A Different Kind of Biker Bar

Durham is The Tastiest Town in the South, and now visitors and residents alike and see it and experience it in a whole new (maybe slightly tipsy?) way.

The Biker Bar NC is a fourteen seat human powered bicycle with riders facing one another around a center bar area while a bike captain steers, brakes and provides a guided tour along your route.  We like to say it’s about the journey, not the destination when you are on the green limousine. Durham’s first pub bike will launch late August with historic rides, foodie tours, brewery tours, pub crawls, bachelor/ette parties, team building rides, family reunions, non-profit fundraisers and much more.  The pub bike is quickly becoming a city mascot in other parts of the country and the BikerBarNC is providing the first of its kind to Durham, NC. The BikerBarNC is brought to you by Martha Philpott King and Seth Gross, both long time residents of Durham and excited to be a part of Downtown’s rebirth. The duo also happen to be the driving force behind popular Durham brewery/restaurant Bull City Burger and Brewery.  Check out the website.

The pub bike concept is originally from Holland and is now taking “pedal-hold” in the States.  The bike is custom built out of Bend, Oregon and has many unique features just for Durham.  Durham’s historic records indicate the very first automobile driven on Durham’s city roads may have been the Stanley Steamer circa 1901.  The BikerBarNC will have a nod to the original Stanley Steamer vehicle with a similar paint scheme, brass name plates, the Stanley logos, an antique horn and several other subtle touches reminiscent of the steam car era. The Stanley Steamer was nicknamed the “flying teapot” and is the source of expressions we use today such as, “full steam ahead!” or “I am running out of steam.”

The website features photos, information, and suggested tour routes. The bike travels at about three to five miles per hour and is for folks sixteen and older and all skill levels.  It’s very casual and built around being social, entertaining and enjoying the outdoors.  Alcohol is allowed on-board with some restrictions listed on the website.  Similar to booking a limousine with a driver, the pub bike has a driver and the riders are merely the “engine” for the bike. There is a bench seat on the back for freeloaders or folks wanting to take a break to let their friends take a turn. Tours last about two hours on average and can be custom created if needed.

The inaugural ride is Saturday, August 24th at 11:15 AM with celebrity guest riders Mayor Bill Bell and Frank Stasio.  The remaining twelve seats are being auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds going to the John Avery Boys and Girls Club of Durham.  Bidding begins now online  with 100% of the auction money going to charity.

Stay up to speed on all the fun with the Durham Event Calendar.