The Duce
3.8 ★ average from 5 reviews
Retro-chic warehouse housing a vintage camper serving American comfort food, plus an art deco bar.
Location
Hours
- fri
- 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM
- sat
- 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM
- sun
- 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- thu
- 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Photos
Recent reviews
- ★★★★☆Autumn Hagen
I have been to this venue a handful of times. They have fun events/themes, Burlesque, live music, food/drinks, and a rooftop bar. The venue is pretty open concept and has outdoor aspects. I have encountered one rude bartender, otherwise staff is friendly. I suggest the VIP package for Burlesque shows and be ready to have ringing in your ears as the music can get loud!
- ★★★★☆Mariam A
The place is pretty cool with multiple bars, a rooftop terrace, and interesting events, but if you don’t have a VIP pass, you can’t see much at all. They should move the VIP sections closer to the stage and leave some viewing space for regular ticket holders, even if it’s from farther back. Right now, the entire area with a view of the stage is reserved for VIPs. Unless you’re planning to pay for VIP, which didn’t feel worth it for the event I attended, a burlesque show with a regular ticket, you’re better off choosing something else. Otherwise, it ends up feeling like money wasted.
- ★★★★★Darren “D.J.” Fiore
I’ve lost count of how many years I’ve been coming to The Duce, but I do know this: I loved it so much I had my wedding reception here, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. This isn’t just some random bar I wandered into once; it’s our spot. It’s tucked just far enough away from the downtown chaos that it feels like a little secret, but close enough that I can bring friends and family from out of town without them thinking I’m dragging them to some mystery warehouse in the middle of nowhere. Every time I bring people here, family, friends, out of town visitors, they get it. We order like we’re feeding a small army: Beer Can Chicken, Whole Roasted Chicken, mac and cheese muffins, brisket sliders, short rib sliders, cheeseburger sliders. We demolish the table like civilized vultures, and somehow there are still arguments over who got the “good piece” of chicken or the last mac and cheese muffin. The food is fun, shareable, and exactly what you want when you’re hanging out somewhere laid back and not trying to pretend you only eat salads and disappointment. And yes, we even bring our kid. Shocking, I know: a place the internet loves to call “overrated” and “dirty” somehow manages to be a totally easy hang with a kid in tow. He posts up on the bleachers, listens to the music, and alternates between ping pong, cornhole, giant Jenga, and annihilating mac and cheese muffins like it’s his full time job. There are plenty of kid friendly options, and not once have we had an issue with the vibe, the crowd, or the staff. If anything, he loves it so much I’m slightly concerned he thinks all restaurants should come with games, music, and a small stage. The drinks? I genuinely laugh when I see people call them “watered down.” I’ve worked my way through the menu over the years: margarita, filthy martini (which, yes, was a little too filthy for me), Moscow mule, strawberry limeade, old fashioned, and they’ve all been great. If you think your drink has too much ice, there’s a super advanced technique I use every time: I just ask for light ice. They use organic liquor and actually care about what they’re pouring, so no, it’s not going to be bargain basement cheap, but I’ll happily pay for something that tastes good and doesn’t come out of a neon jug. As for the whole “it’s dirty” thing, it’s a warehouse bar, not a hotel ballroom. That’s literally part of why I love it. It has that slightly gritty, lived in, industrial vibe that gives it personality. I didn’t pick this place for my wedding reception because I wanted shiny marble floors and crystal chandeliers; I picked it because it feels real and relaxed, and people can actually have fun without worrying they’re breathing too loud. The photos from that night were amazing. The memories were even better. And then there are the wild conspiracy theory reviews about the 3rd party valet “stealing stuff.” I’ve been coming here for years. I had my wedding reception here. I’ve brought countless people with me, including my kid. Not once have I had an issue with my car or my belongings. Could someone, somewhere, have had a bad experience? Sure. But turning that into “this place is shady” completely ignores all the nights that go right, and for me, that’s been all of them. At the end of the day, I’m not writing this as a one time visitor. I’m writing as someone who keeps choosing The Duce, over and over. I’ve celebrated huge moments here, shared way too much food here, tried new drinks here, watched my kid happily destroy mac and cheese muffins between games of ping pong, cornhole, and giant Jenga, and watched my guests fall in love with the place the same way I did. People can keep calling it “overrated” if they want; I’ll be the one at the corner table, surrounded by friends, family, and a very content kid, tearing into Beer Can Chicken and sipping a not at all watered down drink, wondering what on earth they’re talking about.
- ★☆☆☆☆Alessandro Cavallaro
Not worthy! Expensive drinks very, VERY, watered down. Like my son's friend lemonade stand offers stronger cocktails! We didn't try the food because it didn't look good from other's people plates. We gave them a second chance and they completely screwed up. A $120 event for two people was absolutely boring. It was supposed to be a burlesque event, but for the first two hours it was just loud average music and terrible and expensive cocktails. We spent $120, plus $36 for two cocktails, plus $20 for parking and we would have had more fun getting a $3 beer at a cheap brewery! $176 completely wasted that ended up ruining a nice evening. We had to leave after two hours because we were too bored! Make your money worth it, go somewhere else!
- ★★★★★Michelle Root
I was surprised this was a great venue tucked away in the heart of downtown Phoenix. The music was great. The food was fun and uniquely prepared.. The bartender this evening was such a fun gal! I was delighted with all the choices of cocktails and tried a sip of all my friends so we could get more tastes in. It was a great rustic romantic vibe.