Kotuku Surf Club

Great dive bar! Get a Hamm’s and just chill in the funky ambiance.

We recently discovered this place, even though we've walked passed it many times and I realized I had it on my list of go to. It definitely reminds me of a few divey bars in NYC (where we were before we moved down to the area last year). We have enjoyed our few times coming here, good simple drinks and games. (See pictures in Photos section)

Stopped in on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for a couple of beers and picked up tacos at the food stand. Just a great vibe lots of lovely people enjoying the sunshine and great selection of beer. Lots of people with dogs and chatting to each other. this is a real community bar and the artwork and Enamel signs in the bar are just outstanding run by a kiwi so you can come here for all of your rugby information.😂 🇳🇿

Walked in to inquire if someone could help me with my getting home problems because I didn’t have enough on my card I was going to give them cash to help me get home and the girl bartender gave me a mean mug look as if I was lying or just a bum on the street. Front door people were nice but the girl bartender should have more customer service when dealing with customers who have a problem. She could’ve kindly said “no I’m sorry” instead of giving me some weird look. 5 stars for the front door people! Major 1 star for her! She had on a pink sweater

Fun spot downtown with an eclectic retro vibe. Great service from Reece and Lacey, who keep the drinks and tunes flowing. Music varies, but each night has a theme. Large outdoor space with a bar, tables, and a bocce ball court.

Missed a great opportunity to show off a cool place. 30 minute lines to get a beer. Way understaffed. Could have sold 3X the beer. And a very rude bartender. I could deal with but offended friends. None of us will make an effort to return. I would have emailed them directly and not on public display, but they have no contact info ....

I was first introduced to the Surf Club as a vendor during @thriftabull. The atmosphere is amazing and took me back to a time when things were simple. The staff was super friendly 😀

Not just a dive bar—the dive bar. If you live in the Durham Central Park area, you know this is the local hangout. They offer a great selection of unique and excellent beers, along with the coolest atmosphere around.

My favourite bar in Durham... The bartenders are all sweethearts and take care of their customers Great and creative beer selection with interesting tap takeovers every so often Even greater liquor selections no matter what you're into (especially whiskey...) Lots of room for activities (pool, shuffle board, darts, bocce ball...) Great outdoor space for the summer! Super awesome clientele, great people to hang out with Richie, daytime bartender on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday always has snacks for his customers!!! I love Surf Club :)

Beyond rude bar tender wouldn't spend a dime at the place or ever darken the doors again, walk five more feet down the block and feel welcome and at home

Bar is a staple of Durham. One of the first bars on the scene and one of my go-to's. Another great piece is that, being a private club, they have an age restriction, I believe 23 and up, that keeps huge groups of college kids from flooding the bar and overcrowding everything. There's indoor and outdoor seating that's comfortable. The staff have stayed over the years so there's also a fun familiarity to the place. They're super kind and quick to serve. Drinks are super reasonably priced and they always have a cheap pint of Budweiser on tap. Surf Club also hosts a bunch of changing food trucks and weekly events, so even past the dive bar ambiance, there's quite a bit to do, including games they have set up. Would highly recommend as a day time stop for a nice, relaxing drink, or a fun night out on the weekend.

If I could give it zero stars I would. Wasn't a friendly environment at all bar tenders was very unfriendly. Took a while for bartender to serve us . The bar was not diverse friendly. people would really make you feel uncomfortable definitely won't be going back.

Really rude staff. One evening wasn't allowed in due to being 25 years old. Confusing and inconsistent policy. Overall poor experience.

Great vibe. Cool outdoor and indoor elements to attract fun-lovers galore. Eclectic mix of people from, literally, ALL walks of life socializing with one another. And decent-mixed cocktails and/or beer served up by the most welcoming bartenders. What more could you want?! Definitely a must-visit if you're out on the town in Durham, NC.

Was I not let into this bar because I'm 22? Walked in, showed my ID, and barista said I couldn't stay because I wasn't 23?

5/5 this place has Allagash White on draft in a mug glass. I don't know how you rate this place anything less than a 5

To the kind bartender who is a Carolina fan in Durham...you can come out of your closet now I told you I'd pray for you Also thank you to the kind person I've never met and may never know how to thank for getting me back to my hotel safely after a creepy guy tried to pretend he was my Uber. He wasn't...trust your instincts if it doesn't feel right. Thank you for being good people

I've been coming here for a long time as a student! However, they made a mistake with the bill. I paid for my friends and I asked if it was the whole bill. They said it was mine. So I paid my portion of it which was 2 drinks. They said I didn't give enough tips and kicked us out . Very racist place, don't visit as a person of color!

This bar has a pretty cool atmosphere. I really liked the vibe and the setup for the bar. The outdoor space in the back is really casual and low key and I enjoyed all of the dogs! This bar had Genny Cream Ale which is my favorite beer from home (people can say what they want about - I love it). Also it was a 24oz can for $4 so I was super excited. I'm giving this 3 stars because the bartender wasn't very friendly. She was very unresponsive to us and maybe it was just a bad night but it stuck with me. I'll probably go back for the Genny and atmosphere.

Walked up to the "stop sign" where it says to wait until be seated where the bartender aggressively waved his finger "no" at me. After about 2 minutes of waiting without being acknowledged, I decided to leave. A couple walked up as I was leaving and said bartender happily acknowledged and invited them in.

I got a confession to make. I've been to a couple of bars over the years and have a pretty good idea of what makes a great one. And the Surf Club very much impressed on my first visit. Didn't like the name at all but what the heck! Stepping past some regulars out front I wasn't sure what to expect. Inside it's pretty dark, dark woods, industrial, heavyweight butcher block tables and thin booths. Nice shimmering bar on the right and a lanky bearded guy in back tending bar. They've got a substantial set of beer taps at the end but I decide go with a gin and soda. Nice touch, I get the whole can of soda which is unusual and the bartender is very efficient and customer-oriented. Poking around the space, Surf Club has some smaller rooms and a side space. Dart board, shuffle board and pool table make for some good entertainment options and the Edison lights keeps everything in a peaceful glow. Definitely lots of regulars here but everyone's nice to the intruder from the City of Oaks! Yeah, I look a bit prepped out and sometimes you run into hipster bars with too much attitude. Cough, Federal and Landmark, cough... But the Surf Club does hipster right. They still made this stranger feel right at home and that's what a bar is all about. So great job Surf Club! An upscale dive bar with interesting peeps, cool decor and a bad-ass bartender always works for me. Thanks for making my visit a good one...

I like surf club overall. There are dogs everywhere, which I geek out about often-- they are all so cute! The atmosphere is great outside with the sunset, lights, and playing a game of bocce (if that is your thing!) the only downside is the number of people smoking. The other thing I disliked was the service. I agree with another reviewer that the bartenders can be a little odd. I too sat there for a while where she was serving other people. She wasn't doing much at the time, but when regulars came in she served them immediately. When she did serve me the two times, she looked really unhappy and unapproachable. But maybe she was having an off day. But I will say that my friends love this place (their default) so I'll be back.

I'd describe this place as a good dive bar with a great outdoor scene, but apparently when Duke students are in town, it can become kind of clubby? Unsure. I can only speak to its dive bar scene, which is pretty great if you're looking for an interesting draft list and some casual darts. Pool table is usually pretty popular, outdoor patio is super nice when the weather is, and the bartenders are always great! Bathrooms are pretty sketchy, but I guess that's on par for a dive bar.

The best vibes I've experienced in downtown Durham! Don't let the lower scored reviews scare you off, everyone around me and myself etc had a wonderful time. Very relaxed environment, awesome bocci ball, cool bartenders, cool mix of people. I loved it.

Rude and racist bartenders. Surf club needs to know that the bartenders they had on Jul 2nd night were the worst and most rude men possible. One of the bartenders yelled at us when we enquired if we could taste the beer after ordering by saying "man but I already pored it out" and we had to explain we were just asking for the next time we ordered. The other bartender literally pounced on my husband and yelled for trying to taste a beer from the taps they have on the side when there was clearly some ambiguity in their communication to us about tasting beers. Thanks but never gonna go to this place again.

This is the best patio in Durham, WHY DON'T THEY HAVE HEATERS??? so basically my fav spot is uninhabitable for 4 months? Why?? GET HEATERS PLEASE! Do we need to take up a collection? For real, what's the 411 hon? Love this spot and all the staff

Wanting to grab a bite to eat with a large group this past Saturday we tried to hit up Parts and Labor but they were too crowded. We did a quick search online and found that Surf Club was hosting the Golden Goose. I fell in love with the Surf Club 4 years ago and they still have my heart. I adore their array of bar games, the place is WAY less crowed than the more popular joints in the area and their outdoor patio is fantastic. Coupled with friendly service and food trucks they are one of my favorite bars in Durham. Great place to meet up with friends and I highly recommend them for a slightly less crowed night out.

Great looking bar with awesome potential if it were not for the bartenders (the female bartender in particular) attitudes. My girlfriend and I waited for 2 or 3 minutes to get some service and the female bartender stood right in front of us and waited for another customer to walk up to the bar, whom she served right away. The funny thing is she did all this while staring directly at me. I will never give this establishment anymore of my money. Clearly we are not welcomed there. Thanks Surf Club:)!

Best bar in durham when you're here you're family the bartenders are fantastic and the outdoor seating is wonderful way better than every other bar in Durham

$3 Sunday night drafts whaaa?! Very nice. It's a bar, sure. But it is also a complex, with varying open and isolated indoor and outdoor spaces affording the opportunity for two people without phones to get lost and might be able to not find each other for hours. They probably wouldn't care either. There's something magical about that kind of layout for a bar. Almost like a house party, it's a big house...but still. The bartenders are attentive, prices are good and I could spend a many a night here if, perhaps, I lived 3000 miles closer. Enjoy this gem NC, I most certainly did and would recommend it to any of my friends. Local or visiting.

If "surf" inspires thoughts of bright lights, sunshine, water themes, or bleach-blond boarders, or "club" inspires thoughts of bumping music or Jersey Shore, think the opposite on both fronts. This new addition to FullCo Row is about the closest thing Durham has to a basic neighborhood bar. It's small, dark, quiet-ish (for now), and a good place to chat with friends or strangers or stealthily listen in on conversations around you. The bar is gorgeous. The booths look nice. It's completely comfortable all around. Randomly, the bright-tiled men's room is completely out of place: it somehow reminded me so much of high school that I cracked up laughing -- both from that fact alone and because of the contrast to the rest of the place. (I'll have to leave it to someone else to report back on the women's room.) Bathroom-you-can-turn-around-in aside, the interior reminds me a lot of a nicer, calmer Fed. The best parts: (1) The atmosphere and space are awesome, as described above. (2) Beers are all 12-oz. pours, which I really like (more sampling!), and cheap ($2.50-$4), which I double-really like. Great selection. (I'm thoroughly pleased that they have Anderson Valley's Boont Amber on tap, which is delicious and tough to find.) Also great selection of liquors, which are apparently also cheap. (3) Jim, the daytime bartender who works into the evening (and also works the door) is superbly attentive and an entertaining conversationalist. On my first visit I felt like a regular. Not a bad start. He's worked at Whiskey, among other places, so he's probably a familiar face to many, though wasn't to me. The cons: (1) Rhys (part-owner of the Fed, Whiskey, among others, and full-owner here I think) seems to have also brought in at least one bartender from the Fed. Since service at the Fed is one of my least favorite things on earth, I'm wary of how that might influence the place. (2) Yet another place with no food. I'm pretty sure this area has a secret mission to see to it that I starve. Not content to be without stuffing my face for too long, however, I went down to the BBQ truck parked conveniently at Motorco and brought back a plate. Later I went to Parker & Otis and retrieved a full pound of pimento cheese to snack on. Take that. (They seem to have no problem with bringing in food, in case you were wondering.) The pros easily outweigh the cons, at least as far as my first visit indicates. I'm happy to have this place close to my house. Great addition to the Durham scene.

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!

I'm writing this in response to the reviews by: Sharanya V. & Vineeth P., since they both decided to post together, as their reviews are for the same experience. Basically, they are complaining because the staff got upset that they were helping themselves to the taps. Those taps are for the staff there, not for customer use. I've gone to Surf Club a number of times. It's one of my favorite bars in Durham. I have never known the the staff not to happily give me a sample, when asked. But yes, they'd get ticked if you asked for a sample *after* they poured it or if, worse yet, you just decided to help yourself. I realize the taps are off to the side and not directly behind the bartender, so it can get a little confusing. But just apologize for your mistake, instead of making it seem like the bar's fault. **EDIT: Went to the Surf Club this past weekend and they now have a rope up to keep people from going to the taps by themselves. ** Surf Club is a great local bar. There's lot of booth seats, which are great for hanging out and talk with a few friends. The selection of drinks of excellent, as are the prices. Despite the fact you can get some fancy beers there, there's no pretentiousness about the place. It's a Bar with a capital B.

Wow this place has SO much potential yet a few employees ruined it. First off, love the atmosphere, drink selection, and music (the reasons you go out). Onto the bad. The bartender was more than a dud. Almost a bitch. Takes approximately 7 min to get our drink orders (it's 10:30 and not that busy yet) and when she does has no conversation skills, doesn't crack a smile, and has the aura of "I don't give a shit." That's fine, whatever. They have a food truck outside with fried chicken and various sides (sounds great right?) and yet the person taking the orders is short and has an attitude. I ask for ranch later which is 0.50, which I figured, and she hands me a cup that's less than half full. I ask for a ranch that's either full or another half and she throws it at me. What is with these people? Lastly we were stalked by an individual at the bar, which I get the establishment can't control, but it was THE cherry on top. Needless to say I will never go back to the bar. Should've gone to the drag show next door where everyone was super friendly or the other 2-3 bars that are around. Thanks Surf Club

Tight vibes ... for Durham Crowded with too many dook students these days though

I've been here more than any hand full of times. It's a great atmosphere, dig the music selection being played. Love that they offer water coolers so you don't have to wait at the bar. Outside is a great place to socialize with friends or coworkers. The bocci ball courts are a nice offer as well as the free pool. Just wish the pool cues were in better condition. None the less, cold beer and great cocktails.

This place has the worst bartenders ever. While one bartender was pissed that I did not taste the beer by myself before ordering; the other bartender snapped at me, snatched my glass away from me with a grin on his face while I was trying to get a taste of the beers on tap. This killed my mood, my wife's mood and my friend's mood for the entire night, thanks to the fucking rude racist bartenders. Thanks very fucking much, Surf Club! You hire the fucking worst bartenders ever! If you're not white, but someone of a colored origin, I'd advise you to stay away from this place for your own good!

Surf Club really let me down on my last visit and unfortunately this isn't the first time I've noticed them slipping. I have been a long-term fan of Surf Club since I first moved to Durham several years ago, they've really changed the area by making the outdoor space nicer and adding the bocce ball courts, however, they also changed their pint glasses and all draft are served in 10oz and 12oz glasses now (prices haven't decreased, you're still regularly paying $5 a pint). The best day to go is definitely on Wednesday or Sunday when you don't feel slightly cheated by the much smaller then average glass (note: some pints are served in 8oz pours averaging $6, but these are marked on the chalk board). In addition to the smaller then average pours, the staff at Surf Club has never made me think, "oh man, they are awesome, so friendly, and I've got to come back so all my tips can go to them!" Sorry, but after many a visit to Surf Club, I've confirmed that the bartenders here are "eh", just average blokes looking to make money and not friends. I've sat at the bar many times at Surf Club and unfortunately have not once felt like the staff wanted me around, they just ask me if I want another drink and leave me be (if that's what you look for in a bar, you'll love it!) What puts the rotten cherry on top of the confirmation was my last experience. Ordered two beers and when the bartender gave us our receipt I noticed that there was a discrepancy between the amount charged and what the chalk board said. When I pointed it out he double checked the register and confirmed that it was incorrect, said "let me fix that" and proceeded NOT to fix our bill but to erase what was written on the chalk board and mark it up! We were still charged the additional amount and there wasn't even a thought or apology to their mistake. So, in gist, I paid Surf Club for their own mistake. I was was startled by the way their mistake was handled and it will reflect in my visits. The good news is that Durham is growing and there are more beer options around! If you want a good (much brighter) atmosphere, I recommend going to Fullsteam instead, if you want beer (FULL POURS) and good service where people have conversations with you and would never make the customer look wrong, I highly recommend heading down the street to Beer Durham. Surf Club, you've let me down.

For a long time, Surf Club was just some divey-looking place that I drove by en route to Fullsteam or Motorco. But one night, on a whim, I decided to drop in, and now it's by far my favorite bar in the Central Park area of Durham. As soon as you walk in, you can tell that they're working hard on their Durham hipster cred, with all the vintage signage for PBR and Schatz and the like. But the bar doesn't seem to attract hipsters all that much; it appeared to mostly be filled with people like me - younger folks who like going out but don't like dodging the dogs and kids at Fullsteam all the time. There are plenty of cocktail tables to stand at in the main bar area, and several big booths and tables in the adjoining rooms. There's a great shuffleboard table in the main side room, and there are some pool tables and dartboards around too. During the summer, the outdoor area is the best in town, with bocce ball courts and cornhole boards abounding with lots of picnic tables and (usually) a food truck for snacks. There's even a window from the outside that looks into the bar area, so you don't have to go inside and fight the crowd at the bar for a drink. And speaking of the drinks, they have a good selection of beers! Oftentimes, it's more obscure offerings from breweries you've heard of - instead of Fat Tire, for instance, when I was there last night they had the Slow Ride session IPA from New Belgium. They also have cocktails and shots and wine available, and it's all very reasonably-priced. They serve beer in 12oz mugs instead of pint glasses, but you can usually get something pretty good for $3 or $3.50. The bartenders are very attentive, and they always have plenty of staff on hand. My friends and I often joke that Surf Club is "Fullsteam for grown-ups." If you want a nice, laid back atmosphere for hanging out with friends, this is the place to go.

True diamond in the rough! Reasonably priced drinks with free games to play such as pool, darts, bocce ball, and shuffle board. The bartenders were really nice, and cared about the patrons, asking us about our weekend. They also have big projection screen TVs with sports on. We'll definitely be back!

If you're familiar with the neighborhood of bars and restaurants on Rigsbee Avenue, you already know all about the big two: Fullsteam and Motorco. These two visionary places deserve an insane number of high fives for the great work they've already done, and continue to do, in revitalizing what was once a not so desirable branch of downtown Durham. But if you're adventurous enough to wander past the glitz and glam of those Fullsteam warehouse doors, there lies another gem of a watering hole just a few paces down the road... Surf Club has a slight edge as compared to its Rigsbee Ave neighbors, but that only adds to its character and intrigue. Vintage beer and liquor memorabilia decorate various tucked away pockets of seating and the shuffleboard room. The lighting is dim, the music is funky. The feel: decidedly dive-y. The good kind of dive-y. Durham dive-y. A spacious side patio boasts plenty of picnic tables for outdoor gathering and a walk-up window with access to the bar (because who wants to walk ALL the way back inside for another beer??). A food truck sitting out back has your culinary cravings covered. The beer selection rivals the best that Durham has to offer, with frequently rotating brews that stand out from the standard Triangle-area tap handles, and prices that encourage multiple 'last rounds'. There may not be a live band, and you might not be able to bring your kids (unless they're of legal drinking age), but Surf Club should be presented for drinking consideration to any and all doing some Rigsbee Avenue glass toasting.

This is a cool place with some unexpected draft options. One problem while I was there Saturday 5ish, there was only one dude bartending. No servers or anything. Props to this guy but there are over 30 thirsty people here. Note to management: hire more people.

Updating my review from 4 to 5 stars due to frequent playing of tears for fears radio. Love it!

So the reason I've been putting off a visit here is because it's just a bar. Not a dive bar. Or a cocktail bar. Or a sports bar. And a plain ol' bar just doesn't sound that exciting... Wrong. Coming from the couple behind Whiskey, I should have known the interior would be tasteful... but it's almost surprisingly sharp; with clever details like the dart board alcove and tube lighting down the bar. Drinks are CHEAP. Beer list isn't bad. No tonic on tap? I felt bad wasting my short can of tonic that was served with my G&T. But the bartenders were cool, and even offered Phil a generous sample of the Lagunitas (which rotates) before he ordered. The real prize is the courtyard. It's huge! It has space for more seating, and I hope they continue to add tables, as right now there are only about five tables to camp out at. Lights are strung overhead. There's a window cut into the wall, so you don't even have to step inside to order another round! I really can't think of a better place in Durham for sitting outside, tipping a few back. There's the expected -- cornhole -- and the unexpected -- FOOD TRUCK -- parked in the patio, two nights a week. I felt like I was in Austin! Glad I finally stopped in, and will be back for sure.

I'm a big fan of the Surf Club! Great draft specials, good value ($4-5), and a great atmosphere with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. And unlike Fullsteam, they have A/C inside so it doesn't get hot as balls. Also, sometimes Fullsteam is over run by young families (with little children running amok) or douchey looking Duke professional school students. Not a problem at Surf Club. It's got a slightly older crowd (mid 30s) and I have not seen a single child crying or dog barking. Sometimes, the bartenders can be AWOL or pissy. One time I waited at the bar for 10 mins before the bartender showed up. Another time the bartender seemed like he hated the world and wanted to go home & write in his diary. But he still poured a great pour, so I didn't have any beef. In fact, Surf Club is pretty much my fave bar in Durham right now.

Did you know that the bar and doors to the cooler at Surf Club is actually from a prohibition era bar in Chicago? It was delivered in 3 parts for a life in Durham. There is at least one more bar stored that's just as cool as this one somewhere in Durham. I know this because I got drunk with the bartender one night. I love the atmosphere - inside & out - of this place. It borderlines dive bar, but keeps a real classy ego about it. The dark wood, neon lights, and those really cool light bulbs (seriously, have you taken a good look at them?) just work together to bring an old bank into a kickass bar. There are plans for improving the outdoor area for those of you who are concerned. They plan on putting up shades and stuff across the lot and I believe there were plans discussed to initiate a movie night off the wall of the building next door. However, none of this will be possible if people don't keep blowing that place up! (Also the reason for my 4 stars instead of 5. But I'll re-review once that outside gets finished.) Thursday & Fridays you can find Mama Duke's Greek truck there. And they've got this new neon light out by the door that says "FOOD" when there is a truck there serving. Plus they do live music frequently - DJs and bands, I've seen it all - and usually there's no cover. Which is nice, because sometimes I do just want to go hang out at a bar with friends and be surprised that I get some entertainment. If you're a craft beer junky you'll be happy to know that there are some really great options on tap. I saw a few rotators that still had high-quality, somewhat rare, seasonals of NC Beer. For those of us who don't drink the beer, the bar is fully stocked. I'm a bourbon girl and while the options are nothing as diverse as Whiskey, I still get plenty of options at affordable prices which makes me happy. I don't know about fruity cocktails, but the bartender we met was able to create almost anything. So if you're at a loss (there really isn't a menu) just tell the bartender what you like to drink and let him/her make ya something!

The Pros: Fantastic beer and liquor selection Outdoor seating Friendly bartenders Food trucks on some Saturdays Cornhole Shuffleboard and a pool table The absence of jerks, small screaming unattended children, twenty-first, barf-all- over-the-bar birthday parties, undergrads who think they are the center of the universe, tools, guys who say, "Hey Buddy!" when the address you, crying, screaming drunken girls and pat-downs to enter the bar Cons: No free shuttle service to drive me back to my house on Saturday nights No lazy river for my friends and I to float down in summer

This is the best new neighborhood bar in Durham. It's a casual, inexpensive, dark bar filled with people you know or might want to know. Weekdays are a bit slower which is pretty normal. I suspect it won't be quiet for too long. The bar and the back bar date back to the 20's and are from Chicago. They are gorgeous dark wood. The back bar has really nice art deco lines with lighted columns. It's nice without being pretentious and makes the space feel like it's been there forever. Plus there are built in dark wood booths along the opposite wall for more intimate seating. The bathrooms are, I believe, mostly original. I base this on the pink (women's room) and seafoam green (men's room) tile on the walls and matching mounted ceramic soap dishes. It's pretty awesome! Good beer selection and a decent liquor selection for your well drinks.

What the Surf Club is: 1) Dark 2) Reminiscent of a high school locker room 3) Inexpensive 4) Unpretentious The best way to describe Kotuku is that it's a drinking person's bar. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and the staff is friendly and efficient. The beer selection is good, lots of stuff you don't see often in Durham, but they also have a well stocked cooler of bottles and cans, including the woefully underrepresented Coors tan can. The liquor selection is good, though not expansive. They don't do cocktails, but will serve you a mix it yourself highball. It's members-only, as they don't serve food and since they serve liquor the wee ones from the Fullsteam playground are kept at bay as well.

If I could give no star, I would. I have been coming to Surf's Club for a very long time for over a year. Now the last 3x times i have been there, I have been overcharged(Mind you, i thought the 1st two were a mistake & wasn't worried about it, but now it's a recurrence). For example, I was there last Saturday, Feb 1st, and my receipt said, $47.00 even. I paid that using my Wells Fargo card. I check today, it now says $56.00(Almost an extra $10 bucks) was paid at Surf's. How in the world does that happen. Furthermore, it didn't just happen to me, it happened to one of my friend as well that night who was charged even more(I will not disclose the amount). He will take it up with Surf's because of the huge amount, but for me I will not because of the substantial small difference. PLEASE make sure you're taking a picture of your receipt(at least) and your bank statements(afterwards) if you're paying with a Debit/Credit card. These thieves like to take a little too much in the cookie jar.

Anyone who either knows me or has followed my Yelp reviews in the past knows that to me Whiskey is King. With that being said, I have found my new neighborhood bar, and it's name is Surf Club. Last Friday as I was traveling around Durham exploring I ran into Surf Club. I originally was in the area to go to Fullsteam, but the closest parking spot open was in front of this bar, so I figured I would go in for a least a drink. The bar was empty, it was early on Friday, but the patio had a group of people. I was not really there to socialize, so it was not a problem. I asked the bartender what kind of Whiskey they had and he went a grabbed me a list that was about as long as I have seen. Irish Whiskey is my preferred taste, and they were certainly lacking in that department, but they made up for it with both Bourbon and American Whiskey, having some that I have not even heard of. I asked for one on the rocks and wisely the bartender knew not to fill up the glass with ice and only put a few cubes in, major plus there. The bartender was very nice, but after the one drink I headed out to my original destination. I will certainly be back to try some other Whiskey brands, and next time I will stay for longer.

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.

A favorite spot of mine, Surf Club (in my opinion, of course) is a great mix of drink selection, value, and vibe. The bartenders are attentive, prices don't burn holes in your pockets, and the crowd is more or less mellow. Additionally, MaMa Dukes is usually parked out back on the weekends which is a definite plus! Great for: Cheap(er) drinks. Mellow(er) atmosphere and if you like a bit of an older crowd. Darts, Shuffleboard, a game of billiards (table is a bit shabby) Not so great for: Those that are looking for a dance party Finding "Wooo!" types Great place! Check it out.

Surf Club is everything you want in a neighborhood bar. Dark, good, with no gimmick. Good beer on tap, good beer in cans. I've been here a few times. The first couple times, almost empty. The last few times I've been, it's been crowded. Even with the crowd, I didn't have to wait long for a drink. Gets away from the family friendly atmosphere of Fullsteam. Swearing here is not going to get you the hairy eyeball. This bar is beer centric for sure. No fancy cocktails here. Wine is described only by its color and price: $3. I'm not a wine guy, but the red tasted fine to me. This bar does one thing. And it does it very very very well.

My husband went to Surf Club when it first opened and was ignored for 15 minutes before he walked out, so it took some convincing, months later, to get him to go to back with me. And we're both glad he did! We've been back several times since then. I love the pared-down decor of industrial (very dim) lighting and subway tiles, plus booths flanking tables that aren't attached to the wall. Plus, the bar (the actual bar, behind which the bartender tends) is a really good size and adorned with retro stools. The outdoor space is impressive and I especially like that you can get to/from it from the front or back of the building, or you can order more drinks at the little window. While the beer list isn't as expansive as I would hope for a place such as Surf Club, I can always find something I'll be happy with.

This place is super dive-y, which on this particular night is EXACTLY what I was looking for. They have a full bar for drinks, standing lounge tables if you come by for a quick one, and booths as well. They also have shuffleboard, darts, pool, and bocce out back. There's plenty to do, and if you are looking for a real laid back environment, this is the place.

Um, lets see: excellent beer, nice staff, relaxed atmosphere, and great patio? What's missing besides free wasabi peas. Oh wait, they have that too. Cowabunga.

A no-nonsense bar in downtown Durham, Kotuku is plain and simple...just a bar. Just beer (limited selection), wine (white and red) and liquors to feed your fancy. No fru-fru drinks here, I couldn't even get an Old Fashioned (they said they don't have the ingredients..hmm). After that disappointment, I just tried to embrace the atmosphere of prohibition-age decor, cool music...until I got Rick Rolled, literally. Rick Astley and other 80s hits started blasting, messing up the ambience completely. However, just concentrating on the physical location itself, it's small and compact, 5-6 booths, one high table, and the bar, complete with complimentary wasabi peanuts. Staffing was low when I visited (looked like just one bartender), so don't go in a rush. Prices were reasonable: Small beer for $3.75 Mixed drink for $6 Oh, and there is no connection with anything related to New Zealand (Kotuku) or surfing, so just get that out of your head and concentrate on enjoying a drink in one of Durham's newest bars.