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Photo of Boxcar Bar + Arcade

Wine Bar

Unclaimed profile

Boxcar Bar + Arcade

Durham, NC

Inebrious Beverage Program Score: 87 out of 100

Inebrious

Beverage Program Score

Research completed 2026-09-10 · Based on current public sources

Editor: Micah Rousey

Review methodology and evidence standards

The editorial take

Boxcar Bar + Arcade offers a beverage program led by 24 craft drafts and a live-streaming draft menu. The seasonal cocktail list covers draft classics, stirred drinks, and shots. Non-alcoholic options include beers and cocktail-style drinks. The beer selection spans lagers, IPAs, stouts, sours, ciders, and hard seltzers, with local and national names.

What should I order?
Start with a draft pour from the rotating list; the Ponysaurus Pilsner and Fullsteam Rocket Science IPA represent local options, while the Boxcar Old Fashioned is a stirred classic from the cocktail menu. For a non-alcoholic choice, the Athletic Free Wave IPA is available.
Who will enjoy this place?
People who appreciate a broad draft beer selection with local and national options, as well as those seeking non-alcoholic beers and cocktail-style drinks. The cocktail menu offers both draft and stirred classics, and wine is available for those who prefer it.
What should I expect to spend?
Draft beers are $5.00 to $8.00 for 16 oz pours. Bottles and cans are $4.00 to $10.00. Cocktails range from $9.00 to $16.00, with draft cocktails at $10.00 to $12.00 and shots at $7.00 to $8.50. Non-alcoholic drinks are $2.00 to $6.50.
What makes the beverage program distinctive?
The combination of a live-streaming draft menu, 24 craft drafts, and a separate non-alcoholic program with both beers and cocktail-style drinks sets the beverage selection apart. Seasonal cocktail menus and daily drink deals add variety.

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

Inebrious Cocktails score: 86 out of 100

The cocktail menu includes a seasonal section with draft cocktails like Margarita, Mojito, Paloma, and Liquid Marijuana, plus stirred classics such as Boxcar Old Fashioned and Boxcar Mule, and shots. Prices range from $9.00 to $16.00.

Menu strengths

  • — Broad cocktail menu spanning classics, draft cocktails, and shots.
  • — Seasonal cocktail menus are advertised.; A recent customer account describes the bar as offering well-executed cocktails.

Standout selections

  • — Boxcar Old Fashioned — Elijah Craig, Angostura Bitters, Demerara, expressed orange, cherry; $16.00.
  • — Paloma (DRAFT) — Espolon Tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice; $10.00.
  • — Cranberry French — Conniption Gin, Champagne, cranberry juice, lemon; $10.00.

Pricing: $9.00–$16.00; draft cocktails $10.00–$12.00; shots $7.00–$8.50

Beer

Inebrious Beer score: 89 out of 100

The beer program features 24 craft drafts with a live-streaming draft menu updated September 10, plus 18 packaged beers, ciders, and hard seltzers. Styles include lagers, wheat beers, pale ales, IPAs, porters/stouts, sours, and specialty.

Menu strengths

  • — Large draft selection with 24 craft drafts advertised.
  • — Diverse styles including lagers, IPAs, stouts, sours, ciders, and hard seltzers.

Standout selections

  • — Ponysaurus Pilsner — Czech Pale Lager, Ponysaurus, NC, 5.1% ABV; $7.00.
  • — Fullsteam Rocket Science IPA — American IPA, Fullsteam Brewery, NC, 6.8% ABV; $7.00.
  • — Ponysaurus Cherry Sour — Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer, Ponysaurus, NC, 4.8% ABV; $8.00.
  • — Guinness Draught — Irish Stout, St. James Gate, Dublin, Ireland, 4.2% ABV; $8.00.

Pricing: Draft: $5.00–$8.00 for 16 oz; bottles/cans: $4.00–$10.00; non-alcoholic beer: $6.00–$6.50

Nonalcoholic

Inebrious Nonalcoholic score: 89 out of 100

Non-alcoholic options include beers such as Athletic Free Wave, Athletic Upside Dawn, Corona N/A, and Best Day Kolsch, plus cocktail-style drinks like Mango No Tango Margarita and Strawberry Fields. Juices, sodas, and energy drinks are also available.

Menu strengths

  • — Includes both non-alcoholic beers and non-alcoholic cocktail-style drinks.
  • — Broad range of juices, sodas, and energy drinks.

Standout selections

  • — Mango No Tango Margarita — Monin Mango Syrup, pineapple juice, orange juice, sour mix, grenadine; $6.00.
  • — Strawberry Fields — Monin Strawberry Syrup, lime juice, soda; $5.00.
  • — Athletic Free Wave — Non-alcoholic IPA, 12 oz can; $6.50.
  • — Corona N/A — Non-alcoholic beer, 12 oz bottle; $6.00.

Pricing: $2.00–$6.50; non-alcoholic cocktails $5.00–$6.00

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 standards

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