Piano Bars

[Eric P]

Hello everyone, we're taking my mother-in-law out this Friday for her 75th birthday. My in-laws like piano bars - do you have any recommendations? I would like to find a restaurant that has a piano bar so that we don’t have to leave. Places like Kinkaid’s and Prime Rib are over the top for their tastes, however. Thanks in advance if you can help!

[TedE]

Hello everyone, we're taking my mother-in-law out this Friday for her 75th birthday. My in-laws like piano bars - do you have any recommendations? I would like to find a restaurant that has a piano bar so that we don’t have to leave. Places like Kinkaid’s and Prime Rib are over the top for their tastes, however. Thanks in advance if you can help!

Mr. Smith's in Georgetown is the first (and only) one that pops to mind. Definitely not posh, if that's what you meant by over the top. Can't vouch for the food, though.

[The Hersch]

I think there are cross-purposes here. TedE takes "piano bar" in the sense of a place with a piano player where customers sit around the piano and sing, as at Mr. Smith's. Does that happen at Kinkead's or the Prime Rib? I don't think so. In fact, I fervently hope not. Does the original poster really just mean a restaurant with someone playing the piano with no customers singing? If so, Marcel's comes to mind, but if Kinkead's is over the top for them, Marcel's would be way over the top.

[Heather]

I used to go to one on P St. but can't remember the name and have no idea if it's still open. On the other side of P from the Fireplace. Anyone else remember it?

[crackers]

This may be way out of your geographic and/or culinary range, but Jesse Wong's Asean Bistro in Columbia has a piano player playing show tunes during dinner. It's a quite elegant interior, and the food is surprisingly good.

Here is more info ---> click

Columbia Palace 9, 8775 Centre Park Drive

Columbia Maryland 21045

410-772-5300

p.s. Welcome Eric P!

[DanielK]

This may be way out of your geographic and/or culinary range, but Jesse Wong's Asean Bistro in Columbia has a piano player playing show tunes during dinner. It's a quite elegant interior, and the food is surprisingly good.

Here is more info ---> click

Columbia Palace 9, 8775 Centre Park Drive

Columbia Maryland 21045

410-772-5300

I agree - an excellent choice for Chinese food in Columbia. They do very good versions of the standard "American Chinese" dishes, but they have a separate menu with the "authentic" dishes, and I've found them pleased when you ask them to recommend something off the beaten path.

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Does Elysium in the Morrison Hotel in Old Town still have piano "service?"

[gnatharobed]

Mimi's in Dupont Circle has singing servers and a piano. Don't know if this qualifies as a piano bar. Have only had brunch there and the food was decent but couldn't comment on dinner.

[squidsdc]

Does Elysium in the Morrison Hotel in Old Town still have piano "service?"

Elysium closed its doors a while back..but according to the website, there is a piano bar:

Complementing any stay at Morrison House is a dining experience at The Grille. Led by Executive Chef Ryan Houde, our restaurant features relaxed American fine dining with dishes made using the freshest of ingredients, sourced just in time from nearby Virginia farms, markets and artisans.

Join us for drinks before dinner in the Parlor, after which you'll be seated in one of our three comfortable dining rooms. Warm, knowledgeable service combines with a menu of fish, free-range fowl, the finest meats and perfect produce for a memorable evening. Our Cellar Master completes the experience by assisting you with selections from our extensive wine list.

Perfectly suited to the warmth and elegant surroundings of Morrison House, The Grille serves dinner every evening. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, enjoy our classic piano bar with live music provided by our guests and friends from Old Town Alexandria. And for parties of ten or more, The Grille and Morrison House offer a prix fixe menu with hors d'oeuvres and wine pairings in a beautiful private setting.

To make reservations, please call The Grille at 703.838.8000.

[goldenticket]

Does Elysium in the Morrison Hotel in Old Town still have piano "service?"

This was the first place I thought of - it's a pretty mellow scene, not too loud or crowded. No idea about the food, but it definitely will fit the piano bar bill.

[hillvalley]

701 has a very nice piano bar that is in the restaurant. The food may be a little too fancy though.

[JimRice]

Is Pistone's Italian Inn still open? I've never been, but I've heard it is old-school Italian food, a mega salad bar, and a piano bar. It's over in the Seven Corners/Falls Church area. 703-533-1885.

[deangold]

The fFLaming Pit in GAtihers Berg had an amazing paniio bar about 5 years ago. Of course they may be serving the same batch of frozen food like substance as they were the night we ate there!

[JLK]

La Tomate (Dupont) had a piano player the one time I ate there, maybe two months ago. I thought the food was awful, personally, but a coworker just took her mother there and raved.

[Eric P]

I think there are cross-purposes here. TedE takes "piano bar" in the sense of a place with a piano player where customers sit around the piano and sing, as at Mr. Smith's. Does that happen at Kinkead's or the Prime Rib? I don't think so. In fact, I fervently hope not. Does the original poster really just mean a restaurant with someone playing the piano with no customers singing? If so, Marcel's comes to mind, but if Kinkead's is over the top for them, Marcel's would be way over the top.

Where is TedE?? Could not find it by Google. Thanks for the help

[TedE]

Where is TedE?? Could not find it by Google. Thanks for the help

Mr. Smith's of Georgetown

I probably misunderstood the OP's goal. To me "piano bar" is an interactive, sing-along joint like Mr. Smith's. I really don't know what I'd call the other type; piano lounge?

[The Hersch]

Where is TedE?? Could not find it by Google. Thanks for the help

I fear you misapprehend my remark. "TedE" was the poster who suggested Mr. Smith's, which has a sing-along type of piano bar. TedE is not an establishment featuring such entertainment. But you've never clarified what it is you're looking for. A place that has a piano player, or a place that has a piano player and encourages the customers to sing?

[Mrs. B]

Bombay Club has had a background showtune/standards (but not sing-a-long) piano player in the past. Might suit if they are a bit adventurous (or British). I find the setting and the service impeccable and the price won't necessarily kill.

[DonRocks]

Where is TedE?? Could not find it by Google. Thanks for the help

This is sorta funny.

And dim! Jeez, Eric P ... thank goodness you aren't my accountant.

Oh, wait a minute...

[mtwright72]

The Alpine on Lee Highway in Arlington has (or at least had) a piano player in their bar on Wednesday evenings. Definitly an old school vibe (the piano player is around 90).

[squidsdc]

While it's too late for the original poster, I noticed today's Weekend section of the Post has a listing of "piano rooms" in case anyone else may be interested.

[susantf]

The Morrison House in Old Town does have a piano bar with a wonderful player. And the setting is lovely. However, a crowd gathers around the piano to sing show tunes, so it's not a quiet event. If your mother likes old show tunes sung by sometimes very good singers (professionals and semi-professionals do show up to just have fun), then go for it. Oh, and the bar does some very good drinks. It's sort of elegant and eventful all at once. My Broadway loving pals seemed to just love it.

[pax]

...does anyone know of a piano bar in the Bethesda/Rockville/White Flint area? With decent nibbles?

[dirtymartini]

Could be closed for years but, there used to be a really decent one called James the 3rd at Randolff and 355 in a hotel or something.

[goldenticket]

Check this thread - there are a few places in Maryland mentioned (not sure if the info is still current).

[goldenticket]

The Morrison House in Old Town does have a piano bar with a wonderful player. And the setting is lovely. However, a crowd gathers around the piano to sing show tunes, so it's not a quiet event. If your mother likes old show tunes sung by sometimes very good singers (professionals and semi-professionals do show up to just have fun), then go for it. Oh, and the bar does some very good drinks. It's sort of elegant and eventful all at once. My Broadway loving pals seemed to just love it.

Well, the drinks are still good, but the Broadway piano bar thing isn't what it used to be. Apparently singing now only happens on Thursdays - the source of much grumbling from the many regular (and talented) singers. Piano still goes on Friday and Saturday nights and the new policy is being tried out on a month-by-month basis. It is a shame, since the ambience was great, but if folks ain't drinking/eating one can certainly understand the larger (corporate Kimpton) forces at work in this decision. Add the fact that the space has competing uses - quiet, upscale dining room AND raucous lounge - and you've got some tricky wickets to manage. Sure to be more Old Town-scale drama to follow as this plays out

UPDATE: The piano bar late of Morrison House appears to have been reincarnated at the lounge upstairs from Bistrot Lafayette Friday and Saturday nights starting at 9:30pm. All the old Morrison House regulars were there last night, along with the piano player - show tunes were abundant . The setting isn't quite as sophisticated as it was at the Morrison House, but there's no conflict with diners or anyone else. It's all about the singing! Not sure what's going on at the Morrison House these days - will have to check that out...