Kotuku Surf Club — Restaurant in Durham

Easily my favorite bar in Durham, Surf Club is pretty hipster but it keeps it cool for everyone. Beyond that white brick facing is a dark, hole in the wall dive bar with plenty of room to stretch inside and out. Sideroom with shuffleboard and firefly hanging lights, pool and dart table to the side. Work your way to the back and you'll find some bocce courts and picnic tables to enjoy your libations.

All this goodness only works out if the crowd is cool and it is. Cool as in accepting and not overly hipster judgemental. You will see your ironic glasses, skinny jeans and plaids but I've never picked up any attitude here from the staff or patrons. Double-bonus is that Surf Club is affordable often running $3 pint specials for anything in the house.

So yes, Surf Club rocks and let's just keep...

Bar is a staple of Durham. One of the first bars on the scene and one of my go-to’s. Another great piece is that, being a private club, they have an age restriction, I believe 23 and up, that keeps huge groups of college kids from flooding the bar and overcrowding everything. There’s indoor and outdoor seating that’s comfortable. The staff have stayed over the years so there’s also a fun familiarity to the place. They’re super kind and quick to serve. Drinks are super reasonably priced and they always have a cheap pint of Budweiser on tap. Surf Club also hosts a bunch of changing food trucks and weekly events, so even past the dive bar ambiance, there’s quite a bit to do, including games they have set up. Would highly recommend as a day time stop for a nice, relaxing drink, or a fun night out on...

my boyfriend and i love surf club, we go a lot of our free weekends and sometimes weekday evenings! however, last night i was turned away and told the bar was “23 and up”. i just turned 21 in january, and theyve let me in every single time. i have a polaroid photo of myself and friends on the bar wall, so it was pretty annoying and odd when i was turned away and told “youre way too young”. if my ID shows i’m 21, the legal drinking age, i want to know why i’m not allowed. genuine curiosity! other than last night, surf club has always been super fun! we meet great people, the music is always good, drinks are delicious and bartenders...