Artifice is a hip bar. Yes, I used the word "hip" and am instantly feeling old. It has a nice artsy fit and finish. The cocktails are quality and the service is great. The only knock I have on it is that it is just a little too sterile. It feels like that friend's loft that has just too many right angles, opposed to the friend who has a condo with fine style, but you could also see yourself crashing on the couch. What I am trying to say is that I would not want to crash on Artifice's couch. Which is copacetic, because I do not believe they have couches, and if they did, they probably would not like me crashing on them. Still, this place is much better than 90% of that bars in this valley. It is the student that just barely got into Duke, and is going to struggle a bit when they get there. (Alright, I am done with crappy metaphors.) Go there. It is fun.