By Contributor,Jenn Rice,Marriott Durham McPherson
Copyright forbes
Downtown Durham
Kate Medley
If you’re a North Carolinian, you’re well aware of the Triangle’s fierce collegiate rivalries. The biggest showdowns happen between Duke University Blue Devils, University of North Carolina Tar Heels, and NC State Wolfpack —with Duke and UNC’s basketball battles getting most of the attention. But football season brings equally intense rivalries, and you can only pick one side. I was born and bred Team Duke, whatever the sport.
Duke Blue Devils
Eric Waters
The Blue Devils host NC State this Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium in a 4 pm ACC showdown on ESPN2. Durham’s game day scene runs deep, and this weekend offers the perfect crash course in Triangle football culture in the land of the Blue Devils.
Duke’s football program has been building serious momentum, and Saturday’s Wolfpack matchup promises the kind of energy that makes college sports worth the trip. Here’s what to do once you’re in Durham:
Conniption Bar & Lounge
Kate Medley
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Where to eat
Skip the typical sports bar scene at Hutchin’s Garage, Bull City Burger & Brewery, and Parts & Labor at Motorco. All have TVs, none have the usual game day chaos.
For drinks, Queeny’s, Ponysaurus Brewing Co., Glass Jug Beer Lab, Conniption Bar & Lounge, and The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge handle pre-game cocktails and post-game celebrations. Each brings something different to Durham’s bar scene.
Washington Duke Inn
Discover Durham
Where to sleep
The Washington Duke Inn is alumni central during game weekends. The Bull Durham Bar inside is worth the visit alone – you can watch from there if you need AC and craft cocktails over stadium beer.
JB Duke Hotel and Residence Inn by Marriott Durham McPherson/Duke University Medical Center cover the other campus-adjacent options. Downtown, The Durham Hotel, 21c Museum Hotel, and Unscripted put you walking distance from the city’s best food and bars.
Lakewood Social
Discover Durham
Where to watch
If you’re not lucky enough to watch the game in person, there are plenty of vibrant spots around Durham. Devine’s Restaurant & Sports Bar is the holy grail for Duke faithful. Founded in 1978 by a Duke graduate and former football player, this legendary spot has been the unofficial headquarters for Blue Devil celebrations for decades. Come game time, you’ll struggle to find an empty seat—and that’s exactly how you want it.
Dain’s Place on 9th Street brings proper dive bar energy closer to campus while Lakewood Social handles the family crowd with solid food and plenty of screens while Durham Beer Garden delivers craft beer and pub classics.
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