This downtown Durham dive bar is a laid-back gem with great late-night food, craft cocktails, and a chill vibe that's perfect for starting the night.
"Located in Durham, North Carolina, Queeny’s has joined the Lactation Network's Room at the Table initiative. This program seeks to make restaurants more accommodating for breastfeeding parents, ensuring a friendly dining experience for families." - Amy McCarthy
"From the moment it opened its doors in late 2021, Queeny’s has become a downtown staple, bridging the gap between dive bar and neighborhood eatery and often open when other nearby restaurants are closed. Sandwiches like the birria French dip and the Mount Airy sandwich (a marriage of a pork chop sandwich and a banh mi) have become customer favorites, and the chicken tenders alone are worth a visit. Unfussy cocktails, beer, and wine complement the food, and the colorful space includes a back garden, small bookstore, and podcast recording studio." - Matt Lardie
"The intersectionality of queer life means a queer person often claims multiple identities at once, and Queeny’s is perhaps the best embodiment of that intersectionality. Co-owner Michelle Vanderwalker (who with Sean Umstead is also behind Kingfisher and Queenburger) has created a space that is uniquely Durham and uniquely queer — a neighborhood bar vibe with a library and podcast studio, late night eats, and cheap but delicious cocktails. Grab a burger or French dip birria sandwich, wash it down with a Cosmo, and watch as all walks of Durham life gather together." - Matt Lardie
"I found myself returning time and again to Queeny’s." - Erin Perkins
"Queeny’s offers late-night eats under $10, a community space with comforting food and drinks, a podcast studio, and a bookshop. The space has a cozy den vibe with a ‘70s color palette, and the menu includes a variety of affordable a la carte items. The venue is designed to feel familiar and inviting, encouraging guests to enjoy good food and meet new people." - Jenn Rice