One of my favourite places in New York City. Perfect as your last stop of the night, open until 4am it is a West Village institution. Rumoured to be the bar that Jack from Will & Grace performs his Just Jack one man show. You can always rely on The Duplex for a friendly crowd, cocktails with umbrellas in it, and a piano man who takes request, everyone sings along and sways. Perfect camp end to an evening. read more

My friend and I were in NY from Calgary AB on vacation and happened in to this place,and it could not have been a better time. Jerry on piano was both talented and hilarious, and everyone who got up to sing was great. I can't recall the name of the manager who was singing (she rides a motorbike), but she was also making specialty drinks with the theme of pineapple...we tried all four drinks and they were awesome. The real showstopper for us though was the bartender Sam. We were able to get one bar chair near the far end and I'm so glad we sat at the bar. He was the kind of person who obviously truly loves what he does (we gave him a 50% tip). The drinks may have been pricey, but the pours were so overly generous it ended up being a fairly inexpensive night for us! He was attentive and personable (who doesn't love being called "tranny" every time they order a drink) and really made the night. I've been telling everyone at home how awesome a time it was. If I happen back to NY I will definitely go back, and will hope to see Sam there! read more

The Absolute Highlight of our trip to NYC - Being a couple of straight guys we popped in as the music was superb and we had the most fun we've had in a while. Excellent musicians, the most friendliest staff and some great people enjoying a warm, welcoming environment - We were even allowed to sing Bohemian Rhapsody (badly) which made these British lads v happy..... Big appreciation in particular to Darin, Charlie, Madeleine and Joshua you guys really made a few nights very special and so many laughs......back soon without fail Cory, London read more

Seriously? Seriously. Two "Kettle One" martinis. $12.50 a piece. Plain WATER! Appalling. It's very sad when businesses think that they can get away with it without their customers noticing. Not coming back. Period. read more

Our server Adam was the best server I've experienced in the city. After a long night he was still serving drinks to our rather large party with humor and the most amazing smile. Amazing music, fantastic drinks, and service above all else. 10/10 would recommend. read more

this is my favorite bar in the city. everyone is the sweetest. the staff cares for everyone so much and the owners and managers are the most loving and kind people in the world. thank you for being open during all this. the drinks and atmosphere are amazing. i can't imagine a better bar. read more

We came here to start out our night, however we left more disappointed than anything. The atmosphere was great, however the bartending was a bit poor. We ordered Vodka Redbulls and while they used Tito's vodka, they used some vanilla soda from the tap and didn't inform us that they were out of redbull and substituting with something else. The cocktail was not something I would drink even if it were free and my friends all felt the same way. While this was just one event, we all left disappointed and hope that the management makes sure that the bartenders at least inform customers when they don't have the correct ingredients and improvise. read more

I love this place! I come here every time I'm in town and venture down all the way from upper east side. Last night's singer was hilarious and had so much energy. Well worth the visit and I've never been disappointed. I live near Brandies and would much prefer the Duplex bc if nicer people and better talent. Try to come early and grab a seat because there isn't much room to stand. read more

Favorite! Place! In New York! I get to New York at least once a year and always make sure to reserve a night for The Duplex!! This past time my friends wanted to go two nights in a row. It's THAT fun!! I've seen many different piano players there, and they're all fantastic. Waitstaff is always amazing, and the manager is AWESOME at getting people in and seated! Love The Duplex!!! read more

Maria took my cheese balls and I love it!!! I mean who does that these days? Well let me tell you, Maria does. Whether deserved or not she knows how to take care of everyone. This place wouldn't be the same without her! read more

I was pleasantly surprised!! I had a great time and was satisfied with the service. It's refreshing and very entertaining. Can't wait to come back soon! read more

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 Yelp 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. read more

Once again, a West Village gay bar with rude bartenders. This place sucks, if not quite as much as the 'historically' bad bar next door.

BEWARE: This place tries to trick you into tipping twice. My friend (who is amazing and talented) performed her fabulous one woman show here, and I'm 99.9 percent sure she paid for the opportunity. That's fine, but the venue also charges guests a ten dollar cover plus a two drink minimum, from $7.50 and up, so they're making at least $25 a head on all the attendees--and then they get really underhanded, with their so-called "suggested tip," which is not so much a suggestion as a roughly 18 percent charge that is added to the total. Don't be fooled by this shady business. Appalling. read more

Come to the Duplex and have a gay old time, in every sense of the word.

a cramped, kind of dingy, cabaret space. the bar upstairs creeped me out. only went here to see a friend perform. that's probs the only reason i'd come here. read more

If you live in NYC and don't go here you are not apart of the "in" crowd...OK, that's a lie...but, it is really a fun place to go...I have seen many a broadway wanna be sing their heart out here all for the cost of a drink or two, OK three or four! read more

First time in NYC and we came here on a suggestion from A good friend. We came on story night and it was phenomenal! T-Rex is the greatest bartender I have ran into in a long time! She's attentive, sweet and soulful. If you're NYC then you need to come to the duplex! read more

Don't go on a straight date here. Hot men kept sending over drinks to my boyfriend. I got up to go to the bathroom and some guy that was singing with the pianist was rubbing his shoulders. I took a shower when we got home and when I got out there were four male Broadway actors in our bed. Ok, the last part isn't true. read more

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. read more

Fun Fun Fun paino bar! Went here few times, people super friendly.. the music AMAZING and the singers are off the hook. Defintely a place to stop into to hang out late nights for fun and relaxation. read more

I had the bessstt time here!!!! I went to go see Stomp at the Orpheum Theatre with my family, which we LOVED - music & laughter on a rainy day, just what I needed. I had no idea where we were going afterwards. The traffic & weather was awful. There had been an umbrella massacre in the city because of the monsoon since we'd been at the theatre, so I'm glad we wound up @ The Duplex for more music & laughter to soothe my soul and keep my high on life going. My parents had been here years and years before and were worried it wouldn't be the same, but they were delighted to find that the pianist/singer Gerry is still there. We scored a seat and enjoyed the music & singalongs the rest of the night. We made friends with the people on either side of us (the nicest people btw - surprisingly for nyc - im not hating.. it's just fact). My mom, social butterfly that she is (and perhaps a little tipsy), had everyone swaying to a song and doing spirit fingers -- it was hilarious. I agree with another reviewer that it's more like walking into a party than a bar. The waitress treated us to shots too. All of the employees sang. I looved it. The disco ball and lights in the ceiling were a fun touch too and Gerry's props had me cracking up all night! I left realizing that I need to make some gay friends asap! SO FUN! All in all, the best vibes & very welcoming. It was a great mix of people. Good energy & atmosphere. I def. want to come back! read more

this place is a waste of time the singer sounds alright nothing special and 4 $11 I should've tasted the alcohol in my Malibu breeze I had it a countless times I barley taste any never coming here again I'm so mad i writing while I'm about to leave read more

Watch out! Beside them being discriminatory towards foreigners they screw you with the bill. They'll add 18,5% autmatically and take advantage of you being tipsy. The drinks are already very expensive. I mean, they are a bar, not even a really nice one, not a restaurant. Could be a fun place, but too bad they are so greedy and rude. What a let down. read more

We went to this establishment last night for the last time. Once you are treated rudely by both the performer and wait staff it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. I would not recommend this place to any of my friends. read more

This is my favorite bar in the city, and not just because I'm gay. The staff are all talented, funny and warm and so are the piano players. My fiance and I come here every chance we get and jump on any opportunity to bring our friends here...We have yet to let any of them down! When you're at the duplex, you feel like you're a part of something. I planned a surprise gathering for my girlfriend here the night we got engaged. Everyone at the Duplex went out of their way to make sure everyone at our party had what they needed. I cannot imagine having celebrated anywhere else. They helped give us the best night of our lives! Special shout outs to Adam, Maria and Darin :) read more

I've seen this place on 7th Ave South since I was old enough to be trolling around Manhattan (OK, so maybe I was underage, but whatever) and had never stopped in. I knew it was a gay bar and I am a fan of p and not v, so I never really had the urge to take a peek. Well, my lack of urge was obviously a ginormous mistake, because this place is totally fun! Came here on a Wednesday night with my friend after dinner. We plopped ourselves down at the ground floor bar and proceeded to order drinks. The staff was incredibly friendly and funny as Hell. They were taking turns singing various tunes and even incorporated some of the patrons into their songs (like me!). I even had a lesbian compliment my hair (thank you). Overall really really fun time and would come back for sure! read more

After a horrible dinner a few blocks away, my date and I decided that we were not going to get all dressed up for a night in the city, and leave after an hour. This was the perfect location. The piano player was fantastic and the bartenders and waiters who hopped on the mic were fantastic. I would hands down come back to this place. On a side note, even though it is a "gay bar" it is more about the entertainment, and perfectly acceptable for everyone. read more

This hoity-toity, failed theater kid filled bar made me and my friends feel completely unwelcome. From the bong water smelling air to the rude rude RUDE bar staff this place was a nightmare. There was a particularly short, mousy looking bartender with bleach blonde hair who threatened to kick us out if we didn't buy a drink. Once we did, she was still condescending as ever when we asked how the piano singing worked. This place was cramped and the bartenders kept pushing those who didn't have seats back, (and unfortunately, they hadn't pushed any deodorant on that day) To top it all off, the piano player made fun of my friend as she was signing a song ( as if his leathery seal barking was anything to write home about). It was her birthday, and she only had one wish - to sing at this stupid ass bar and get her kosher funk on. Thanks for wasting our time and our bong water. read more

Some places in NY have the attitude that they can treat their customers badly and it doesn't matter because a new group of tourists arrives everyday and will replace them. Over MANY experiences I have found The Duplex to be one of these places. They are all about the $$$. Once on a slow night I was berated for not drinking/spending enough (on microphone to everyone hostess told me I needed to order more drinks...I walked out).Tonight I tipped the waiter and later discovered he already charged me a "mandatory" gratuity...thus he got a double tip. I have no issues with passing the hat, I get it. But tired of the rude staff who lets me know as a customer I am replaceable. read more

This place is great - except for the Friday night DJ. Very cool piano bar/comedy shows. Good vibe but the DJ fails to engage & read the room on Friday - from my experience. Other than this fatal flaw, this place kills. Plus sides: the bathroom line will move you to the front if you're dying & the bartender is swift & friendly. read more

we popped in here on a friday night because my friend had read about the place recently and was curious. note for next time, do not walk in with tasti-d-lite and a purse that does not match your skirt because the singing waitress will totally call you on it.. at the mic. the singing and piano is not really my taste, but if you want to go somewhere that will involve the whole bar in a sing a long or knock knock joke, look no further. it is small enough that if you stay long enough, i can picture quite the party. there were more gay men than straight, but it didn't seem like a "big deal"; everyone was comfortable and the guys were easy on the eyes:) read more

if you are ever out with me, at the duplex, make sure that you never let me do that shot of jameson. consider yourself warned. p.s. nice bartender, overly friendly patrons and a random guy at the door telling off color jokes. only adds to the fun. read more

i've been going to Duplex for years and always have had a good time. Generally , the staff has always been friendly and the place , unpretentious and chill. Last night was a completely different experience. Met a friend there around 5:30pm. We were having drinks , poured by a very nice bartender , enjoying our time. Shortly before 7 that all ended, when this so called "comedian" was given a microphone to apparently berate the audience with. This guy was not funny , he was nothing but a misogynist who was given a platform to insult two paying customers. We decided to leave after a few minutes of being repeatedly insulted. I now would strongly suggest avoiding this place. There are plenty of other great establishments in the area (Cubby Hole, Bar 55) that know how to decipher between talent verses tirade. I would suggest spending your money in those places. Otherwise know that when you walk into the Duplex for a simple drink, you may just be attacked by an angry man who clearly never got very far with his life's aspirations of being anything other than a lowly barfly. read more

The talented piano players are talented. Unfortunately, the owner does not pay them. This is the backbone of his business 365 days a year.

This place is ok. I'm. It really into piano bars though. They have good martinis though. The upper level is where the action is. I would suggest going up there and chilling. They also have a performance space up there. read more

I had the worst experience at this place!!!!! The bartender was so rude that I cannot even express myself... Just said get the f*** out of here... while I was sitting down on a chair on my phone in a great mood... he just got so angry at me without any reason and after that the owner and the security guy came over and didnt even wanna ask him whats wrong and just wanted to kick me and my wife out without even an explanation! My whole night was ruined! When we asked what is your reason to kick us out the owner was so ignorant and just called the police which also didnt wanna ask for reasons at all... Im sooooo upset!! So disappointed! And it was one of my favorite places!!! Never again... cannot believe this happened in NYC!!! #WheresJustice ?! No one even wanted to figure out the reason... absolutely wrong! read more

The Duplex - Such a rude person... - Gay Bars Near Me - New York City, New York

Tonight was my first night in New York and we chose the The Duplex. The atmosphere was fabulous and our bartender was even more fabulous. Adam was amazing. He was very attentive and so funny too. He was celebrating his birthday. I loved every minute we spent there. Henry was fantastic on the piano. We'll definitely be back!! I've never felt more at home! I can't express how fabulous Adam is!! We definitely recommend the Duplex if you're looking for a good time! read more

One of my very favorite spots in NYC! IloveitIloveitIloveit. I'll tell you why I love it. I get taken care of in that little piano bar. I'll tell you why I get taken care of in that little piano bar. MARIA. Best bartender in the city. By far. Not only will she whip you up the best fruity drink in town, she's a helluva performer. The real deal. Always a smile on her face, knows her customers by name, has a mean vibrato, and a contagious fondness for J. Lo... The Duplex. It's like Cheers but with tambourines and glitter. read more

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. read more