If you are a woman, I would definitely stay away from this place. My daughter was physically assaulted by a bartender and 2 of his friends there on Monday evening. After enduring being insulted by this employee's friend for over an hour (he made comments about her loud enough for people to hear), calling her ugly, fat, and other disgusting insults, she stood up for herself and told this guy she would gut him (she is barely 5 feet tall and had no intention of doing ANYTHING to this poor excuse of a man). The bartender, who apparently is this man's friend, screamed at her to "Get Out!" She was putting her coat on and gathering her purse and keys. This bartender, who goes by the nickname 'Pantera', grabbed her coat, by the front, in a fist, and started jerking her back and forth, repeatedly hitting her in the sternum (she has a bruise on her chest front it). She was actually knocked down by his actions, falling backwards and hitting her tailbone on the floor. At this point, this bartender and BOTH of his friends, started KICKING her while she was on the floor. She has bruising on her legs, arms and hand. THIS is how the employees of this business treat a woman, and allow their friends to treat a woman? I don't care if she said she was going to cut off your penis and feed it to you. This DOES NOT give you the right to put your hands on ANYONE, especially a female, who isn't even 5 feet tall! She had no weapon, she was all talk. Steer clear of this establishment if you are a woman who values her physical and personal safety!!!!!!! read more

I am so torn about how many stars to leave. I would say 5 because the staff and food rock! but I had such a bad experience on the patio with Neil that I cannot. He is definitely a character which is enjoyable unless he decides you are not following his "rules". It is the weirdest thing that you are not allowed to sit at tables unless he grants you the privilege. He has actually kicked me out for moving a bar stool to the bar from an empty table next to the bar when it was not busy. And of course in a bar you may assume that I was intoxicated and annoying, but that is not the case. If he would have said that he didn't want the stools crowded at the bar but allowed me to sit at a table that would have been fine, but without any conversation or explanation he began screaming that I needed to leave and threw check presenters at me. Luckily the rest of the staff is great Stacy from the kitchen makes some wonderful mac n cheese and Frankie is so quick to help the bartenders when they are super busy so that you can get a beer without waiting too long. And I cannot forget to mention the gnocchi is great! Like I said 5 star place if you don't haver a run in with Neil. I will keep coming but I know a lot of people who have been spoiled on the place because of Neil. Maybe he was having a bad day, but I have heard similar stories from other Soulard residents and it is a shame because we all love supporting our local bars! read more

I am so torn about how many stars to leave. I would say 5 because the staff and food rock! but I had such a bad experience on the patio with Neil that I cannot. He is definitely a character which is enjoyable unless he decides you are not following his "rules". It is the weirdest thing that you are not allowed to sit at tables unless he grants you the privilege. He has actually kicked me out for moving a bar stool to the bar from an empty table next to the bar when it was not busy. And of course in a bar you may assume that I was intoxicated and annoying, but that is not the case. If he would have said that he didn't want the stools crowded at the bar but allowed me to sit at a table that would have been fine, but without any conversation or explanation he began screaming that I needed to leave and threw check presenters at me. Luckily the rest of the staff is great Stacy from the kitchen makes some wonderful mac n cheese and Frankie is so quick to help the bartenders when they are super busy so that you can get a beer without waiting too long. And I cannot forget to mention the gnocchi is great! Like I said 5 star place if you don't haver a run in with Neil. I will keep coming but I know a lot of people who have been spoiled on the place because of Neil. Maybe he was having a bad day, but I have heard similar stories from other Soulard residents and it is a shame because we all love supporting our local bars! read more

If you like to be physically assaulted by a staff member with machismo issues, then this is the place for you! My friends and I stopped at Dukes during the taco crawl on Saturday, 4/13. We were standing in line for the photo booth upstairs and had to use the bathroom. We didn't see the women's bathroom, the men's bathroom was right behind us, and no one was in line, and since a toilet is a toilet and going to the bathroom after you've had children literally takes 10 seconds, we decided to use the men's bathroom. A fact of which I feel like I shouldn't really have to justify. One friend was standing at the door while another was using it. A small, dumpy, ginger staff member who refused to give me his name most likely because he knew he was being an abusive ass PUSHED my friend out of the way and barged in the bathroom. I followed him in there and attempted to block my friend so she could at least pull her pants up without this creepo doing whatever it was that he was planning on doing. He then got into my face, put his hands on me, and 'escorted us out.' This was physical assault and this man needs not to work with the public anymore. He should also avoid any sort of intimate relationship with a female. Good luck women and if you go into Dukes, it might serve you well to have some mace ready! read more

Unbelievable! Friday my daughter lost her phone in the bar. She started calling it to listen for the ring. She heard it ring behind the bar and saw the bartender answer it. She was excited to see her phone but the bartender would NOT give it back. He asked her "what was she going to give him for it". At first she thought he was joking then realized he was not!! He was VERY serious and made her give him $5 to get the phone back. Sorry Duke's but I thought restaurants were in the business of customer service NOT EXTORTION! WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS ARE YOU RUNNING!?!? She said he was so mean. I don't know if it's this Neil everyone is talking about but she said he was an older man. That dude should be fired for not giving her her phone until she paid for it! Her friend gave him the $5, she got her phone and left. She's 21, was stunned and didn't know what to do. She should have called the police and reported him for trying to steal her phone! When we heard her story I was so angry...what the hell!!! She grew up working in our family owned restaurant and would NEVER treat a patron so horribly!!! WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER read more

Neil is a huge turd. He physically confronted my brother and I while we were there for a friend's bachelor party because of where we were standing, and then later, sitting. In our faces, cursing and threatening us. Most bizarre thing I've ever experienced at a bar. He kept bragging about being 22-years sober, but from what I gathered, homeboy needs to drink; that or maybe it's time to check himself into giant chode rehab. I'd rather get sodomized by a porcupine than give that jizz-mop a cent of my money. Suck one, Neil. Julie inside is awesome, though. read more

I have been reading reviews of this place on Yelp and Google. I would definitely tell you, that if you are a WOMAN, DO NOT go to Duke's in Soulard!!! There is a long standing problem with a bartender there who is apparently OK with assaulting women, and no one will do anything about it! I am going to blast this piece of crap place in every way I can!! This is absolutely NOT ACCEPTABLE! DO NOT SPEND YOUR MONEY HERE! IF YOU ARE A WOMAN, THEY CARE NOTHING FOR YOUR PERSONAL OR PHYSICAL WELL-BEING!!!! read more

One of my favorite places! The service INSIDE is amazing, fast , and friendly Steve and Frankie are so attentive and the perfect amount of conversational! However do not go outside. The patio space is awesome but there is a bartender out there who is horrible. I have never been chastised like a child by a bartender like this. I love coming here but I make sure Neil isn't working before I go. The food is also awesome! Even the simple chicken sandwich is no fuss and great! read more

I went in Saturday night, and the chubby blonde bartender deliberately ignored me. She did a poor job hiding the disdain on her face after making eye contact when I was trying to get her attention. Seriously, service staff should not act like this. The black-haired lady and the guy behind the bar were cool, though. My money pays your wages! I'm NOT hitting on you, so save the princess act. The manager needs to know about this kind of behavior. read more

Normally a blast but their unprofessional staff ruined this place for me forever. I overheard an altercation caused by the upstairs bouncer and honestly couldn't believe my ears! He was disgustingly volatile and verbally assaulted TWO different women without any initial provocation. Their manager was completely useless. Ladies, if you like being called a "stupid bitch" and told to go fuck yourself this is the place for you, apparently! Never again. read more

Highly DONT recommend this place. The people who work there are words I can't post on yelp. The service is awful. They're losers. The deck might kill you. Don't go. Don't. read more

Never going again. Got sucker punched by employee and then thrown down a flight of stairs all because I smoked a cig inside. I mean my bad but does that warrant assault? read more

This place was not welcoming to people of color. I visited Saint Louis for the first time and stopped here w friends. I will not go back ever. read more

Awesome neighborhood bar. Good people and good food. The bartender is awesome and keeps the atmosphere light