Arcana Bar and Lounge - Durham, North Carolina

Breezy S

Great little vibes in this place! I love the inclusivity and their events are always fun and interesting. Drinks are pretty good for the most part but occasionally I'll get a weird one. Service is consistently slow but it's a craft cocktail experience so it's to be expected. Chill place that I enjoy going to! Great music and love the tarot.

Rebecca Wellons

My review for Arcana is long overdue. Let’s start with the bar basics: their cocktails are unique/well crafted/lovely with a wide variety of options and knowledgeable bartenders. The decor is moody and eclectic without being oppressive. The not-so-basics: this was one of the first bars I went to (perhaps in 2018) in downtown Durham around midnight that I felt safe/comfortable in at a subconscious level. The guests are sometimes introverted, sometimes exuberant, and usually very welcoming. It can be a little challenging to find the first time but is well worth the effort 🙂 I’d check the event schedule before bringing my mom (it can get a little spicy) but it really depends on your mom 😉

Sara Schwartz

There is nothing like Arcana Bar and Lounge. The service is incredible. The vibe is great. The drinks are out of this world. The owner is AMAZING! Any event that happens at Arcana is so rad. If I could, I would be here several nights each week. I feel so lucky to have found it.

Tsion Behailu

Wonderful neighborhood bar. Came in during drag bingo. The staff was super attentive and overall friendly crowd. Fun environment on a weekend.

Rachel Cushman

If you want to go somewhere totally different from other bars in Durham in a classy yet not pretentious atmosphere with a creative menu full of delicious drinks with so much intention and thought in their design this is the place for you. Arcana is not only a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, but such a great spot to check out local art, music, and community events. It’s been my favorite bar for years and I am never let down by the staff or the diverse crowd of regulars and new comers at this bar.

Amelia Lee

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!

Steve W

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.

Victoria Garner

The drinks were great, we were able to request a well known cocktail which isn't on their menu and they were able to accommodate us.
There was live jazz on one of the nights we went and it was awesome.
The vibe of the place is cool, low light, and pretty quiet.
Lovely experience and very beautiful vintage feel.