Situation Lounge and Restaurant Opening in Durham

DURHAM, NC — Situation, an upscale lounge and bar centered on small plates and nightlife programming, is planned for 2102 Angier Avenue, Durham, NC 27703, with a targeted January opening, owner Anthony Harris told Business Debut.

Guests will eventually be able to move next door into a companion diner space for brunch and lunch service once that portion of the project is complete.

What to Expect

Situation is designed as an adult-focused lounge with a more plush layout than a typical bar, with a lounge side, a bar side and additional seating in the middle. Harris expects roughly 30 seats across the space, plus TVs, a small stage and two restrooms. Nighttime programming will include comedy nights, open mic events, karaoke, speed dating and live music. Harris also hopes to host occasional block parties as the surrounding corridor continues to develop.

During the day, the space is meant to function as a business-friendly lounge where guests can hold meetings or work over lunch in a more upscale environment. Harris said he aims to attract a professional, “upscale grown” crowd.

Menu and Vision

The menu will be centered around small plates from various cuisines, using the tapas idea as a “home of small plates” rather than a strictly Spanish concept. Early plans include items such as empanadas, crab cakes, wings, fries and other shareable dishes.

“We want to bring something different here to Durham and be more upscale, more of an adult lounge,” Harris told Business Debut. He added that he does not want Situation to serve “regular bar food,” but instead to offer a more elevated small-plates experience.

Opening Timeline

Harris said the team is targeting a January opening for Situation, pending final licensing approvals. Next door at 2100 Angier Avenue, Harris plans to take over an existing diner space under the Situation name to add breakfast, lunch and a signature Sunday brunch.

That expansion is targeting early 2026, following the debut of the space at 2102 Angier Avenue. Accordion-style doors are planned between the two addresses so guests can move freely between the lounge and diner once both are open.

Hours

Situation plans to open daily from noon — 2 a.m. A late-night takeout window is planned to operate from 2 a.m. — 4 a.m. for to-go orders, seven days a week.

Follow for More

An official website and social media profiles have not yet launched and are expected to be announced closer to opening, once licensing is finalized.

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