Duplex

Recommends

NancyfromManhattan

Joined 5 years ago

The BEST Piano Bar & Cabaret in NYC!!. Not sure what the other reviewers who wrote negative reviews REAL objections to the Duplex were but as a long time patron and sometime cabaret performer I felt the need to weigh in. The reason why I have been such a devoted customer (for over 10 years) is the staff. They are terrific. The talent throughout is the best in any of the piano bars and cabarets in Manhattan and I have been to ALL of them. I do know that if someone in the piano bar open mic is very drunk or a really bad singer (or has a really bad attitude) they will discourage them from singing in order to spare the rest of the patrons. That also gives more time to let the Broadway talents that come get up and sing instead. But the staff is anything BUT rude, the drinks are competitively priced (hey - it IS Manhattan!) and as for the cover charge in the cabaret room that is set by the performer not the club. I know this because I have performed there. And there is a drink minimum or minimum charge in every cabaret venue in town.

So all in all - If you are looking for a great Manhattan piano bar/ cabaret experience the Duplex is the place to go! If you'd like a cheap drink and an open mic where anyone can get up regardless of talent or how drunk they are there are TONS of karaoke bars in New Jersey that would be perfect for you!!

Doesn't Recommend

you_dont_say

Joined 5 years ago

Rude Staff and Overpriced Drinks. The failed ?performers? who can only get a job in a piano bar are too concerned with performing their own ?set? to worry about the customers they are there to serve. It is supposed to be an open mic club, but they way the no talent hams on the payroll (including the piano players) hog the spotlight, guests who get up and sing are few and far between. I won?t be back.

Marie?s Crisis or Pieces are a better bet.

Recommends

Brooklyn81

Joined 5 years ago

Love this place!. Always welcoming and fun here, with no cover! The best night is Sunday night when Brian Nash is at the piano- he brings in a younger crowd and plays lots of current music. Good prices, good music, great history.

Doesn't Recommend

pichlerf

Joined 6 years ago

Rip Off!!!. I feel like I got robbed at this place. If you go see a show there you are required to pay a cover ($15) and forced to buy 2 drinks...watch out (club soda is $5). My girlfriend and I got to the show late and were there for 45 mins (1hr show). I had a $55 tab ($15 x 2 covers plus 4 club soda's =$20 = $50 total plus tax). No Thank You...just thinking about it makes my stomach turn. I prefer "Groove" much better. Better shows and much cheaper.

Recommends

mickjr

Joined 6 years ago

LATE NIGHTS UPSTAIRS IN THE VILLAGE. The bar Upstairs can be fun late nights. It's mostly gayish and is especially entertaining when Chuck presides. He plays the best music and videos and is friendly towards the known and unknown who trudge up the stairs. He'll even salute the known during their stay by playing an especially favored tune from the ipod behind the bar--you may even hear Connie Francis or Leslie Gore sing out! The drinks are good, the popcorn laced with M & M's is continuous and the view down to Christopher is fine from the small windows. And it's alwasys open til the witching hour of 4!!!!

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arthurbach

Joined 11 years ago

Fun time, but pricey. My boyfriend and I went here last weekend and had a pretty good time at the piano bar section. It was the weekend, and the place was very crowded, which was to be expected. The performers were fun, and really entertained the crowd well. The drinks were weak and expensive, and they charged us an $8 fee for having a table in spite of us passing their rigid two drink per person per set minimum.

Recommends

kholcomb

Joined 9 years ago

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!. The Duplex is one of the most fun bars in the West Village...great music, great staff, and good strong drinks!

I have made some great friends at the Duplex and continue to do so everytime I go in!

It's a GREAT mixed crowd....where EVERYONE gets along.

The main thing I love about this bar is NO attitude from anyone....staff, patrons...

Come on down, have a drink, and sing a song or two or just play a game of pool upstairs!

Fun fun place!

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doctorfun

Joined 9 years ago

Always A Good Time!. The Duplex is my favorite bar in Manhattan! Whenever I have friends in from out of town or clients to entertain I bring them in and everyone has a blast! The staff there are always top notch singers and so friendly no matter what night you go and then there's the added plus - You never know who will just walk in and pick up the microphone! Last time we were in we got to hear two Broadway stars sing! Well worth the price of a beer!! My friends also love the outdoor cafe. Really nice!

Also - The comedy happy hour on Wednesdays rocks!

Recommends

sk8man

Joined 9 years ago

What a blast. Been going to the Duplex for a few years now. Love the place. The staff makes the place - they're hilarious, and fun downstairs (street level) at the Piano Bar, and then upstairs is this really comfortable place to just hang, shoot some pool, whatever. Great place to go with a bunch of friends. And finally they now take credit cards, wo-hoo!

Recommends

cabaretguy

Joined 9 years ago

Best in Town!. I've been to all the better piano bar/cabarets in town and The Duplex is, absolutely, head and shoulders, above the rest. The music is fresh with everything from pop and rock and roll to broadway and everything in between. The staff is as nice as they are talented. I have never been made to feel so welcome anywhere else. Even the piano players are supportive and encouraging and as nice as they are talented.

If you really want a "New York style" piano bar experience without any of the attitude - This is the place to go. Just be forwarned; once you spend time here, the other places just won't cut it!!