 innovation. Theirs is pretty nice. We got a few starters - spiced nuts, goat cheese - plus 4 cocktails: - Coffee kissed negroni - I love coffee and I love negroni's but they didn't go together, the coffee taste was weird - Dirty martini - my wife said they made it perfect - Queen of Swords - a rye cocktail with lemon, sage, egg white - excellent - Corpse Reviver - their signature cocktail, it's like a gin daquiri

What a darling gin lounge! I visited with my parents and sister. Their COVID precautions were fantastic. They required signing a contract regarding and basic questions about having positive COVID test and 14 days of no exposure. They also included that they would contact you if anyone who visits contract COVID. The corpse reviver #2 drink was refreshingly citrusy. The charcuterie plate was a bit small, but the olive selection was varied and delicious. The ambiance reminded me of a 20s lounge. Just loved it! But if they had more food options, I would frequent more!

Ambiance is great and the cocktails are delicious. Very classy spot, highly recommend.

Terrible service this evening. Waited at the stand outside for the host/hostess, but no one in sight. We went inside to look for someone but was immediately and rudely told to wait outside. Went back to the stand outside and female hostess with bangs condescendingly and patronizingly responded to our inquiries for a table for nine or five (there was only space for four outside with no heat lamp in 35 degree weather). Our group left immediately. Shocked by the hostess' behavior. Will not be recommending to others.

Newish cocktail bar in Durham and sooooo cute! They had both indoor and outdoor seating. I made a reservation for two at 6PM and the email stated we the reservation was only for 90 minutes, but we were able to stay well past that. The decor is super cute and definitely fit the vibe I was expecting based on the name and website. I had the No Provenance which was TO DIE FOR. 10/10 would recommend. It was light and refreshing and so good. My friend had the April Shower and the Tom Collins and spoke highly of both. They serve complimentary olives and we ordered the goat cheese and pita bread and it was delicious. I will definitely be back. Only wish is they had a couple more food items, but overall awesome experience.

The drinks here are weird and way too sweet. It feels like a cocktail bar for people who don't really like cocktails, catering to younger crowds without a developed palette maybe? Anyhow, I tried 3 different drinks between my partner and me but this place was not for me. Luckily got fabulous cocktails after somewhere else, inventive balanced and not too syrupy. Also, this place was way loud, playing movies at top volume, totally not chill at all.

My family and I have been quarantining this entire pandemic but have really missed being able to go out and see friends. I was elated to learn that the Corpse Reviver requires proof of vaccine before entrance. I was even more excited that when I showed them my vaccine card they also asked to see my photo ID to ensure the names matched. My friends and I had a wonderful time and the drinks were amazing. The bartender was super nice too. We are looking forward to going back. I hope next time that they have a snack menu.

Corpse reviver is a fairly new cocktail bar that open near downtown Durham. I'm so glad I was able to visit last night. It is located in the back corner of the building. You do have to walk in a rocky parking lot to get to main door so be advised when wearing heels. I had a sherry martini with a charcuterie plate and both these item were great. Right now they are only doing outdoor seating but the patio is covered and well heated. Service was great!

Awesome servers and creative cocktails. Cozy ambience and snacks. Can't wait to go back!

Had a wonderful first experience at Corpse Reviver last night and would highly recommend this place for any vodka or gin-loving folks out there! I got to try my first dry martini along with some other signature cocktails and none of them disappointed. I was especially grateful for our incredible server, Paul, who had extensive knowledge about the menu and was very gracious in answering my litany of questions as a martini novice! If you get a chance to go to Corpse Reviver, make sure to ask for Paul!

Nice low key cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe! There is both indoor and outdoor seating. You have to walk down the gravel road to get to the entrance. They have a variety of craft cocktails which often incorporate Gin from the Durham Distillery next door. We found the bar while waiting for a reservation at Plum but it would be a good first start for a longer night out or just a place to hang out after the work day!

What a cool new place in Durham!! I was so thrilled to see this cocktail bar pop up in the area. I made a reservation ahead of time, and when we arrived we did have to wait a little while. That wasn't great, but the service and drinks made up for the wait! We had three cocktails each (two of us) and tried a different one every time, so I think we can honestly say they have awesome cocktails. We liked every single one! At one point I wasn't sure what I wanted and asked the bar tender if they would be up for making something of their own creation for me, and it was the best cocktail! Very happy with the great service and I like the speakeasy style ambiance. Great spot for a date for a before or after spot. We will definitely be back!

We went 3 nights in a row showing different friends and family who came to see us haha it's that good. Sat outside and inside! Fan's outside which is nice and inside isn't too dark. The mixologists are fun to watch make the drinks, so talented. Everyone we took said they had the best cocktails and coolest location! We love the Pink Lady, Gin & Tonic, Pride 75, and the Corpse Reviver. We'll be back!

Lovely place to relax after a meal! Great ambience and service. I had the coffee-kissed Negroni and olives. I loved that they are careful during COVID with the usual precautions and having us fill out contact tracing forms! Thanks. Also have fun napkins!

We love this bar! Always something new to try, as well as perfected classics. Corpse reviver taught me to LOVE dirty gin martinis!

Had such a great time with my Boyfriend! Drinks were amazing. They had a little down time and even made a drink named after me! Staffs is wonderful and sweet.

We overall really enjoyed our time here! Every drink we got was fantastic. Plus the patio area and the indoor dining is super cute. The service really wasn't great, however. We didn't have a dedicated server and I felt like we had to wait a long time before getting another order placed. It became more of a waiting game than enjoying the drinks and time. Would be very cute for a date night or a nice group get together!

We came from out of town from Asheville and Corpse Reviver was one of our first stops. We were treated SO well by all staff but, in particular, Paul the bartender went out of his way to make our experience great. He took his time to listen to what we liked and came up with two really amazing cocktails (get the mochatini!) Highly recommend! Thanks Paul!

Really cool, off the grid cocktail lounge on the outskirts of town. We almost didn't find it--make sure you go to the back of the building. And remember proof of vaccination. Staff were awesome--personable and relaxed. Cocktails are mostly gin-focused and really unique. I got the Corpse Reviver #2 and it was smooth, bright, and a little too easy to drink. Awesome place for a date or after-dinner libations.

It comes as no surprise that Durham Distillery's cocktail bar is just as wonderful as Durham Distillery's spirits. My husband and I were so lucky to be able to get a reservation for the patio for Sunday afternoon of their opening weekend, and we will most certainly be back. The cocktails were delicious - we tried the Coffee Kissed Negroni, Corpse Reviver #2 (duh!), Grand Marnier Slushie, and Martinez. Even if you don't think gin is your thing, they had a great selection of craft cocktails that weren't gin heavy or even had gin in them (though I highly recommend you try their gin if you haven't yet). We also tried the candied nut mix, which was sweet and a little spicy. A great bar snack! We could have spent our whole afternoon there, but we will have to settle for going back another day. We instantly felt welcomed by the staff, and we really thought they did a wonderful job of checking in with us often, but not too often. Everyone we interacted with was friendly and fun. They have assembled a great crew! We were also very impressed with the safety precautions they had in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We felt perfectly safe enjoying our drinks on the patio, and honestly we were able to forget for a bit and have a little normalcy in our lives!

Durham Distillery has long been a gem of downtown Durham. Fun fact, the building used to be a pine coffin factory. Now full of life again, this is a killer must visit spot in Durham. Only made better by their own Corpse Reviver basement bar. The resemblance of the martini shaker to one of the building's memorable products makes the charm of this sweet spot complete with private booths, amazing art deco finishings, and couches and tables outside complete with heaters for the colder fall nights that await us. This was our first date night in some time, but I was immediately put at ease by how thorough their staff was in ensuring appropriate coverage protocol. The menu was amazing and we enjoyed drinks and light bites as a choose your own adventure charcuterie concept. You can't go wrong, it's really amazing I promise. A fun themed surprise awaits you in the bathroom, an underrated part of any review. If that isn't a reason to check it out I'm not sure what is. Spectacular service, drinks, food, and atmosphere! Cheers!

Y'all - have got - to - hit - this - place - up. From the folks upstairs come some creative cocktails in a comfortable environment. While you can only stay for about an hour and a half to make sure everyone has a chance to enjoy a break from the quarantine blues - it's more than enough time to sample a few drinks (and grab a few bottles or canned cocktails from upstairs to take the party home!). Make a reservation ahead of time! 10/10 will be back next time we are in town.

Awesome cocktails and great outdoor seating!Even though the outdoor area is technically in a parking lot, it doesn't feel that way at all. We will definitely be returning. My husband and I LOVE Durham Distillary and everything associated with it

Loved celebrating my birthday on the outdoor patio at CR. The drinks (especially The Aviator), charcuterie and staff were amazing. Even the spring drizzle couldn't put a damper on the warmth of CR.