The Duplex

I was there for NYC Pride. There was a cover given the strong demand to be inside for its prime location right along the parade. The owner allowed far, far too many people to buy entry. They had the doors open along Christopher street with space for patrons who wanted to get a close view of the parade. Drinks were not allowed outside, so after we finished our fist we decided to take a peek and then wanted to come back in. When we tried we were told to get in line, they had reached capacity inside. There was no easy way to exit since we were in the outside space they had prepared for people at Duplex. We also could not get back inside to buy drinks or meet up with our friends. It took 45 minutes waiting under the hot sun to get back in. The owner seemed to have decided to sell as many possible wristbands as he could regardless of what he could accommodate. Completely unsafe. I asked to speak to the manager. The owner was there and was completely dismissive. He could have cared less. His primary purpose was to collect as much money as possible. We could have stood along the sidewalk for free. We paid so we could be inside somewhere. If you’re going to sell entry, that should be possible for whoever has paid. And if you make those who have paid wait out in the sun like that, you should at least be apologetic. He absolutely was not.

What an amazing piano bar! From the piano player, to the singers, performers, and staff! Every staff member is incredibly talented and attentive.

I went to the downstairs piano bar. Great time. Vibrant and welcoming. Great staff and fun piano players. Definitely small. Get there early for a seat and hang out. Please tip. Unbelievable how people go to a place with live entertainment, no cover charge, and then don’t tip. People gotta eat! Thanks to Gerry on piano and the singing bartenders and staff, our group had a blast.

It’s all about Maria
Mara Maria Maria
She IS the Duplex
Amazing bartender… singer and ambassador
Whenever in Manhattan (as we travel for work often) we make sure to stop and hear/​be served by her!
The place is wonderful
Old school piano bar meets cabaret hot spot
It’s Mamas without the pretentious asses!

A group of us just came here tonight as we were walking around and heard the music. It was honestly such a great environment; nice people, good music, good drinks and William our server was AWESOME! So kind and so funny, will definitely be back.

I went here with my girlfriends. We had a lot of fun here. We thoroughly enjoyed being left alone, maybe because it’s a «gay bar». We had a great time.
The bartender was very friendly and the service was quick.

The Duplex is a very old establishment and it is known for certain events. From drag shows to cabaret and stand up, it’s all there and up to you to choose from.
I’ve been going there for years and have seen mostly cabaret shows. The stage area is nice and since the place is long, anywhere you sit you’ll see the show.
The place is conveniently located near the path and subway stations and is easy to find and very well known in the neighborhood, if you get lost, just ask.
The wait staff is usually magical and works throughout the shows and will bring you your two drinks minimum or more as you order. They do not serve food during the shows and that is a problem as 2 drinks without food can get people fall from their stools. But the shows are on average 60 minutes or less so you should survive.
Be aware that you must climb steps and there is no elevator, so if you are in a wheelchair or with crutches, good luck.
Since at times they are three shows the same evening, and the place is tiny, the audience arrives on time and leaves on time as well. This is a business not a place to chill after the show. Move in and out as fast as you can pay your cover charge.

The duplex is the best spot for a weeknight + weekend. Ask Maria for the special drinks, always incredible!

I love this place. I cannot visit enough. I’ve never had a bad experience. The musicians are always great — good songs, good banter. Drinks are normally priced. The place some how makes a cliché idea a unique experience. I will never not recommend this place and I will gladly go out of my way to stop it. Bring your friends!

It is surprising how this place has 4 stars. Last night my boyfriend and I trusted the reviews and decided to check this place out. The place is smaller than a smallest bar. The bathroom line was 15 people at least and the whole place smelled like bleech. Then we realized there was a «secret» door to the other part of the place which was packed and had no place to sit, we still decided to check it out and was standing and watching the show. We found the show very boring it was basically some lip syncing and was $ 15 per person to stand in an extremely hot and small room. I much prefer going to the Slipper Room and watch a real show.

Oh The Duplex. Nothing but gratitude on my end by always providing a fun time and hilarious stories to tell.
The bar is two levels, first floor has the piano bar and the second floor has another bar that sometimes houses shows (and also has the bathrooms.)
The piano bar is absolutely so much fun. The pianists we have seen are all talented and know about any song you throw at them. If you are going to sing, be prepared to know the whole song (this aint karaōke so dont expect the lyrics provided for you.)
The only tip Id give you is to keep an eye on what you’re ordering. The drinks here will add up quickly while you’re having fun (Titos Vodka Soda ~10 $ and beer on tap ~8−9 $.) Last time we were a group of 5 and gratuity was automatically included. The staff is fabulous and will sing songs during the piano show. Also! Bring cash to tip the amazing pianist that day. Def recommend for a fun time!

Came to NYC from London especially for my fiancé’s 30^th and he wanted to explore the scene whilst we were here. After two false starts we stumbled across this place purely by accident and we weren’t disappointed.
Bar tender Adam was the first that evening who didn’t look at us like aliens because we weren’t clued up on the American bar language. And still not sure what the phrase «Well drink» means or came from, but hey. Adam even gave my fiancé a birthday shot too. Nice touch. And I’m sure there was more vodka in that drink than coke. At the time there was just a handful of people in the bar and it being happy hour drinks were coming in at just $ 5 each, which was a bargain compared to the first place we were at ($ 15 a time). Strangely it was quite quiet, there was just a handful of people and we put this down to it being a Tuesday evening… Although even back home Happy Hour offers tend to be well patronised. Still it was nice to be able to have a conversation and relax.
Once the piano got going the place filled up and the atmosphere changed. By that point we were over the need to converse and were very much in to the lively cabaret style act. Although I suspect we stuck out a bit as we were referred to as the «Sexy Brits» at the bar… If only I was sexy these days! Guess it was a nice attempt though! Very entertaining and the banter between pianist and bar staff was epic.
Couldn’t stay too late as we were still reeling a bit with jet lag — Had to call it quits around 11pm as our eyelids started to fail us — it is 4am back in the UK after all. But certainly didn’t leave because of the atmosphere and could have stuck it out much more if we were awake enough!
Little gem of a place — Well worth a visit if you’re passing.

I am still writhing in anger as I write this review, as in my 7 years in New York City I have never been treated so poorly at any establishment, bar or restaurant or anywhere in the service industry. I have gotten better service at McDonald’s and better attitude from the hobo screaming down the street.
I think any respectable person can skip this place in New York and support businesses elsewhere that actually still retain basic human values. I would rather feed rats on the streets because they are more worthy of my money. This is how lowly I think of this establishment. If Unilocal would allow negative stars…
We walked in to what seemed like a cool hip live music venue, proceeded to go to the bar to order a drink and chill for a while because the atmosphere and ambiance seemed like a good idea at the time. Could I have been any more wrong?
I shall, word for word, recount my experience:
Bartender: «What can I get for you guys?»
Friend: «Umm how much are the drinks?»
Bartender: «Don’t ask that question. Come on, we’re all adults here.»
Friend: «What? I’m not even allowed to ask what the price of the drinks are?»
Bartender: «If you can’t afford it, don’t come out»
Wow. My friend at this time was speechless, as was I. Who was he to judge if we are «adults» and on what basis??? So he automatically assumes we cannot afford the drinks if we ask what the price is? I don’t think I have seen this much attitude from a bartender in any place, gay/​straight/​lesbian/​trans in my history in New York. Certainly not anyone that should have a job in the service industry, that’s for sure. I think he would have a better time screaming at people as the hobo down the street for a living.
We moved upstairs and decided to go to the bar there and order instead. My friend was still very angry and could not believe what just happened. The bartender upstairs asked what happened, without really listening and called the manager. The manager came to speak to us, and what I thought was an attempt to rectify the situation obviously was not the case. «The bartenders will not serve you, so you will have to leave. You cannot ‘hangout’ here without buying drinks and they will not serve you. Please go.»
WHAT? I was at this time infuriated. When we moved to the bar upstairs, we were never even attempted to be served anything (at this time we were a group of around 6 – 7). I have never in my life been the victim of such discrimination and disrespect, let alone pure insolence from someone who wasn’t even serving me.
This is New York City with many other live music venues, do yourself a favor and stay far away from this disgrace of a place.

The gay guy on the first floor was sooooo rude and was upset that we asked the price of drinks. Too sassy to be a bartender. Wednesday nights on the first floor 12÷30÷15. So rude. Zero stars?

I visited The Duplex this past Friday for a friend’s birthday, with a group of about 10 people and we had the best time.
We got there early and sat in the front near the piano, which was great, we got to interact a lot during the performances.
Every member of the staff that I encountered was kind, funny and great at their job. I have been raving about this place since I left and I will continue to do so.
I cannot wait to go back to see an awesome show full of extremely talented and wonderful people.
Special thanks to Adam (MAC award winner!!), for being so good to us!

The event itself we went to was fun, but the well drinks were very weak and I loathe places with drink-​minimums to see a show. Charge me $ 6 — don’t force feed me drinks.
Had 3 whiskey sodas from two different bartenders. All very, very weak.
One I had at the outside bar. I brought it inside but was frantically told it «doesn’t count» towards the two-​drink minimum for the event. I felt a bit hustled here. I ordered two drinks so he would go away and I could watch the show in peace.
After the show, I would have stayed for a beer, but their force feeding me drinks during the show left a bad taste in my mouth. They were playing the short game instead of making me feel welcome to stay the night. Between the hustle and the weak drinks, I took my business up the street.

I love the duplex piano bar atmosphere Jerry and all the employees are very talented people they sing and they even let you get up if you want. It’s a place for everybody. you like girls you like boys you like boys and girls lol. everybody is wonderfully gay here lol I love the hell out of this place.

They added grauity automatically, and not even as a «suggested» amount. I found this bizzare for the purchase of two beers. Worse yet, upon closer inspection, they added more money to the total without any reason. I dont know what one would call this other than fraud.
Other than that, piano player sounded good. Waiter seemed nice. Drinks weren’t great but I might’ve gone back anyway for the music if the sketchy bill hadn’t killed it for me. Shame.
See pictures.

Very friendly and straight friendly. Great performers and an excellent time. Stars lost because my group ordered red bulls and got seltzer. Our «shots» were grapefruit juice! What I’m saying is that the drinks are very very week, but we had a great time. Will probably come back.

Great venue. Sit back, grab a drink. Enjoy the piano player. Totes aws bar staff. Relax and enjoy your time. I did. And it was (to quote an Aussie) totes sick — that’s a good thing btw !!
William B is the best singer/​bar manager IN THE WORLD!!!

Duplex is THE experience in the West Village, not just because of its inimitable atmosphere, but primarily because of Maria and her fabulous cocktails! Just walk in and ask for her specials — she’ll 100% guess what you need and will make it happen, exceedeng your every expectation :) my recipe for happiness is Maria’s Blueberry Cheesecake Martini!

If you have the cash for cover & the 2 drink minimum, it’s very much worth it to see a show here. Came here recently for a show & they were kind to me. Press people get respect, yo!
If you were a performer, you’d definitely want to perform here. Lots of famous people have in the past & it’s one of those places that’s not too obvious from the outside. Very tiny so not the space to bring large groups but if you have a friend or two you don’t mind being close to, you’ll be all set.

Amazing piano bar! I was here for drinks with a friend and we sat on the outside, watching people walk by and the traffic, which was nice since the weather was gorgeous outside. We didn’t spend much time inside, but we could hear the piano man and singing from the sidewalk, which sounded superb! Drinks are good, atmosphere is very friendly.

Fun, tiny piano bar!
Somehow we were able to get a table here. Well, not so much getting a table, more like squeezing in between two parties and sharing tables. Our server was friendly and attentive, even considering his occasional turn up on stage, along with the rest of the staff. Such a fun environment, and a very cool space!

I came here on Tuesday night to see a friend’s show in the cabaret space upstairs. The staff was fine and the space was cozy — a bit too cozy though when all seats were filled.
As several reviewers below have stated, they try to trick you into paying two tips which I think is pretty shady. The bill includes gratuity in every check and then leaves space for you to add a tip. I understand it’s ultimately up to the customer to read the check thoroughly, but when I order two glasses of house wine, I’m not expecting a tip to be included and easily could have missed this and paid a total of $ 7 for tip alone. Ick.

Went to the duplex last night & we had a great time listening to one guy play the piano and another guy singing. There was also a comedy club upstairs.

This is easily my favourite bar in the world.
I had the best night of my New York trip in 2008 and it still delivers on my return in 2015!
All staff are incredible talented musical singers. The bar is intelligent, electric and magic.
Poppi was an amazing character who helped make my visit memorable. Never laughed and smiled so much as she inducted me in the way of New York cocktails. :) a must pit stop in New York.
Straight /​Gay /​Human!

Yas YASS! Great cozy warm friendly relaxed accepting atmosphere filled with loud happy sing a long and conversation to the best oldies tunes for the gay soul. Piano player and performer Michael was quite gifted on the keys! Bar staff charming and all passionate talented performers too. Easy to strike up great conversation and relationships with people. Good crowd. Amazing go-​to local nightlife gem. Dress up dress down don’t matter. Will be back whenever I’m in NYC.
Drinks are pricey fyi.

Great place! Good atmosphere and the piano guy is awesome. There’s a huge range of people there: straight, lesbian, gay, young, middle aged, older but everyone mixes well there because the music is good.
Gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because it gets super packed to where you can’t move because it’s small and the door guy has to turn people away. There’s only a few waiters and waitresses but they try to get the drinks to you as quickly as possible.

Thieves.
Last Sunday we sat at the outdoor patio and asked for a drink menu since the table service is forced. They didnt have it. OK, we were told they had 3 beers on tap and we ordered a couple.
When we asked for a check later on, the waiter told us that our check was $ 19.50. It’s a strange number for 2 beers so I went inside and asked how much the beers were. They were $ 7.50 each, I was told. When our waiter returned I confronted him about the beer prices and our «bill» not adding up. He explained that there was tax added. I told him that the tax in NYC is 8.875% so our bill still doesn’t make sense. Finally, he offered to bring us a printed bill. Dropped it off and never returned. The bill had 2 beers, tax and 20% «suggested» gratuity, which added up to $ 19.50.
Now, telling someone that their beers cost $ 19.50 strongly suggests that the tip and tax are not included and is a total scam and disgusting practice.
Gross! Not coming back.

Used to love the Duplex. I’ve been coming here occasionally for over 8 years.
Yesterday I stopped by with two friends around 4p.
We ordered three margaritas on the rocks.
Bill was over $ 48.
Margaritas were OK, but if I want a $ 12.5 cocktail I normally don’t go to Duplex.
On top of that, add taxes and the $ 7 «suggested tip» the waiter added.
When I told the waiter the tip of $ 2.3 per drink was not suggested per se since it was added to the bill (more of a semantic complain, really), he rolled his eyes.
We are the kind of guys who normally sit and order three rounds (and always tip solid 20%). But no, we paid and left.