Published July 11, 2026 | Updated July 12, 2026

Duck Duck Bottle Shop is unlike any place else in Omaha. It’s actually reminiscent of bars that I’ve visited in larger cities with warmer temps like Austin.

Located across the street from Ooh-De-Lally in Dundee, the combination bar, cafe, and community space actually opened in May. I’ve been excited to check it out ever since. I finally got that opportunity recently.

The first thing that sets it apart is the fact that you enter via driveway not the front door of the house that sits out front. Did I mention that it is entirely outside save for the bottle shop and a bookstore that operate out of the basement of the house?

The backyard is cozy and offers some respite from the sun beneath its mature trees and shades. Among its mixture of seating options that include picnic tables, bistro sets, benches and kitchen tables and chairs are native plants and flowers that attract butterflies and other pollinators. It also has a stage that is used for live music and an occasional Saturday radio program which has me intrigued. The playhouse that sits in the backyard also signals that it’s a kid-friendly establishment. It should be noted that pups are also allowed.

My visit being in the evening, it was in bar mode. The drink menu is fairly extensive with wine, cocktails, beer, THC beverages, espresso and a night-time tea service. I opted for the Backyard Old Fashioned, no surprise there, made with rye rather than bourbon. It hit the spot and fit the backyard vibe perfectly. An addition at the rear of the house served as the bar.

Duck Duck does offer some food options, all of which are plant-based and dairy-free. Among the options are Impossible hot dogs, chips and a smokey caramelized onion dip, popcorn made with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and a house spice blend, and a trio of olives, almonds, and chickpeas.

If you’re more of a morning person, keep in mind that it also functions as a daytime cafe with espresso, tea, and toast and a bar in the evenings. Of the concept, co-owner Chloe Fortina said in an interview published in the Omaha World-Herald on May 21, 2026, that it came from witnessing a number of people trying to squeeze into an outdoor patio on a warm winter day in order to enjoy the weather. After discovering its unused backyard in the heart of Dundee, they set out to create a “new type of outdoor space that feels like it’s evolving with the people and the nature in and around it.”

The basement, meanwhile, has been repurposed as a bottle shop and bookstore that includes wine, beer, coffee, and tea. The website also lists a number of clubs including an Anti-Fascist Book Club, Writers Wrestling Federation, and Nature-First Wine Club among others. Back to that wine club, this seems like a good time to tell you that its owners, Fortina and Casey Fictum, put an emphasis on wine that is made from climate-conscious winemakers.

If you’re into old houses like I am, the century old, three-story American Foursquare is sure to catch your eye. Of course, I had to take a moment to dig into its history. The address first appears in the newspaper archives in 1916. At that time, it was home to the Presson family of Cloyd and Carrie and their daughters Velista and Helen. The family remained in the house until Cloyd passed away in 1955. The following year it was zoned first commercial. From that point it was advertised as an ideal location for a beauty shop, store, office, or apartments.

One thing I love about Dundee and Underwood in particular is the creative ways that small businesses repurpose these old houses so they can function as stores, restaurants, and bars. Duck Duck Bottle Shop takes it a step further with its backyard/basement setup. I enjoyed the atmosphere and drinks at this unique-to-Omaha bar and cafe.

Duck Duck Bottle Shop is located at 4917 Underwood Avenue. Its hours are all over the place so I coped this from its website. Check out its website to learn more: https://www.duckduckbottleshop.com/

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