The Duchess of Markham

Went to this place recently for a birthday
Have to say it was a surprise
Usually pub food isn’t that good
However, when I ate there tonight the food was quite good
Ordered the Irish nachos
A nice spicy kick to them
Ordered the steak wrap
Was quite yummy and tasty
Had it with the dill sauce and it hit the spot
Menu was big and had a lot of variety
Not a bad overall

I stopped here after seeing The Force Awakens. This is a decent pub, the tap list is good and the food on the menu was varied and interesting. The guy who came and served us seemed a little odd, but he was pretty nice. I had a Monte Cristo Sandwhich for the first time ever, and a barking squirrel.
The Monte Cristo Sandwich wasn’t really for me. But that wasn’t the pub’s fault. It’s just not a sandwich for me. However, I would like to try other things that they make. I would probably go back here again in the future.

5 stars for music and price of drinks on a Friday night. Great atmosphere but didn’t get to try the food yet!

I had to review this place after reading the joke review from two weeks ago. The duchess is not only the best bar in east Markham, it’s also the friendliest and safest. The previous review makes it seem like a dangerous place which is the furthest thing from reality. They have by far the best and biggest beer selection in Markham. A good mix of craft, European, and standard domestics. They also have some of the best wings around. All the bartenders are great, along with the wait staff.

The food here is OK, but the environment isn’t the greatest.
The staff have not dealt with unruly patrons properly, I have witnessed people threatening each other, or harassing a person with no action. Management here should pay attention to news about fights, stabbings and shootings downtown and clean up their act.
The food is OK, staff and environment not so much. There is one male server who always is smiling but seems to be under the influence who walks up in front of certain people to block someone from shaking a friend’s hand or even saying a mere hello to a familiar person, saying «you can’t come in here it’s a private party.» I witnessed the same person even allowing a couple of patrons threaten someone with a knife on the back patio, because his looks, namely a lazy eye, and his hat, offended them. The management did absolutely nothing, apart from them advising the threatened person to leave. There is even a hotheaded server-​bouncer (older, overweight shaven head, angry stare/​glare) with a tendency to yell at people who want to complain to the manager, also making false accusations of harassing the female servers.
All told, not a comfortable place to have a night out. If you do come, don’t come alone, and if you have friends who are regulars, stick with them no matter what staff say.

My friends and I came here for a late night pitcher of Heineken and a dozen of wings and some fries for about $ 30. Many people come to the dutchess to relax after a long day of work. Wings were delicious. There was a stage that was open for performances which I thought was really cute as people of all ages went up to sing a song or songs of their choice. There were some talented songwriters as well, who decided to perform for their very first time. I could tell there’s a lot of regulars, but if you want to come out and relax, Duchess is a great place.

My coworkers and I used to always come here for half price wings after work on Tuesdays. Can’t go wrong with wings, fries, and beer for $ 15, tax and tip in. Their wings used to be pretty big and we all loved their dill sauce that came with them.
I’ve tried to order «fancy» drinks here and it didn’t go well. I can’t remember what I ordered, but it was on a menu provided by the drink manufacturer. My server had to take a double take on the menu to know what to put in it. It didn’t come out well, but I didn’t want to complain.
Good selection of beers and their half pints are very cheap. I usually upgrade my fries to their cactus fries for an extra $ 2 or so, but it’s so worth it.
However, my coworkers and I have stopped coming here because twice in a row, our wings were tiny. I don’t know if it was two coincidences, or if they have actually started serving smaller wings, but we don’t really want to come here for wings anymore.
Who knows, maybe we will try again in the future and my mind will be changed.

I went to the Duchess on Tuesday for the wing night special ordered a large basket of wings split with two flavors, honey garlic and hot. Both flavors where really good, the wings them selves where of average size but the portion was good.
The side order of onion chips to my surprise was addicting, and the portion was a good size.
The place itself has a very Victorian feel, its unique with its older decorations and carpeted floor. A great atmosphere for relaxing and enjoying the company of good friends.

average bar, pretty nice patio though

It is what it is. It’s a Markham Main Street staple that ranges from being more like a boring restaurant in the winter to pure amazingness in the summer.
It has a great patio out back.
Food is typical average pub fair and the beers do the job.
Always a large number of regulars inside and seems to be a good local hangout for returning university students.
I’ve always had a good time here.

Must Try: Duchess’ Famous Wings, Irish Nachos, Ribs (Wednesdays Only), BEER (very large selection)
Rating Breakdown:
(10÷10) Food, (⁹⁄₁₀) Service, (¹⁰⁄₁₀) Value, (⁹⁄₁₀) Ambience, (⁷⁄₁₀) Cleanliness
My Experience (s):
Hands down one of the best bars/​pubs uptown. A local gem that has a great atmosphere and friendly people. A place where people come, eat, drink, talk and catch up. Easily my favourite go-​to in the city.
I’m rarely look at the menu, cause i’m honestly there for the wings and beer every time, but every item I’ve ever tried is a hit. Tuesday are especially good because they have a wing special, while Wednesdays is the only day they serve up their Ribs.
Aside from the detailed menu, there is a large selection of beer, from the well known to the lesser known. It’s not necessarily a vast selection where one will feel overwhelmed, but a wide selection where anyone will find something they’ll like.
Beyond the actual menu, Duchess has one of the biggest and best patio’s in Markham. Tucked away in the back, the ambience on the patio is amazing. A MUST for anyone eating there in the summer.
The atmosphere is fun and upbeat, but don’t come here expecting it to be a quiet romantic date location. It’s a place where you catch the game and grab a beer with all your friends. Expect live music.
If you’re reading this, stop reading, go to Duchess, get some wings and you’ll see what I mean.

Came here for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. I was surprised they were open as it was Easter Sunday. There place looks small, dark and maybe a little dirty but it has character. What’s most important to me is the food. There were some hits and misses though in terms of the food.
Beef Dip $ 9.99 — good portion of meat but meat and the actual dip lacked in flavour for me.
Chili with garlic bread $ 7.95 — I just didn’t like the chili flavour that much and would still prefer the one at Tim Hortin’s. Its hard to find a place that serves good chili.
The star of the meal was the wings $ 7.95 1lb and add $ 1 for onion chips with dipping sauce. The wings were a good size and had a nice crispy on the skin. The honey garlic sauce we got with it caramelized on the outer skin perfectly. The insides were also cooked perfectly. Very moist and tender.
The onion chips were just awesome. Bite size deep fried onion. I could eat these all day long. The dipping sauce just brought it over the top. Must try and for only $ 1 more with wings its a deal.
3.5 stars — closer to a 4 star because of the wings and onion chips.

The Duchess was honestly a nice surprise.
The waitresses were attentive even though the place was packed. The chef’s were considerate as my boyfriend wanted hot wings but I could only take mild — they weren’t allowed to split for a pound — so they coated the wings with mild sauce & had hot sauce on the side. The steak I ordered was perfect and came before I starved to death.
I am definitely coming back soon.

One of the best pubs around. The wings are truly amazing and bring me back time and time again. The selection of beers is good and they keep adding new brews on a regular basis to keep it interesting but what really makes this place is the staff who go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Lot’s of regulars here and the crowd ranges from University age and up so the mix is always inclusive.
Live music on the weekends and in the summer the front and back patio’s are great options.

Come here EVERY Tuesday for family wing night!
FOOD — I’m not so sure about the regular menu because I only go there on Tuesdays for wing night but the wings are awesome for their price! They come on a bed of thick cut fries that are crisp and golden on the outside and soft in the inside. I pay less than $ 10 for a «small» basket of wings, a bed of fries and their amazing house creamy-​dill dipping sauce, and an iced tea. It’s a great deal for a late night snack or even a regular dinner.
SERVICE — The service is great. Our waitress is always friendly, ALWAYS smiling and checks up on us from time to time to see how our food is. Never had bad service. The atmosphere is great. A cozy sports bar with a room full of people where literally, everyone knows everyone. Some may say it is crowded but I personally love the fact it is. Gives it a great «home» feel.
Overall, I would suggest coming here with a group of friends to watch the big game or to just chat.

Have been going here for about 8 years. Usually will deserve 5 stars with quality of servers and food, but this time was served by Julia (tall girl) on the patio and had one of the worst experiences ever. She needs to go or step it up! Never been so poorly served since I can remember in any establishment. To make an order had to literally ask one of the more responsible waitresses to get her.
Seated at 8:00pm, got to make an order at 8:30pm (she literally never once stopped by for 30 minutes). When making the order for wings, requested they be made extra spicey. For some reason s he understood that meant extra saucey, which was inedible. It was literally sauce with wings on the side. Sent them back and never got an edible meal until 9:20pm. To kill time I had to order more beers.
Throughout the whole process, she was unapologetic and still inattentive.
As long as she serves an area I sit in, I won’t be eating at duchess. It’s disappointing because the waitresses there usually provide a much better experience. This experience is a testament that a good waitress really does improve the experience…

Haven’t been for almost 20 years, what a disappointment, the waitress was completely zoned out, food was microwaved steak and kidney pie. Told waitress it was the worst pie I ever had, she did take it off the bill, but did not ask if I wanted something different.
Will not return…

DAMN! forgot to add this in my review blog!!! s@#$@%$!!
one of the best pubs in Markham, tucked in along main street Markham aka HWY 48, this place is packed on weekends on BOTH main and second floor!!!
Came here after soccer practice, had their wings and fries, and lets just say, the wings were the perfect size, and their fries were yummy. Had a pint of Rickards to help wash it down. Overall this place is homie, and a popular hangout, and landmark for Markham-​mites. Their portions are satisfying, the patio is perfect for summer, and the service is great and their prices are reasonable.

This is the best pub in Markham Village.
The wings are fantastic, there’s a good selection of beer on tap, and the other pub fare is great. The service is also very good.
Some of the other reviews have noted that it’s a small pub, but there’s a second floor, and in the summer there is a HUGE patio out back. This might not be obvious if you were just dropping in. The atmosphere in the summer on the patio is great.
All in all, it’s a good pub experience that’s been a local favourite since 1980.

This quaint little establishment right in the middle of main street has everything that a pub should have. It is a little on the small side but with the second floor and the backyard patio, it keeps it patrons happy.
Some friends who are regulars here recommended this place and I have to say, they were right to recommend it. It is very friendly and the food is very tasty. They go that little extra step to do what they can to make you happy which is the entire point of eating out in the first place.
If you are in the area and looking for a pint or some nice wings, stop on by.