The Roxy

This place makes me feel fancy even when I’m in jeans. In a good way.
The Roxy is swanky inside, but not pretentious, and the friendliness of the bartenders helps a lot. I like that it’s never crowded (though I hope they have a steady enough flow of customers to stay in business!), and that you can sit at the bar or on a cushioned bench along the wall. While I would love for the music to be jazzier to really transport me to a speakeasy-​type place (which, I think, is what they’re going for), the more popular music playing prompted a community sing-​along the last time I was there. It’s a memory I will cherish for a long, long time.
Here comes the most important part: the cocktails are great. I’ve had a few, and most recently I enjoyed a refreshing Moscow Mule that hit the spot. I try to be a one-​cocktail kind of girl at The Roxy because you have to pay for that kind of quality, but it really is a treat. Plus, they have beer and specials if you’re watching your budget.
So put on your best string of pearls – or don’t; whatever – and get yourself a cocktail at The Roxy!

Cool little drink spot on Main Street in Durham. The place usually isn’t crowded, and the bartenders are nice. There are lots of beers on tap, and prices are good. Only issue is that the place is small so if it does get crowded for some reason, I prob wouldn’t want to be in there. Otherwise, def give it a try!

Nice, quiet bar. Good for an after supper drink.

i really like this place. I feel like its a great place to meet a group of friends, chill out and have a couple of fancy drinks. I don’t mind the dress codes (i’m not a fan of hats) and I am always hoping to show up when a jazz trio is jammin’ in the back. The owner has always remembered me and been really chill.
I wish the seating was a little easier to shift around for bigger groups, and thought the cocktails are perfectly crafted, it does come with the price of patience. I have never been here on a busy night, but I’m fairly sure I’d get annoyed.
I will be frequenting the Roxy for quite a while.

Oh the Roxy, there is such potential here!
Every time I go, its dead. I love the look and the drinks but I really wish there were more people.
I am going to give it another try next time I am downtown.

In one sentence: Roxy is a Whiskey copy cat that fails to live up to the standards set by the other one.
Fact: Whiskey was around before Roxy.
Roxy is a better bar than the others around it in Brightleaf where its filled with bro bars for frat boys and frat girls. It is a solid bar with pretty interiors but no where sexy as Whiskey and decent drinks. It’s the bar of choice in the Brightleaf area.
The reason why I am giving it 3 instead of 4 stars is that I feel like something is missing in that place. My pal loves this joint but I feel like something is off. Can’t tell you what but it just is. I would love to give it 4 stars but maybe its the dark red interior that is a shade or two off.

Live jazz and a great drink menu… Prefect Saturday night!

We arrived last night for the grand opening in true flapper style (hey, I love that 1. costumes were encouraged because I live for that era and 2. I had an excuse to wear my Halloween costume twice in two weekends) and drew back the gorgeous wooden doors to find a crowded bar full of flappers and hipsters (my two favorite kinds of people). The doorman greeted us in full zootsuit getup and asked us to sign in. It was a little chaotic (the space is tiny and there were a lot of people), but we managed to find seats near the jazz trio (amazing!) and were excited to enjoy the space.
This place is definitely more of a bar than a lounge, although its hard to tell what a normal night is like since I’m guessing it was way more crowded than usual. There was no waitstaff– instead, the sweet, mild boy I call mine had to wait 20 minutes at the bar just to place his order and another 10 minutes to get the drinks. While I was enjoying the sweet live jazz and the black and white movie playing in the background, he was sandwiched within a mob of, well, mobsters.
Once we got the drinks, they were absolute perfection. I had the Tom Collins and the boy had the Corpse Reviver. It’s all about the gin here and they do it very well.
I loved that I wasn’t the only one to dress up (and where do all of these people get such gorgeous beaded dresses??– please tell me!) and the vibe was lush and jazzy. Definitely would be a perfect way to begin or end an evening in Durham.

Definitely upgraded in my book. My wife and I went back late on a Friday night. The lights are dimmed, prices are on the menu, and it is a really cozy bar so it was perfect on a cold night. Also, it seems they got a large amount of huge leather chairs and sofas for the back area which are extremely comfortable, as well as a fake fireplace that adds to the cozy feel. We opted for these and sat and sipped our drinks. The bar was fairly quiet even though there were a decent amount of people there (which is a good thing in my book). Overall the concerns from my first review were all addressed. The Roxy is definitely a niche that wasn’t filled in Durham yet, and I really hope it sticks around. You should go!

Both times I’ve visited the Roxy, I’ve gotten the Chicago soundtrack stuck in my head. Eh, but it’s one of my favorite shows, so that’s all good.
Having visited the smoke-​filled and urine-​scented dive, Down Under Pub, a handful of times, the husband and I were curious about what the new space would be like. It’s hard to know what to expect from the outside — and, honestly, I always feel incredibly self conscious just before entered a private club, particularly one with a dress code — but inside it’s this decadent lounge with a gorgeous, long bar, lots of mirrors, fabulous lighting, and era-​style music playing quietly enough for you to actually have a conversation, which is a huge bonus.
We were first drawn to the Roxy when we noticed a $ 1 Bonnie and Clyde membership Unilocal app check-​in offer, which was too good an offer to pass up. The GM, Bobbi Kirkpatrick, is friendly and pretty much remembers everyone. She even said hi to me on the street once! I was impressed, considering I wasn’t even sitting there, in the Roxy, with my big Af-​Am husband with me (which tends to be my most distinguishing feature).
I tried the Tom Collins — much of which I spilled on the bar; how embarrassing! — which was aces. Their gin drinks excel; the Singapore Sling, too, is phenomenal.
They’ve got a really impressive selection of draft beers as well, and in particular, NC craft brews. See my quick tips for information on their generous drink specials.
Do try to remember your membership card if you visit. There’s a rather no-​nonsense gentleman at the end of the bar who will judge your level of honestly with the sheer power of his side-​eye. You need to sign in, too. Odds are Bobbi will recognize you if you do end up forgetting your card, but you should save yourself a bit of trouble if you just bring it.
Dress code: smart. No trainers, ball caps, that sort of thing. Patrons here do tend to dress up, even if the night is still young.

Pop up the steps in front, pull the heavy wooden door open at 802 W. Main and your first thought might be «this is not the Down Under pub!» Yes, there’s no pee on the floor or beer taps on the bar, the Roxy is now in town and dishing out classic cocktails and more! Inside, the space is rich and stylish, decked out in reds and dark woods. A beautiful, bottle display case lines one wall, behind the polished bar. High ceilings covered in tin and ceiling fans gives the Roxy an open and spacious feel.
But you’re here for the libations, right? The Roxy has a small selection of beers, wines but the focus here is on da cocktails! They’ve got the classics along with some specialties on a short list. Service was friendly and attentive, I had a chance to chat with Bobbi for a bit about all the work that was put into renovating the place. They’ve still got some more changes on tap since they’ve only been open two months. But you gotta like what they’ve done with the place if you’re up for an upscale cocktail in cool surroundings. A great spot for a pre or post dinner drink after a night in downtown Durham!

The Roxy is one of the two bars I have actually enjoyed in Durham. I have no dislike of the town– but it seems like most places have a very distinct «locals only» attitude. Pushing customers around, ignoring them, and being downright abusive may seem like business suicide but most of the places I’ve been the employees act like its part of their job.
NOT the case at the Roxy. Friendly staff, friendly customers, nice vibe.
Door guy is actually amiable. Maybe he’s new to the business or maybe he just knows a thing or two about customer service.
Loved the Pimm’s cup. Try it– it will change your life.

I happily elevate my rating to 4 stars! After working a Unilocal booth at a rainy festival, hubby and I decided we owed ourselves a treat. And what better way to indulge on Saturday than over fancy cocktails?
We arrived around 9pm, and joined a couple of other folks who were already perched at the bar. It didn’t take long for Bobbi to introduce herself (she’d seen my Tweet that we were on the way). They’re now offering a special cocktail on the weekend, and on this particular visit, it was a tequila, kiwi, and jalapeño concoction. Phil liked it so much, he tried two. I decided to try Satan’s Whiskers — the curled version, which is naughtier than straight. ;) It’s smooth, tastes of orange, and is a rich, warm color. I had three other drinks while there, including the French 75 and Pimm’s, from off the menu; and a custom drink (invented by one of their regulars) that had Hendrick’s and St. Germain with a cucumber garnish. I feel boring saying it, but I think the Pimm’s may be my favorite of the bunch so far! It’s just really well done, and absolutely refreshing.
Frank Sinatra spilled out of the speakers, and we were pleased to see they had dimmed the lights to a nice level this time around. All the bartenders I’ve met there, including the two who were working this particular night, are the nicest people. Will strike up a conversation if you’re feeling chatty, and seem to know the names of nearly everyone that came through the doors. Speaking of, I was glad to see two groups and a few more couples stroll in as the night wore on (I did mention I stuck around for four drinks, right? =) A good indication that The Roxy is catching on.
We heard they might be bringing in live piano music (can I recommend a jazz trio even?) on some nights. I think a little something like that would help turn this place into a destination date night, rather than just a pre– or post-​dinner cocktail.

Great drinks, friendly bartenders, and food delivered from Satisfactions. Best mixed drinks in Durham. Russells Rye Manhatten is a must try.

This is just the place I’ve been hoping would open in Durham. Simple, quiet, good wine & cocktail list, no smoke. Enjoying a Boulevardier here at the moment.