The Roof at The Durham

We had a great time. Friendly staff and make sure to request Kate for your bar.

While the beverage prices tend toward the higher end of the spectrum, this establishment provides an undeniably charming ambiance, making it an ideal choice for a date night. Interestingly, they also appear to offer yoga classes, adding an unexpected dimension to their offerings.

I have been to the rooftop bar at The Durham Hotel a few times. The lobby is beautiful and has a post modern retro vibe. The rooftop is a great venue, especially when they have their jazz events. Great pics for sunsets and good drinks. Outdoor but partial indoor as well. After hours parking available for free down at the parking deck across the street from City Hall. Cool spot for a date, or evening out with friends or even alone! My one complaint is that there is 1 elevator to be used by both hotel stayers and rooftop goers. It can be painfully slow and crowded, and feels a little unstable at best.

Great atmosphere and view but the food could be improved. The homemade bay potato chips were tasty but lacked bay seasoning. Burrata is creamy but the scallion pancake that came with it was rather stale. The tomato and cucumber salad was tangy though I could taste that the salad was premixed a while back and wasn't as fresh. All in all, come for the atmosphere and view but I wouldn't expect amazing food. As expected, the portion size is small.

Fun venue to host a social events/ gathering! Wonderful atmosphere and gorgeous view of the Downtown Durham (and surrounding) area. They do have part of the rooftop sheltered in case if it rains or too cold or windy. The finger foods/appetizers were also very tasty. Friendly, professional, and helpful staff members!.

One of my fav spots for a drink in Durham! Great views and nice drinks. Tired of meeting-up or having HH at yet another beer garden? This is your place! No shade to Durham's many great beer gardens, but as a non-beer fanatic, I'm always looking to mix it up and particularly appreciate this spot. There are multiple bartenders working the bar here so you don't have to wait too long to get your mixed drink. There are a nice variety of tables and loungey spots to choose from to settle in at and take in the views, which are good from all sides. They also serve a appetizer menu but I haven't tried anything from it. I wanted to do brunch here but few veg options. Check before coming if this is your main destination downtown because they host a lot of private events.

June 3, 2023 - Review date The scenery is beautiful; if you’re having a stressful day, this is where you should come. I had two signature drinks: the Durham and the Whiskey Sesame. If you don’t like sesame oil, you can omit it from the drink: friendly, warm, atmosphere; great seating, and the music selection is chill. For any special occasion or birthday celebration, reserving is a great choice.

Meh Nice views Oysters were gross Bartenders had zero hustle. Didn't even acknowledge my wife who was standing there for a very long time trying to get a drink. Move faster

My boyfriend and I were already at the Roof for the Aunties African Ice Cream Pop Up when we decided to grab a bite. The ambiance was beautiful. I loved the view and being able to look over Durham. The service was really good too. All the servers worked together to make sure that we were taken care of. We ordered carnitas and really enjoyed them. I would definitely recommend checking this place out!

Great ambience, unique view, comfortable seating and good for small groups. It would be nice if there was tableware service and more food options but as a happy hour destination, it's per darned good.

I don't get why the reviews are so negative here. The only thing they are right about is the prices -- I would love lower prices. However, these are the same prices the other cocktail bars in Durham are charging! The ambiance was okay. In the winter, it's not really a rooftop because they close off the roof to the outside. So I think it would probably be more fun to come in the summer. I would love the option to go outside in the winter! I'm fine with the cold personally. The service was pretty good too! Everyone was nice and quick.

This is a beautiful hotel with very nice views of from the 6th floor rooftop. I had the pleasure of visiting on a Friday night when I was in town visiting family. It's a laidback chill vibe with people mostly sitting and lounging on couches and at tables. They had a fire playlists but nobody dancing. The drinks were a bit overpriced but they had a nice selection of cocktails and beers on tap. The bar staff were nice. There didn't appear to be anyone bussing tables... so be prepared to do it yourself. All empty table tops were covered with used glassware. Pro tip - if coming on the weekend, try to get there to get there early, because the line for the elevator up to the roof gets crazy long!

It was my 3rd night staying at The Durham Hotel and I had been looking forward to a visit to this rooftop bar after seeing so many beautiful pictures of it on Yelp. The bar is situated on the 6th floor, the roof of the hotel. The view was beautiful! From this roof top, I could see all of downtown Durham which has a lot of historic buildings that have been converted to restaurants, businesses, and hotels. I came just before sunset, requested a high table for one on the uncovered balcony, and enjoyed a beautiful sunset as I sipped on my glass of Riesling and enjoyed platter of a half dozen fresh raw oysters and a tray of pita bread with babaganoush, spicy feta, and cucumber tahini. The view was gorgeous, the air was fresh, and the ambiance of the rooftop bar did not disappoint. The food menu wasn't the best unfortunately. I was really looking forward to their seafood tower, but was a bit sad the menu had been simplified and no longer offered this platter. There wasn't much to choose from. Regardless, I still enjoyed my selections and had a wonderful evening. The staff was courteous.

Talk about a rip off! My wife and I went on to the rooftop bar for drinks and live music. The drinks are way overpriced and we were charged twice on our open tab. Better watch your receipt! Service was stupid slow. Never again! There's way too many other great places in Durham. Not sure how they stay in business.

Beautiful views of the downtown Durham skyline. Great food and even better drinks. Highly recommend this view for a romantic evening or a regular friend night.

Live entertainment. Drinks were delicious. Very crowded for a Thursday evening but well worth it.

Was so excited to check out this rooftop bar as well as the view of the Durham skyline, but my experience here was a bit disappointing compared to those I've had in other cities. For a rooftop bar, the drinks are disappointing at best. Mine was only half filled, but still quite expensive (I'm talking $15+ range). They also are poorly mixed and taste absolutely horrendous, and I had to end up diluting mine with half a glass of water. I also think I ended up getting handed the wrong drink, especially since my waiter came back and confusedly asked me if I received my drink yet. The service also left much to be desired- it took fifteen minutes for me to flag down a waiter, and he ended up telling me to wait for another waiter. I'm not sure if this place is just understaffed since the restaurant and bar area itself is quite small, but it took me a lot longer to be serviced and receive my food/drinks compared to other patrons, which was certainly a bit disappointing, in addition to the drink mishap. The only saving grace was the seafood platter, which is super reasonably priced at $28 for ceviche, fresh North Carolina oysters, and a shrimp cocktail. Highly recommend this for how fresh and high quality each piece is, and if you're looking for some refreshing bites to balance out your drinks!

It's everything you would expect in a rooftop bar! Great views, casual atmosphere and great drinks. Stop by at sunset!

My favorite place to go to kick off a night out in downtown Durham. The view is very cool from the rooftop and you can see the entire area. The drink menu is very creative and uses a variety of spirits and mixers that sets this place apart from any other bar. I also love the small bites menu; I had a particularly good crab cake starter with a creamy mustard sauce and some very tasty mixed greens the last time I was there. The dishes make a nice appetizer side so that you won't fill up before having dinner. The staff has always been very pleasant and accommodating the multiple times I've been. Recently, one of the dishes for our table was delayed coming out and they took it off the bill without us even asking. There really isn't anything quite like this place anywhere else in Durham. It's a fun experience.

Second time here. Not so great. The benefit for a restauranteur knowing the headcount each night has to help with staffing and food prep. You have a VERY good idea what to expect ..... at least think, right? Only reservations here, days in advance. With 6:30pm reservations we were a few minutes early. The restaurants about 60-70 capacity with their limited outdoor seating. We waited 20 minutes before our waiter finally showed up. He must have decided to take a break. Good for him. We placed our order and after an excruciating long wait our drinks finally arrived. A few minutes later our appetizer showed, Fritto Mistofried NC oysters, calamari, wild shrimp tempura with aioli and harissa, $12. The dark brown tempura had me concerned our app had been over-cooked. Okay this point I'm starving so I picked through the selection. My wife doesn't eat oysters. I do. I found one. At the bottom. Shrimp were ok, but only 3 of them is a little measly, and the calamari, while there was more of this, was way over cooked. No one stopped by to check on our food, but I kind of expected that at this point. The best part of our evening was my wife's pan roasted chicken dish that was served fresh from the kitchen. Piping hot and apparently delish. I ordered the braised lamb shank over rice and lentils. Obviously to me, this wasn't promptly served as it was already cool by the time served, not helped by the cold plate. Yeah, no hot plates here for your food. Especially being served outside, it would fair much better. My lamb was plentiful and tender, but stone cold just a few minutes into the meal. The rice and lentils, though tasty were also cold. Again, no check in on us. No dessert. As much as we thought about it and the waiter finally came around we could have ordered and eaten dessert. So..... no. It took a long time for the check to be paid too. $100 (includes a generous 15% tip) for an appetizer, 2 entrees, a beer and a cocktail. Steep? You be the judge.

We have been waiting to check out the Roof at the Durham since we relocated to Durham last year and finally went on Saturday evening before the Durham Bulls game. We didn't get to take advantage of the service table, and only walked up to the bar and ordered a few drinks. The bartenders were attentive and quick. We got our drinks after a few minutes wait. I only wish there were more seatings outside (and not the service tables) to allow for smaller groups. Other than that, it was a good experience!

Loved it here! Our server Abby was really nice and upbeat! The atmosphere was perfect and I've never felt more welcome! We ordered the Oyster appetizer along with the Shrimp and Scallop ceviche and Guacamole! All very delicious! I cannot wait to come back!

The view is very nice and the ambiance is great. I would recommend to come here for a drink. I would not recommend to come here for the food. We came with a party of 6 for a friend's birthday. Everyone in our party did not enjoy the food. The Caesar Salad Dressing tasted like dishwater. The Smoked tuna was cold and wasn't very good.

This place was really cute. The vibes and views were definitely great. The menu so do not come with a big appetite. Definitely just a place for drinks and snacks. The restaurant downstairs has a wider selection so I recommend eating there. The servers were very pleasant and the service was very timely.

I came to Raleigh on a business trip from Miami looking for a place that would make me feel a little like home; something with a rooftop. Found this gem of a bar and instantly knew that I found what I was looking for. Little did I know I would find a very special drink called "El Coqui Le Canta". The head bartender introduced me to himself and explained how he invented the drink after visiting Puerto Rico and was donating some of the proceeds to the island. Being that I'm from Puerto Rico this genuinely shocked me and my family (we had lost family to Hurricane Maria) that someone cared still about our island that had no relation to us. That moment was special and made my trip. The drink was amazing, as were the other drinks I tried, and this will be a tradition of mine to stop at this rooftop every time I'm in town. Gracias Rooftop at Durham por todo y al bartender... he dicho que siempre seras familia hermano. Te agradezco.

I loved the views, atmosphere, service, and cocktails. Would recommend. I was looking got a pick me up and the bartender made a cold brew concentrate with soda water and lemon and it was the best thing ever!

If I could give this location 0 stars, I would. This is ONLY on the basis of their dishonesty and poor communication. Prior to deciding on this location for a business event, I called and spoke to a member of their team TWICE about their reservations protocol for indoor, patio, and rooftop services. On BOTH occasions, I was directly informed that reservations were NOT required for their rooftop and that it was first-come first-serve. Only for dine-in were reservations required. Additionally, their website was specific to indoor reservations. Needless to say, because NC had advanced to their next phase in reopening since the pandemic, people were going to come out for dining. This establishment decided to change their initial policies and require reservations for the ENTIRE dining experience. That's totally ok, however, they lied when I asked them about previous information that I'd received about not requiring reservations. I discovered their dishonesty after sitting in their foyer to make other arrangements and the host explains to other guests that reservations are NOW required. Since they are "now" required, that implies that they weren't in past and that I indeed was told this when I called. As a business person who make recommendations and bookings for a very elite clientele, this place will not be on the list. From the looks of it, the establishment is nice, however, integrity and honesty speaks volumes. Next time, tell the customer that there has been a change or update in policy instead of attempting to bamboozle them and be dishonest. Shesh

I think the draw here is that it's one of the very few rooftop bars in downtown Durham. Very nice atmosphere, the hostess was sweet and sat us right away (nice table in the shade along the railing), drinks were fine (thumbs up to having castelvetrano olives), service was slow and inattentive (it took a very long time for anyone to check on us). I had to ask for napkins after our appetizer came. We ordered the ahi tuna appetizer. It was good but just 5 small crackers with ahi tuna on it. I just moved here from center city Philly and I do have to say it was disappointing. Maybe I'm just used to better service.

What kind of a place tells you that you have to leave the table you're seated BEFORE you finish eating...because they had another reservation-oh, wait in like 15 minutes so take your food to a corner somewhere. We arrived outside and grabbed a table for 8 people because w ere were told it was first come first serve. They ruined our fun and in the middle of eating they told us we needed to sit elsewhere-they didn't even offer to find us another table. Some robocalls-bitch manager didn't even apologize she was basically saying move it-I don't care if you're still eating. I have never been so insulted in my all my life. I am never going back and I'm telling people about this rudeness especially after paying so much money for a bunch of things we got that we didn't get to finish. Never again.

Soooo I kinda was mislead with The Roof. I thought they served full dinner, but they only serve appetizers and snacks for a pretty price. The view is awesome, but only on one side. The drinks weren't so bad in price and our server was always checking up on us. A lot of people taking pictures and they have background music. For a Friday night it was pretty chill. The bill wasn't so bad it was under $100 which I was shocked cause we seemed to have drank a lot. Def stop by..views seem better at night.

Great place to have drinks and great food with an awesome view. The service is excellent. We love the guacamole and chips. Their burger is amazing! Reservations are a must so do plan ahead.

great view , good cocktails , bad service. i recommend this place if you want to take cute pics w cute drinks.

I found myself at "The Roof" when I attended a corporate party for a client I was working for in the area. The place is truly on the roof, and provides a wonderful view. Looks like a place that is easily rented for weddings and special events as it offers a very intimate place for parties. Staff were very attentive when I was there, and the drinks and appetizers were tasty and well portioned. I favored the mezcal drinks and I can say the "kiss of death" is superb (not sure if seasonal or a staple, but it was fantastic). As far as appetizers, I tried a few different dips and some seafood options. Had a great time, give it a try!

A nice bar with views of Durham. Unfortunately, it was a little cold and rainy when I went so the curtain walls were down. The heaters did a decent job of keeping the place warm, but it was definitely more comfortable in the inside area. The drinks were delicious! I had an old fashioned, which was the best I've tasted. However, they are a little pricey. I'll definitely be back in better weather so I can actually get to enjoy the rooftop as it is meant to be experienced. Overall, a nice place to spend an hour or two!

We came here for a friends birthday and loved the vibes and ambiance. However, we called in advance multiple times to try to reserve space. Time after time, they told us they did not take reservations, seating was first come first serve. Once we waited for a group to leave to sit at the couches, we were promptly asked to get up because the table was reserved. We were baffled as we didn't think you could make reservations. The workers were rude and unaccommodating. We then moved to another area and they took a seat out from under someone because they needed it for the reservation. Don't come here unless you're happy to stand without table space.

A little bit boujee for Durham, but I love it and so does everyone else! You can't beat the views and the space is inviting, cozy, and perfect for so many occasions. The Roof opens at 5 pm on weeknights and 4 on weekends. They have nice comfy patio furniture overlooking Durham, covered tables, and a smaller indoor space with restrooms. If you are a group of 6 or more and plan on hitting the rooftop bar anytime after 5:45pm, I recommend making a reservation. If you prefer to be waited on, I suggest sitting at the tables versus the patio couches. Staff will come to the couches every so often, but I think this is typically where people who grab drinks at the bar head so service is a little more spotty there. You'll pay a pretty penny for a specialty cocktail ($11-16) but the service is on point and you will not be disappointed. Can't decide? Airmail is my favorite! There's always beer if you're hoping not to break bank. Fellas, bring your dates here. There's plenty of space and seating to have private conversation. You'll feel like you hit the jackpot because it will appear that you really thought the evening through and she'll feel (and look) incredible overlooking Durham at sunset with some bubbles in her hand. You're welcome!!

Short version: The Roof is a pretty good place to have a cocktail and enjoy some bar eats that I'd say are way beyond regular bar food offerings. Cool view of DTD, open sitting area, and a nice bar itself to saddle up to and enjoy. Some things may have a higher price but most are worth it. I am a fan! The Deets: I've been to The Roof a couple of times now, located on the rooftop of The Durham Hotel. Luckily both times were in the afternoon so there was no line or crowd to deal with...looks like nighttime it gets a bit busy around here. I like the wide open sitting area with the great views of downtown Durham...it's done very nicely, but both times we've opted to sit right at the bar inside. I like this area best of all. The bartenders have been nice, helpful, and positive in the times I've been there at the bar itself and service has been good sitting at the bar. The custom cocktails and drinks are pretty good as well, no problems there either. The real standout has been the food here, as far as bar food goes, it's great. My companions really enjoyed the oysters, made a couple different ways. I enjoyed the beef tartare a lot myself, and even their hot dogs rocked. However, some (not all but a few) come at a larger price tag so just be aware of that. In summary, The Roof makes for a cool place to hang out for a drink or two, and some good food, with a nice view of Durham.

If I could afford to go to the Roof every day, I would. I can't and I still think I may attempt to... Here's the DL: Killer ambience, one of the nicest places in Durham Going during the day is better than at night; cooler vibe, better views Airmail is as good as they say it is - my fave drink here; yes every cocktail is $10 plus but it's delicious Food is way overpriced / small portions. Their guac and cracker jacks (cup for $4) are great but I just can't justify the $$$ - oh deviled eggs (note: 1 egg) are $4... Friendly, knowledgeable servers; Ive even asked one if she could please just hang with us cause she was so fabulous

Been up to the roof a few times now; on a very cool breezy day (fun, but the heaters were inadequate and the curtain walls were up), on a warm evening, and for a small party earlier in the spring. The view is great for little 'ol Durm, the drinks were reasonable, and the appetizer menu was quirky - a bit small but not over-priced. The guacamole was very good, the Butcher's hot dog was surprisingly good as was the fried chicken. The hickory smoked carrot dog was...an actual smoked carrot on a bun - definitely different. The snack board was way over-priced and had very little on it - not a fan. We have not tried the raw bar yet, but it looks good. Drop on by and watch the sun set one day with your favorite beverage, you will be pleased.

It was recommended that we stop here on our way to a Duke football game. I am so glad that we did. We saw a beautiful sunset and a nice view of downtown Durham. The staff was really friendly. We started with some cocktails and then took advantage of their happy hour menu. We had $1 oysters, meatball sliders (these are a must order) and chips and guacamole. We thought we would be able to have dinner there but they only have really small plates available. This place is definitely worth a visit if you ever are in town.

Ahhhhmazing. Best oysters around with the best mignonette around. Definitely a little pricey but well worth it.

Pretty poor service. Multiple bartenders and really not busy at all. Took 10+ mins to get a drink. Disappointing first visit.

Great atmosphere. A tad crowded but damn it's a hip spot and everyone wants to be here. Nice drink menu but the prices are a little high even for the location. Still a must see spot if you're downtown Durham. Bathrooms are clean and the view is amazing. Staff seems knowledgeable and friendly and it's not too hipster. Worth a relaxing drink if you're in town.

Lemme 'splain. The Roof at The Durham is a beautiful place to be. It's stylish and comfortable, with neat views and fun nooks and crannies with a variety of seating options, including open-air and covered. And the cocktails? Excellent. Though I'll never select one for more than $12. Yes, they have a few for $14 and even $16. (Where am I?) But the service. Oh, the service. I have never been delighted by the service at The Roof, and on several occasions, I've been downright disappointed. I'll only give one example here, though. My husband and I were exploring downtown with a friend who was visiting from Boston. We were all about ready for a cold one: beer for me and my husband, and iced coffee for our friend Surely, we can get those things at The Roof! The beer order was no problem. But The Roof would not serve iced coffee. I asked if there's any way to get it from the lobby--I mean there's a *coffee shop* in it--and our server said no. My friend finally ordered a cup of hot coffee instead, and about ten minutes later, our server delivered an entire French press to her, that probably serves three or four cups. My friend really needed her caffeine fix and isn't one to complain (plus we waited so long!), so she drank one cup's worth and we got our bill. Sure enough, she was charged for the entire French press. Because it's such a cool spot, I want to bring my out of town guests to The Roof. But I shouldn't be worried that they'll leave with a bad taste in their mouths.

Made reservations for 8:30pm early in the week and needed to change it to 9:15 pm. Resi.com switched our reservation. When we arrived, we were denied entry and told it was full and there was no reservation. Front desk was incredibly rude and non-accommodating. Do not recommend this place to anyone who wishes to be treated will respect.

Great drinks, great atmosphere. I give 4/5 stars bc the inside bar smells like burning fried food and I always leave with that smell stuck to my clothes. Stick to the outside.

Just left the bar. Had to sit through a poorly made drink while the manager complained to her employees about customers at a wedding downstairs.

Definitely a good place to spend time in Durham. We had dinner in the Durham Hotel Restaurant beforehand so we luckily didn't need to wait in the long elevator line, which was a bonus for sure. This is a great place to spend a beautiful night in NC. Great drinks, nice-casual atmosphere, and a good vibe overall. (for anyone saying, "Good place, but it's just Durham", ummm... there's a *reason* Vogue named Durham the hippest in NC. :-) )

Came recently with a large group (15-20) for a farewell celebration. It was a bit of a chilly night, but I figured they would have heaters on the roof, given it was an outside bar in November. They did seem to have some on one side, though the other side of the roof decidedly lacked them, and it got quite cold. I wanted to like this place, particularly since my last experience was also not great, but again... not a great experience. The drinks here are pricey... beers/ciders for $6-7, cocktails for $10-14 (would rather go to Alley 26 for that price), and not a great selection of any of those (1 rather bad cider, in a can). One of our members had brought a cake up, and when we asked for some plates to help distribute it to our group, we were told we could use some for $45. Really nice, when they were making an absolute killing off a group our size. Like my last visit, despite a not-too-crowded rooftop this time, I had at least a 10 min wait for drinks each time I went up. We ended up going elsewhere. The view really is quite nice though, but it doesn't redeem poor service and high prices in a town with so many other offerings.

I went to the rooftop this afternoon & was greeted by two incredibly rude and Unaccommodating hostesses. There were open spots at a table for my party of six but they made it incredibly clear that they would not be trying to accommodate our party, which understandably I knew it was a busy night so I placed a reservation that they said would be around an hour and a half. In the meantime my party and I ventured over to kingfisher, which is directly next door, to get a drink while we waited. I received a text message that our table was ready, with no prompt of responding to the message, and immediately went over next door to receive our table. We arrived five minutes after we received the message for our table & it took around 5-7 minutes to move from the lobby to the sixth floor to be seated for our reservation. When we got to the hostess station, with the two same hostesses as before, they told the four ladies in front of us that they had a large table open up and would be able seat them no problem. When we approached the hostess station directly after the party of four ladies and I stated our party name, they stated that we had taken too long to arrive and they gave our table away (to the table directly in front of us). I said we had been directly next door and left as soon as we got the message that our table was ready, and the process of moving from the lobby to the sixth floor took us nearly five minutes total. When the second hostess returned she also said we had taken too long to get to the restaurant and they gave our table away, and that we should have replied to the text message. There was no prompt of replying and we took, at most, ten minutes to arrive to the hostess station. I felt incredibly disrespected & disregarded by their service. The only problem solving skill they could come up with was offering us another hour or more reservation spot, of which I now have no desire to return to this restaurant and their incredibly rude and unprofessional servuce. If I could leave a review less than one star, I would.

Very nice vibe. Didn't try food but bar menu seemed ok. Drinks were good not excellent.

I have never written a bad review before, but I'm taking the time because I really like the space at The Roof and hope for some positive changes with this. The space and views are amazing, no doubt at all about that. Love The Green Room cocktail. But the service, including the treatment I received from the manager last night was so poor, it boarded on insulting. For my birthday I brought to The Roof around 20 very thirsty and hungry friends eager to be generous on my day. Close to 8 pm, waitstaff let us know we would have to remove ourselves from our couch seats as the space had been reserved at 8 for a group. Bummed, but of course compliant, we stood. And now that we were no longer 'table service', we had to go to the bar to order, with an average 20 min wait time to get a drink. After 20 minutes a few of us sat back down explaining we would get back up as soon as the reservation arrived. The waitstaff said this was not possible as they need time to clear the area for the reservation. The manager then came by to further explain this total lack of customer service protocol to me. So I asked that if the party expected doesn't show up, could she please let me know so we can sit down. She told me there was ' no way' she would remember me, but that I needed to give the hostess my phone number to text me. I gave her another chance and genuinely questioned if she indeed thought she would not be able to remember me, as I had been stationed in the same place for the last 2 hours. She confirmed, she was not able or not willing to remember me. The seats we had to vacate stood empty from 8-8:50. A manager at this caliber of establishment needs to have a bit more finesse and customer service training. I felt completely disregarded and regretful of the $1,500+ my friends and I brought in for The Roof. I love it there, please respect your customers, train your managers in customer service. Get some cocktail service so you don't have a mob 5 bodies deep trying to order a drink. You'd make a lot more $ and have much happier customers. Can't tell you how many frustrated people I overhead saying they were going to order multiple drinks so they didn't have to wait in line again. To their credit, there were some lovely staff that waited on us when we were at the couches initially.

This rooftop bar at the Hotel Durham is a lovely and lively spot to get the best view of Durham, with delicious fresh guacamole and cocktails too. One warning - they only have one elevator and it is slow.

The view alone is a great place to give this restaurant a great review...It gives you a lovely aerial view of Durham and even in the evening time, the view is great......The prices of the drinks seem reasonable and the staff is definitely friendly and knowledgeable........

Pretentious. A friend was in town, and really really wanted to go. When we arrived, there was a line out the door, much like there would be for a NYC or San Fran hot spot. She insisted, so we waited in it for 15 minutes, and then were permitted to climb 6 flights of stairs to the top. And when we got there? NOT CROWDED at all. Not even pretend crowded. "The line" amounted to a really fake attempt to pretend to be something it's not, which I think is very much the opposite of what draw people to Durham (its authenticity). At any rate, the view was beautiful, and the drinks were expensive. The crowd as mostly exactly 21 or 22 yrs old, so in spite of the view, don't go if you're looking for a more sophisticated setting.

Absolutely phenomenal!!! David and Ty (bartenders) are exceptionally attentive, friendly and very knowledgeable of the menu and drinks , which are by the way delicious!!!

Granted the rooftop is a unique hangout with excellent views of downtown Durham... but as others have said... this is Durham, not south beach. I came here on a Saturday night around 8:30 PM with a group of girlfriends. When we walked into the lobby, we had to wait in line for 10 minutes before we could get on the elevator to up to the rooftop (this is apparently standard protocol for non-guests according to the guy who greeted us in the lobby). After 10 minutes, we made our way up to the rooftop (which wasn't packed at all, so I still don't really understand the "ten minute" rule). Their drink selection is decent (several local beers, cocktails are a bit pricey). Seating is very limited if you are just looking for a few chairs to lounge in and enjoy the view, but there were plenty of "reserved" tables for dining under a covered area and by the bar. This place filled up quickly, and the wait at the bar was about 10 minutes. The kitchen must be close to the bar, because there was a very "fried" smell emanating from that area which was a bit overwhelming. I'm glad I checked the Rooftop off my Durham bucket list, but I don't think I would return unless I went in the daytime and was hosting someone from out of town or something.