Shayla B.
Yelp
Handcrafted?! Now, that's just an understatement! More like magically crafted... yeah, that's it! Dukes, I've got to hand it to ya because you most certainly handed it to me. You flipped it, tossed it, shook it, and stirred it on UP for me! Presented those babies like it was a golden globe and guess what?! I enjoyed every single hour, minute, and second of it!
I was out in the area wine tasting with a friend for the weekend and decided to give the wine a break and delve into the cocktail scene. Looked up Duke's and decided to check it out! Downtown Healdsburg is absolutely adorable, so I knew that I was in for a real treat. Walked up and could hear the music bumpin' from the outside of the building. Some may not be fond of this, but I can get with it.
The crowd was actually fairly mixed considering the area. The tunes were slappin' hard and the bartenders were some of the most fun that I've seen in a while! The people here were so incredibly friendly! I met people from New York and all other parts of the Bay Area which lets you know that this place is really legit. It was a mix of locals and out of towners; probably others who were in the area wine tasting too.
Okay, so let's get to the most important subject at hand: the cocktails! Visually, these cocktails look like masterpieces! I just couldn't keep my eyes off of all of the gorgeous drinks that these bartenders were whippin' up! What was most entertaining was all of the energy being put into making them. I had a blast watching the bartenders dance around, flipping and shaking the drinks. I don't care what anyone else says... this IS an art form in itself.
I had two cocktails that night: the Siren and the Paterson Sorrel. Both uniquely amazing but like night and day when compared to each other. The Siren (mezcal, cucumber, lime, lemongrass, jalapeño, rao ram, and bergamot) was strong, spicy, and refreshing! The lemongrass and cucumber gave it a burst of freshness while the jalapeño balanced it out by adding a spicy kick. The Paterson Sorrel (Rum blend, lime, ginger-hibiscus tea, and Duke's tiki bitters) was reminiscent of your classic tiki drink with fruity undertones and tropical vibes. The Paterson Sorrel was definitely more up my alley since I enjoy fruity cocktails.
The incredible vibe is what kept me here until closing time. I rarely ever stay until a place closes... especially at a bar! However, it was the most fun that I've had in a long time! Crowded and busy with loud music, great drinks, entertaining bartenders, and a super fun crowd! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was actually kind of bummed that this spot is 2 hours away from where I live. I would definitely come here on the regular if it were closer to me. If you enjoy delicious cocktails paired with a wonderful time, you've got to get to Duke's!