10 Best Piano Bars in New York
Theatre historian John Kenrick describes the piano bar as follows:
“A piano bar is a hybrid creature: part performance space, part living room, part cruise-a-thon, and part saloon. The bar is there to sell drinks, the pianist is there to perform, and the crowd is there to sing, listen, drink and socialize. All of this means that it’s impossible to predict what a given evening’s chemistry will be, even if most of the people on hand are regular customers… While every factor counts, the most important issue is the person at the piano. The pianist determines the type of music, the style of performance, and the general tone of the evening… The experienced piano bar player knows how to take genial control of most any situation and generally keep the party going.” ( From Wikimedia)
There’s something magical about live piano music that makes drinking infinitely classier.
Whether sipping a martini or throwing back a beer while a ragtime jazz band tears it up, the charm of a piano bar is tough to beat.
Catch the authentic piano bar atmosphere at these 10 best spots in New York.
1. Don’t Tell Mama
343 W 46th St New York, NY 10036
It is ocated on renowned Restaurant Row in the heart of New York’s Theater District.
Don’t Tell Mama takes the cake for a no-holds-barred piano bar experience that can only be described as eclectic?
Segmented live jazz, sing-along and cabaret rooms, comedy groups, musicals, and a variety of other acts take the stage here to show off their pipes and cajole the crowd into participating.
If you’re looking for smooth jazz and a quiet evening, keep looking. Here, bartenders and servers aren’t afraid to bust out in song, and many have worked on the stages of Broadway and Off-Broadway.
Piano Bar & Cabaret Rooms are also featured at Don’t Tell Mama. Founded in 1982.
New American cuisine with a world-class atmosphere and a seasonally changing menu offering the freshest ingredients resulting in something for every plate as well as choices of delicious desserts and a wonderful selection of fine wines
2. Bar Henry Bistro
90 W Houston St. New York, NY 10012
This old school Village spot, with its black-and-white checkered tile flooring and Edwardian atmosphere, is best known for its quality wine selection and nightly jazz music (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday).
Though it’s only been open since late 2009, it has the feel of a place Kerouac might have visited.
Thursday is Solo Piano Night, with a new guest, past performers have included local favourites like Adam Birnbaum and Bryn Roberts—each week from 8 p.m. to midnight.
They have a respectable wine list, decent cocktails and a mostly over-30 neighbourhood crowd add to the convivial feel.
3. Waldorf Cocktail Terrace
301 Park Ave, New York, NY 10022, United States
Here you will find an elegant fine-dining restaurant, a classic cocktail lounge with a pianist, and a sophisticated bar and steakhouse
Overlooking the lobby of the historic hotel, the glamorous terrace features velvet chairs for lounging and a fully stocked bar that caters to the elite.
On Fridays and Saturdays, pianists sit down to the entertain patrons on Cole Porter’s very own grand piano, “High Society,” a gift to the hotel from the legendary musician in 1939.
Built by Steinway & Sons in Astoria, Queens, the piano is hand-carved with double Empire-style legs. If you’re really feeling the pull of history, order up the Cole-tini, the bar’s signature nod to Mr. Porter.
A 2-minute walk from the 51 St. Subway station, this upscale art deco hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Museum of Modern Art.
4. The Nines
9 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012, United States
Restaurateur Jon Neidich says that at first, he was on the fence about adding putting a piano much less a baby grand in the room.
“Once I had gotten there,” he says,” it seemed like ‘Well if I’m going to do this, let’s just go all the way and commit!'”
The result is a transcendental experience that evokes the hotel bars of Europe that inspired Neidich, who, through Golden Age Hospitality, also owns Le Crocodile in Williamsburg and the Happiest Hour in the West Village.
While classic cocktails are on offer, the signature drink is The Nines, a tasty concoction of reposado tequila, mezcal, yellow chartreuse, passion fruit, and yuzu.
And if you’re in the mood for a snack, don’t miss the twice-baked Kaspian potato, served with creme fraiche and topped with 30 grams of Osetra caviar.
5. Marie’s Crisis
59 Grove St, New York, NY 10014, United States
The room first opened in the 1850s as a prostitutes’ den, became a boy bar by the 1890s, and lasted through Prohibition, when it was known as Marie’s (the “Crisis” came from the Crisis pamphlets by Thomas Paine, who died in the same house).
Due to its proximity and some of its clientele, Marie’s Crisis in the West Village is often billed as a gay piano bar, but this intimate dive welcomes those of all orientations and genders.
The piano takes centre stage at Marie’s and unless you arrive early, chances are it’s standing room only. No matter.
You’ll be on your feet as soon as the music starts anyway, singing at the top of your lungs with a room full of strangers.
6. Sid Gold’s Request Room
165 W 26th St New York, NY 10001
A Rockin’ Piano Bar and home of the Best Karaoke in New York City Live Piano Karaoke Monday through Saturday “Home of That Baldwin Sound”
The music at Sid’s Gold leans more toward the hits you’d hear on the radio – pop, rock and soul – than anything you’d find at some of the quainter bars on this list.
The joint’s divided into two sections: an old-timey marble bar up front and a high-energy, rowdy karaoke session through the velvet curtains around the back.
While the weekdays can be a little slow, things pick up on the weekends with packed houses, bachelorettes celebrating their last nights of singledom and neighbourhood regulars vying for the mic.
It is located at 165 west 26th st between 6th and 7th avenue on the north side of 26th street, directly across from the Hilton Hotel.
7. Shake Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos
306 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018, USA
Shake Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos
Shake Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos is a place for a very unique musical experience. Here, they treat you to a rock ‘n’ roll party and you get to pick your favourite playlist.
With over 20 years of expertise in the field of entertaining people with music and comedy, Dueling Pianos stands at the top of the preference list in New York.
At this bar, you not only get to enjoy your requested songs but also interactive experiences like a sing-along, dance-along, and laugh-along!
This is a place that offers a perfect cocktail of comedy and music that will soothe your soul after a busy day at work.
The bar is also open for conducting special events such as weddings, parties, fundraisers, reunions and bar mitzvahs.
8. Little Branch
20 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014, United States
Stashed in a hard-to-locate, speakeasy-style basement where the bartenders wear suspenders and the standup piano encourages jazz trios, Little Branch is a Prohibition-style bar.
The West Village building that houses Little Branch has been a bar for more than 100 years.
Chet Baker played one of his last gigs there when it was called the St. James Infirmary Jazz Club, and when it was known as Milk Bar in the 1970s and 80s.
Madonna worked the coat check and acts like the Rolling Stones and the Ramones were reported regulars.
The cocktail bar features live jazz Sunday through Thursday from 8:30 to 11:00 p.m. No reservations are needed and there is no cover.
9. Silver Lining Bar
75 Murray St. New York, NY 10007
This year-old Tribeca speakeasy from the folks behind Little Branch serves up delicious craft cocktails and small bites.
The long dark bar is inviting and friendly. What makes it stand out from the crowd, apart from excellent cocktails and the larger-than-usual space, is the piano at the end of the bar.
Local jazz favourites like The Joel Forrester Trio, Tal Ronen and the Larry Ham Trio perform nightly, and the dulcet notes of the piano sound when the band isn’t playing.
Slide comfortably into a Rum Buck or La Floridita cocktail, nosh on Ceviche or an invigorating cheese plate, and let the music navigate you through the clouds in your life.
10. Townhouse
236 E 58th St, New York, NY 10022, USA
When speaking of piano bars in New York, it is hard to miss out on the Townhouse.
It is a gentleman’s bar that has nightly piano performances by the best talents in the city.
This is a truly elegant and upscale space with three bar rooms – the main bar, club room, and piano bar.
The Townhouse is a posh gay bar where soulmates have found each other.
They have an open mic slot where you can go solo and the pianists will tap the keys for you.
Don’t forget to make the best out of their daily Happy Hours from 4 pm – 8 pm. They also serve generous amounts of drinks!
Conquering New York in one visit is impossible, the city has a lot of exciting places and things to do and see.
Everybody comes out on the streets and makes the best out of the evening by indulging in musical treats and delicious foods.
This is the main reason behind the popularity of piano bars in this busy city.
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