Duff’s Brooklyn

Oh Duff’s! When I get married, I want it to happen at Duff’s. When I die, I want the last hours of my life to be lived @ Duff’s. Yes, I LOVE Duff’s!!!
Nestled right under the Marcy Avenue stop on the J, M & Z lines, (also several bus routes stop right at the corner) lies this awesomely amazing rock dive bar. It’s pretty much the basement of the house it occupies. As soon as you walk in, you feel right at home. Very relaxed and cool vibe. Super sweet and friendly bartenders. Always been spotless when I’ve been there. Kinda small, but always roomy, with plenty of seating. You have your bar stools and across from the bar you have some unique table seating. Then off in the back you have a few booths to sit and hang at. Along with a fabric coated coffin to lounge on and some other interesting seating including an electric chair. This is the PERFECT bar for rock and/​or horror fans. From the Eddie from Iron Maiden rug adorning the floor to the metal concert posters, to the framed concert tickets. You can sit, have some extremely cheap drinks and have hour long conversations about the décor. Once you’ve had a few drinks in you, you can almost swear that the life sized Frankenstein is staring you down!
My favorite part of this place is most definitely the jukebox!!! Best one ever!!! In one night, I’ve played David Bowie, Faith No More, Queensryche, Ice Cube, Motorhead, Slayer and Corey Taylor. Amazing mix. They also even have Donna Summer and Stevie Wonder among all the rock and metal c.d.‘s! They try to have a tiny mix for some since there is always an eclectic crowd there. Just be careful because sometimes it eats your money without playing what you picked. Also, sometimes it takes a while for your songs to play. Other times, it’s speedy. When songs from the jukebox aren’t being played, they play Sirius XM’s Boneyard which is great. Only friendly, non-​judgmental people frequent this establishment.
Always take a chance and spin the wheel. You may get a free drink, shot, etc. The bathrooms leave a LOT to be desired. No paper towels in either the men’s or women’s. Yes, I went in the men’s by mistake since the doors just blend in the walls that I didn’t even notice there was a women’s right next to it! I love this place so much though that I refuse to take away a star for the paper towel thing and cleanliness. Hey, just wipe your hands down with some t.p. (as annoying as that is) and you’re done. I’ve never been here when it has been packed so I can’t say how crowded it gets here, but on the weekends I’m pretty sure it gets that way.
For the people who say that they «don’t get it» regarding this place, that’s just the thing. You don’t get it at all, have no clue and this place is not for you! My goal in life is to get everyone I know who hasn’t been here, to come here and know the awesomeness that is Duff’s!!!

Great metal bar, the bartenders are friendly/​cool atmosphere. The old school jukebox has a great selection of metal & the owners changes up the cd’s a lot so you don’t get bored with the same ol’ music. I always have a great time definitely recommend! & don’t forget to spin the wheel ;)

The ambiance alone gives this place 5-​stars– even if metal isn’t your thing, I can’t imagine anyone could not feel relaxed and fascinated with the truly one of a kind décor, the «fuck it, have fun» vibe, the music that’s usually on point unless some asshole buys $ 10 worth of the same artist on the jukebox, and the drinks that are strong and priced right for a bar in Brooklyn.
You don’t need to look the part of a metalhead/​artist/​biker/​goth babe to be welcomed here by the staff, but it probably helps.

Really great metal bar. This is what I wish my favorite hometown metal bar would be like. Alas, my favorite hometown metal bar often had growling bikers and overly intoxicated stumbling girls. The vibe at Duff’s felt friendly and welcoming, even. (Note: aside from my myriad tattoos, I don’t really fit in here — I like designer purses and pearls). I never felt like anyone was looking at me weird — the crowd seemed pretty mixed and friendly. Bartenders seemed friendly as well.
The décor was awesome — lots of metal and horror memorabilia. The back area has an electric chair and a dentist chair you could sit in. Also a gimp cage.
For a few bucks you can spin their wheel and win any number of prizes — a special drink called the Coney Island whitefish (served in a condom) or a less awesome prize like a dog biscuit or a Jesus Juice shot!
Great drink specials. PBR!

My only complaint about Duffs is that I wish it were closer and easier for me to get to. Still this location is a lot more accessible than the 1^st one. Although I miss Bellevue dearly I am glad Duffs is there carrying on that legacy. I always feel like I have come «home» in a way when I do make it out there.
If you love heavy metal, hard rock, cheap beer and a no nonsense attitude you’ve come to the right place.
I loathe going to Williamsburg most of the time, but Duff’s is worth it.

«I don’t get it»
I probably do not get the bar because it is not really my flavor, which does not mean that it is bad or anything. The drinks were relatively cheap and the bartender, who was very glammed up for the bar, was really nice. I am not too much a fan of the heavy metal and I did not know that it was a «metal» bar but the people there seemed into the place. Also, I assume that many of the folks at the bar were locals from the neighborhood.
Although I did not have a horrible experience at Duffs, I probably will not be back unless I really want a beer. But, if you are into metal, loud music and a bright red setting then this is the place for you.

Great Theme
This bizarre place is NYC’s ultimate metal destination. Everything here is metal, starting from music over to pictures and accessories on the wall and dominant red lighting. There are two spaces here, one with the bar which is loud and one smaller loungy area with some great perks such as old but functional dentist chair, Frankenstein sculpture or HR Giget inspired posters. Bar staff is patient and just great, they’ll take good care of as a customer. Overall great, acclaimed dive with story and history.
How can you beat a place that is blaring King Diamond right when you walk in?
Super Cool Spot
Thanks

If you don’t like it here, you’re probably no fun to begin with. Sorry you had to find out like this.

This place gets a lot of praise from the metal scene, but it’s not that great. Kind of an arrogant snobby crowd most of the time and it’s the kind of place where people will put 40 songs on the juke box and you have to deal with lame mall metal music for hours on end. Some days the juke box is free, but they won’t mark it, so you’ll end up wasting money on it for no reason. 3 dollar beers are okay, but you can get that at any dive bar. Jimmy Duff is kind of a douche too. Lucky 13 and Double Down are vastly superior rock bars and tend to have a better juke box selection.

Arguably the best dive bar in NYC.

I stopped by Duffs for the first time, a couple of months ago on a Saturday night. There was a basement entrance. As I walked in, I noticed there were only two other people in the entire bar besides me on a Saturday night! I was shocked it was so dead for a weekend. Perhaps I just came on an off night, but was assured by a few friends that this place is always a hit or miss. I liked the set up, great metal jukebox, and the bartender was ok but definitely lacked any personality. Perhaps, I’d go again if there was some kind of event or attraction, but it is just too far out of the way from the more popular Williamsburg rock dive bars to take a chance on whether the bar is «happening» on a given night.

Peter Steele from Type O Negative used to frequent this bar. That’s enough to earn it a 5-​star rating right off the bat in my book. This is a special bar and I will be sad when it eventually succumbs to the rising rents and turns into a juice bar or boutique pet store.

I don’t get it.
The bartender was super nice and the drinks were cheap but…
The guys there were NOT cute in the slightest and everyone was awkward. Like junior high school prom awkward. I would go here to pre game and drink the cheap pbr and go elsewhere to find cute guys. Music was great.

Depending on when you go it’s a good night. Some bartenders are really cool some not. That’s like anywhere. Nice metal bar. Nice decorations. Cheap drinks.
But Korn is not metal though guys. I like Korn but just sayin…

Wonderful dive. Spin the wheel of misfortune. And you have to eat the dog biscuit if you land on it. Trust me. Nothing good will happen, but its still worth it.

Anywhere where I can put Goatwhore and Cannibal Corpse on the jukebox gets an automatic 5 stars from me. But the free drink and awesome metal décor were an added plus \m/

I LOVE DUFFS! Get your «Gone to piss/​smoke» card while you visit!
It is a metal bar with great tunes on the jukebox and super cool people. You can get trashed here all night, and/​or socialize after shows. If you’re hungry, don’t worry. Right around the corner there is an excellent Puerto Rican restaurant open real late. It you walk towards the train and turn right, you’ll see it.
The drinks are reasonably priced, and the location is great.
If you’re a heavy metal fan, don’t miss out on this place!

Beau bar métal! Petit bémol pour la musique… Les enchaînements né sont vraiment pas terribles!

I SWORE I did a review on this place but a BIG FINGER OF SHAME to me for not doing so much sooner! I have been frequenting this place for about 4 years now and its without doubt one of my favorite bars in the city. If you’re into dive bars and heavy metal, this is the place for you! If you’re NOT into metal but dive bars are your thing, well… THIS IS THE PLACE for you too. Don’t be a jerk off. It’s IMPOSSIBLE to come here and feel out of place and like you don’t belong. Anyone is welcomed in this joint, and I’ve seen it all. Besides the metal head clientele you will see: Goths, hipsters, Hasidic Jews, average joe schmoes, businessmen and women, hip-​hoppers, geeks, everyone and everything. Its always a great place to come and meet interesting people, all the time.
The bartenders are always hot and attentive. The drinks are always affordable (every day happy hour from 6−9pm serve 1 dollar PBR!!!) There’s this interesting gimp cage that you can possibly be placed in, a cool dart game where you can win a small sum of money and/​or drinks. It’s dope.
The bar is big, spacious and plenty of seating. You can get food and bring it back with you to the bar while you pour down some cheap drinks and get your gobble, gobble on. There’s always something weird being played on the screen and of course, there’s metal being played all the time.
The best time to come is on weekend nights to experience the creatures of the night.
PROS:
–Hot bartenders
–No one of any social background (or race I suppose) won’t feel out of place
–Mad fucking metal
–affordable drinks
–Interesting characters
— Divey but also the décor is metaled the fuck out
Cons:
–I am really trying to think of one

Been wanting to try this place for a while. We hopped around to a few other weird bars with shitty music before landing at Duffs and quickly realized it’s where we should have started off to begin with. Music was great. Atmosphere was perfect. Drinks were affordable. Bad gals were cute and attentive. Glad to have a go to for when we want to get out of the house!

If I somehow end up here I know it was a good night! No let me re-​phrase that! A Great Effing! Night! I only seem to end up here at 2 in the morning drinking pabst after drinking somewhere in the city!
And I live in the Bronx ! I love this place but the trip back home can be a doozy!
As many people have already said if your ever in the area stop by! Don’t be intimidates most of the people are really nice here! «Most» lol

Hart aber herzlich bodenständiger amerikanischer Rockclub