Kingfisher
Cocktail bar · Durham ·
Garden-to-glass cocktails, lounge seating, and jazz
Garden-to-glass cocktails, lounge seating, and jazz
"Serena praises Sean Umstead at Kingfisher for mixing some of the best drinks in Durham, calling the Hoodwink Spritz a personal favorite." - Von Diaz
"Kingfisher is an award-winning cocktail bar located below Queeny’s, known for its high-quality cocktails and inviting atmosphere." - Jenn Rice
"A Durham cocktail bar run by Sean Umstead and Michelle Vanderwalker that pivoted during the pandemic after North Carolina bars were not allowed to reopen. To continue operating, the owners repurposed their parking lot into an outdoor burger operation—implementing AstroTurf for a backyard feel and adding menu items such as smash burgers, vegan patties, bottled cocktails, and frozen drinks—while planning social‑distancing measures and charitable giving tied to the new concept." - Erin Perkins
"At this Durham specialty cocktail bar I learned from co-owner Sean Umstead that over 90% of the business comes from alcohol; Umstead said being able to sell complete cocktails to-go would “pay my rent,” called the legislature’s failure to pass the provision disheartening, and complained that the current rules force Kingfisher to operate as a business “completely detached from its product.” He warned that reduced-capacity service won’t be financially viable without rent relief or other aid and urged the public to contact legislators if they want bars like his to survive." - Matt Lardie
"Kingfisher, a farm‑inspired cocktail bar in Durham, is hosting a daily virtual happy hour on Instagram at 4:30 p.m. (with cocktail demos, entertainment, and booze history) and using a Venmo virtual tip jar (@kingfisherdurham) that averages about $150 per day to replenish its employee compensation fund while keeping regulars connected." - Jenn Rice