Sit. Stay.

The Velvet Hippo is a neighborhood bar for everybody. You’ll find us on Orange Street in historic downtown Durham, North Carolina. We’re here 7 days a week serving fun and fanciful signature cocktails, local beers, creative mocktails and slushes, and light bites in a welcoming space complete with rooftop views of downtown.

Come enjoy a vacation vibe in a cozy space that feels like the bar from CHEERS and looks like a tropical getaway.

See All Upcoming Events!

Our Hours

Monday-Thursday: 4pm - midnight
Friday: 4pm - 2am
Saturday: 12pm - 2am
Sunday: 12pm - midnight

Kitchen open ‘til 10pm Sun-Weds, 12am Thurs-Sat!

Yappy Hours:
We’re happy to welcome well-behaved pups to our roofdeck on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-6pm! Because we can’t have pets inside, please bring dogs up via their VIP stairs two doors down to the left of our main entry.

Best Cocktails | Best Mocktails
Best Late Night | Best Date Night

Best Mixologist | Best Neighborhood Bar
Best NA Drinks | Best New Business

Best Cocktails | Best Neighborhood Bar
Best NA Drinks | Best Drag Event (bingo)

View fullsize Today’s the last day to grab tix for tomorrow’s Kill Devil Rum dinner with @outerbanksdistilling! One of the cocktails you’ll enjoy is @brigittekiss sweet potato pie-inspired delight 🥧 featuring brown butter washed Kill Devil Spice
View fullsize Don’t mind us, just doing a little research and development for next week’s Kill Devil Rum pairing dinner with @outerbanksdistilling! Pecan rum, Spiced Rum, White Rum and more, all featured in cocktails paired with small plates by @chef_r
View fullsize We are thrilled to have @naomidix_h.o.c filling in for @stormiedaie tonight at Music Bingo! 💅 Stormie is off shooting with @comfreyfilms, so Naomi is holding it down with @jorden.the.dj this week. Tonight’s categories are Beyoncé, R&amp
View fullsize Our “OutSour” cocktail special is back for this year’s @outsouthqueerfilmfest! 🎥🏳️‍🌈. Melon liqueur, simple syrup, fresh lemon, topped with soda and luxardo cherries for $12. Proceeds from sales today thru Sunday go to @carol
View fullsize Come work with us! 🧑‍🍳 We’re hiring for a line cook with min. 2 yrs experience to work with @chef_reginaj, who was just voted @indyweek’s Best Chef in Durham! Head to our story or search for us on Indeed.com to submit your applicati
View fullsize We’re having a little Music Bingo sendoff tonight for @stormiedaie! (Don’t worry guys, she’ll be back the 27th). The Queen of our hearts is off to shoot a film called “Reconstructing Frances” with the talented folks at @
View fullsize 🌧️ Rainy day vibes 🌧️ Sure, the rooftop gets a lot of attention…but some days just call for curling up in the cozy corner by the fireplace and catching up with your bestie or your boo 🍸. Complete the picture with our signature espresso mart
View fullsize We’re back with another cocktail pairing dinner! 🍹🍽️ For this installment, we’re teaming up with @outerbanksdistilling to showcase their collection of Kill Devil Rums 🏴‍☠️ Your favorite bartenders will create cocktails with these d
View fullsize We’re trying something new this month! 💃🏻🕺🏽First Friday Latin Nights are among your fave events (ours too!), so we’re getting things started early this month so everybody gets a chance to dance 🪩. If you like the classics and want a
View fullsize This one is for the planners 🫠 August at a glance, babyyy. We’ll see ya out there 💕 . . . #durhambars #durhamnc #durhamevents #downtowndurham #bullcity
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View fullsize Who’s ready for the weekend!? 🍸🪩✨💃 Here’s what’s on tap here on Orange Street: ✨Fri 7/24, 9:30-1:30: Friday Night SHIFT with @d.jnar! ✨Sat 7/25, 9:30-1:30: Saturday Night Dance Party with @gayagendanc! ✨Sun 7/26, 2-5: @forth
View fullsize Come DRIFT away on chill Latin vibes and Afrobeats with @synko_bull_city from 4-7 in the rooftop! There’s a breeze up top, lots of AC indoors, and the music is playing no matter where you go. Frosty beverages are ready for you as always. World
View fullsize 🙌 You made it halfway through the week 🙌 Stop by this evening for your reward. $4 @highlandbrewing Daycation IPAs and $10 @bulleit old fashioneds every Wednesday. 🍻🥃 . @jolie_the_dachshund . . . #durhambars #durhamnc #bullcity #ipalover #bourbon
View fullsize This Femme Friday we’ve got @ayo_vip in the house! 🔊 Come catch a vibe with one of the Triangle’s favorite DJs, sip on some tasty beverages, and start your weekend right. ➡️ Swipe to see more great July events! . . . #durhamdj #durhameve

Updated ID Check Details:

Ensuring that our guests and staff have a great night and get home safely is our whole jam. To do that, we check IDs to make sure everyone is of legal drinking age and has a real, valid ID. In early August 2026, we made some changes to the system we use in order to better balance balance safety with the need for privacy we all feel in the current environment. Details below!

Our system DOES:

  • Check for fake IDs (this is NOT checking identity databases like DMV; it's checking the tech and markings on the presented ID)

  • Make sure guests are of age (21+)

  • Let us internally flag the ID of anyone who threatens the safety of our staff or other guests. *Not all flags are permanent - we know people can grow up :) Also, all of our flags are private...our rules apply to our bar only.

It does NOT:

  • Read anything but name and date of birth on the ID (we've turned off everything else)

  • Store any data on unflagged IDs (we've turned off data retention for all IDs except those that get flagged for violating our safety rules)

  • Take your photo (we've disconnected and removed the camera that came attached to our system. These photos we used to take were only ever used internally to identify someone if they caused a problem, but we understand the discomfort it caused some folks)

If you have any questions about our systems, feel free to contact us at hello@velvethippodurham.com and we’ll be happy to answer them!