Arcana Bar & Lounge Bars & Clubs in Durham – GayOut Guide
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Arcana Bar & Lounge

Google (385) 4.6
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92
/ 100
GayOut Score
G4.6
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Address
331 W Geer St, Durham, NC 27701
🌐
Website
arcanadurham.com

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About this place Arcana Bar & Lounge

Arcana is a queer- and woman-owned cocktail bar in Old North Durham and, as a member of the Lesbian Bar Project, one of the only lesbian bars left in North Carolina. The dim, tarot-themed room is run by an all-queer team pouring a thoughtful list of craft cocktails. Beyond drinks it hosts community fixtures such as Queer Prom, tarot readings and themed nights, and it marked its tenth anniversary in the mid-2020s. It is a laid-back, welcoming spot rather than a dance club, which makes it a natural first stop on a night out in Durham's dispersed queer scene.

Features

Gay Lesbian / Women-focused Mixed LGBTQ+ Chill / Relaxed Local favorite Cocktail bar Dance club Themed parties Card payments accepted Walk-ins welcome Evening venue Year-round

Insider Tips

Community Reviews

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Google Reviews

Verified by Google
4.6
★★★★★
385 reviews

Based on 385 Google reviews.

Eva H
Eva H Aug 2026
★★★★★

Have loved their jazz nights recently & the fact they align with the BDS movement. Would recommend their mocktails. Definitely a bar to check out if you’re in the area!

Kurt T
Kurt T Jul 2026
★★★☆☆

If you are going to Arcana, search up the BACK PARKING LOT! Do not follow the GPS instructions unless you're wishing for street parking. Arcana's address shows the main street but that is not where they are located. Their front entrance is technically behind the buildings the address claims. The businesses have a back parking lot to park in and I find spots every time! Flavorful drinks, but the presentation and taste changes every time I visit even if I order the same drinks. Some of the drinks are extremely overpriced for the preparation and quantity. The bartenders have attitudes some days and other days they are lovely, so I'm not sure what to make of this. The man with the beard and black hair is sometimes rude. The aesthetic is amazing and the furniture adds to the whimsical atmosphere. The space is extremely small for the amount of people going to their events though. There's almost no tables or bar space so my group and I had to stand around wandering, which wasn't very enjoyable.

Taylor Esteban
Taylor Esteban Jul 2026
★★★★☆

Great place, love the vibes and queerness. Hate all the chairs and off-brand "cola"

Maria Al Haddad
Maria Al Haddad May 2026
★★★★★
Beans
Beans Mar 2026
★★★★★
Jade Locklear
Jade Locklear Mar 2026
★★★★★
robyn cole
robyn cole Feb 2026
★★★★★

Renee the tarot reader is a 10/10. She’s nothing short of amazing. So talented and knowledgeable. The bar itself is amazing as well. Very inviting and a chill vibe. What a great place!! 💚

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Last updated on 14 October 2026

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