The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge

I’ve been coming to The Velvet Hippo for about a year now, and it consistently impresses me with both its food and drink offerings. The menu features creative cocktails, local beers, and tasty bar bites that never disappoint! Walker is always quick with a smile and great recommendations, making every visit enjoyable, and Jules is a joy to talk to behind the bar — friendly, fun, and always adding to the upbeat vibe. The whole team brings energy and enthusiasm that makes the Hippo a great neighborhood spot in downtown Durham. The space itself is always decorated seasonally and has indoor, outdoor, and rooftop areas. I love that it feels inclusive and welcoming, with something for everyone. Overall, it’s become one of my go-to spots in Durham for fun drinks, good food, and great vibes. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a neighborhood bar with personality and consistently excellent service.

The holiday decorations here are alone worth the visit. The drinks are fun and the staff is welcoming. It was chilly outside, but we braved it for the pretty views. I would definitely return during the holiday season (and later when it's warmer).

The Velvet Hippo is exactly the kind of place that makes you feel like you accidentally stumbled into your new favorite hangout. We dropped in on a Sunday because (a) they’re proudly LGBTQ+ inclusive, and (b) they allow dogs—which, let’s be real, is a massive win for any spot in Florida heat. First impression? Packed. But in a good way. The energy was high, the patio was buzzing, and every table felt like the cool kids' table. It was one of those effortlessly fun environments where you can’t help but vibe along. Food-wise: I went with the tostadas, which were absolutely brimming with flavor—crispy, fresh, and loaded with toppings that weren’t just filler. My husband ordered the Cuban sliders, and full disclosure: I immediately regretted not doing the same. They were juicy, savory, and had us doing the polite “just one more bite?” dance until the plate was clean. Drinks: His old fashioned? A+—perfectly balanced and smooth. This isn’t one of those bars that half-asses the cocktail game. They know what they’re doing. Would we go back? Without hesitation. Great food, great drinks, a fun and inclusive crowd, and our dog was treated like royalty. If you’re in St. Pete and want something casual but full of personality, The Velvet Hippo is the move. Pro tips: * Get there early on Sundays—it gets crowded fast. * Order the Cuban sliders. Trust me. * Patio is dog-friendly, so bring your pup for bonus smiles.

Great bar with a nice rooftop. The drinks and the staff were awesome. Update: I have now been numerous more times and each time has been fantastic. Such good vibes with chill people and great drinks. This has become a go to spot!

Cracking cocktails, cool vibes. Sound staff. Rooftop area is a class touch. Worth a visit if you're in Durham 👍

Best rooftop bar in Durham - Velvet opened since I’ve been living here & has been my favorite outdoor rooftop & bar in town. Super friendly & fun bar staff - especially Carissa! Since coming here, Carissa always knows how’s to get the party started with Jello-o shots & whichever shooter they have on the menu that week. Love coming here any day of the week to enjoy sunset. They have great drink deals everyday of the week & fun events (drag bingo, DJ events, even bringing puppies from the local shelter available for adoption). Couldn’t recommend this place more to anyone looking for a fun afternoon or evening in Durham.

Far and away one of my favorite places to take people in Durham when they visit us. Everyone who works there is so friendly. Their inside is cozy and decorated festive depending on season. Their rooftop is great and as a bonus, they offer blankets for when it gets cold. Limited food menu but what I've eaten has been good (I'm not personally going here to eat though) I'm going for their fun drinks, both cocktails and mocktails, and the view. I do see people coming for the first time sometimes get discombobulated as to where to find it. Go in the building and take elevator and you'll see an open peachy pink door that leads to their bar.

I just moved here and was told that it’s pretty much the closest you’re going to get to a gay bar in Durham. It was all straight when I visited, but the place has an excellent atmosphere, great cocktails, and great service. The rooftop bar is fabulous. Did some walking around downtown. When I moved here, so many people busted on it is being unsafe, but I found it anything but. Downtown Durham has a lot to offer, this place included. Thumbs up! UPDATE: Changed from a 5 to a 3. Be mindful of some of the obnoxious patrons that come here since this is the “it“ bar. Namely, on my second visit I had to deal with a group of businessmen that were crowding around the patio doorway and would not move to let people get through. I sent an email to the bar management, who responded positively. Still though, some of the patrons here are arrogantly disrespectful.

Excellent vibe and atmosphere. Organized a surprise bday party here and the organization is top notch! They were very accommodating and love the fact that even though there is a minimum to reserve a spot for the event, the cost goes toward your order. Staff was very friendly. Snack and plates of food are great to share. The drinks were awesome. A little in the high side but what is not these days!

Came here during their Into the Snow Globe! A Winter Experience period, and it was v cute and wintery haha. I got the hot cider with bourbon- it was tasty, I could barely taste the bourbon (which is a pro for me, but I guess could be a con to others lol). We came around 7pm on a Saturday after an early dinner reservation, and there were a good number of people around but it wasn't like overwhelmingly crowded (it did start to get more crowded when we left around 8:30pm). It's cool that they have a lot of daily events (if we had waited another hour, apparently there was a dance party). There are a lot of City of Durham garages nearby that are free on weekends or weekdays after 7pm. Service was fast. 8/10 would recommend!

Visited this establishment after a regrettable visit to another bar that I've reviewed. So glad we did. We were able to find tables together for our group of 10, and bartenders were phenomenal. Boozy, delicious drinks, great ambiance. Wife enjoyed her food as well. Highly recommend the Velvet hippo for a higher end bar experience in Durham that delivers

Cute little place with a rooftop bar and indoor/outdoor seating. Decor was super cool and fun, bartender was friendly and welcoming! Sat outside and we were so happy! Drink menu is decent but pricey and beer selection is good too. Very cute little place!!

Y'all, I really wanted to like this more than I did. The vibe is EXCELLENT but I was so let down by the drinks. I didn't like ANY that I tried. The ambiance was gorgeous, the service was awesome, and the view was stunning. When I put it like that, it seems so lame to give it three stars. But I've heard so much about their signature cocktails and that's the entire reason we went so I was just so disappointed. HOWEVER, I am 100% committed to coming back and trying this bar again. I think their menu changes and I definitely want to sit on the roof for an evening.

Enjoyed a wonderful evening with friends at this downtown Durham bar. It is conveniently located near the affordable public parking deck on East Chapel Hill Street across from USPS; I'm grateful not to overpay to park as is often the case for city parking. Outside seating is available and was full during the pleasant weather last night. We chose to start at the bar then moved to the cozy banquette seating when more friends arrived. Fantastic and attentive bartenders Sarah and Walker served up tasty cocktails - my favorite reason to go out. I admit I'm a picky drinker. The bar at Velvet Hippo did not disappoint. Highly recommend the Jean-Claude Pandan, which was surprisingly flavorful and light despite its opaque color. Several went down easily yet left me with no migraine or hangover the next morning. #winning Friends enjoyed different cocktails from their drink offerings. I must provide only 4 stars as the food menu left me wanting. While I ordered several small plates, which were of good quality, the menu choices are very limited. I don't recall any dessert listed. An expanded food menu would provide customers with more reason to patronize the spot - and stay longer for a meal. If food options are expanded, I'd suggest larger round tables in the lounge area to accommodate drinks, food plates, and the table-top lamps. Service by bartenders and waitstaff was excellent. This is a smoothly run operation that pays attention to detail. Yes, I'll be back... AFTER dinner elsewhere but, I'll be back!

Had a great puppy happy hour on the rooftop deck here! This is an order-at-the-bar place with some fantastic seasonal cocktails (I'd avoid the espresso martinis tho- seemed like a house mix that weren't as smooth as others). Nice views of the city and a ton of fun events!

Jessie was such a great bartender and made me feel so seen!!! The vibes at this place are TOP NOTCH!!! Great drinks too.

Had an amazing time here a week or so before Christmas. They had an amazing apple cider bourbon in a cute doggie mug. The view of sunset was amazing. The ambience was so great- cannot wait to go again

Absolutely a hidden gem! I was looking for a cool spot for a mocktail and stumbled across this rooftop bar. The vibe was amazing, and the customer service was top-notch. They make some incredible mocktails--I wish I'd gotten the bartender's name because she crafted some excellent drinks. There's plenty of seating and great views of the city. I highly recommend coming here for happy hour, a date, or just to hang out with friends.

Favorite place to go in Durham for a night out. The staff is friendly, there's great music with options to stay indoors or go out on the patio/rooftop, and while the drinks are superb the food is surprisingly incredible and not to be passed up on!

I visited the velvet hippo this past weekend on Friday evening. I had a difficult time navigating my way to Orange street which is the popular alley way street next to the parking garage. Upon arrival, the security guard informed my friend and I that we just made it in time as the " last two". I had no idea what he was talking about as it was not yet 9:30 p.m. He lacked decency and displayed poor manners as the face of the establishment. I ran into this same staff member again and he was a very strange character. The zoo animal/ safari earth tone theme is consistent throughout the venue. Well done with decor. Lighting is soft and the light fixtures are unique. We found a table near the bar and were happy when a waitress provided table service. It was a humid night so we decided on mules. I had a Kentucky mule with Uncle Nearest bourbon. While my drink packed the bourbon there was way too much ice in the mule cup. Filled to the brim. This place was packed. I expect that weekends are always going to bring high traffic and crowds.This lounge features a rooftop equipped with heaters and dogs are allowed during certain hours. The rooftop was also packed but we were able to grab 2 seats overlooking the garbage area and side entrance of the lot. This place may be more enjoyed on a weekday evening.

I joined a friend at Velvet Hippo on Friday. First impression, I love the name. Upon arrival at the entrance, there weren't any pleasantries such as a Hello or Welcome at all. This person checked my ID and told me I was the last person to enter. What type of greeting is this? Very off-putting to say the least. I entered and found the space to be clean and with nice decor. The lighting was just right for the space. I like how the bar is accessible from inside and outdoors (on the roof). The rooftop bar seems like a decent place to gather depending on the view. On my Friday visit, there were massive crowds and this almost deterred me from ordering. A waitress came over and offered services. I appreciated this service. I ordered the Hendricks Moscow mule. My cocktail arrived with an extreme amount of ice. The ice was working at watering the drink down. I ended up leaving my tab open and found that it was difficult to get another drink even if I wanted one. I had to approach the bar to have it closed and check out. I didn't understand the point of keeping it open if not providing continued services at our table. I would recommend visiting on a slower weekday when the crowds and bar access are easier. Overall, nice space but I was underwhelmed.

This place is so cute! Cerrissa is awesome, friendly and makes amazing drinks! We are local and enjoy coming here with our of town friends to show off the amazing location and view. Thanks for a great evening Cerrissa!

Very cool rooftop bar! I liked the vibe inside at the bar as well, seemed like a young fun crowd. Talented bar tenders with a creative and unique drink menu. I got the espresso martini - "jaguars do it in the dark" I believe was the name. My boyfriend got the smoked old fashioned and he enjoyed it. Plenty of space outside, even on a busy Saturday afternoon we were still able to get a table and enjoy the nice weather.

Have been here twice now... once with a small family group and once inviting friends. Such a great vibe, creative decor, and the drinks are fun. This weekend, we went with friends. We're in our 50s, and went a little earlier than the normal "going out" time... around 7pm. Some bars make it feel a little awkward being the oldest people in the place, but Velvet Hippo has such a warm, welcoming vibe, we felt comfortable (and hip!). I had the Ursula drink and then the Miles drink. The latter came in a tiki glass with about 10 ingredients! It was a conversation piece for sure. The drinks were also delicious. We sat on the rooftop until it started to rain. I've seen a lot of views from rooftops in Durham, but this was a new angle. Love it. After the rain started, we found a cozy place inside and enjoyed all the disco ball / winter decorations. As we prepared to go home, we looked around and saw the place had gotten packed! This is a hot joint. Check it out.

We had a good time at The Velvet Hippo in downtown Durham. This is a new, hip bar and lounge that opened a month ago (August 5, 2023) on the third floor of the 119 Orange Street building. It's very close to city hall and adjacent to the Chapel Hill Street Parking Garage (convenient, but potentially crowded parking). TL;DR version - The drinks were delicious and this place had a fun vibe. It's got a dog-friendly rooftop bar and overall, it's worth checking out. During our visit, a sign outside on the sidewalk said dogs welcome Saturday and Sunday, 12-6pm. We showed up around 7:30pm on a Saturday and there was no line to get in. They checked IDs at the door (21+ only). We left around 10:30pm and there was a long line, down at least 2-3 sets of stairs, to get in. There was definitely a buzz about this place. We found out about this place from our friend who discovered it on Instagram. The rooftop deck was already completely full by the time we arrived and, unsurprisingly, it stayed that way for the entire time we were there. There was plenty of space inside when we arrived, but it quickly filled up. Hence, the line to get in when we left. This isn't a huge place, but it's not small either. There are a handful of areas to sit and stand (a small variety). The Velvet Hippo serves food and drink, though everything is ordered at the bar. No table service. The food is light bites and small plates. The bartenders were at 100% utilization the entire time we were there. As the night wore on, we found it much easier and faster to get drinks by ordering them from the outside bar. Same bartenders, same bar. It's an indoor-outdoor bar. It really depends on which side is busier during your visit. Here's what we got: Signature Cocktails: * Ursula, Queen of Atlantica ($12) - Empress 1908 Gin, lavender simple syrup, sparkling wine, fresh lemon, glitter * The Garter Belt ($14) - Hendrick's Gin, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup, muddled cucumber, three dashes Bittermens Burlesque Bitters, grapefruit, mint * Hot Girl Summer ($14) - Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila, watermelon, Gran Gala Triple Orange Liqueur, habanero syrup, lime, and salt half rim * Maui Mahalo ($16) - Plantation Stiggins' Fancy Pineapple Rum, Appleton Estate 12-Year-Old Rare Casks, pineapple, lime, OJ, housemade cream of coconut, kiwi, Crude 'Tropi-500" Bitters (Toasted Coconut-Pineapple-Allspice), Bittermens 'Elemakule Tiki Bitters, crushed ice, saline mist, grated nutmeg * Cheetahs Do It in the Dark ($15) - Teremana Anejo Tequila, Licor 43, Cantera Negra, espresso, orange twist, Maldon salt Hanger Management: * Elote Dip ($10) - with Oaxaca cheese, cilantro, and tajin-dusted tortilla chips In general, the drinks were good-quality and tasty. They weren't too sweet and were well-balanced, flavor-wise. My favorites were The Garter Belt and the Maui Mahalo. Both were fruity and refreshing, as well as subtly complex. My wife, who loves espresso martinis (she almost always orders them, if available, when going out for drinks at night), liked Cheetahs Do It in the Dark, which is The Velvet Hippo's version. It's made with tequila instead of vodka. It was actually made with The Rock's small-batch tequila brand, Teremana. The chips and corn dip were very good. High-quality and flavorful, like an appetizer you'd expect to find at a solid restaurant. Self-serve cups/glasses and room-temp water were available from a tap by the patio door, inside. The bouncer was very nice. We parked for free in the aforementioned adjacent Chapel Hill Street Parking Garage at 326 E Chapel Hill St. It was full at the time of our visit. Cars were circling around the various levels of the deck looking for spots. At the time of writing this review, it costs $2.25 per hour to park here, Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm. Otherwise, it's free (gate arms will be up).

We stumbled upon this place while staying at a nearby rental unit and loved it! A fun vibe with friendly service and a great place to propose (yes,did that -- was told we were the first to get engaged here!)

Another great addition to what is becoming Durham's "cocktail alley," with Kingfisher and Alley Twenty Six both excellent and just around the corner. This one is "rooftop," though only on the third floor. The views of the surrounding area are still nice. The interior has that modern tiki-slash-mid-century feel. The outdoor space is bi-level, with a shaded area immediately off the interior bar and then, a flight up, is a space open to the sky. The place was pretty bustling on the middle of a Saturday afternoon, but the drinks were still made quickly and well and there seemed to be plenty of seating. I particularly liked their version of a Cosmo, Your Girl is Lovely, Hubble. Nifty space and I plan to go back. This would make a great pub crawl with the other two nearby drinkeries already mentioned.

Velvet Hippo is a great rooftop bar in downtown Durham. My friends and I went on a beautiful Saturday night when the sun was setting and the string lights were turned on. We could order at the bar inside or from the outdoor window. They have a great selection of Cocktails and a wide selection of Mocktails/Non-Alcoholic options. There is something for everyone which I love. The bar itself and the bathrooms were clean and the bartenders were friendly. It's a great spot to check out if you haven't already!

My friends and I dropped in for drinks and food here. It was the Caipirinha for my husband and the Orchard Sour then the Yes, Chef for me. For food my husband tried the crab cake and our table split the elote dip. We all enjoyed it. If you are in Durham, you should check this spot out.

The first time I came to Velvet Hippo I was a little confused where to go (as I had only been in the building to do an escape room). However, now that I have been back I know to go up to the third floor (the dog entrance is a little farther on down the street). That being said, my favorite things about Velvet Hippo are the name and that it has dog-friendly yappy hours on the patio on weekends! I always love another place to take my dog. I also love the decor and rooftop views of City Hall (as many others have mentioned). The drinks are pricey (but comparable to other cocktail bars in the area) and have some very cool names and fun additions (who doesn't love glitter in their cocktails?) The rooftop can get very crowded on weekends but I usually can find a seat inside. Also I want to mention that all the food I've tried has been good and they have a large selection of mocktails and NA beverages. Parking in the area may be tricky but there are several City lots close by.

Bartenders were so funny and helpful! Great rooftop bar, loved the vibe of the place! Would definitely recommend:)

It's a Vibe! Two sips into this island vibes old fashioned and my boyfriend is admiring the ambience and seeking a second round. Two sips into my hot girl summer and I'm already thinking this could be my after work weekend kick off spot.

This place is such a hidden gem! I have been looking for more rooftop bars in the downtown Durham area aside from one at the Durham Hotel for variety. My friend recommended this place to me and I loved the ambiance. I visited the Velvet Hippo on a Saturday afternoon, so it was not very busy which was perfect. They had plenty of outdoor seating overlooking the Durham area and covered/indoor seating as well for when the weather gets too hot or cold. The rooftop is approximately 3 floors high, so it is not a skyrise but still gets a decent view of the surroundings. My friends and I stayed for a few drinks and all of the drinks were fantastic. I liked how they had their specials written on a board by the bar so it was very easy to order. All the bartenders were extremely friendly and knowledgeable about their drinks. Overall, we had a great time the Velvet Hippo and we look forward to returning! I will be back to try the food next time.

This is a cool Downtown Durham spot! The drinks were tasty and the whole place had a nice vibe.

This is officially my new favorite bar in downtown Durham. They do dog friendly "yappy hours" on the weekends as well as host dog friendly events. I recently took my dog to a Pittie PJ Party and it was so fun. I don't drink much these days so I love their extensive mocktail menu. They do a frozen drink every day and also offer a non-alcoholic version of the frozen drink as well. They have incredible street corn dip, highly recommend it. Also the space itself is gorgeous. It has a great view of downtown from the roof but the inside space is so pretty. I can't say enough good things about Velvet Hippo!

We had anticipated this place opening after reading about it, and we got a special sneak peek as part of our membership in a local dining club. I think this makes three rooftop bars in Durham that I can think of, and this one offers a unique view different than the others. They have indoor and outdoor sections, are dog-friendly, and offer good food. We were even told they had custom wallpaper made for them. We had a velvet escape cocktail, a prosecco, the hummus duo, and a vegan crabcake. The staff was friendly, and the atmosphere was definitely fun. By the next weekend, there was a line out the door. This is a woman-owned, LGBTQ+ friendly bar and a nice addition to the local scene. We'll be back.

Their seasonal cocktail with the lightly burnt cinnamon stick was fabulous! Will certainly return to see what other delightful drinks they can create.

Bottom line: The Velvet Hippo is a great place to grab a beverage and relax. Very nice indoor seating area/bar and also wonderful outside as well as rooftop areas to enjoy. Lots of beverages/small plates/non-alcoholic choices to enjoy on the menu. The Deets: I was informed about this new lounge by some friends I went to brunch with in Durham and we went over to check out out (they had been earlier in the week for the soft opening). Once coming up to the building at 119 Orange St, you enter the glass doors and either take the stairs or elevator to the 3rd floor where you will find the Velvet Hippo entryway. Upon entering, there is a nice sized inside bar and seating space very nicely decorated. Outside that area, there is a covered outside area with a ordering window/seating next to the bar itself as well as plenty of seating... but if you go up one more set of steps, you will find the rooftop area with sofa, tables with umbrellas, etc. to enjoy. I love all this space and use of all the areas! We sat at the inside bar on this visit as it was a bit (more than a bit, OK) hot that August Sunday afternoon. Looking over the menu, there is plenty to enjoy here including custom cocktails, light bites/small plates, no alcohol/low alcohol drinks, boozy and non-alcohol frozen treats. There is even a "Yappy Hour" for dogs Saturday/Sunday 12p-6p (dogs enter at a separate entrance, a staircase at 113 Orange St). We made our orders with our bartender (she took great care of us, positive/helpful/personable customer service) and enjoyed our selections. My drinks included The Peach Blossom and The Farmer's Daughter, both were excellent but I lean towards the latter as my favorite so far. My companions enjoyed their beverages as well, and I have to say my first impression of The Velvet Hippo is a great one. I look forward to seeing these guys again!

I went to the opening night for friends and family before their official soft opening to the public and it was great! Everyone was super friendly and the aesthetics were so lovely and beautiful. Definitely an Instagram worthy spot. The bathrooms all have unique wallpaper, the decor around everywhere is super chic. The drinks were tasty and in nice glassware. Loved the non alcoholic mojito slushie I forgot to take a picture of. The patio is really spacious and nice. The corn dip was super yummy and I hope it'll be in their usual food menu! Looking forward to this new hip rooftop bar in Durham.

I don't have any photos because I only ordered a rum and coke... and, let's face it- a rum and coke only looks different depending on alcohol content (lol). The bar tenders were kind and attentive. The DJ was awesome and the party atmosphere was a ton of fun! I'll be back

I went to the Velvet Hippo recently to try it out. The inside bar was full and it looked like there was also a corporate event there so it was pretty crowded. I didn't get very adventurous and try any of the mixed drinks, but I did have a few beers. I checked out the outside rooftop area and I liked that part which has a nice view of downtown Durham. It is also accessible for those who can't do stairs. My visit to The Velvet Hippo was brief, but I would go back and be more adventurous next time.

Fun bar with a great vibe! We stopped in because of the name. And it's not about a hippo at all. The bartender was fun to talk to. They had outdoor seating with heaters. They allow dogs. And they had a frozen coquito that was like having dessert. Didn't try the food; but there were many people enjoying their snacks.

This is a happening place - very trendy and hip with a great bar. The nouveau decor is remarkable and the outside patio is a wonderful setting. The professional bar and friendly bartenders are perfect.

My friends and I just left this establishment as we were treated rudely by the owner. After walking the three flights of stairs to the upstairs bar, we thought we would stay and relax. But, this quickly changed as the owner approached us and right away asked why my friend had an outside drink. From our understanding of the bull pen regulations we are able to bring drinks from other establishments, but perhaps we were informed wrong. However, instead of rudely asking for our identifications and taking our things and storming off, the owner could've taken the time and informed us of the rules. I think that the way we were asked was nasty, rude, and uncalled for. This is not the way to start a new business--be a kind and informative person and don't just jump to conclusions. Her attitude and approach made me and my friends feel very uncomfortable and unwanted, and therefore, we left right away and went somewhere else. We don't plan to return.

This place is amazing! They have non-alcohol and no or minimal alcohol drinks. It's a cute little rooftop bar with a comfortable, sleek ambiance. The hours are fantastic. On Wednesday, they are open until midnight and past midnight on the weekends! I have been waiting for a cocktail bar like this. The only drawback is the view is of a parking lot but otherwise a lovely addition to downtown Durham.

I was looking for a place to go for a few drinks for my small party for my bachelorette. This place got the vibe of a "chill" vibe, which is exactly what I wanted. The pink sparkly drink caught my eye and brought me here but I liked everything else I had much better, more of preference I think. A good bartender can make what you want, and they have excellent staff here. I loved the pink starburst shot, dragonfruit margarita, and the *something* 404 drink the bartender made with my odd request. I'll be back for sure'

I absolutely love this bar! Their drinks are amazing and really cute -- and they typically switch up the menu to include creative, seasonal drinks. I love that they have themed nights like Music trivia bingo and Latin night. They are very inclusive and treat everybody like they are family.

Cozy, casual (or fancy if you want it to be) and bartenders are always so nice! They have surprisingly great apps too!

Mixed feelings: When my friend told me that there is a bar in Durham which is not your typical sports bar (screens everywhere, lacking character and style, smell of beer), I was thrilled to try it! The bar didn't disappoint! Well though indoors and outdoors space that reminds you bars in more metropolitan cities. Also, they have special offers each day and Monday was 50% off wine bottles which is an amazing deal even though their wine list is not very extensive. I liked the fact that that had some imported wines from countries like Greece and Italy. HOWEVER, the bartender who served us was unfriendly and rude. She didn't seem to like her job or people in general. I would like to believe that she was just having a bad day. Also, although the small food menu seemed interesting, we weren't excited with what we tried. We will go back because it is a truly nice bar in the heart of Durham.

Went for drinks on a Saturday night and it was your typical trendy, young professionals crowd. Great creative cocktails however the wait at the bar was a bit long but its to be expected for a Saturday night and a place making craft cocktails. DJ was good, vibe was chill and crowd was sexy! Great date spot or chill night out with a few friends 9/10 would go again!

When I heard there was a new pet-friendly rooftop bar called the Velvet Hippo, I knew I had to check it out and bring my own velvet hippo with me! This bar has "Yappy Hours" from 12-6pm on weekends during which you can bring your pup to the outside space. The place has a great vibe with fun decor and a huge rooftop patio; I like that the actual bar counter is open on both sides, and you can order directly from outside on the deck. The cocktails were a bit on the expensive side for me and perhaps not the best I've ever had, but they were certainly good! I've recently been on a gin kick so I particularly enjoyed the Ursula and Garter Belt. They also have a decent draft beer selection and the snacks they serve are great for munching while drinking (highly recommend the hummus duo, both dips were excellent). My doggo had a great time and received many belly rubs from passerbys, so she's insisting that we return as soon as possible. Glad to have another drinks option in the area with nice outdoor space, can't wait to come back when fall comes around!

Checked this place out for birthday drinks and was not disappointed. Location is great in downtown Durham and love that it has a rooftop part. Very trendy place, but my parents still enjoyed the vibe and the music wasn't too loud before club crowd came in! Bartender was very nice and friendly and even though it was busy, still made a point to fairly serve everyone. Drinks were delicious and very fun with the names and the different glasses. Would love to have a little note on the menu or even an outline of what the glass looked like for the special ones. I can't remember the name of the drink with the flamingo glass and just ordered it as that. They change their menu so don't get attached to a drink. Loved that there were bar bites and we plan to try them next time. Check this place out!

This was such a cute bar in a great place of downtown Durham. Not sure if every night is like this but the music was Latin, which was cool with me. But I'm more of a 90s RnB type girl. It's pet friendly and LGBTQIA+ friendly. Drinks were pretty good too.

This is one of my favorite bar and lounge to go to in Durham. They are LGBTQ+ friendly which I love being part of that community myself! The drinks are delicious and I love the outside area of the establishment! Met the owner and she was very friendly and super sweet!

So excited that this place is in downtown Durham! Perfect outdoor rooftop spot for drinks and food and great atmosphere. Ordering food/drinks was a little annoying as it got busier...maybe QR code instead of having to wait at the bar?? But staff were all so friendly and helpful that it really wasn't a big deal. I've been recommending this place to everyone!

What a fantastic place!! Great vibe, interior and exterior. Love the roof top deck!! The food is delish (Cuban sliders and crab cake were perfection). So nice we went twice!! We are from Columbus, OH and will highly recommend this place to friends visiting.

Fun new place! Great location right near great parking and central to downtown! The Velvet Hippo has great indoor and outdoor space. It is fun and stylish. I thought all the drinks sounded good. The Ursula was fantastic and I got a great aperol spritz as well! They have a small food menu of nice snacks too! I didn't realize they had this so next time I go ill definitely try them. They looked great going by our table. I loved the outdoor area. A few people brought great friendly dogs for the patio yappy hours! I'll definitely be back. The staff were friendly and approachable. It was busy but we didn't wait long for drinks! All around fantastic!