Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileArcana Bar and Lounge
Durham, NC
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
Research completed 2026-09-10 · Based on current public sources
Editor: Micah Rousey
Review methodology and evidence standardsThe editorial take
Arcana Bar and Lounge runs a two-track cocktail menu: Seasonal & Signature originals developed by the crew, and a Classics & Twists page of six named drinks with full ingredient lists. The Black Manhattan, Vesper, Gemini Rising, Sazerac, Waterlily, and Mule sit at $13–$16. Wine is a three-bottle, $12-each set of white, sparkling, and red. Beer adds two $8 drafts and seven bottles and cans spanning domestic, import, craft, and cider.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Black Manhattan, a $15 mix of rye whiskey, amaro averna, and orange bitters. The Sazerac at $13 combines whiskey, absinthe, and bitters, and the Gemini Rising at $15 takes dry gin or bourbon with cocchi rosa and cynar. For a lighter pour, the Vesper at $13 uses vodka, gin, dolin blanc, and a lemon twist.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Drinkers who want recognizable classics with published ingredients alongside a small rotating selection of original cocktails. The beer list covers domestic, import, craft, and cider, so groups with mixed preferences can find something without leaving the cocktail menu behind.
- When should I go?
- A reasonable stop for a first drink of the evening or a nightcap, with cocktail and beer lists that suit both a single round and a longer conversation.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Classics & Twists cocktails run $13–$16, with the Black Manhattan and Gemini Rising at $15 and the Vesper and Sazerac at $13. Wine is $12 a glass across all three bottles. Draft beer is $8, and bottles and cans are $5–$6.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The menu separates Seasonal & Signature originals from Classics & Twists, giving the bar two distinct cocktail tracks. The Classics & Twists page publishes full ingredient lists for six drinks, and the wine list keeps a white, a sparkling, and a red at one $12 price.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Six Classics & Twists cocktails carry full ingredient lists and $13–$16 prices, with a separate Seasonal & Signature section for crew-developed originals. Reviewers call the drinks simple and easy to enjoy at reasonable prices, though one describes them as only so-so. The structure gives clear choice between familiar builds and house originals.
Menu strengths
- — Six named Classics & Twists cocktails with full ingredient lists and $13–$16 pricing
- — Seasonal & Signature originals separated from Classics & Twists on the menu
Standout selections
- — Black Manhattan: rye whiskey, amaro averna, orange bitters, $15
- — Gemini Rising: dry gin or bourbon, cocchi rosa, cynar, $15
Pricing: $13–$16
Wine
Three wines by name and price: Las Brisas Sauvignon Blanc, Lamberti Prosecco, and Illuminati Montepulciano, all $12. The list covers a white, a sparkling, and a red at a uniform price point, and the menu overview calls the beer, wine, and snacks selection small but tasty.
Menu strengths
- — White, sparkling, and red at a uniform $12 price
- — Menu overview describes the beer, wine, and snacks selection as small but tasty
Standout selections
- — Lamberti Prosecco at $12; Illuminati Montepulciano at $12
Pricing: $12 per glass
Beer
Two $8 drafts, Wise Man rotating IPA and a rotating seasonal, plus seven bottles and cans from $5–$6. The selection spans domestic, import, craft, and cider, giving the list more range than the wine side and a clear lower-price entry point.
Menu strengths
- — Selection spans draft, domestic, import, craft, and cider
- — Draft beers at $8, bottles and cans at $5–$6
Standout selections
- — Wise Man rotating IPA on draft, $8; Allagash White Ale, bottle or can, $6
- — Stem Chili Guava Cider, bottle or can, $6
Pricing: Draft $8; bottles and cans $5–$6
About this review
Research is based on recent public evidence, including official venue materials and beverage menus when available. The review date is the research completion date and does not imply an in-person visit.
Review methodology and evidence standardsCommunity reviews
Anyone with a free Inebrious account can rate the drinks here. Community ratings are kept entirely separate from the Inebrious editorial score above.
No community reviews yet. Be the first to write one.