GolfCask Certified - Drum & Quill Pub Pinehurst, NC

6 months ago
22

Drum & Quill: A Birdie Stop After Pinehurst Play
By the 18th hole, we needed two things:
A proper pour and a proper plate. Pinehurst did its job, humbling and thrilling as always, and as we walked off the green with tired legs and full hearts, one word rang out like a clubhouse bell: Pub.
And in Pinehurst, that means Drum & Quill.

First Impressions – The 19th Hole Buzz
Walking into Drum & Quill, you immediately feel it—this is a golfer's pub. Not a tacky golf-themed spot, but a genuine, weathered tavern where conversations fly as freely as a high draw on a forgiving par 5. The place was buzzing—locals, loopers, and likely a few scratch players all filling the air with post-round analysis and pre-round banter.
Atmosphere rating?
4.0 / 5 – Birdie. Solid strike. Good pace. A natural line into the cup.

The Whiskey – A Westward Pour
Naturally, I started with what matters most: the whiskey list.
Their selection? Respectable. Legit. Approachable yet with some depth.
I went for a High West Double Rye (Double Oak finish)—a prelude to next week’s sensory tasting we’re hosting. Bartender Isaiah built the Old Fashioned with care, not flair, and I respect that. No flaming oranges or dramatic smoke domes. Just a well-balanced, spirit-forward drink with the right amount of bitter and sweet.
High West fans take note—this bottle is a gem. We’ll talk about it more next week when the sensory training come on wednesday live.

The Food – From Greens to Greens (and Burgers)
I’ll admit it. I went with the Black & Blue Salad.
Yes, I know—it’s a pub, and I ordered salad. But listen, after chasing pins and dodging bunkers, sometimes you need greens that don’t have slope.
Medium rare steak was on point, sliced with skill, and still juicy. Salad was crisp and fresh, a fine fairway of flavor.
4.0 / 5 – Birdie. Chef got it done.
My son, however, went full throttle:
Breakfast burger and fries.
His review? Burger got a 3.5 – Birdie, and that’s saying something. He’s a burger snob the way I'm a cask snob. So that’s a high compliment.
Fries? 2.5 – Par/Bogey. He’s a harsh critic, especially with the fried stuff. Thinks he's the Anthony Bourdain of crinkle cuts.

Final Score – Certified Clubhouse Stop
All told, we give Drum & Quill a 3.5 / 5 overall, and that earns it our GolfCask Certified label.
It’s the kind of place that hits just right after a round.
A bar that feels like it belongs in a golfer's story—
Whether it’s the pint, the pour, or the playlist of conversations around you.
Would we go back?
Absolutely.
Would we bring a foursome? Without hesitation.
Would we order the salad again? Ok, maybe not—next time I’m chasing that burger for myself.
Until then, raise a glass and aim for the center cut.
Cheers from Pinehurst.

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