The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge — Restaurant in Durham

The Velvet Hippo is exactly the kind of place that makes you feel like you accidentally stumbled into your new favorite hangout. We dropped in on a Sunday because (a) they’re proudly LGBTQ+ inclusive, and (b) they allow dogs—which, let’s be real, is a massive win for any spot in Florida heat.

First impression? Packed. But in a good way. The energy was high, the patio was buzzing, and every table felt like the cool kids' table. It was one of those effortlessly fun environments where you can’t help but vibe along.

Food-wise: I went with the tostadas, which were absolutely brimming with flavor—crispy, fresh, and loaded with toppings that weren’t just filler. My husband ordered the Cuban sliders, and full disclosure: I immediately regretted not doing the same. They were juicy, savory, and had us doing the polite “just one more bite?” dance until the plate was clean.

Drinks: His old fashioned? A+—perfectly balanced and smooth. This isn’t one of those bars that half-asses the cocktail game. They know what they’re doing.

Would we go back? Without hesitation. Great food, great drinks, a fun and inclusive crowd, and our dog was treated like royalty. If you’re in St. Pete and want something casual but full of personality, The Velvet Hippo is the move.

Pro tips:

Get there early on Sundays—it gets crowded fast. Order the Cuban sliders. Trust me. Patio is dog-friendly, so bring your pup for...

I recently visited this bar and left feeling quite disappointed. Here are my thoughts:

Pricing Issues : I ordered a drink priced at $8, but when I asked for club sodas with lime, I was informed by a tall blonde bartender that they were "low on cups." Instead, I was only offered "Liquid Death" seltzers, which ended up costing me $24 for three seltzers plus my original drink. This felt unfair, especially since I wasn't charged for club soda during a previous transaction that night.

Drink Quality The drinks seemed overpriced and, frankly, watered down. My entire cup was filled with ice. I expected more for the amount I paid.

Ambiance and Service The atmosphere was extremely crowded and loud after 8 PM, which made it hard to enjoy the experience. Long waits at the bar. Additionally, the staff came across as impersonal and cold, which detracted from the overall vibe of the place. There is no organization when trying to order a drink, you have to try and get bartenders attention. The people behind me were served first when I was standing right in front of the bar which felt odd, but again just waited my turn.

Overall, I felt overcharged and underwhelmed. I wouldn’t rush back...

New cocktail bar in Durham that is awkward to find - and not in a fun way like The Merchant or Atlantic Lounge. A few of us were wandering around outside. We completely missed the small dark sign in the window of an office building that is not street side and once inside you just randomly keep going up hoping you are in the right place. Definitely needs more signs and street presence.

Inside is pleasant, nicely decorated and a welcome addition to the area but not particularly memorable. There are other places nearby which have more character, Velvet Hippo needs to lean into something to give it a unique identity besides the name and logo.

Biggest draw was the advertised Yappy Hour that is supposed to be dog friendly for 12-6 pm. What they don't mention is that is specifically outdoor patio only. Who wants to be outside on a 95 degree day even with fans? Considering almost any venue with an outside patio (even restaurants) will allow dogs, pushing a "Yappy Hour" that isn't full accepting of dogs (as some bars actually are) is not really worth...