Franklin Street stays lively most nights, and on game days the energy is hard to match anywhere in the South. The mix of long-established bars and newer places gives the strip a character that holds up even when UNC is on break.
The Carolina Coffee Shop has been serving coffee and meals on Franklin Street since 1922 — the oldest restaurant in Chapel Hill and a genuine piece of town history. Top of the Hill is both a brewpub and a rooftop terrace overlooking Franklin Street, with its own craft beers and good food; the views from the upper deck on a warm evening are excellent.
Carrboro's bar scene is more relaxed and music-focused than Chapel Hill's. Cat's Cradle is the area's premier live music venue, drawing national touring acts and beloved local bands to a room that holds around 800 people.