Introducing: Duke’s Refresher, a rowdy new restaurant, bar and brunch spot in the Aura condos at Yonge and Gerrard
Name: Duke’s Refresher + Bar
Contact Info: 382 Yonge St., 416-979-8529, dukesrefresher.ca, @DukesRefresher
Neighbourhood: Downtown Core
Owner: Peter Fowler, CEO of restaurant super-power SIR Corp, the company that owns Jack Astor’s, Alice Fazoolis, Loose Moose, Canyon Creek, Far Niente, Reds Wine Tavern, Reds Midtown, Scaddabush and Four
Chef: Tim Tutton
The Place: Duke’s Refresher, which launched first in Muskoka, is one of three SIR Corp restaurants housed in the new Aura condos at Yonge and Gerrard—the others being Reds Midtown and the soon-to-open Scaddabush. All three restaurants are big and casual, and outfitted with farmhouse-style furniture and vintage tchotchkes (e.g. road signs, decorative antlers, a display of antique Zippo lighters ). While the slightly sleeker Reds is geared to suit-clad power-lunchers, Duke’s caters to their younger, rowdier siblings. There’s a long bar, an upstairs party zone called the Nosebleed Lounge and a wall of shame for drinkers who show up for next-day brunch with the bar’s logo stamped on their foreheads.
The Food: Bar snacks, sandwiches and jumbo beef brisket burgers, which are cooked on a flattop. Hangover-friendly brunches range from breakfast tostadas to teetering stacks of waffles topped with blueberry whipped cream.
The Drinks: 40 domestic, craft and premium beers, four signature cocktails, a trio of Caesars and one boozy brunchtime milkshake called The Wrecking Ball. For $20, customers can join the Einstein Club, which nets them discounts on beer and a personalized beer stein to use on each visit.
The Numbers:
• 166 24-ounce beer steins behind the bar —one for each Einstein Club membership
• 158 seats divided between two floors: the main floor and the “Nosebleed Lounge”
• 50 per cent discount (and a spot on the wall of shame) for partyers who show up for brunch with the bar’s logo stamped on their foreheads
• 40 beers on tap, including 17 craft brews
250607 Duke’s is located in the new Aura condos at Yonge and Gerrard (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-01.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-01/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-01 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250615 The space is designed for partying: there’s a long bar, a private party lounge, multiple flatscreens and a booze-based discount program (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-09.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-09/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-09 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250608 The space is designed for partying: there’s a long bar, a private party lounge, multiple flatscreens and more than one booze-based discount programs (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-02.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-02/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-02 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250610 The upstairs party area (officially called the “Nosebleed Lounge”) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-04.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-04/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-04 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250609 The upstairs party area (officially called the “Nosebleed Lounge”) (Image: Renée Suen) ntroducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-03.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-03/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-03 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250611 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-05.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-05/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-05 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250612 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-06.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-06/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-06 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250613 Like Reds Midtown and Scaddabush, the other SIR Corp restaurants in the Aura condos, the space is big, casual and crammed with vintage paraphernalia (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-07.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-07/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-07 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250620 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-14/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-14 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250626 Chicken cobb salad with red wine vinaigrette ($15.50) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-20.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-20/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-20 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250623 Seared tuna tacos with ginger slaw, salsa, spiced sour cream and cilantro ($9.25) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-17/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-17 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250624 Crispy haddock Tacos with ginger slaw, salsa, spiced sour cream and cilantro ($8.95) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-18/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-18 0 0
250628 Seared tuna BLT on bacon focaccia ($13.50) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-22.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-22/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-22 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250631 The Pig & The Egg is a massive sandwich stuffed with bacon, sausage, bacon, pulled pork, American cheese, braised onions and a fried egg, on bacon focaccia ($13) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-25-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-25.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-25/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-25 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250632 Avocado, brie, tomato and bacon sandwich with truffle mayo ($13) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-26-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-26.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-26.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-26/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-26 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250619 Members of the Einstein Beer Club get discounts of beer and personalized beer steins, which are kept on a shelf behind the bar (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-13/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-13 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250627 Beer flights can be customized with any of the brews available on draught ($1–$1.50 per 3-ounce sample) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-21.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-21/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-21 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250625 Beer flights can be customized with any of the brews available on draught ($1–$1.50 per 3-ounce sample) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-19.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-19/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-19 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250614 An example of modern-day chivalry: women get free cotton candy when the leave the bar (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-08.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-08/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-08 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250616 The Shameless Breakfast Club gives discounts to customers who drink at the bar one night, then show up for brunch the next day (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-10/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-10 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250617 Oh, and you need to show up with a stamp on your face (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-11/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-11 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250618 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-12.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-12/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-12 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250621 Classic Caesar ($7.50, or $4:50 on Sunday) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-15.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-15/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-15 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250629 Steak and eggs on griddled garlic bread with fried onions and roasted tomatos ($16.75) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-23.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-23/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-23 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250633 Veggie tostadas with refried beans, cojita cheese and two eggs sunny-side-up ($11.25) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-27-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-27.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-27.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-27/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-27 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250634 Waffles with fresh strawberries and blueberries, blueberry whipped cream, almonds and dried fruit ($9.50) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-28-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-28.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-28.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-28/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-28 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
250630 The Wrecking Ball: A boozy milkshake made with vanilla ice cream, bourbon and chocolate malt balls (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Duke's Refresher Introducing: Duke's Refresher https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-24-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-24.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dukes-refresher-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-24/ toronto-restaurant-dukes-refresher-24 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
They (Sir Corp) actually have one of these near my cottage and a buddy lives near this location, so we gave it a peek.
Huge space. Would be great for a party.
We originally sat at the bar, but the bartender was SO over the top
friendly he drove us to a table. I would assume he is under pressure
since the place just opened. He asked how we were and how the beers were literally 5 times in less than two minutes. Holy over-service.
Floor staff was clearly stressed – made remarks about being given small sections.
but friendly – and they knew the menu.
Huge tap list, though nothing on tap you cant at any other franchise resto in the city.
Will check it out again. Can only improve from here.