We came here for a friend’s bachelorette party. We had an email confirmation that we would have a private area upstairs, with sofas, for our group. When we arrived, we found that our area was occupied by another group and we had been allocated 2 tables in the main area which would split up our group.
While we did eventually move upstairs, we were still split into two different tables, and the group that had the sofa area we booked kept encroaching on our space - sitting at the empty ends of our tables, leaving their empty drinks on our table etc.
Upon arrival, when we ask for our original reservation to be honoured, we were dismissed with being told “we don’t know anything about that.” We had an email from Kathleen confirming the reservation as described. While she is apparently no longer at Duke’s it felt like we were being blamed for a disconnect between current staff and former management. It would have been appreciated if they acknowledged there was a miscommunication and tried to work with us to resolve the situation.
When we spoke to the on duty manager Neil about when we might be able to use the area we booked and to address the other party’s encroachment of the space he was dismissive of the situation; he said he couldn’t ask a party to leave before they were finished and told us it looked like the party would be leaving soon. I appreciate that pub culture is slightly different in Cork, but I’ve been to numerous bars and restaurants in Toronto and other major cities where reservations (especially on busy nights) are for a set time.
I understand that there can be breakdowns in communication especially when there is a change of staff and management, but overall, we were treated like we were being demanding nuisances for wanting our original reservation honoured. If we had been offered a small consolation prize like a round of drinks or a discount on our appetizers, I could let this go and chalk it up to a miscommunication between management. At no point did anyone even apologize for the confusion, which would have been greatly appreciated especially considering we had emails documenting the arrangement.
Food and drinks were good and served in a timely manner.
Mau Montijo
I love this place the food is delicious and good amount and staff are amazing
Peter Matt
Wonderful service and food, cool place with free games and fun atmosphere. They served surprisingly fantastic pizza, they played hours of old school hip hop w videos, and also an employee chased us down the street to return a valuable item that we left behind accidentally.
Nabin Giri
Everything was going pretty good we were having some drinks and playing games too.. Security personal and our server were awesome But the only thing is food We had order some food which we Order for group of four people which was super sour because of the sauce that they used in Nashville chicken and fries were pretty dead I think we all took a bite and that’s it we payed our bill and get out of there it was really really bad experience with the food can’t put it into words ..
a singh
scary place
Dean M.
Re-writing this based on one of the more bizarre experiences I’ve had at a bar in several years. I’ve been visiting Duke’s for the past year or so as it’s close to work.
A few weeks ago I left a review about one new server (referencing only the nickname she provided me of “Megamind”) who had a pattern of inappropriate and unprofessional conduct across more than one bar now, and repeatedly shared with me some bizarre “red flag” behaviours about her handling of customer information.
I was finishing up a pint at the bar and noticed this server was a few feet away, clearly talking loudly to a colleague about me (appeared to be pointing out I left the negative review about her behaviour). It was uncomfortable and bizarre, and I ignored it.
A few minutes later I was approached by the manager Anthony, and explained the issue. He was unsurprised about the problems with the server and comped my beers as I was leaving, which was appreciated. He had also advised that the server had a fit and demanded he ask me to leave. I said it was no problem as I had already settled up, but when I asked why he replied “your Google Review” and said I could return another night.
He asked I email the General Manager Kathleen about the concerns (who was *comically unhelpful*, wouldn’t take or return calls to discuss the issue and could only say how “deeply frustrated” she was about the complaint - lol. Whatever, sure thing.)
Anthony handled the situation well, but I think it’s regrettable the server, rather than going about their job competently and professionally, passive-aggressively harasses guests and then goes nuclear over a review calling out their conduct.
I won't use her name as I don't think it’s important but I will say: I’ll save myself the headache and go to C’est What next door instead.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
rey castillo
Nice place but the service is a little bit slow, food and drinks good
Jahir Morales
Great bar with a small but fun arcade
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Krystal Osmond
I came here from out of town and Monica did not disappoint… she gave me a grea rundown of tbe menu and exponential service!! definitely made my birthday. would recommend to anyone!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ismet Esgin Zorlu
Very friendly atmosphere for kids. We enjoy pool tables and trivia nights. Cosy interaction, kind and polite customer service. One of a kind for a Toronto experience
We booked a work Christmas party here, thinking we'd be in our own little area on the 2nd floor. We were relegated to the first, which was a bit unfortunate - but we did book our outing kind of late. It was pretty busy, so the service was a tad slow - staff did try their best but the overall experience was basically "fine". Food was fine, atmosphere was fine, service was fine. We had a decent time. I liked the calamari and the jaffa cake cocktail.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Andrea Carter
Anne was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!! Her service was IMPECCABLE! I have never been treated so well in my life. Will come back just because of her!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Minette Abu
Was very disappointed with this establishment. Organized a holiday work party here and my initial thoughts of the night was great until they unreasonably cut off the whole group. We were a group of 25-30 respectful medical professionals. NONE of us were drunk, rowdy or out of control. The bartender decided a few people from the group had ordered too many shots in a short period of time and cut them off which is fair, I can understand and respect that (even though no one was unruly and intoxicated). However, when another person from our group went to go get a drink from a different bartender, they took this as “going behind their back” assuming it was being delivered to these other individuals and cut off the entire group for the night. There was 30 of us. That decision was completely outrageous, extreme and unfounded. After speaking with the GM, she “had to support her worker’s decision” so not much was done to rectify the situation.
I would not recommend hosting your event here even if it seems like a great space to do so. Look for a different venue with better customer service and based on other reviews, this experience is not isolated. Save your group the disappointment and take your party elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Samantha Almonte
Had my work Christmas party here. Got cut off drinks before 11pm prematurely with no explanation (the whole party of 25+ people not just one or two people). Good atmosphere and okay food. Probably a one time visit. Overall not that good of an experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Syd Potter
It says closes at 12. Bar is half full and they are doing last call at 10pm.
We came here for a friend’s bachelorette party. We had an email confirmation that we would have a private area upstairs, with sofas, for our group. When we arrived, we found that our area was occupied by another group and we had been allocated 2 tables in the main area which would split up our group.
While we did eventually move upstairs, we were still split into two different tables, and the group that had the sofa area we booked kept encroaching on our space - sitting at the empty ends of our tables, leaving their empty drinks on our table etc.
Upon arrival, when we ask for our original reservation to be honoured, we were dismissed with being told “we don’t know anything about that.” We had an email from Kathleen confirming the reservation as described. While she is apparently no longer at Duke’s it felt like we were being blamed for a disconnect between current staff and former management. It would have been appreciated if they acknowledged there was a miscommunication and tried to work with us to resolve the situation.
When we spoke to the on duty manager Neil about when we might be able to use the area we booked and to address the other party’s encroachment of the space he was dismissive of the situation; he said he couldn’t ask a party to leave before they were finished and told us it looked like the party would be leaving soon. I appreciate that pub culture is slightly different in Cork, but I’ve been to numerous bars and restaurants in Toronto and other major cities where reservations (especially on busy nights) are for a set time.
I understand that there can be breakdowns in communication especially when there is a change of staff and management, but overall, we were treated like we were being demanding nuisances for wanting our original reservation honoured. If we had been offered a small consolation prize like a round of drinks or a discount on our appetizers, I could let this go and chalk it up to a miscommunication between management. At no point did anyone even apologize for the confusion, which would have been greatly appreciated especially considering we had emails documenting the arrangement.
Food and drinks were good and served in a timely manner.
I love this place the food is delicious and good amount and staff are amazing
Wonderful service and food, cool place with free games and fun atmosphere. They served surprisingly fantastic pizza, they played hours of old school hip hop w videos, and also an employee chased us down the street to return a valuable item that we left behind accidentally.
Everything was going pretty good we were having some drinks and playing games too..
Security personal and our server were awesome
But the only thing is food
We had order some food which we Order for group of four people which was super sour because of the sauce that they used in Nashville chicken and fries were pretty dead I think we all took a bite and that’s it we payed our bill and get out of there it was really really bad experience with the food can’t put it into words ..
scary place
Re-writing this based on one of the more bizarre experiences I’ve had at a bar in several years. I’ve been visiting Duke’s for the past year or so as it’s close to work.
A few weeks ago I left a review about one new server (referencing only the nickname she provided me of “Megamind”) who had a pattern of inappropriate and unprofessional conduct across more than one bar now, and repeatedly shared with me some bizarre “red flag” behaviours about her handling of customer information.
I was finishing up a pint at the bar and noticed this server was a few feet away, clearly talking loudly to a colleague about me (appeared to be pointing out I left the negative review about her behaviour). It was uncomfortable and bizarre, and I ignored it.
A few minutes later I was approached by the manager Anthony, and explained the issue. He was unsurprised about the problems with the server and comped my beers as I was leaving, which was appreciated. He had also advised that the server had a fit and demanded he ask me to leave. I said it was no problem as I had already settled up, but when I asked why he replied “your Google Review” and said I could return another night.
He asked I email the General Manager Kathleen about the concerns (who was *comically unhelpful*, wouldn’t take or return calls to discuss the issue and could only say how “deeply frustrated” she was about the complaint - lol. Whatever, sure thing.)
Anthony handled the situation well, but I think it’s regrettable the server, rather than going about their job competently and professionally, passive-aggressively harasses guests and then goes nuclear over a review calling out their conduct.
I won't use her name as I don't think it’s important but I will say: I’ll save myself the headache and go to C’est What next door instead.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Nice place but the service is a little bit slow, food and drinks good
Great bar with a small but fun arcade
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I came here from out of town and Monica did not disappoint… she gave me a grea rundown of tbe menu and exponential service!! definitely made my birthday. would recommend to anyone!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very friendly atmosphere for kids. We enjoy pool tables and trivia nights. Cosy interaction, kind and polite customer service. One of a kind for a Toronto experience
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We booked a work Christmas party here, thinking we'd be in our own little area on the 2nd floor. We were relegated to the first, which was a bit unfortunate - but we did book our outing kind of late. It was pretty busy, so the service was a tad slow - staff did try their best but the overall experience was basically "fine". Food was fine, atmosphere was fine, service was fine. We had a decent time. I liked the calamari and the jaffa cake cocktail.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Anne was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!! Her service was IMPECCABLE! I have never been treated so well in my life. Will come back just because of her!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Was very disappointed with this establishment. Organized a holiday work party here and my initial thoughts of the night was great until they unreasonably cut off the whole group. We were a group of 25-30 respectful medical professionals. NONE of us were drunk, rowdy or out of control. The bartender decided a few people from the group had ordered too many shots in a short period of time and cut them off which is fair, I can understand and respect that (even though no one was unruly and intoxicated). However, when another person from our group went to go get a drink from a different bartender, they took this as “going behind their back” assuming it was being delivered to these other individuals and cut off the entire group for the night. There was 30 of us. That decision was completely outrageous, extreme and unfounded. After speaking with the GM, she “had to support her worker’s decision” so not much was done to rectify the situation.
I would not recommend hosting your event here even if it seems like a great space to do so. Look for a different venue with better customer service and based on other reviews, this experience is not isolated. Save your group the disappointment and take your party elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Had my work Christmas party here. Got cut off drinks before 11pm prematurely with no explanation (the whole party of 25+ people not just one or two people). Good atmosphere and okay food. Probably a one time visit. Overall not that good of an experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
It says closes at 12. Bar is half full and they are doing last call at 10pm.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
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