JB Duke Hotel

The “Be Our Guest” Bartender Series wraps up Wednesday, June 24 with Greg Dreyer of Glasshouse Kitchen stepping behind the bar from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lobby Lounge of the JB Duke Hotel. 🍸✨

As the mastermind behind the bar program at Glasshouse Kitchen, Greg is known for blending technical precision, creativity and a passion for hospitality into every cocktail he crafts. With a background in sociology and a deep appreciation for the social chemistry of gathering over a great drink, he sees the bar as a place for connection, conversation and discovery. Whether he's serving one of his fan-favorite creations or showcasing a playful cocktail concept inspired by pop culture, Greg brings a signature wit and memorable energy to every guest experience.

For his featured cocktails, Greg is serving up:

🍇 Grapes Are Good — pisco, sauvignon blanc syrup, pineapple and lemon
🥃 Alma Mater — bonded rye, Benedictine, sweet vermouth and dry vermouth

As part of the “Be Our Guest” Bartender Series, 10% of proceeds from Greg’s featured cocktails will benefit Ripe for Revival, supporting their mission to reduce food waste and increase access to nutritious food throughout our community.

Join us June 24 for an evening of inventive cocktails, community and conversation as we raise a glass to the final installment of this year’s series. Greg’s featured drinks will remain on the menu through the following Tuesday.

We can’t believe we are halfway through the “Be Our Guest” Bartender Series! Daniel Sartain of Bar Virgile is here for the night. Come by until 7pm to taste one of his tried and true specialty cocktail creations!

🌿 Mumbai Direct — gin, cucumber, cilantro, lime, cardamom-saffron syrup and serrano pepper
🍒 Aunt Ginny — barrel-aged gin, vanilla syrup, lime, cranberry compote and egg white

As part of the “Be Our Guest” Bartender Series, 10% of proceeds from Daniel’s featured cocktails will benefit the Animal Protection Society of Durham, supporting their work caring for and finding homes for animals in our community.

See you soon!

Missed Sammie Wilford's appearance at our “Be Our Guest” Bartender Series? Good news! Her cocktails are still pouring through next Tuesday, bringing the tastes of MICHELIN Guide Recommended Tamasha right to the JB Duke Hotel. 🍸✨

Stop by the Lobby Lounge to try:

🫖 Spill the Tea: an Earl Grey lavender old fashioned featuring tea-infused Four Roses bourbon, Earl Grey simple syrup and aromatic bitters

🌶️ Living the Dream: a vibrant margarita with chili-infused reposado tequila, fresh lime and a salted coconut-lime rim

Even better, 10% of proceeds from these featured cocktails benefit Read and Feed, helping provide literacy education and nutritious meals to local children.

Swing by this weekend, raise a glass for a great cause and experience Sammie's creative take on classic cocktails before these specials leave the menu on Tuesday.

The “Be Our Guest” Bartender Series continues Wednesday, June 17 with Daniel Sartain of Bar Virgile stepping behind the bar from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lobby Lounge of the JB Duke Hotel. 🍸✨

A longtime presence in the Triangle hospitality scene, Daniel brings decades of experience and a passion for thoughtful hospitality to this year’s series. From early roles at iconic restaurants like Magnolia Grill and Nana’s to helping grow the Bar Virgile hospitality group with Annexe and High Dive, Daniel has built a reputation for creating welcoming spaces centered around inventive cocktails, great food and community connection.

For his featured cocktails, Daniel is serving up:
🌿 Mumbai Direct — gin, cucumber, cilantro, lime, cardamom-saffron syrup and serrano pepper
🍒 Aunt Ginny — barrel-aged gin, vanilla syrup, lime, cranberry compote and egg white

As part of the “Be Our Guest” Bartender Series, 10% of proceeds from Daniel’s featured cocktails will benefit The Animal Protection Society of Durham, supporting their work caring for and finding homes for animals in our community.

Join us June 17 for an evening of inventive cocktails, community and conversation — then keep sipping all week long as Daniel’s featured drinks remain on the menu through the following Tuesday.

Last call for Whitney’s cocktails! 🍸⏰

There’s still time to sip the first featured creations from our “Be Our Guest” Bartender Series before they leave the menu on Wednesday.

Crafted by Whitney Guerrero of Arcana, this week's specials include:
🥒 Otsumami — a refreshing cucumber sesame saketini with sake and gin
🍯 Bee Sting — a floral, spiced twist on a Bee’s Knees with bourbon, elderflower and honey liqueur

Even better? Every sip gives back. Through tomorrow, 10% of proceeds from these featured cocktails will benefit Siembra NC and their work supporting communities across North Carolina.

Stop by the Lobby Lounge tonight or tomorrow for one last taste before we welcome our next guest bartender to the series. ✨

The “Be Our Guest” Bartender Series continues Wednesday, June 10 with Sammie Wilford of Tamasha stepping behind the bar from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lobby Lounge of the JB Duke Hotel. 🍸✨

With 15 years behind the bar and experience everywhere from dive bars to acclaimed restaurant concepts, Sammie is known for putting inventive twists on classic cocktails, especially when bourbon is involved. Her passion for hospitality, creativity and creating memorable guest experiences shines through in every pour.

For her featured cocktails, Sammie is serving up:

🥃 Spill the Tea — an Earl Grey lavender old fashioned with bourbon steeped in Earl Grey tea, Earl Grey simple syrup, lemon and lavender bitters
🌶️ Living the Dream — a bold margarita with chili-infused tequila, lime and salted coconut-lime foam

As part of the “Be Our Guest” Bartender Series, 10% of proceeds from Sammie’s featured cocktails will benefit Read and Feed, supporting their mission of providing literacy education and meals to children after school.

Join us June 10 for an evening of inventive cocktails, community and conversation — then keep sipping all week long as Sammie’s featured drinks remain on the menu through the following Tuesday.

Let the fun begin! Come by the Lobby Lounge tonight until 7pm to hang out with Whitney from for the first night of our “Be Our Guest” Bartender Series.

On the menu tonight:
🥒 *Otusmami* — a cucumber sesame saketini with cucumber sesame mix, cold sake and Beefeater gin
🍯 *Bee Sting* — a floral, spiced twist on a Bee’s Knees with Evan Williams Bourbon, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Krupnikas Spiced Honey Liqueur and fresh lemon

10% of the proceeds from Whitney’s two specialty cocktails go to .

See you soon!

Our “Be Our Guest” Bartender Series kicks off next Wednesday, June 3 with Whitney Guerrero of Arcana stepping behind the bar from 5 to 7 pm at the Lobby Lounge of the JB Duke Hotel. 🍸✨

Known for cocktails inspired by bold diasporic flavors and creative storytelling, Whitney brings her vibrant energy and inventive style to the series with two featured cocktails:

🥒 *Otusmami* — a cucumber sesame saketini with cucumber sesame mix, cold sake and Beefeater gin
🍯 *Bee Sting* — a floral, spiced twist on a Bee’s Knees with Evan Williams Bourbon, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Krupnikas Spiced Honey Liqueur and fresh lemon

As part of the “Be Our Guest” Bartender Series, 10% of proceeds from Whitney’s featured cocktails will benefit Siembra NC, supporting their important work helping community members stay safe, informed and connected across North Carolina.

Join us June 3 for an evening of inventive cocktails, community and conversation — then keep sipping all week long as Whitney’s featured drinks remain on the menu through the following Tuesday.

✨ Durham’s favorite cocktail collaboration returns this June with four Wednesdays of creative pours, guest mixologists and good causes.

From June 3 to 24, the Lobby Lounge at the AAA Four Diamond JB Duke Hotel will welcome some of the Triangle's most talented mixologists for an evening of inventive cocktails, community spirit and a little midweek fun. Each guest bartender will take over the bar for one special night, serving up signature creations with their own twists and flavors, with 10% of proceeds benefiting a local nonprofit of their choice. Even better? Their featured cocktails will remain on the menu through the following week so guests can sip and support all month long.

The 2026 Guest Bartender Series lineup:
🍹 June 3 – Whitney Guerrero (Arcana)
Partnering with: Siembra NC

🍹 June 10 – Sammie Wilford (Tamasha)
Partnering with: Read and Feed

🍹 June 17 – Daniel Sartain (Bar Virgile)
Partnering with: The Animal Protection Society of Durham

🍹 June 24 – Greg Dreyer (Glasshouse Kitchen)
Partnering with: Ripe for Revival

Guest appearances begin at 5 p.m. each Wednesday. No tickets or reservations are required. From smoky and spirit-forward to bright and citrusy, there's a drink for every palate and a local cause behind every pour. We’re just weeks away from the first shake-up behind the bar, and we can’t wait to celebrate the area’s cocktail talent!

Learn more: www.jbdukehotel.com/experiences

Ready to take your Mahjong game to the next level? 🀄✨

Join us at the JB Duke Hotel's MarketPlace Bar on Wednesday, May 27 from 6 to 9 pm for an Advanced Beginner Mahjong Workshop, designed for those who know the basics and are ready to build confidence, refine strategy, and enjoy an elevated evening of play. Guided by expert instructors from Bull City Mahjong, this hands-on experience blends skill-building with a stylish, social atmosphere perfect for a night out.

Come for the tiles, stay for the connection, conversation, and friendly competition.

Register here: https://calendly.com/anna-alpizar/may-27-jbduke-beginner

Food and beverage will be available for purchase throughout the workshop.