Date night in Durham: dinner downtown, a rooftop bar, two historic theaters, natural wine bars and cocktails until 1 a.m., with hours from each venue's site.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Hours and addresses come from each venue’s own website; they change, so check before you go. This is a list, not a ranking.

Durham’s date-night spine runs along East and West Chapel Hill Street downtown, with the American Tobacco district and its theater a few blocks south and Brightleaf Square to the west.

Plan ahead

Dinner

  • Mothers and Sons, 107 W. Chapel Hill St. A trattoria making fresh pasta daily, with a seasonal menu of regional Italian dishes. Dinner 5 to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday (Mothers and Sons); 919-294-8247.
  • Mateo, 109 W. Chapel Hill St. Spanish tapas, 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, with a private dining room (Mateo).
  • Vin Rouge, 2010 Hillsborough Road. The French bistro serves dinner 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday (last seatings) (hours); 919-416-0466.
  • The Lenny, 555 S. Mangum St., on top of the 555 Mangum building across from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Dinner from 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 3 p.m. on weekends; the kitchen closes at 10 p.m. weeknights and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday (hours).

Rooftops and cocktails

  • The Roof at The Durham Hotel, 315 E. Chapel Hill St. Shareable plates of North Carolina meat, coast seafood and market vegetables. Bar 5 to 11 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday; kitchen until 9:30 p.m. (The Roof).
  • Kingfisher, 321 E. Chapel Hill St. Cocktails in a basement bar, 5 to 11 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday to Thursday and 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday (Kingfisher).

Wine bars

  • Delafia Wine Bar, 1103 S. Roxboro St. Wines from small producers; 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 4 p.m. to midnight Thursday to Saturday (Delafia).
  • Sol House Wines, 905 W. Main St., in Brightleaf Square’s north building. Natural wines by the glass or bottle; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Wednesday and Thursday (Brightleaf directory); 919-213-1660.

A show

  • DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center), 123 Vivian St. Touring Broadway, concerts and comedy (dpacnc.com).
  • Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St. Concerts, comedy and talks in Fletcher Hall, plus films in its cinemas (carolinatheatre.org).

Our live music and nightlife guide lists the music venues.

Daytime dates

  • Sarah P. Duke Gardens, 420 Anderson St.: free, 8 a.m. to sunset every day; parking is $2 an hour (visit page).
  • Weekend brunch: see our brunch guide.

What this means for you

  • Show night at DPAC? Book dinner for 5 or 5:30 p.m.; most of the restaurants above open at 5.
  • Late plans on a Friday or Saturday: Kingfisher (1 a.m.) and The Roof and Delafia (midnight) run latest.
  • Valentine’s Day plans are on our Valentine’s Day page.

Frequently asked questions

Where is a good rooftop bar for a date in Durham?

The Roof at The Durham Hotel, 315 E. Chapel Hill St., is open Tuesday to Sunday from 5 p.m., with shareable plates until 9:30 p.m. The Lenny, 555 S. Mangum St., is a rooftop restaurant open nightly from 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Which Durham bars stay open late?

Kingfisher, 321 E. Chapel Hill St., is open until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday and until midnight Tuesday to Thursday. Delafia Wine Bar stays open until midnight Thursday to Saturday.

Where are the theaters in downtown Durham?

DPAC, the Durham Performing Arts Center, is at 123 Vivian St. in the American Tobacco district, and the Carolina Theatre, with concerts, comedy and films, is at 309 W. Morgan St.

Where can I get dinner before a show at DPAC?

Mothers and Sons and Mateo are on West Chapel Hill Street downtown, and The Lenny overlooks the ballpark a short walk from DPAC. Check each one’s hours and book ahead on show nights.