The 6 Best Piano Bars In NYC
Feb. 4, 2016, 12:04 p.m.
This city's got a few that haven't quite been picked clean by the tourists. Here are the best ones.
About a year ago, I accompanied my then-roommate to Marie's Crisis on a Friday night. It was, for a musical theater nerd like myself, something of a religious experience—a room full of people as equally enthusiastic about Rodgers & Hammerstein as myself. Piano bars might not be as hip as they were back in the days of Rick's Café, but they're a heck of a lot of fun, and this city's got a few that haven't quite been picked clean by the tourists. Here are our favorites, and leave yours in the comments.
MARIE'S CRISIS: This West Village gay bar might be my (straight and female) former roommate's favorite bar in the world, since it's rare to find a spot in the city where it's socially acceptable to belt the Les Miserables soundtrack. For decades, Marie's Crisis has been a prime sport for musical theater performers and non-professional enthusiasts alike to warm up their pipes, with skilled pianists drawing from a seemingly endless catalog of Broadway shows. Cheap drinks and showtunes aside, the bar itself is practically a work of art, sitting on the site at which Common Sense (and The American Crisis) author Thomas Paine died in 1809. Tip your pianist, please.
Marie's Crisis is located at 59 Grove Street between Bleecker Street and 7th Avenue South in the West Village (212-243-9323).
THE DUPLEX: Like Marie's Crisis, you're bound to belt out a few Broadway numbers at this West Village spot, but the venerable songbook boasts everything from Top 40 hits to classic rock to Madonna. Music goes on at 9 p.m. nightly, with pianists and performers culled from a rotating list of staff members, and though the space is small, the energy is explosive no matter what night of the week you show up. Sondheim fans are in for a treat on Friday nights, when the composer's music is heavily favored. The bi-level space also boasts a full bar and theater, if comedy and cabaret is your thing.
The Duplex is located at 61 Christopher Street between Waverly Place and 4th Street in the West Village (212-255-5438, theduplex.com)
(Victoria Jacob)
MANHATTAN INN: It's ironic that our one pick outside of Manhattan happens to have the borough's name right in its title, but it is what it is. Manhattan Inn boasts a slew of musical performers, but you can usually catch a pianist on weeknights, which is excellent for anyone who likes to hear some tinkling ivory while savoring $8 drinks. The bad news is, this isn't a singalong spot, though if you get toasted enough no one will kill you if you try to scat during an extended brunch jazz performance. But perhaps they should?
Manhattan Inn is located at 632 Manhattan Avenue between Nassau and Bedford Avenues in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (718-383-0885, themanhattaninn.com).
BRANDY'S PIANO BAR: Brandy's was my first piano bar, back when I was TOTALLY OF AGE YES SURE I WAS LEGAL OKAY COOL. If you're looking for a night of Broadway hits, search elsewhere, since Brandy's is all about classic rock and pop music. They take requests, which is unusual in piano bars in this town, though they also occasionally have a two drink minimum, which is slightly less fun. Still, a night at Brandy's is a night of drunkenly crooning "Rocket Man," which is well-worth $9 for a gin & tonic, yes indeed. At the very least, Brandy's is an overlooked gem among the frat bars and Irish pubs on the Upper East Side, providing some escape even if you don't care for piano music.
Brandy's is located at 235 East 84th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues on the Upper East Side (212-744-4949, brandyspianobar.com).
MEZZROW JAZZ CLUB: Having opened in the summer of 2014, the Mezzrow is a relatively new addition to the buffet of classic basement Greenwich Jazz Bars, but with its intimate Prohibition-style decor and steady stream of musicians, it's managed to become become a main course. A sexily backlit 1923 Steinway piano ties together a room dotted with small tables, perfect for a third (or—less recommended, per experience—really accelerated first) date. As is the case with most standard jazz bars, there is both a cover and a drink minimum. (Sarah Edwards)
Mezzrow Jazz Club is located at 163 West 10th Street between 7th Avenue South and Waverly Place in the West Village (929-273-2422, mezzrow.com).
UNCLE CHARLIE'S: Despite the flashy website boasting a barrel-chested musician and the claim that it's the "only full-time gay jazz bar located in Midtown-East", Uncle Charlie's rewards with more than just location and washboard abs. It also features a lively rolodex of weekly events, a piano lounge, and that mythical Midtown feature, an outdoor patio. The website may be loud, but the bar itself has a more relaxed neighborhood feel, with friendly bartenders Tyler and Manny slinging drinks on the regular. Wander in after work for a generous happy hour that lasts until 9 p.m., and you'll be belting out showtunes by 10. (Sarah Edwards)
Uncle Charlie's is located at 139 East 45th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues in Midtown East (646-476-9532, unclecharliesnyc.com).