2nd Wind

If you’re looking for a really great fun space to just chill or watch a game, that’s also an environment where you know you’ll be safe, supported, and protected by those who work at this establishment, then this is the bar to be at. There was a racist altercation between an overly intoxicated guy and a foreign couple and this bar handled that situation perfectly and made it known that any type of racist, sexist, bigotry type of person or situation is not welcomed or encouraged at this place. I want to specifically give kudos to the bartenders who handled this situation perfectly (Mac is her name I believe and the gentleman working with her). It’s good to know such place exists in the south. Thank you!

Ok my review for 2^nd wind bar bartender was very rude did not know how to fix a whiskey sour lol ummm bartending school anyone? ?? Place was run down a sardine tin size bar would I recommend it nope pass on this generic bar try Carolina ale house best option better customer service. Its awesome.

Let’s talk about a WTF experience. After reading all the 4 and so-​star reviews on Unilocal I thought I should give this place a try and came here with a friend I hadn’t seen in a long time.
We walked in and they were having some sort of open mic night, and it sounded like it was over. We sat at the bar and ordered two pints, lady was nice and served us with a smile. About 1 minute after we got our beer another «band» started playing, REALLY loud. My friend and I couldn’t hear each other and enjoying that «music» was not an option, believe me.
Not only that but a few minutes later 5 sketchy guys walked into the bar and started staring at all of the customers, it was very disturbing and I was not feeling comfortable in that situation.
I am not sure I would like to come back here, whether to watch a game or to have another beer. Prices are high, you cannot really have a conversation and you might get yourself into trouble. The place doesn’t look so clean, so I wouldn’t recommend eating any food, but if you are into divey, and what I mean by that is a real dive-​bar/​might be crazy experience this might be perfect for you, but it ain’t for me.

Lets just say my friend had the worst gin and tonic she had ever had and I agreed, liquor was watered down! The glass my bourbon was served in looked like it came from a thrift shop or my grandmothers kitchen. One tv on? Very dark! Better options all around. Boo!

If Jerry Garcia and Jimmy Buffett had a bar, I’m pretty sure it would look similar to this one. The owner obvious loves the Dead, but it’s okay if you don’t…it’s reflected mostly in the décor, not the music. The back patio is great for just hanging out, and the bar staff is friendly. The drink menu is pretty varied, and they have a lot of cool cocktails. Last night I tried the Carrboro Iced Tea, a house concoction based on the traditional LIT with blackberry soda and Firefly thrown in the mix. They also have a potent selection of Moonshine brand liquors… I recommend the apple pie or blueberry if you are doing shots. The live bands are great and run the gamut from bluegrass to hippie jam bands… last night was a super funky trio that was bringing people in from the street. The acoustics are such that you can still carry on a conversation when a band is playing, unlike several other bars in town. Overall, a chill little spot that’s worth a stop on your night out… also, it has TVs, but I definitely wouldn’t call it a sport’s bar.

This place is fine. Relaxing and friendly people.
Nothing really stands out about it and it’s maybe a but more expensive than elsewhere in town.

This place has been open about a year now so pay attention to the newer reviews and not the earlier ones. I’ve watched this place evolve into a fantastic local music venue with excellent cocktails and a cozy patio seating area out back. It is indeed a «cool little hippie joint» as one reviewer noted. And the bartenders are very knowledgable & nice (not as common as you might expect!). Butter up the owner with your extensive knowledge of the grateful dead and you’ll never be forgotten. ;)

Manager was super rude when I was overcharged TWICE for drinks at 2^nd Wind. Sorry to post a bad review, because I like to support local biz. But my treatment was just terrible, and I’ve spoken to others who were equally disapointed.

Very laid-​back. During the summer they keep their front and back doors open letting in a nice breeze. Great selection of the usual bar drinks with a Carrboro twist. It’s been added to my list of regular stops.

This is your Carrboro sports bar, ladies and gents. There are at least 3 – 4 large flatscreens in this small space, but that’s more than so many places nearby! People are friendly here and they also serve bar food. I’m glad I don’t have to travel all the way over to Chapel Hill now for games – unless I want to, of course.

All the reviews that are calling this a sports bar extraordinaire? They almost made me not come here. But don’t be fooled! We waltzed in on a Friday night at 8pm… they had 1 of 3 TVs on, and it was tuned into a silent game. The atmosphere wasn’t decked out in jerseys and signature footballs… they had holiday poinsettias and Snoopy wearing a Santa hat!
The bartender was equally pleasant, and made recommendations on the available beers. There are only ~5 things on tap — I started with the New Belgium Snow Day — but there are several more offerings in bottle — so my second beer was an Anchor Brewery Christmas beer. The real surprise, though, was the food. We split a carnitas sliders dish… 3 sliders with pulled pork & pepperjack cheese, accompanied by chips with a spicy-​ranchy dip. All three of us liked the food!

Already mentioned some comments, but first impression was BAD. Music obnoxiously loud, even after we asked the bartender (very politely) if it might be turned down. Think head banging… Drinks were not so good. Stay with wine or beer. And bartender needs attitude adjustment. I’m not going back.

So nice to have this little bar in downtown Carrboro right next to the Armadillo Grill on Main St. I was a little unsure about this place because anything that touts itself as a «Sports Bar» isn’t usually my cup of tea, but this place was so understated with two tvs and no one screaming, YEAH and fist bumping that I relaxed and enjoyed a few beers.
There is an inside are and outside area in the back. It’s small and cozy but felt comfortable with a nice range of ages. Mostly 30’s and up when I was there which is where I fit in, so I was digging it.
It is relatively new and the bartender we had was his first day and I thought he did great. He was the perfect combination of solicitude and warmth without being overbearing or ignoring you. I felt just fine sitting at his bar. They had a nice selection of local beers on tap plus Sierra Nevada plus about 20+ bottles of beer. Also all the liquor for mixed drinks, top shelf stuff and wines and champagne.
I regret not getting something to eat. It was a small but serviceable menu. I wouldn’t go just to eat, but as an add on to your drinks perhaps. One lady had her dog in the bag patio which was cool so seems to be kosher for dog lovers.
LOVE the bathroom. Seriously, I have never seen a bar ladies room that classy. Mosiac, beautifully painted and smelled really clean and fresh. These little things make a big difference.
The sports theme is minimal-​thank god-​mostly ultimate frisbee which is cool by me. Nice laid back atmosphere.

I don’t want to go bagging on these guys. I mean, the beer had bubbles … the glasses were clean …
It sort of feels like a bar placed in the middle of a rectangle? I guess it will take some time to acquire that obligatory «gezellig». But for now it kind of feels like a space that used to be something else but is now a bar.
When we went, there was no AC, I assume that’s a temporary situation, because you know that doesn’t fly in NC.
I had a credit card issue, they handled the call this morning, and if I haven’t updated this with invectives then it means they resolved it amicably.

This was the first stop on my quick trip to North Carolina over the weekend. I can’t really commit to more than 3 stars, but with caution in mind. I came here immediately after arriving – we drove straight through the day from Cleveland, so I may have been in a slight all-​day-​car-​ride-​haze. We also only stayed for one drink, as we were arriving late to the «party.»
The sign outside is a little misleading because to me it seemed more like a quaint, hippie joint inside. The artwork was really cool and I liked the outdoor seating in the back. I only had one beer here and it was a pretty good local brew, so I can’t speak too much for selection, service or food.
While we were here, it was empty of others, so I got a nice look at the interior, but it was just so strangely ghost towny… the bars across the street were getting all of the business and from an out of towner’s perspective, it seems as though that happens a lot. But, I’m the type of person to avoid raucous crowds, so I’d probably choose 2^nd Wind more often anyways.

A new bar in Carrboro that’s less Carrboro and more Raleigh. No offense Raleigh. But let’s be honest, Carrboro, the Paris of the Piedmont, touts funky and fun bars and hangouts, but 2^nd Wind isn’t one of them. It’s your run of the mill bar with no character and some tvs playing the game. On a Wednesday night they had a singer on a mic at the back of the bar. While nice to have some entertainment, it was loud and difficult to hear anyone sitting next to you. The service was great, very friendly and attentive. Tried their soft pretzel which was good. While 2^nd Wind may not be my cup of tea, it looks like it’ll be a good hangout for the younger crowd. They have a great location (next to Armadillo), so just by location they could do really well. But meanwhile, I’ll stick with OCSC.

havent had the food, so no review on that…
bar hopping found myself there with some friends, not gonna lie, was possibly really drunk and/​or heading that way…
stopped in here to check it out and liked it alot more than i thought… friendly crowd, drinks OK… but im not a fan of short pours and/​or the use of jiggers to make a drink… cut costs somewere else… its tacky.
overall…great little joint, a little too bright at night. dim the lights, make a proper drink and i will def. be a regular.
great bar hopping place but a little too stiff right now to call it home, which a bar in Carrboro should feel like. i will return during the day to check out the vibe.

2^nd Wind is a fascinating place. Catering to sports and sports enthusiasts, it’s a juice bar, bar, and restaurant, all in one. As I have been known to play sports (softball, indoor soccer, kickball, meek attempts at football and basketball, and, of course, Tecmo Super Bowl), I do have at least some justification in going here. It is definitely catering to the more ultimate frisbee/​extreme sports crowd (the paintings on the windows are of people playing ultimate/​guys climbing up mountains, ultimate frisbees are all over the wall, and sometimes they show highly hypnotic 1980s skiing videos).
Overall, it seems like a nice place to chill, and hang out on a nice evening. Situated perfectly in the midst of Carrboro’s hopping bar scene (The Station, Southern Rail, and Spotted Dog across the street; OCSC and Tyler’s/Speakeasy just down the street), it offers a nice middle stop during bar crawls or other tomfoolery.