Killer Queen Wine Bar

Killer Queen is an absolute gem in downtown Durham! When I was moving to NC, I worried if there would be wine bars that featured natural wines (my kryptonite) and Killer Queen does not disappoint! They have a fantastic rotating selection of White, Red, Rose, Orange, and Sparkling wines for you to enjoy. The ambiance is so cute and cozy; you feel as though you walked into your best friend's living room with plenty of counter seating to boot! Everyone that works here is so knowledgeable and friendly and willing to work with you until you find your perfect pour. There's also a small but mighty food menu equipped with charcuterie boards and warm chocolate chip cookies. When I tell you this place is one of my absolute favorites in Durham, believe me! Killer Queen for the win!

I've been waiting to try this bar and finally got the chance on a hot Wednesday night. They were pretty busy for such a small, "hole in the wall" kind of place but the staff were attentive and quick! I love the atmosphere in here, from the decor to the music, to the friendly vibe of the staff. Shout out to the bartender for being so knowledgeable about the wines on-hand including the notes, brand stories, and pairings. I got the Lebanese wine, Cinsault Syrah Canernet 2021. I love a shiraz so this did it for me! I also ordered the trout dip and it hit the spot!!! Not too cheesy, and just enough protein in it to make me feel full. This spot is working its way to being one of my new favorite bars in downtown Durham. 💕

What a beautiful little space!! The vibes are immaculate, great recommendations, delicious food and wine of course. The olives and charcuterie of choice (3 for $24 was just right for 3 of us) are a perfect compliment to whatever you're drinking. It was a delight to spend time with friends there.

Majesty was absolutely fantastic. He was so down to earth, friendly, funny, went out of his way to make sure we had the best wine and time, recommended great charcuterie pairings, and curated the best atmosphere. We will most definitely be back and cannot recommend this place enough if you want a funky, friendly, eclectic wine bar.

First, excellent name. Second, excellent wine selection. The ladies behind the bar Killer Queen really know their stuff, and they are willing to chat with you at length about their wine selection. They are clearly so passionate about their work, and we love to see it. You can also taste the selection to find the perfect glass for you. The menu is divided between sparkling, rose, orange (YAY!), white, and red, with a helpful legend to decipher body and sweetness. They also have a solid selection of biodynamic wines to choose from! They also have beer, cider, and zero proof options - so it’s an inclusive spot for every palate. Small plates focus on bread, butter, and locally sourced cheese. I mean, what more could you want?! Decor is sparkly, disco-y, and eclectic - my fave. And they have cute napkins (it’s the little things). If you’re in Durham (or the triangle), make sure to check this place out!i

We had our engagement party here and it was more than we could have ever hoped for! Silvia the owner is absolutely amazing. She kept the wine flowing and personally kept everyone’s glass full. She explained the wines to us and gave great recommendations. The food was also so tasty! We had a charcuterie board, cheese board, pasta, meatballs and they were even able to put a vegan board together for a couple of our friends that are vegan. Now for the space. Their new event space upstairs is absolutely beautiful. No detail was missed. The twinkle lights, candles, vintage seating, everything is so well thought out. They even put out a L & R wood cutout for my fiancé and I. So sweet! We were able to plan the whole event with just a few emails. Since we’re already planning a wedding I really appreciated how easy she made the whole process. We are so thankful for Silvia and everyone at Killer Queen that made our night so special. Can’t wait to have another event here!

Killer Queen is an amazing addition to downtown Durham! I stopped by with a group a 6 and even though it was a Saturday and I didn’t make a reservation, they pushed some tables together and made sure my group had a space to enjoy the evening. The service was topnotch all night. I ordered the roasted hazelnuts and roasted garlic Caesar salad. The food did take awhile to come out because only 1 person was working in the kitchen, which is understandable. The food was delicious!! My group then ordered a charcuterie board and bottles of wine and absolutely everything was fantastic. Killer Queen has such a cozy little environment and it really is the perfect place to grab a glass of wine, have a charcuterie board and relax. They also have some beers and ciders. I’m sure I will become a regular here!

Such a fun space, perfect for our girls night out. Can’t wait to come back for a date night and sit on the patio with their cozy blankets! Lindsey was super helpful with recs & letting us taste different wines before we decided on a bottle for the table. Can’t recommend the snacks enough! We had the caviar& chips and a charcuterie board. Everything was magnificent, including the decor, please visit their Gucci-esque restroom 😆

I mean with the name Killer Queen how could you not want to visit? It is a wine spot but they also offer beer, cider and zero proof options. They also have a small food menu if you are hungry. I really loved the ambiance and drink options available. I will definitely need to come back to check out the outdoor space. Cheers!

Fantastic food, the charcuterie plate was superb! The killer queen wine that is bourbon barrel aged it's fantastic. Good enough that we actually bought a bottle to take home. And the price is unbelievable! This is a must visit location for anybody who wants to have a wonderful time, a quaint location, and a chic type of visit.

This place has a very cool vibe to it overall and was pretty busy for a Thursday night around 9p. I sat at the only seat available at the bar and was immediately introduced to many different varieties of wines including orange wines which I had never had before. Both Sylvia and Chandler were absolutely amazing at explaining all the wines and how they are made to me. I was able to taste a few of the orange wines which I ended up including in my wine flight. For food, I had the Bread & Sauce while having my wines which paired well with the variety of wines in my flight. Afterwards, I had Sil's cookies which was so chewy and warm; I wasn't originally going to have it, but Sylvia highly recommended it and I'm so happy that I ended up having them. The chocolate chip cookies were the perfect end to my evening!

An Art Deco mixed with an eclectic feel, this wine bar is top notch. The staff were knowledgeable about an array of wines served and extremely friendly. The co-owner was down to earth and passionate about the business which reflects into the customer experience. Highly recommend visiting this gem in the heart of downtown Durham.

This location has been several different businesses over the years including another wine bar before COVID. We follow them on Instagram and had been meaning to stop by. We finally did on a Friday evening after catching a free concert in the nearby Durham Central Park. The decor is fun and funky and the staff is very outgoing and friendly. You can sit inside or go out the back to a cool little patio area -- which is what we did. We enjoyed our wines (they have a wide and ever-changing selection) and the fun vibe, although wine bar prices are usually more expensive than beer taprooms. I believe they also offer light bites since we saw a server carry a plate by. Definitely a fun place to visit.

Favorite wine spot. Drink outside the set up is great. Staff is best part. Matt always adds extra attention but everyone is amazing. I could get a room and live there.

I was looking for new places to eat and saw the name Killer Queen which peaked my interest. Digging in deeper found it is a wine bar. I love really cute wine bars and the decor and ambiance did not disappoint! Took one of my good friends to start for her 40th birthday dining start. We were served champagne which was super nice. We got a really nice bottle of wine after tasting two I was interested in purchasing. We also got a charcuterie board. I think they forgot us a few times but the board finally came, it was delicious and they took care of us on the issue. I'll be taking the hubbie for sure.

Visiting Durham & came here bc of the name & loved eveything about it. Narrow, dim lit wine bar decked with a speakeasy vibe!!! Love everything from the wine list, charcuterie, decor to the knowledgeable and fun friendly staff!!!

We had an amazing time and cannot wait to come back. The staff was so helpful and patient. They gladly poured us samples as we tried to pick the perfect bottle of wine to share. We also ordered a charcuterie platter and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of food and the accompaniments that came with it. Everything was delicious.

I love this place. In fact, it may be my favorite bar in Durham. The aesthetics are fantastic and the back patio is small but adorable. I even love the bathroom. The staff are so friendly (sometimes it seems that they may have had a few drinks themselves) and they can help you navigate the lengthy wine list. Granted, it's not cheap, but you do get quality for the price. The food is also fantastic-- hands down the best cheese and charcuterie plate in Durham. Everything else I have had is also great, especially the hot dog. I am always looking for an excuse to come to Killer Queen so don't miss out!

This place is absolutely marvelous. We walked by it going to dinner and came to it after we ate and were immediately greeted by a wonderfully happy staff indoors and by the owner out on the back patio. She was bubbly happy to see us and offered blankets to us for more comfortable seating. We didn't get any food but the light bites looked great and they have a fantastic wine selection. I cannot say enough great things about this place. I'm writing this as I'm actively enjoying the wine and have been checked in on by the staff. Two thumbs up, five stars, 10/10. Give this place your business especially if you're looking for a chill vibe night or a date night.

Beautiful space and the patio was toasty and cozy with the heaters despite temps in the 20s! Perfect for a drink before a show at DPAC (and maybe a nightcap as well!.

What a cool new spot! My husband and I went here on a Thursday evening and were warmly greeted by the owners, Sylvia and Lindsay, who were nice and helpful with our selections throughout the night. The wine selection was large and varied and the food...the food was SO SO SO good. We had the pesto and ricotta flatbread with prosciutto - it was light, airy and flavorful. We also had a bomb.com cheese board with great accompaniments (dried cherries, apricots, honey, corn nuts, micro greens, mustard, fig jam). We're not huge dessert people but the chocolate panacotta was light and yummy. Lastly, the decor in this spot is tres chic! I want them to come decorate my house. I love the bold paint choices and vintage vibes - be sure to check out the bathroom. Safe to say, I think we will be regulars here!

Great atmosphere. The best charcuterie I've ever had. You should give it a try! Good wine selection.

My favorite bar in Durham. The aesthetics are on point, the wine and food are delicious. The owners are fabulous and make excellent recommendations. So quirky and cute! Definitely get the cheese plate!!

What a magical little place. Eclectic, whimsical vibe. The staff were so accommodating and attentive. Didn't get to try the food but I hear it's good.

My husband and I, and our little white dog, finally had the chance to check out this lovely gem of a wine bar tonight. We tried a 2 reds and 2 whites and ordered too many small bites. It was all delicious. The ambiance is also sublime- reminding us of a cozy bar we might stumble upon in Paris- and don't miss the charming back patio. But the best part was the warm welcome from Sylvia and Lindsey and the rest of the staff. We'll definitely be regulars.

Had a large group event on Saturday & Killer Queen was one of our stops & I am so glad it was! We got to enjoy their delightful patio and wine, it made for such a great evening. I suggest getting there on the early side if you have a large group, but with inside seating & the patio it is very spacious.

Amazing atmosphere, super friendly staff, good wine... what more could you ask for? There are couches and chairs up front for groups, bar seating, bistro seats along the wall inside and a patio.

Absolutely adore this new addition to Downtown Durham. Sylvia and Lindsay make sure you feel comfortable and cozy in their beautifully decorated wine bar. The absolutely charming outside patio is such a treat! Wine and food selection is carefully choosen and delicious.

Very fun inside, we enjoyed our time! We didn't get to eat there (had dinner reservations else where), but the wine selection was good and the food looked great.

Staff is amazing. Owner a real joy. We had a tremendous time. The wine selection is unique and broad. The food was delicious and compliments the wines. The outdoor space in back comfortable. Looking forward to going back.

The best Wine Bar in the Raleigh Durham area. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The interior design is fantastic. The staff is extreme helpful, nice and patient. Sylvia and Lindsay are pulchritudinous, kind and the best in the business. 27 Stars.

Friendly, knowledgeable staff- clearly passionate about what they do. Great addition to downtown Durham!

I'm not one to write reviews but I am compelled to share that this is a Durham spot you have to go check out! This place has an incredible wine selection and the friendliest staff that are so helpful in navigating the list. They encourage exploration, let you taste anything, and are prepared with recommendations to get you to the right one. The owners are extremely welcoming the minute you step through the door. The warmth of a living room setting with pleasantly placed seating makes for a enjoyable evening catching up with friends or even making new ones. And whoever is in that kitchen is churning out some amazing, delectable dishes that pair perfectly with their vast array of vino. You must try the meatballs!!! I mean where in this city can you get a real Italian Nonna-style meatball?!! They are so flavorful, perfectly seasoned and one of those sauces that you want to bury your face in. No joke. I hope they keep this on the menu cuz I'm comin' back and I'm bringin' m'friends!