Pre-Show Dining / After Show Drinks
Within walking distance or a short drive of DPAC are a wide variety of upscale and festive options.
Many offer pre-show dining discounts and after show specials. Show nights can be very busy, and reservations are strongly suggested where available.
Discounts apply to show nights only.
Durham, North Carolina 27701
Phone: 984-439-2278


Alley Twenty Six: Pre and Post Show Dining
Located just three blocks from DPAC at 320 East Chapel Hill Street, Alley Twenty Six is North Carolina's only James Beard Award Finalist for Outstanding Bar Program.
Enjoy:
- Pre-show cocktails and dining: Our special pre-show dinner menu.
- Post-show cocktails and dinner: Our late-night dinner menu.
Convenient Parking: Our adjacent parking garage makes it easy.
Reservations: Available on Resy.
Questions or Concerns: Call us at (984) 439-2278 or email us at finedrinking@alleytwentysix.com
HOURS:
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 4PM - 12AM
Friday & Saturday: 4PM - 2AM
Sunday: 4PM - 12AM
Durham, North Carolina 27701
Phone: 919-908-1800


Welcome to Barsa, where tradition meets innovation in a celebration of India’s rich culinary heritage. Inspired by the word “Barsa”, meaning “rain” in several Indian languages, our restaurant symbolizes freshness, renewal, and the joy of shared moments—just like the first monsoon rains bring life to the earth.
At Barsa, we take beloved Indian flavors and reimagine them with a modern twist, creating a menu that is both nostalgic and refreshingly new. From authentic street food inspirations to contemporary, chef-driven creations, every dish is crafted with precision, passion, and a touch of innovation.
Our space reflects this balance—a warm, inviting ambiance with a sleek, modern aesthetic, where every detail, from the aromas of freshly ground spices to the vibrant presentation of each plate, is designed to transport you.
Whether you’re here for a soulful meal, a night of celebration, or an elevated tasting experience, Barsa invites you to savor the essence of India—bold, refined, and unforgettable.
Come experience the magic of Barsa—where every bite feels like the first rain.
Durham, North Carolina 27701



At Counting House restaurant, local cuisine meets bold flavors and playful execution. A seafood-driven menu set amongst the art of today, designed to provide you with an easy-going escape that will feed your soul. The bar and lounge is a welcoming place to taste innovative cocktails, sample local craft brews, and explore broad bourbon and wine lists.
Located inside 21c Museum Hotel Durham, rotating exhibitions of contemporary art carry over from the adjoining hotel into the restaurant space and can be explored free of charge.
Enjoy a pre-show dinner service, brunch before a matinee on Saturday and Sunday, or a post-show cocktail in the bar and lounge. Walk-ins are welcome for bar and lounge service, while reservations are recommended for the dining room. Valet parking is available.
Breakfast
Monday - Friday 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lunch
Monday – Friday 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Dinner
Sunday - Thursday 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday & Saturday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Brunch
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Durham, North Carolina 27701


Ekhaya offers an elevated African dining experience that caters to all five senses. Our menu offers authentic, eclectiv bantu flavors that are unaparalleled.
Tapas style dining allows for a communcal dining experience that is characteristic of African mealtimes.
Choose several plates for a quick bite or more for a full meal. Let us guide you through this Bantu flavor journey!
This perfect pre-show dining experience allows you to be transported to southern Africa through flavors, sound, and ambiance. Wind down with an after show cocktail at the Bush Oasis Patio.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Hours:
- Monday closed
- Tuesday 11am to 9pm
- Wednesday 11am to 9pm
- Thursday 11am to 9pm
- Friday 11am to 9pm
- Saturday 5pm to 9pm
- Sunday 11am to 3pm
Durham, North Carolina 27701


Stop into Mellow Mushroom Durham today. We serve up fresh, stone-baked handcrafted pizzas to order in an eclectic, art-filled, and family-friendly environment. Locally owned and operated, we provide great customer service and high quality food. Our menu showcases natural flavors and the freshest of ingredients in a creative menu assortment of pizzas, burgers, hoagies, salads, calzones, appetizers and vegetarian and vegan options. Gluten free crust and a kids menu are also available.
Special Offer for Season Seat Members: Get a free appetizer with the purchase of a Medium or Large Specialty pizza on a show night when you show your show ticket. Offer only valid on show nights. Must show tickets to performance that night.
Hours
- Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm
- Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
- Sun 11:30am-9pm
Durham, North Carolina 27701
Phone: 919-937-9416


At Mezcalito - we're a family, united by our love for great food, vibrant music, and exceptional service.
Hours:
- Monday - Wednesday 11AM - 10PM
- Thursday 11AM - 10:30PM
- Friday - Saturday 11AM - 2AM
- Sunday 11AM - 10PM
Durham, North Carolina 27701


NanaSteak opened its doors in February 2016 in a newly built space located next to the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) and Aloft Durham Downtown Hotel.
The restaurant boasts a beautiful corner location with abundant natural light. In homage to Durham's long tobacco history, the bar top and tables are inlaid with real tobacco leaves, artfully crafted by Artisan Leaf.
NanaSteak offers high-energy upscale dining at its finest. Enjoy drinks and appetizers with friends at the beautiful and well-appointed bar or dine from a menu full of local North Carolina fare. The award winning wine list offers many unique and interesting selections to compliment any meal. With an impeccable attention to detail, this is the perfect backdrop for an extraordinary evening.
Current Hours:
- M - Thurs 5 - 9
- Fri, Sat 5 - 10
- Sun 4 - 9
Reservations can be made directly through our website: www.nanasteak.com or anytime Wednesday - Sunday after 2pm by calling 919-282-1183
Durham, North Carolina 27701
Phone: 919-804-0764


Tobacco Road offers a creative menu crafted with care by our professional chef. From fresh salads to hearty steaks, guests can enjoy an inventive selection of dishes, including regional Southern classics with a unique twist, gourmet entrées, and healthy alternatives that go well beyond the usual salad options.
Whether you’re catching the game surrounded by wall-to-wall TVs in our lively bar or relaxing on our patio overlooking the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Tobacco Road delivers a dining experience that’s as memorable as it is delicious.
Hours:
- Sundays - Thursdays 11am - 11pm
- Fridays & Saturdays 11am - 12am
Durham, North Carolina 27701
Phone: 919-294-4447


A friendly neighborhood bar for everybody, you’ll find The Velvet Hippo perched on a rooftop on Orange Street in historic downtown Durham. We’re here 7 days a week, serving up fun and fanciful signature cocktails, local beers, creative mocktails and slushes, and tasty bites in a welcoming space complete with rooftop views of downtown. Voted Best Cocktails, Mocktails, and Late Night (Durham Magazine) and Best Neighborhood Bar (INDY Best of The Triangle) in 2024.
Come enjoy a vacation vibe in a cozy space that feels like the bar from CHEERS and looks like a tropical getaway!
Hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 4pm - midnight
- Friday: 4pm - 2am
- Saturday: 12pm - 2am
- Sunday: 12pm - midnight
Kitchen open ‘til 10pm Sun-Thurs, 12am Fri & Sat