This one truly stinks and it is never a fun thing to read a venue say: “It is with deep regret”…and this morning I read on social media their sad message, which I will share here. I’m not a huge financial genius, and I am an average fan just like you only I write my thoughts and opinions on here. I do not know the exact reasons why, but I would like to share my personal hypothesis (of which I myself am guilty of) as to why. Let me tell you about the history of it, because that also ties in with my point here.
I took a break from my scheduled article today to write this one, because I wanted to extend my love to them for what they have given to the indie music community since 2018. Most of you know I been in this underground music game since 2005 and this website is now 14 years old. In 2018 Independant music like Cody Jinks and bands this bar made famous were TEN TIMES cheaper to book/see then than now.
I also know the building itself was there for quite some time before Duke’s was opened. I am an old veteran of the ROMP, Muddy Roots, and countless OG festivals and I know that in 2018, “our music” wasn’t generating THIS MUCH money, and didn’t cost that much to book. I know because I was paying 10 bucks to see Margo Price at the 5 Spot in 2016? Now comes the part you are not going to feel good about reading, put your adult pants on and keep reading.
Before I write any further let me say this outright. I myself have never been to Duke’s. It’s not because I never wanted to, it’s because this world of our music has become oversaturated with options and bands. I cannot be everywhere at once. Well back in the days when Hank III was tearing up the local circuit I COULD be all over more, because there were less options to see shows. 2018 when they opened it was just beginning to BOOM.
Have we caused this by supporting these bands SO MUCH that we have driven ourselves into markets we cannot afford ourselves? I mean, arena status is what we all want for our favorite band, sure. But to be honest there are so many venues and places popping up now to see the same act, it’s hard to support EVERYONE. However their iconic sign will forever burn bright on this website, you can damn sure bet on that. But I just sometimes have a bad gut feeling we may have shot ourselves in the foot…What say you?
Now if you think this will make me STOP supporting local music, you’re nuts. Even if I am guilty of being part of the problem, I’ll deal with it. but it just sucks to see this happen and I hope they re open it someday.
Duke’s Indy. Thank you for what you have given to music and I am glad you gave us all time to come up…this from their social media.
It is with a heavy heart that we let y’all in on the difficult choice we’ve had to make. For reasons both personal, financial and logistic we’ve had to come to terms with the limitations of the space we occupy. More competitors with much deeper pockets in the market, a building in desperate need of retrofitting in order to continue and elevate use in the ways we need and the tightening pressures of a challenging economy… it’s better to end things on our terms than to tread water until we drown. Duke’s Honky Tonk will be closing its doors effective November 22nd, 2025. As a community we’ve mourned far too many sudden losses and we want to honor this magical space by giving y’all as much time as possible to say good-bye.
It has been a tremendous honor and truly the joy of our lives to serve Indianapolis, bringing independent country and western music artists to eager audiences, serving the best damn fried chicken and carrying the torch D lit. We’re proud of all the ways we’ve brought about glory days and thankful for the bands, agents, regulars, incredible staff and fans who have turned this old building into a honky tonk home making lasting memories along the way. This is not the outcome any of us had hoped for but we are honored to have carved out a special place celebrating the traditions of country, western and Americana roots music in Indianapolis. Thank you for everything, and come see us soon as we welcome some absolute bangers to the stage to say good-bye. 
-Pat, Amanda, Derek & the whole damn crew
