Arcana Bar and Lounge

Eva H a month ago

Have loved their jazz nights recently & the fact they align with the BDS movement. Would recommend their mocktails. Definitely a bar to check out if you’re in the area!

robyn cole 7 months ago

Renee the tarot reader is a 10/10. She’s nothing short of amazing. So talented and knowledgeable. The bar itself is amazing as well. Very inviting and a chill vibe. What a great place!! 💚

Chloe Griffin 8 months ago

I wanted to like this place and I’ve heard good things about it. Queer spaces are important and needed. The bartender eavesdropped on my conversation with my friend and then made a point to call us out on what they thought they heard us say during “community announcements” while very pointedly glaring at us. It was clear a lot of folks are regulars so I don’t want to yuck anyone’s yum (hence 4 stars) but they made it clear we weren’t welcome so guess I wont be going back. I’ve also heard from others that they felt racialized here in weird ways.

Kay a year ago

Friendly, inviting, welcoming spot. You can feel the good vibes when you walk in the door. I love the gender-neutral bathrooms, as they say on the door "whatever, just wash your hands!" The cons are that is it is very very dark in the bar and our drinks were so-so. Regardless, I would still visit this place again.

Amelia Lee 3 years ago

One of my favorite bars in the triangle area that makes you feel like you aren't in the triangle area! This bar is tucked away behind the usual strip of businesses like Viceroy and gives almost a speakeasy vibe with it's close sitting and being low lit. The drinks range from $13-$16 depending on if you want something like their classic, absinthe, or espresso martini - which I highly recommend. There are also non alcoholic drinks along with light snacks, but there is a menu for Viceroy and stairway to get your food from there. Arcana starts to come alive around 8 pm with live music ranging from low-fi to folk bands and tarot card readings. It gets loud and packed afterwards but the bar allows close convos with their little lounge areas being intimate. I love coming to Arcana and can't wait to come back for their music, drinks, tarot readings, and even friendly service!

Neha Patel 3 years ago

Nice bar, great specialty cocktails, mellow music over the speaker, nice art. Parking lot is on the street opposite the Viceroy on Main right in front of Arcana's entrance.

Julianna Perez 5 years ago

Absolutely love and miss coming to this super cool underground bar in Durham. The women who own it are straight up badasses, and I loved going on night when one of them was tending bar. They had local musicians rotating on the regular, and the best exotic cocktails in town. Hope they reopen very soon. Miss you, Arcana crew!

Steve W Edited 3 years ago

Favorite place to go in Durham. It leans into a New Orleans style mystic vibe with Tarot readings, live music ranging from Jazz to folk to the occasional goth/industrial DJ night. What's really nice is that it has a nice group of patrons. It's the kind of place you can hang out, have a drink, meet new people if you want or be left alone if that is what you prefer. Everyone is welcome except people who don't understand boundaries. The crowd tends to be more adult and eclectic than some of the other bars in Durham that cater to the tech bro and more traditional folks. The drinks are very good. Kind of like the place itself, the drinks are simple, good and easy to enjoy. The prices are reasonable and the bartenders are very nice and professional. It's just a great casual place. Still a great place, post pandemic.