<p>As a grad you are not going to be near 9th street as is it just next to East Campus (freshman quarters) . I do not know how much night life is going on over there. But definitely some good places to eat, also Whole Foods Market and recently opened , the one I can never remember the name of, but it is right there on 9th. Make sure you walk through the Gardens! From what I am hearing, Duke is famous for night life, you just have to get to know the right crowd. Definitely not a big city life nearby 
There is a free shuttle connecting Duke with UNC and Franklin street.</p>