I made a return visit to Duffy's Tavern recently to see if ownership has gotten rid of skanky psuedo-intellectual girl bartenders. This has long been the problem with Duffy's - the girl bartenders at this place all think they are Uma Thurman, they spend what seems like hours "eyeing" you over before they deem to wait on you. Most of the time these bartenders are in an animated conversation about some serious academic topic they pretend to know something about. Last year one of these drip tatooed lady bartenders was waxing on about "Long Days Journey into Night" and I felt compelled to lash out, "you know nothing of Eugene O'Neils work. You are a complete idiot. How about serving me a cocktail, isn't this a bar? After this remark this awful lady bartender - festooned with tatoos that had been strategically placed on her body to hide the fact she wasn't shapely - she had the nerve to 86 me from Duffy's! She actually kicked me out of the bar. She lashed out, "We don't serve frat boys here buster. Why don't you go to Normal Street you big fat -frat slob!". After that comment two members of the Pub Scouts - who are local homeless guys that play bad music at Duffy's frequently - wrestled me to the gound. As I was being pulverized one of them said, " We don't like guys coming in here who critisize the intellectual abilities of Duffy's psuedo-hipster girl bartenders . They are an essential part of what makes this over-rated dive work. What Duffy's is all bout is rude bartenders, and our bad band - the Pub Scouts, which plays bad music, over bad conversation being made by bad -boorish intellectual types. Got it buddy!" With that the Pub Scout - his name was Boris as I recall - got in two really good punches. I then crawled out of the bar bleeding profusely. On this visit the minute I entered the bar I was immediatly escorted out, I didn't even get a chance to wait five minutes to get waited on. Apparently they have my picture on the wall, and there are standing orders to keep me out.". Geez, all I ever wanted when previously visiting Duffy's is a cocktail in a timely manner delivered by a friendly bartender. Is that a lot to ask? I guess so because I'm on the permanent 86 list. So yes, I have a serious difference of opinion on Duffy's. Many believe this is a really cool bar full of cool people, but I think it's a hideous gyp joint that features terrible bartenders, bad music, and junkie looking decor. Duffy's makes me want to barf. read more

I would describe Duffy's as a early 90's grunge bar, it's kind of retro. Clearly it's the hippest bar in Chico, that's pretty well known. The cocktails are very well made, the ambience is cool too. The service, however, is sub-par. I'm a larger person - I weigh about 400 1lbs. The last time I visited Duffy's the beautiful black haired, women bartender greeted me with the line, "So what will it be Fatso". After she said this a bunch of grunge types sitting at the bar laughed out loud. It was humiliating. A few moments later another beautiful girl - also a black haired ravenness - came out of the back room and said, "Sir we can't have you sitting in our chairs, you are too fat, we buy our chairs at thrift stores - they are fragile, we would appreciate if you stand while you are here". This led to more guffaws from this motley crew of grunge types sitting at the bar. So again I was totally humiliated by one of Duffy's gorgeous female employees. I think sensitivity training for Duffy's staff is in order, we larger people ought not be treated so disrespectfully. Right now - based on this experience - I can't say Duffy's is a "fat friendly" establishment. I believe one way to counteract the growing belief - in the fat community - that Duffy's is not fat-friendly is to maybe buy round for any larger people that stop by for a drink. Really, I don't believe the ownership supports discrimination, but the youthful female staff - shapely though they be - haven't been trained properly insofar as how to handle customers. Not all bar goers look like they are in the Foo-Fighters, some are older, fat, dress lousy and so forth. I think good service ought to be extended to all customers who visit Duffy's, you shouldn't have to look like Brad Pitt to get good service from Duffy's cute - though grumpy - girl bartenders. If somebody comes in and they resemble Sidney Greenstreet in the Maltese Falcon, and they are creepy - like Greenstreet, they should get good service too. Fair is fair, not everybody guy is leading man, character actors are vital - I think - to a successful movie. So I think the ball is in the court for Duffy's management, will your operation come down to earth and start be friendly to fat character actors. Time will tell, I guess. read more

What a great bar and environment. I frequented this bar for years and miss it a lot. It is fun, unique, and cheap. This is a great place for a night of not remembering and a day of hanging out! The bands that come through here are lots of fun also. On Friday they provide food and the Pub Scouts play. It is a 12 person band who that play traditional Irish music. The backroom is really fun to hang out in with a full size pool table and a photo booth that has never worked. Sometimes it feels like a speak easy party in the back. Everyone should sometime to stop in a say hello. I suggest adding some Riley's Beef Jerky to the beer. It is called a Beer Turd Riley's Jerky is a hard Jerky and when it soaks in a nice Sierra Nevada it becomes a wonderful snack. The jalapeno jerky goes great with a Sierra Nevada Wheat Beer. Just ask Lexi the bartender, she is great. read more

I have gone here for many, many years. There is one horrible, egocentric female bartender who needs to be fired. If you engage her in banter, she replies, "What if I tell the doorman you're bothering me?" The short, squatty doorman will then come in and say, "You have to leave." I will never go to Duffy's again. Please do not give your money to this filthy, horrible place. read more

Cute little hole in the wall. The drinks are so good but they are a little spendy. They have live music and the cover fees are cheap for how good the bands typically are. Very well stocked and cared. An all-around enjoyable time with friends or alone for a drink or a game of pool. I hear the music is quite a fun time as well. read more

In a world filled with dive bars. Duffy's Tavern sets itself apart by being the diviest of dive bars. The bartenders, expertly serve drinks even a crowded room of hip 20/30 somethings all crying out for cold beers. There's action adventure , kick ass music and decent rotation of local beers. Go Sierra Nevada brews !! read more

Duffys is a place where you can kill your liver for not a lot of money. Its got all the typical dive bar motiffs, dirty floor, the smell of vomit hanging in the air. The bartenders are really friendly, and the drinks are strong. Once in a while I will find myself here, but I guess I just grew out of this scene. read more

Got thrown out of here last Saturday by a hostile leprechaun bouncer. Was it because I stole his Lucky Charms? No, it's because a bartender has anger issues. So, if you must go to Duffy's, drink your beer, shut up and get out. Else, suffer the wrath of the leprechaun. read more

Old school bar. Day time regulars pontificate and discuss everything from local politics to world events. A bunch of poetic sages fueled by friendly bartenders. Great local place! read more

Dive bar with the best attuitude and service ever. Good price on drinks too. Hope the jukebox i updated by next time i make a trip up.....

Great little haunt. Dim, great spot to duck in for a quiet one midafternoon to hang with the local characters.

I walked in...and then walked out. What a crap-hole. I can find better places to waste my life. read more

One of the few places in Chico that has Fernet. Five gosh darn stars.

the way a lo-bro bar should be. Besides, Pavement once played here.

This place is just a great, classic, country dive bar.

Hands down best bar in the universe! Nuff said.

Great place. Great jukebox. Cheap beer.

The best place to get a beer in Chico!

babein' staff & bitchen backbar