Piano Bar recommendations?

[brettystar]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 2:24am

Not sure if this should be in 'off topic' or not, but does anyone have any views on whether it is worth going to visit a piano bar?

I have heard that Don't Cry Mama has a good reputation but not sure if Piano Bars are worth the visit?

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 2:58am

Some of my best memories are of nights spent in Eighty-Eights (now unfortunately closed) a fun piano bar in the village. There were fun crowd sing alongs, and amazing bar staff that sang, and if you brought music with you you could get up and sing a couple of songs as well. Mamas is allright, but the last couple of times I went (which granted was back in like 2000 or 2001) it had gotten a little less show-tuny and a lot more jazz/pop-ish and was WAY more touristy. Brandy's is a great one, but it's WAY up in (I think) the east 90s. Rose's Turn (in the village) is another choice that I've heard is great! Have fun if you go!

[brettystar]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 3:03am

Thanks for that. I feared that DCM was more jazz than Broadway judging from their website. I will keep Rose's Turn in mind - the name alone sounds fun.

[Kungaloosh1937]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 4:31am

Rose's Turn is long since closed.

Go to Marie's Crisis. It's quite simply my favorite place anywhere - if you like showtunes, and singing them at the top of your lungs with dozens of other people, its the bar for you.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 4:50am

It's called "Don't Tell Mama."

I recommend Marie's Crisis.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 11:19am

Marie's Crisis is a blast.

The Monster can be fun and has a disco as well. It's near Marie's.

Mama's is OK, but more touristy.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 11:24am

check out the duplex

[veryownplanetz]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 11:55am

The After party is fun on friday nights.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 12:17pm

MARIE'S CRISIS CAFE
Best times: Friday & Saturday nights from 10:30PM
Fun Point: There's simply no better place to go. Especially when Dexter is at the piano.
There are a fair-share of "regulars" there... myself included. Is a great mix of hot young guys, middle-aged crooners, straight clumsy girls, NYU kids, older respectable men. But everyone is there to have fun... and believe me, when Dexter is at the keys, you're in for a treat.
Friendly bar staff and no minimum. Coat-check if you're bulky.

THE DUPLEX
Best times: Friday nights at 11PM is "Simply Sondheim"/Open Mic
Fun Point: Brian J. Nash at the piano is hilarious.
2-drink minimum. Tables only (no standing), and there's a stage, so it's a lot more "structured." Best to go with friends.

THE MONSTER
Best times: Monday nights at 11PM the downstairs disco has a drag show (tends to be mostly Black and Latino guys). They also have a piano and a handful of singing older men every night.
I'm sure Friday & Saturday nights are more packed. You'll get a collection of all "cliques" here!

PIECES
Best times: Tuesday nights Karaoke
Not exactly a piano-bar but a great crowd
Wednesday nights is "Win Lose or Draw" a pictionary-style gay drinking/social game

DON'T TELL MAMA
Tends to be more touristy but can get a good crowd

BIRDLAND
Not so much a piano-bar, but more up-scale and reputation. Monday nights, following the concert, is Cast Party which is Open-Mic (but they have their favorites, so new-comers don't always get a shot).

LAURIE BEECHMAN
Friday nights is The After Party. A concert and mingle open-mic of sorts. Over-flowing with theatre queens and elbow-nudging. But a fair group and lots of fun, especially the hosts. Updated On: 3/29/08 at 12:17 PM

[Trina55]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 2:04pm

Thanks for the rundown!
I used to go to Marie's all the time, but haven't been to any of the others; I'm glad to know a little more of what they're like.

:)

[brettystar]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 7:58pm

Thanks for the great advice everyone, and the name correction of Don't Tell Mama.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 8:02pm

Eug.. thanks. Is it only the pianist who sings or can anyone sing songs, at Marie's? Does anyone remember that episode of "Murphy Brown",a 1990's sitcom on CBS, when Jim opens up his own bar, which quickly becomes a gay bar. The highlight of that particular show was Jim playing piano, while the male patrons gathered around to sing their favorite tunes. I loved that episode. from RC in Austin, Texas... P.S. I'd love to meet up with a few BWW members during my upcoming NYC trip.

Updated On: 3/29/08 at 08:02 PM

[TomMonster]

Posted: 3/29/08 at 8:19pm

Everyone sings at Marie's! Same with The Monster.