Have a cold one – or two – at these walkable watering holes
By Leah Berry | Photography by John Michael Simpson
The Bull City welcomed a few new libations locations over the past year or so, all just a few blocks from one another (and within the northern boundaries of The Bullpen social district!). Take yourself on a quick tour of these four happenin’ hot spots; we recommend starting with a Flying Bull brew on Morris Street and working your way up to and along West Corporation, ending with some stellar sips on Durham Beer Garden’s spacious patio.
Reach for the Sky
You might be familiar with Flying Bull Restaurant and Brewery’s Ninth Street location, which has been pouring beer since 2020; the debut of its Morris Street taproom in January marked an exciting expansion for the business into downtown’s vibrant Innovation District.
“The Flying Bull is a community forward brewery,” says owner and brewer Joel Miles, a concept that’s reflected in the space’s impressive 150-seat capacity and ability to book private events, plus its dog friendly outdoor patio.
The brewery offers about 15 of its own beers on tap, including New England hazy IPA Bull in a Bottle Shop, Aches and Alements Scottish ale, My Roots Are Showing blonde ale, Mackinaw Peach wheat, Saison Du Taureau Belgian-style ale and many more.
The Morris Street location also houses a craft kitchen and cocktail bar. “We are quickly becoming known for our craft cocktails, such as a double-smoked old-fashioned,” Joel says. The food menu features offerings that pair well with both beer and cocktails, Joel says, across its starters, handheld salads, small plates and large plates. “Our bacon smash burger or Cuban sandwich are excellent places to start,” he says, “and our small plates – like tuna tartare, bone marrow or fried Brussels – are delicious with a glass of wine or a cocktail. … [The] large plates, such as our duck leg with carrot puree or the pollo a la brasa, are also great choices.”
Check out the frequent food specials – one of Joel’s faves is salmon on a bed of zucchini, grape tomatoes and red onions deglazed with white wine and lemon juice. “Specials are always at our disposal with what’s available, even from the farmers market on Foster Street,” Joel says. “We often pair our food specials with cocktail specials as well.”
The taproom often hosts music events in Morris Green Park across the street as well as indoor events – stop by on Sundays for jazz! Joel says guests can also expect trivia and karaoke in the fall.
“We are a brewery, [but] we are trying to redefine what that may mean to the common customer,” Joel says. “We offer brewery food while at the same time offering elevated small and large plates that are to die for.”
Perfect Timing
Atomic Clock Brewing Co. started ticking in April 2024. It’s run by sibling duo Colleen Quinn – who’s also the general manager – and head brewer Brian Quinn. “Atomic clocks are the most precise timekeeping devices, and a group of them around the world set the world time,” Colleen explains. “We felt the name Atomic Clock represented our brewing and business philosophy: the endless pursuit of perfection, innovation and collaboration.”
The brewery offers somewhere between 13 and 17 of its own beers on tap, ranging from popular hazy IPAs like Atomichron to crisp West Coast lagers like Flick. Pilsner fans will enjoy Movement, while those seeking a hoppy amber ale can order a Pendulum. The double honey IPA Janus offers a sweet yet bold experience; folks wanting a bit more deviation from traditional brews should try the recently released tropical sour Tide Pool or the coffee-and-chocolate-infused imperial stout, Mocha Shake. And don’t sleep on the Billy Pilgrim, a unique Grätzer – or smoked wheat ale – crafted in collaboration with Eno River Brewing.
“[Brian and I] have both been in the craft beer industry for 10-plus years, and we’re excited to create a brewery that equally values quality of beer and beverages and quality of experience,” Colleen says.
The business is located in City Place at 501 Washington St., in a historic garage once used by the city. “The building is nearly 100 years old,” Colleen says, adding that the natural beauty of the space allowed her and Brian to create a unique experience for their customers.
Feeling hungry? The menu here is a hit. Colleen recommends the beef and cheddar empanadas, garlic fries with black garlic aioli, Pok Pok whole wings and the Brooklyn-style chopped cheese sandwich.
Drop by on Tuesdays for $10 crowlers, enjoy $5 Pilsners every Wednesday, and treat yourself to a $10 empanada and beer combo on Thursdays. Chase away the Sunday scaries with trivia every Sunday at 5 p.m., and keep an eye out for the brewery’s ticketed beer and beverage pairing dinners, typically held on the third or fourth Monday of the month.
“We pride ourselves in creating an atmosphere and menu that has something for everyone,” Colleen says. “A wide array of craft beer styles, an evolving craft cocktail menu, a curated wine list and a full-service kitchen serving elevated and approachable shareables, sandwiches and more.”
Surreally Good
Asheville-based brewery DSSOLVR Durham opened its Bull City brick-and-mortar in spring 2023. Its self-proclaimed “Vibe Lord” Will Craddock – more formally known as the head of events and marketing – works hard to keep customers happy and entertained while serving up brews of the highest quality.
“DSSOLVR’s motto is ‘brewed till surreal,’” Will says, “meaning we tweak, change and test recipes over and over and over and over again till it is beyond a normal beverage. That’s why we often change up our menus and release new beers every week.”
The taproom at 630 Rigsbee Ave. features 20 DSSOLVR drafts – well, 21, counting its cask system – in styles ranging from Mexican lagers to hazy IPAs and everything in between, all of which are brewed at the Asheville production facility that also churns out hard seltzers, gluten free sours, natural wine and ciders. “Our products are canned and kegged in Asheville and then shipped out to Durham to maximize freshness,” Will explains.
Will’s all-time favorite (emphasis on the all-time and the favorite) beer is the Cold Caprese Pizza, an Italian Pilsner that’s light, crushable and hoppy – and available on draft as well as in cans. “This beer was a collab with Hoof Hearted Brewing and won over our entire staff as well as patrons very quickly,” Will says. “This is our first collab beer to become a consistent staple in both distribution and draft!”
While Will consistently raves about the brewery’s beverages, he also knows the in-house events are largely what makes DSSOLVR so special to its customer base.
“We throw some wild parties, we know it!” Will says. “Being able to bring our zaniness to Durham and be received so welcomingly is the best, and we can’t wait to do some very fun and exciting things!”
DSSOLVR doesn’t have a food menu, but it often features food trucks at events and highlights nearby spots where peckish guests can order delivery or takeout.
The brewery’s weekly specials include $6 IPAs on Mondays and $5 light beers on Tuesdays – Will’s personal fave deal, given his aforementioned love of Pilsners – plus $8 cocktails on Wednesdays or $4 Kölsches on Thursdays. Mark your calendars for Shrektoberfest on Sept. 21.
“Prepare for surreal hangs, elevated drinks and elevated vibes,” Will says. “Our staff is incredibly kind and knowledgeable about all our products, and no matter what you are in the mood for, we have something for you.”
Hops and Dreams
Craft beverages and community converge at Durham Beer Garden – a treasure trove of beguiling brews and bites tucked beside Little Bull in Old Five Points.
The bottle shop and beer garden on North Mangum Street offers 20 taps with a dynamic rotating selection; recent features include Durty Bull Brewing Company’s Extra Crispy Pilsner, Booneshine Brewing Company’s High Country Honey and Downeast Cider House’s Blood Orange Cider. If you’re in a rush or prefer to stay sober, pick up a grab-n-go bevvy or nonalcoholic drink from the cooler. Come September, stop in for its exciting lineup of German and Oktoberfest beers.
“We always have a great variety of IPAs, lagers, stouts, Kölsches, Pilsners and sours,” says David Perazzo, who co-owns Durham Beer Garden with Ann Wagner. “We do our best to support local, small breweries in North Carolina.”
The casual family- and dog-friendly business boasts 18 TVs and expansive indoor and outdoor areas, ideal for accommodating large groups. David says the space supports local artists, too, providing a platform for talented performers to play at its Music on Mangum event every Saturday night from 6-9 p.m.
Patrons can pick from a selection of pubstyle and Asian fusion small bites and entrees at the on-site food truck – David says the pork belly bao and bulgogi beef bowl are crowd favorites, or opt for a pulled pork sandwich, chicken fingers, fried pickle chips or kimchi dumplings. The beer garden offers half price glasses of wine and $10 burgers every Wednesday; on Mondays, enjoy 50-cent wings along with 32 oz. Kona Brewing Company’s Big Wave mugs for $9. It’s an open and welcoming neighborhood setting “that offers a little something for everyone,” David says.
