Annexe, the neon-trimmed basement cocktail bar that helped define a slice of downtown Durham nightlife, is closing at the end of the week, its owner announced. The subterranean lounge opened in early 2020 and quickly became known for DJ nights, tiki-leaning drinks and shoulder-to-shoulder late-night crowds. The closure caps a six‑year run for the sister spot to Bar Virgile, which sits just above the basement room.
Owner's note and the final weekend
Owner Daniel Sartain wrote, "After 6 incredible years, It's time to sunset Annexe," thanking Durham regulars for showing up through the pandemic and in the years that followed. His note frames the closing as the end of a chapter and teases "something new on the horizon." The announcement makes it clear the venue will shut its doors at the end of the week.
How Annexe weathered the pandemic
Annexe opened just before the global shutdown in 2020 and, according to The News & Observer, survived the toughest months by selling sangria curbside and offering take‑home meals. Once restrictions eased, the bar eased back into packed weekend nights with DJs and themed cocktails, building a loyal late‑night following. The closing post looks back on those early, precarious months and the community support that kept the lights on underground.
What's next for the space
Sartain said he plans to hold on to the Annexe address and debut a new concept in the room later this year, according to the Instagram post embedded above. The decision comes on the heels of his expansion across the street with High Dive in 2024, a project profiled by INDY Week, suggesting he intends to keep juggling multiple small formats on the block. For now, though, the team has not shared any details about the new concept or a reopening date.
Downtown's late-night scene shifts again
Annexe is listed as a late‑night option in the downtown business directory, and its closure will shake up the nightlife mix on Mangum Street between Main and Ramseur. Downtown Durham Inc currently tags the bar as a nightlife destination, but Sartain's note signals the address will return under a different name. Locals will be watching to see whether the next concept keeps Annexe's nightclub energy or steers the basement in a completely new direction.
