Duke's

My husband and I have found our sandwich spot. We dropped in on a Sunday around 1pm, ordered 2 sandwiches and pulled up to the bar for some drinks. In contrast with other reviewers, we had nothing but polite and expedient service. Our bartender (I believe her name is Sarah) was top notch. The music was great, the sandwiches were even better. We’ll be back for more.

Chill place to grab a cold beer or a nice cocktail. The amazing cold sandwich was an added bonus.

Party of 6 from Scotland, great atmosphere friendly staff, priced to make you smile and the music couldn't have been better. Kaleb on the door and the girls behind the bar were extremely welcoming. Unfortunately we were only in town for a few days, I wish we had found this bar earlier. 10 out of 10.

Honestly I’m never one to complain but man was this place such a disappointment. The sandwiches were so good but the bar team were a complete nightmare. My friend ordered a lemon drop martini and he brought over some tiny shot that was not what we ordered then proceeded to give attitude when asked to make the correct drink. He brings over again the wrong drink just triple sec and vodka. My margarita was dreadful one of the worst I’ve ever had and even after I paid and tipped well I tried to tell her that I didn’t need anything taken off but the drink was horrendous and she responded by saying that’s how they make them here. Blondie was rude and the guy in la la land needs to be taught how to make a basic cocktail.

I heard the food here was good and we decided to make this one of the last stops of the night for something to eat before going home. They have custom sandwiches and a selection of choices where the toppings are pre decided. The sandwich was really good. The bread reminded me of the same bread Cuban sandwiches are served on in South Florida. We visited on a Saturday night and there was a 10 minute wait to get in and about a 25 minute wait once we ordered the sandwich to be put on our table. The bartender said it’s usually that busy so be prepared to wait for a bit or save room for one more drink while you wait. They also were able to cut it into 3 pieces so we could share it which was nice

I love places like this. Great little dive bar, good food and service, friendly. Can't go wrong.

Great place for sandwiches. Super cold beer. I had a 218 sandwich...was delicious. My daughter had the #2 and that was even more delicious. My mom had the Cuban and loved it. We all ordered the sandwiches hot. I would definitely recommend.

Laid back, good music. Late night sandwiches and a great alcohol selection. Oh yea- Brandy the bartender freaking rules!! A good place to come alone or with friends.

Fast friendly service. Great selection of drinks. I wanted a red wine, and was happy with my (can of) Malbec. Great music!!!

Dive bar meets your favorite, little sandwich shop. This spot has a small parking lot that it shares with other businesses. You order your sandwiches and drinks at the bar then grab a seat. There are a few tables inside but mostly bar seats. The sandwiches are made to order and can be hot or cold. You also close out your tab and pay at the bar when you finish. I got the Cuban and it was hot and delicious. It came with just enough chips on the side.

I heard the food here was good and we decided to make this one of the last stops of the night for something to eat before going home. They have custom sandwiches and a selection of choices where the toppings are pre decided. The sandwich was really good. The bread reminded me of the same bread Cuban sandwiches are served on in South Florida. We visited on a Saturday night and there was a 10 minute wait to get in and about a 25 minute wait once we ordered the sandwich to be put on our table. The bartender said it's usually that busy so be prepared to wait for a bit or save room for one more drink while you wait. They also were able to cut it into 3 pieces so we could share it which was nice.

Who'd a thunk of find one of the best sandwiches in Nashville. I was in town for a few shows at the Ryman (great music hall) I was having a drink and I asked patrons and the bartender where could I get the best sandwich at the same time they all said dukes. To me what makes a sandwich a great sandwich is the roll. Good crunch to the crust good amount of rise on the interior and that dam hood indescribable taste of great bread. THIS PLACE NAILS THE ROLL! Whatever's closest to an Italian OS what I go for, forget their name. I got their condiments on the side cause I wasn't sure if I'd like that change. You can do the same next time I'll get them on the sandwich cause I tan out what they gave me to take out. I put it in my fridge in my hotel room in Home. I usually have a half a sandwich after a show and ended up eating the whole thing it was that yummy! It's also an alternative place which I like. Not stuffy not expensive but great food and service!

Cute restaurant, food was just average, service super slow! Limited menu, music so loud you can't have a conversation! Would not try again

Love this late night spot for a sandwich and a drink. Super punk rock and worth experiencing if you are in the area. Pretty decent selection of beers in tap and lengthy mixed drink options. Priced like a college town. The feel is small and dark in a good cozy way. Music is always pretty on point and the staff is friendly and quick to help. They also have these epic late night hot or cold sandwiches that on first trip I thought I was just overly excited because I had two beers, but then I returned and started with a bite before beer and it exceeded my expectations. They have some really great options and quality ingredients for a bar open until 3am. This is my bookmarked spot I always stop in for.

Nice dive bar tucked in five points, a small parking lot shared with a few other businesses so parking is a hit or a miss. The food though is incredible, the sandwiches are affordable and delicious. For two sandwiches and a beer the total was under 30. Wait time can get a little high if you come in for a to go order. But overall amazing

A dive bar and sandwich shop all in one. This unique stop in five points offers one of the best beer and shot specials in town. And don't forget to get a killer Italian style sub after you've had a few too many drinks

He Said: We came in to town and beelined, before even stopping to drop off luggage, for Duke's based on friend recommendations and stellar reviews. It was busy at 8:45 on a Friday when we got there, but it was clear the staff had it under control. We were happy for the beer selection and thrilled for the deli. It did not disappoint. I got the Italian (especially since I'd been talking about it for the last few hours of the drive) and it was exactly what I wanted: yummy meat, cheese, and veggies and great giardiniera. There's a cool vibe in this small-ish spot and I'm jealous of the regulars. She Said: I got the veggie sandwich, and it was delicious. I'm also thrilled any time I can get Two Hearted on tap. The vibe was terrific and welcoming. The other customers--many of them obviously regulars--were friendly, and staff were amazing. This is obviously a safe space for LGTBQIA+ which is great. We can't wait to visit again. Potty Points: 3/5 It's what you would expect. Functional and fine, and I appreciate that they're all-gendered.

All right, so I'm an asshole and I didn't get a sandwich here. I did end up meeting some really cool individuals sitting at the bar and then ordered a beer and tequila. Don't judge me. I went when it was pretty empty, but I think this place must get pretty busy on the weekends. If you want semi- divey with a vibe come here. There's parking right next-door, or you can pay for parking at the lot next-door as well...it's about seven dollars for the hour.

Stumbled onto this hidden gem at the recommendation of another bartender we met on a brewery tour! Food was amazing! Very small but they had a DJ playing music. Bartenders were fun, one would do the limbo to get out from behind the bar!! They were all get busy, but still made their way over to take care of us!!

Depending on what night ya get in here, the service and DJ music can be on-point or okay. Late night toasted sandwich counter at entrance or exit depending on which door you entered. Everyone has their fave, mine is the cheesy-meaty London Broil! Like prime rib, but no need of a plate and a fork & knife! Comes w/ Zapps chips. So welcomed to close the night. Thank you!

We had Duke's deli for lunch and it was great!! Fresh ingredients and delicious subs. Great easy, quick lunch spot!

Great dive bar! We went there all 3 nights of our trip to Nashville. Guest DJ's were great.

Review update: Do NOT come here if you just moved to Nashville. The state of Tennessee gives you a temporary paper ID for 20-30 business days upon arrival in the state. The DMV revokes your old ID from the old state and issues you a paper one. The paper one is a LEGAL and VAILD state ID until the new one comes. The bouncer would not let me into the bar with this paper ID that was legally granted to me by the state. I am well over 21 years old. The bouncer even told me I should have LIED to the state and told them I lost my old ID so I could keep it when getting into bars. This place was awesome when visiting on vacations but I now will never want to return because of this horrible experience at the door. Shame on the bouncer and owners of this bar, encouraging illegal activities.

The Sandwiches are usually pretty good...Sometimes it takes long, but that really doesn't bother me. A couple of the girl bartenders need better attitudes when it comes to dealing with people...Straight up rude! I'm a bartender and I would never act like that to customers(tourists or locals) The fact that they don't take hand gun carry permits for acceptable ID's is just dumb considering it is an official form of Identification in Tennessee...sorry but this is NOT CALIFORNIA OR NEW YORK!! It's not like someone is bringing a weapon into your establishment just because they have that ID on them!

3.5/5 and only making it a 4 cause my boyfriend really likes them and they have good drink specials! Tucked away in 5 points, Duke's is a small neighborhood bar that not only has Jell-O shots, and great shot and beer combos, but also great mixed drinks and a wide selection of sandwiches! It took me awhile to "like" them because I'm not a big drinker, but the sandwiches have won me over and I could see this dark and tiny place becoming a regular visit if I was more into drinks because it offers a comfortable, chill vibe. We have had some issues with rude staff members in the past. Also be prepared to wait for sandwiches..sometimes an obnoxiously long time. We supported them just yesterday, Friday night during COVID19, and were able to place a curbside pick up order. We were told about all the drinks specials but weren't told that the sandwiches were now $11 instead of $9 and didn't actually come with chips. I get it, but maybe should state it at the beginning cause that's $4 extra for our two sandwiches and some people may not be able to afford or justify that extra during these tough times. And my boyfriend and I could definitely tell the sandwiches were not of the same quality. It was darn near impossible to eat as every bite I was fighting for all the ingredients to stay on the sandwich. We probably won't be back during COVID19 unless we want a drink. Cause the sandwiches just weren't up to par and cost more and came without chips. If you want to try them out, we recommend the Italian and 2:17, both cold!

Great dive bar, late night. Twiggy was super fantastic and welcoming to our hometown Nashville crew of six that hit the door about an hour before they closed. Love the divey, hipster vibe. Great watering hole with snacks, smiles and tall cans of Miller Lite! Will be back.

I love this place. Duke's offers everything you could expect from a bar and so much more. The people there is always friendly and welcoming and there always is a great vibe. This place is perfect to enjoy a beer at the bar during the weekdays, to dance and have fun in one of their after parties, and to grab a delicious late sandwich! Last night I had the 2:17 at 2am, and what can I say! It was amazing! I thought would be simple and greasy, but was fenomenal. The combination of avocado, mayo, mustard and onion was absolutely delicious! I treat myself with the white chocolate cookie for dessert as well, and I ended a tough Friday night full of joy.

Unfortunately, the sandwiches that are sold at night usually take over an hour. They will tell you it will be 10-20 mins when you order but sadly it is not. I've been here 4 times now and it is the same every time. The employee in the back tries his best but they are swamped with orders. There are much better and quicker options around.

I really can't figure out why Duke's doesn't have more reviews. It's in a well-trafficked area. It has plenty of libations. It serves awesome sandwiches. I'm confused. Do people not realize it's here? I know it has regulars because it's pretty well packed whenever I venture in. It's interesting. It's a bar model that's relatively unique in these parts; I'd think that more people would have something to say about it. Well, here's to hoping it gets some more eyeballs. Not regularly would I think to pair Boar's Head sandwiches, a bar program that stands on its own (no fancy cocktails, just good beers, typical spirits and good pours) and a dark, tight bar space but, for some reason, it works well. One of the things I like about the East End part of town are all the pod malls. This system of incorporating a variety of businesses in a small, reclaimed area is a model that more urban areas should employ. It was in at attempt to learn more about this cluster that I first wandered into Duke's. I was greeted by a very friendly bartender who told me I could get a beer... or a sandwich... or both. What? I dug it. It reminded me of places in New Orleans I liked to frequent. At the time I got neither but made plans to fix that in the future. Fast forward to a busy Friday night and I was in need of some food and a beer and I didn't want to pay an arm or a leg for either. Duke's to the rescue. Knowing that the bar got busy first, I headed over, asked some questions of the nice bartender (different person than last). I was on the hunt for a red ale. She didn't know which beer was what type but she let me try a few and figure out what I wanted. I did so and paid $5 for the pint. $5. Yessir. Beer in hand, i sauntered over to the sandwich station, encountered a nice gentleman making them (the people here are really nice if you haven't picked up on that), asked a few questions and, in a short time later, I had a heavy-handed custom-made sandwich, toasted. With chips. Duke's is the neighborhood bar you didn't know you were missing. With good food, drinks and energy, this late night spot offers a bit of everything a person needs in a bar experience. And it does it all with a great attitude. If you come here, please don't wreck the vibe.

Duke's! An Eastside classic. One of my favorite dive bars in Nashville, hands down. DJs by night, late night sandwiches, $3 Miller Lite tallboys...what else do you need out of a bar? Whether in the afternoon or late, Duke's has a special place in my heart. Just like the vibes of East Nashville in general, the folks who patronize this establishment are hip and laid back. There's a bar side and a counter side where you can order sandwiches. That sandwiches are delicious and most of them come with chips! The alcohol is very reasonable priced and they have quite the variety. Another huge perk worth mentioning: decent sized parking lot! Don't walk, run! Love me some Duke's!

After eating dinner in East Nashville, we were looking for a place to grab a drink or two. We found Duke's on Yelp and decided to give it a try. It's a small bar next to Marche. There is a small parking lot and by some luck there was one spot left when we arrived. It was a Saturday night around 9 so of course it was pretty busy. It's a pretty small bar. But I liked the vibe of the place. Simple in a great kind of way. Super hipster crowd (not saying this in a negative way, just the best way to describe the crowd). I think most of the men had longer hair than I did. At least none were in a bun. The bar menu is nothing fancy but I usually just drink beer so it was perfect. $5 for a draft beer?! Yeah, I'm down with that. And it was good beer. After grabbing our drinks, we went to the back area where the sandwich place is. We again were lucky to find the last 2 seats in the whole place. While we didn't eat, the sandwiches looked great. Nice idea to have food available all night. Liked the music choice. Quiet enough that we could still have a conversation. I wish this bar was closer to where I lived. I would be coming here a lot more. It's a fun go-to bar with a nice comfy vibe. I'll have to go back to try the sandwiches!

Small regular sandwich had a stale thick roll and not enough food in it - also very dry

Love the Italian and the bar staff! Do yourself a favor and take a shot of Deep Eddy Lemon with whoever is working!

Update on my previous review.... which I must point out that I have never "updated" a review because no place has ever been worth it until now. The winning ticket is the turkey, havarti dill cheese, lettuce, tomato, and spicy mayo - just leave it cold. Must consume with chips (no oil & vinegar) and a cold draft beer. The local Hi-Fi cookies they sell are all pretty great too. I also may be biased by just loving the name HiFi. But damn this sandwich is good which makes Duke's a great late night bar to hang in and eat.

Cool bar.. I like the ambiance.. I like the quirky deli sandwich side.. I like the location.. On the other hand, every time I've been there the employees treat me like I'm a second rate citizen. They are condescending and just plain mean. -Short tempered and speak in an authoritative way. Some readers will probably say.. "oh probably because you're coming in there and being a drunk fool." The truth is I've only ever came in here to get a sandwich in the middle of the day. Like the bar.. like the idea.. but I don't like the employees.. aka the sales reps.

This is a hipster dive bar located in East Nashville. They have the best sandwiches of every bar in town. Sometimes it's a little crowded, but the cheap beers and shots make this place a nice pit stop on a night out on the town.

The most nashville sandwich shop/bar in town. This is clearly a favorite of locals as it was full of "regulars" who all knew the bar tender and chef. I highly recommend for a beer and a sub.

Best sandwich I've ever had in my 31 years of life and probably will ever have. Staff is warm and always friendly. Go to spot!!

I just gotta say: who the fuck is going to review a small business less than 5 stars during a global pandemic? Let alone about "no chips" or that you didn't show the bartender your ID first (out of state or not). They still have chips! You've just got to buy the small bag this time instead (damn tornado- which is completely out of their control). I recently got my TN DL and so for the almost 5 years prior, I had an out of state DL and had ZERO issues with it any time I've been to Duke's. *exhale* I was in last week with my boyfriend for sandwiches and drinks on the patio and it was definitely a 5 star experience, as it is every time. The patio is an amazing addition! Thank you for that! You've also gone out of your way to make us feel safe in a pandemic. This is one of the only places we've gone out a few times to since mid-March. We love Duke's and all the staff! Thankful you're still here! P.S. I've gotta also shout out all the wonderful things you've done for the community- whether it was tornado relief, taking donations for toys during the holidays for local kiddos at the psych hospital, helping out fellow Nashvillians out of work during the pandemic. You guys are amazing! Keep it up!

I love this little dive bar. This was our favorite weeknight beer and dinner. They have cheap but good vegan subs, and a huge beer menu. Good service and good atmosphere

Waited forever for a $10 "large" sandwich about the size of my hand. Lacked in meat and in flavor. Will not return.

I'm new to the East Nashville area, as I'm sure a lot of people move here and are new to the area. I was looking for a solid hole-in-the-wall bar to hang out, drink some cold ones and grab a bite. I'll keep this short and sweet. My buddy and I went in and the service was trash. First off, don't assume you're not going to have first timers. You should treat guests like it's their first time. You never know who is coming in and checking the place out for the first time and you should make them feel welcome. Every time we asked a question the bartender was short and condescending. He acted very impatient when ordering some beer. We didn't really know how the sandwiches and stuff worked BECAUSE WE HAD NEVER BEEN THERE which he continued to act short and condescending. We just felt very unwelcomed. I feel like this place suffers from a lot of the same things some people and businesses suffer from in East Nashville. They think they are too quirky and way too cool, and they only really care about their buds that come in and drink PBR. The sandwich was good, so they get a start for that. I won't be back. Go to Lakeside Lounge instead. It's way better.

Usually I am not this person but WOW did I get awful service. We are waiting on a sandwich and I go to the bathroom. I'm next in line and the bartender (Amy) comes up next to me and says "I work here can I cut in front of you?". I was in awe. I have worked in the restaurant industry for over five years and have never done such a thing. When it's busy do you sometimes have to use the restroom REALLY badly? Of course. As you leave the bar are you thinking of the million things you have to do and how many people are waiting? Every time. Do you cut in front of your bar guests? Never! It's called hospitality. As we go to close out our tab the bartender asks what we had. It's loud so maybe she misheard my bf. He sees her about to make a drink and stops her to say he needed his tab, trying to help her not waste drinks he didn't ask for. The ensuing conversation: Bartender with disgusted face: "um yeah let me make your drink first?" Him: "I already got my drinks. I only want my tab" Her: "Then why did you just order drinks from me?" Him: "I didn't. I only wanted my tab" Her: "Why would you tell me what you ordered if you didn't want the drinks?" Him: "Because you asked me? Can I pay my tab?" Her combativeness continues on as she drops his card down without even looking at us and doesn't say thank you or apologize for the miscommunication. Note that she didn't waste any drinks and the only time she wasted was her getting needlessly defensive because she heard us wrong. Oh and as you may have already guessed, this was the same bartender who cut me in line. I give them two stars because everyone else I interacted with was nice enough. Brett got us our first round and was quick and attentive. This place has great late night sandwiches and cheap drinks but this is not the first bad service experience I or my friends have had. My advice to Duke's: be nice to the people who are giving you money. Roll the dice if you dare yelpers.

Super chill, small bar with tiny deli counter in the back with Boars Head Meat & Cheese. I ordered the grilled cheese with herbed mayo. It was delicious. Highly recommend to fill your belly here before too walk across the parking lot to get a tattoo.

I dig the vibe here. They have a DJ every night that starts at 10PM. This past Saturday, they had a DJ that did a great job of feeling the crowd. The energy is always good. The theme is very much hipster but they are friendly people. The dim lighting adds to the ambiance. The sandwich station is a plus. They use Boar's Head deli meat. $6 for a regular. $9 for large. We tried the Italian and it was good, if I was more intoxicated it would have probably blown my mind. Drinks-wise, you can get drunk for cheap or you can opt for a craft cocktail. They are equipped for both. Happy Hour: Monday thru Friday noon till 8pm. All draft beers $3, all well drinks $4. They also have $6 beer and shot, all the time! 1. "Patriot": mug o' Coors banquet w/ shot of Four Roses bourbon 2. "Federale": can o' Tecate w/ shot of Sauza Silver tequila Bartenders are friendly. Despite them usually having a good crowd, I've never had to wait more than a few minutes to get someone's attention over the bar. If you're in East Nashville and sick of the sports bar scene, check this place out.

I used to like this bar and come often, but I'm absolutely never coming back. Like many people on here have noted, the staff (especially the sandwich staff) treats you like you're a horrible person for even being there. I waited 45 minutes for my sandwich and when they brought it out it was wrong. I mentioned what was wrong and the almighty sandwich slinger looked at me like I was a jerk. Then he condescendingly told me it'd be eight more minutes. Then the sandwich came back out again wrong.

Was introduced to this spot by a local. Really enjoyed the space-beer. Heard they have some great sandwiches, never tried.

Great sandwiches, great staff (shoutout to brandy, awesome bartender), and cheap drinks. 10/10!

Cool dive bar in East Nashville that serves sandwiches also. Was in town for a weekend and decided to stop in a take a look. Staff was very friendly and chill. The vibe is chill and laid back definitely a place where locals tend to flock and let the stresses of the slip away with each refreshing sip and bite of whatever is in front of you. Certainly worth a gander if you're around.

Duke's is just a bar. There are shot and beer specials. There is a mezcal gimlet. There is music. There are friendly bartenders. There are zero bachelorettes. THERE ARE GREAT SANDWICHES. Here is a secret: if it's sort of late and the Alice window at Five Points is long, go to Duke's. Sit down. Have one last beer. Order a 2:17 Special. It's just a bar, but it's one of the best we have.

This unassuming bar has amazing sandwiches (and beer). We arrived at Duke's late in the evening after our flight to Nashville and was amazed to discover that this bar could serve really delicious panini-style sandwiches. I ordered the 2:17 special (yum) and immediately regretted getting just the regular size because my sandwich was so tasty. We hadn't eaten anything since breakfast so ended up ordering another round of sandwiches (and beer), which left us feeling content after a long flight. If I'm ever in Nashville again, this will likely be the first place that I would visit.

My favorite bar in the country, pre, during and post pandemic. Most kind, welcoming and friendly ownership has been a staple in the community for half a decade now, consistently participating and supporting local events and charities all while keeping their staff as employed as possible in the pandemic. This weekend I was happy to see them enforcing all health and safety measures and therefore protecting the same community they've been a staple in for years. Unlike dozens of crowded, maskless, filthy bars here in town Dukes is doing it exactly right in the worst of times! Plus. That sandwich. That damn sandwich!

I flew in late one night and thought I was out of options for great Nashville food. Just before giving up and heading to Arby's, I found Dukes on Yelp and made the gamble... Oh my did that pay off! I had one of the best sandwiches of my life at Duke's. Made with fresh cut Boar's Head and brought to life by the sandwich artist. This thing was made and toasted brilliantly! You won't go wrong with Dukes. Go there. Yeah.

my boyfriend got the beer and shot for 7 dollars and he loved the deal especially since it was his favorite beer and whiskey (coors banquet and four roses). I got the drink called twiggy and it was a really good botanical drink. small inside and a nice cozy patio.

Oh, I love Duke's so much. Their staff is so darn nice and the sandwiches are delicious. The drinks are cold when they should be and always tasty. The vibe is chill and fun. And the bar is clean! I look forward to them being open fully again. At the moment, you can call in to order a sandwich for pickup. Check their Instagram for updated details. As a newsie a few years ago here in Nashville, they really made this weirdo feel at home. And I never quit them. They've got it going on. Duke's 4-ever. x

Got there at 2 am, we were told they were too busy to make sandwiches and wouldn't take our order. Not the best option for late night eats.

I'm giving them 1 star, not because of the food, but because of the way I felt when I walked into this establishment. The sandwiches that I ordered were good but the vibe was very awkward. This was in July and I haven't been back since. It was a little late on a weekday, maybe around 12:30 a.m. or 1 a.m. I was hungry and wanted something good that wasn't considered "fast food". As soon as I walked in I went to the bar, not knowing that they didn't take food orders there. The brunette bartender saw me standing there for about 5 minutes but continued to talk to a man and didn't acknowledge me until there was a break in their conversation. Even then I had to get her attention and she wasn't even friendly. -__- I asked her could I make a food order and she said "Oh, you have to go to the back." So at this point I'm hoping that this doesn't set the tone for the rest of my time here. Boy was I wrong. So I start making my way to the back and all I could think about was how uncomfortable I was feeling. I usually don't feel out of place anywhere but it was the total opposite here. People were staring at me like I had two heads. I was the only person of color in the establishment and even though I'm fine with that, I couldn't help but feel like everyone else in the place wasn't. So I get to the food area and the man that was making the orders didn't greet me with not even half of the enthusiasm as every other person. I was watching very closely and making sure that I was not overreacting about the situation and unsurprisingly, I wasn't. I paid, got my food after about 15 minutes and darted out of there. Sorry Duke's your sandwiches were good, but not enough for me to return after that extremely uncomfortable experience.