New restaurant and bar to open on Main Street

After four months of non-stop work, Bob Duke and his fianc?(c) Andrea are ready to bring the newest restaurant and bar, Duke's, to Main Street.

With a size double that of the average bar in Buffalo, Duke's - located at 3053 Main Street on the corner of Minnesota Avenue and Main Street - offers an upscale ambiance. Formerly home to La Boom and Cloud 9, the space has been renovated to cater to an older "corporate" crowd, as well as college students.

"Main Street needed something different," Duke said. "Just because they are college students doesn't mean they don't want a nice clean place to hang out and have a good time."

The couple's hard work is made known by the bright new flooring and unsullied paint combining for a fresh attractive feel. Serving pizza, wings, chicken fingers and the like, Duke's has a sports bar feel, sans the memorabilia on every inch of the walls.

The restaurant's opening is a double celebration for the co-owners, who will be married in Miami next week.

"We have been so engrained in getting the place opened that we almost forgot we are getting married next week," Duke said.

With amenities like an iTunes juke box, touch screen games, a huge wrap around bar, nine TV's, a 100 inch projector, a stage for live entertainment, and a separate pool table room, students over 21 years of age will have plenty to do while enjoying a drink. Additionally, there will be DJ's to provide crowd-pumping music.

DJ Cove and DJ Mook from "Pure Insanity Music Productions" will be entertaining on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. According to DJ Cove, the music will be from a top forty selection, along with house, techno, and some rock.

"If everyone isn't dancing and enjoying themselves then we won't be doing our job," Cove said.

According to party promoter Peter Altholz, the stage will be used for a variety of promotional events, including live entertainment, karaoke and beer pong tournaments.

Students on campus are looking forward to having a new place to hang out on the weekends.

"I'll be coming here often," said Adam Roberts, a senior finance major. "It's so big and everywhere I look there is something new to spark my interest."

Boyde Perkins, a senior computer science major, is looking forward to enjoying a playoff Sabres games at the new restaurant.

"This place is awesome," Perkins said.

The wrap around bar is appealing to students like Randy McCarthy, a senior media study major. The wrap around design allows students the opportunity to mingle and meet new people.

"I like to do my laps," McCarthy said. "You get to see different clicks and if you see a girl you like it's good to pass her a couple of times."

According to Duke, a number of people are glad to see a new hang out large enough to accommodate large groups close to campus.

"About five or six people have already said to me, it's going to be nice not having 200 people crammed in a small bar," Duke said.

Duke's opening weekend kick off will take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, according to Altholz. A variety of food and drink specials will be offered, as well as a dance contest with prizes. Anyone walking through the door on Friday night will receive a coupon for a free tan.

According to Duke, his motivation to open a bar lies in his desire to see people happy.

"This is a place where people are coming after the stress of a day to relax and enjoy," Duke said. "I love meeting new people. I don't think much can go wrong."