Down The Rabbit Hole: A Hidden Gem In Durham

There’s a new nightlife venue in Durham, and it’s a little bit different to anything that’s opened its doors in the city before. In fact, it’s quite different to anyplace you’ve popped in to for a tipple. The Rabbit Hole appeared recently on Hallgarth Street and with house rules, a speakeasy style entrance and opulent decor, the bar and supper club is offering something that nowhere else in town does: exclusivity, live jazz and serious style.

My Review of The Rabbit Hole in Durham

Tom and I went along to review The Rabbit Hole when we spent the night at the owners’ other business, Forty Winks Guesthouse (read my review of Forty Winks if you like unusual accommodation). It was just a short stomp from there to get to the bar, whose window could lead those who aren’t in the know to believe that the building was an innocent antiques store. But tap on the side door, and you’ll be beckoned into another world.

The Drinking Den

The Rabbit Hole is a Shanghai inspired live jazz and supper club with a 1920s vibe. It aims to feel like a members-only club, and the  venue has certainly achieved that level of swank. If your name’s not down, you’re not getting in – but no name dropping, because they won’t be impressed (as stated in the House Rules).

It’s small but busy, so be sure to book ahead. We took our (rather plush) seats opposite the bar, next to a boujee mirrored wall, and took in our surroundings. I felt like a member of the 1920’s elite. I love all kinds of bars, from the old man’s boozers to the swanky cocktail establishments, but The Rabbit Hole is like nowhere I’ve drank before. I’ve been to speakeasies in New York City that didn’t wow me like this one did.

The Rabbit Hole’s interior design is seriously decadent, from the lavish soft furnishings to the oriental-style bathroom sinks, which are decorated with goldfish patterns.

The clientele is well-heeled, the drinks are well-mixed and the ambience is mellow yet refined. This is all enforced by the House Rules which state, “Don’t bring anyone to The Rabbit Hole that you wouldn’t bring to your mother’s house for Sunday dinner,” along with a warning that they’ll ask you to leave if you’re lacking in social graces.

The downstairs prohibition-style ‘drinking den’ feels exclusive, but not unfriendly. As we ordered our drinks (French Martini for me, pint of Tiger for Tom), from the lovely server, I felt I could have been in any country in the world, and in any era.

There are cosy booths and, upstairs, an intimate restaurant, complete with a small stage where live jazz is performed. Beneath the silky sound of the musician’s saxophone, hushed conversation and the clink of 1920s style glasses create a happy din. Thankfully, it’s never interrupted by ringing phones, because The Rabbit Hole is a digital detox zone where devices must be kept on silent.

The Supper Club

Sitting there, ordering from a lit-up menu, I felt like I was part of something, like I was in on Durham’s big secret. It was such a thrill!

But is the food any good, you ask…

The menu is part grill, part Oriental, with Lindisfarne Oysters and fresh lobster elevating the usual classics. I ordered the Grilled Queenie Scallops to start, and they were wonderfully creamy, bathing in a gooey gruyere mornay sauce and elegantly presented in the shell. The portion was generous too – is there anything worse than ordering seafood and having to look for it with a magnifying glass? The Rabbit Hole serves theirs topped with a Panko crumb that provides the perfect contrast to the queenies’ buttery texture.

Somehow, Tom’s starter managed to beat mine (and that’s saying something). He opted for XL Garlic Butter Prawns, and I don’t think I’ve ever had such a flavoursome prawn dish. We devoured them.

For mains, I was tempted by the Singapore Chilli Crab but have only ever had it in Singapore, so I didn’t think it was a fair comparison. Instead, I ordered one of my favourite meals: Singapore Vermicelli. It was packed with succulent honey roasted pork, chicken, prawns, shredded omelette and greens. The best I’ve had.

Since I’d gone oriental, Tom volunteered to sample the other side of the menu, and ordered from the Grill. He’d usually go classic, but I urged him to be adventurous and try the ‘Weeping Tiger’: dry aged sirloin, marinated in tamarind with garlic and a Thai dipping sauce. It was absolutely delicious, and so different to anything we’d tasted before. Don’t you love when you go for a meal and leave feeling like you’ve actually experienced new flavours?

We were having such a lovely time that we ordered more wine and lingered long after our empty plates were swept away, chatting to the lovely owners and probably keeping the staff late – not that they seemed to mind.

As we stumbled out of the side door back into the crisp night, I spotted an oversized, double-faced pocket-watch in the foyer. Just call me Alice, because I’d fallen down the rabbit hole – and I’d happily go back for another tumble.

The Rabbit Hole is a place for secret rendezvous, special soirees and deep conversations. It’s a world apart from every other bar in the city, and will thrill anyone who is in the know. If you’re planning a night out or a special meal in Durham, I don’t mind sharing the secret. Let me know what you think!

We were guests of The Rabbit Hole but opinions are obviously my own.

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