A popular brewery and longtime bar are closing in Durham. What’s next
Key Takeaways
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Durty Bull will close in late September after 10 years near Geer Street in Durham.
- Brewery owner Matt Pennisi cited rising costs and lower foot traffic in an announcement.
- Cocktail bar Annexe will close at the end of this week after six years in downtown Durham.
Durham’s nightlife scene is experiencing a shake up, as a popular brewery and a stylish cocktail bar both announced closures. We’ve created a roundup of the longtime drink spots leaving the Bull City.
Here are key takeaways:
- Durty Bull, one of Durham’s oldest breweries, will close its doors in late September after 10 years near the Geer Street District. Owner Matt Pennisi cited rising costs and changing consumer habits, writing that rent and ingredient prices have “drastically increased” while foot traffic has declined. Durty Bull became known for crispy lagers and beer collaborations. The brewery had expanded to a second location in Gastonia before announcing the shutdown.
- Annexe, a basement cocktail bar built beneath Bar Virgile, is closing at the end of this week after six years in downtown Durham. The windowless lounge opened in 2020 and survived the COVID-19 pandemic by selling sangria curbside. After the pandemic, the venue drew crowds with DJ nights. Owner Daniel Sartain, who also runs Bar Virgile and High Dive nearby, plans to debut a new concept in the Annexe space later this year.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
Simone Jasper
The News & Observer