“He will bring big crowds in,” Kovach confirmed, “and we’re getting people from Chandler, especially ones who follow the bands they like. We’ve had some really good Friday and Saturday nights.” In addition to the live sounds, Duke’s streams music videos. Kovah describes a “lot of moving parts” with video screens, lighting and sound systems. The capacity of 280 people is supplemented by two patios holding 70 people each and three bars. Kovach envisions opportunities to work closely with others in the city, including Mandy’s. For example, on June 11, Phoenix country solo artist Franklin Smith serenated dinner guests at Mandy’s ‘til 8 p.m., then set up on stage at Duke’s for a nightcap. “Farmers and people from the city here came to The Stillery and wanted us to come to Maricopa,” Kovach recalled. “There were a lot of corporate (restaurants) here, but no mom- and-pops and no live music to speak of. We had requests for it. I think we can have some real synergy between some of the other places and Duke’s.” Atler already sees some of that in play. “I like to think that our place is where people come to start their evening — and then we find them going over to Duke’s. I love that,” she said. “We’ve got an amazing set of customers, people who come in here daily, weekly, monthly. Then multiple tables I spoke with [the day of the interview] were trying us for the first time. “This is all consistent with my goal of if people are going out, they don’t have to go to Chandler or elsewhere. They can do it right here in Maricopa.”
InMaricopa.com | September 2025
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