Apparently, even Durhamites can drink only so much.
First, the Republic, a bar in downtown Durham bit the dust. Now Whiskey, which opened nearly five years ago, just a few doors down, is kaput, effective Saturday, Aug. 2.
The bar at 347 W. Main St. made the announcement about an hour ago on its Facebook page.
It had an upstairs area for smokers—and catered in particular to those who loved a good cigar—which is closing immediately. The downstairs will allow smoking through the closing date.
While downtown is largely thriving, there are pockets that have failed. Vacancies include the TeerMark Building, which adjoins the future 21C Museum Hotel in the 200 block of West Main and the old Ringside bar at 308 W. Main. The stretch of East Parrish Street that is/was home to several storefront churches has also suffered because of a fire on the third floor of the building that housed 118 Got Soul.
However, if you have a few dollars (or in some cases, many dollars), you won’t go hungry or thirsty downtown: Dame’s Chicken & Waffles, Bull McCabes and Toast (the latter two serve alcohol) all on West Main Street, and Mateo Bar de Tapas (famous for its liquor selection) on West Chapel Hill Street, are always packed cheek-to-jowl.
Pizzeria Toro, closed for more than a year due to a fire, is due to reopen this month on West Chapel Hill Street, joining two busy spots, Ninth Street Bakery and The Cupcake Bar.
The area near Mangum and Parrish streets, home to Loaf and Monuts Donuts—as well as four more places to get a drink—Intrepid Coffee, Dos Perros, Pompieri Pizza and Bull City Burger and Brewery, also is busy.
Dashi, a Japanese ramen noodle shop and bar, is slated to open on East Chapel Hill Street, near the ever-popular Rue Cler, Scratch bakery and Alley Twenty Six.
