Brandy's Piano Bar

Surprisingly, there are not a lot of piano bars in NYC. Coming from Vermont where no piano bars exist to my knowledge, I was really excited to have my pick, but the pickings were slim! Based on the reviews of this little bar, my girlfriend and I decided to check it out. What a find! The bar is tiny and cramped, and you have to get there at a reasonable time to get a good seat, but there is no cover charge and the drinks were pretty good for a cheaper than average NYC price. The only request they have is that you tip the piano player, and buy at least 2 drinks per set. The sets are long so I found this to be very reasonable. It is an old building and a cramped space, with the bathroom being the smallest i've been in in a while, so don't expect a fancy, cleanly layed out place. Its a bit rough but that adds to the character and charm of it.

The waitress and bartenders were very helpful and even sang some fabulous tunes while the pianist played away. We had a relativity new pianist to the bar, but watching him play was very entertaining and he didn't skip a beat when requests were coming at him from every direction. There were only a few songs requested that he didn't know (He stated that "I will learn these! Promise!")
Every genera was covered and no popular song was left unplayed. Everyone sang along and the comradery felt in the place was amazing. We ended up staying there for pretty much the whole night. Made some great new friends while we sang and cheered along.

The bar has been there for a long time, and the regulars there are very friendly and supportive of visitors. We felt very welcomed and had a great time. Definitely a gem and we will go again on our next visit to NYC. I recommend stopping in and hearing a few tunes at the least! You won't be disappointed.

On a recent trip to NY, my friend pitched the idea of going to Brandy's, and WOW am I happy I picked this for our Saturday evening! It was a PHENOMENAL evening! Live music starts at 9:30 pm, but you'll definitely want to go early to get a seat. My friends and I got there around 8:30 pm and had the pick of almost any table, so we picked a corner table and enjoyed a happy hour drink while we chatted. I will note that if you want to chat, definitely plan to get that done before the music starts, as the decibel level shoots up at 9:30 and talking becomes a no-go. By the time music starts, the place is packed though (and they do enforce the maximum number of people allowed inside), so be prepared to wait outside if you come later in the evening.

Music started, and I immediately knew we were in for a treat. The pianist (John, I believe) was incredible - clearly a master pianist and also great at interacting with the crowd. The music selection was varied, but almost all are songs that most people knew and could sing along to. The musicians all take requests (with tips), but are great about playing popular songs in between requests. Everyone was singing and laughing - impeccable atmosphere!

In addition to the pianist, the waitstaff also sings! The main waitress the night we went (Lauren) sang several songs and was sooooo good! Also, just on a logistical level, she was a GREAT server - took all orders without notes and didn't miss anything, helped people pay quickly, and did it all with loud music and minimal space to move around. A true icon. The bartender (Bobby) also sings wonderfully! Overall, a super fun, unique vibe to have all the staff be performers as well.

There is a two drink minimum after the music starts, but it's easy to hit that since you won't want to leave once the music starts! My friends and I stayed until about midnight and they were still going strong when we left (apparently they keep playing until like 3:00 am!) They do pass a tip jar around (they also take Venmo), but it's honestly not annoying because there is no cover charge for getting in and it's clear that all the musicians [1] are very talented pros, and [2] love what they do and its infectious. The only downside is that the bathroom is TINY and you basically have to stand right up against the people sitting at their tables while you wait to enter the mini-bathroom. Minus that though, couldn't ask for a better time! Can't wait to be back next time I'm in town!

I almost don't want to write this review in order to keep this place my little secret, but it's too cool not to share, and makes me look like I always go to fun places and do hip things.

My main man Phil and I swan in during the most crowded time and get a primo seat on the banquet by the pianist, like that continuous shot out of Good Fellas. Only without me having to flush cocaine down a toilet at the end of the night.

The place is small and they pack in an eclectic crowd. Some older folks, some younger folks and some in the sweet spot of 40-something like myself. I knew every song that was played and thank God singing along is encouraged because boy did I ever!
The sets are impressively long,with various bartenders and waitstaff taking a turn to sing. Everyone is crazy talented and it's a pleasure to listen (sing) to them.

The service is prompt and attentive with a decent pour. There were a surprising number of small groups of friends at the tables, so don't let the size of the place stop you. You'll get in even on a Saturday night during lovely "I have to get out of my house!" weather. If not, just come back later. It's a great way to end a night out. So much fun!

I have been to Brandy's several times when visiting NYC. It's such a blast, but check to make sure Jennifer Pace isn't one of the waitstaff vocalists. She's rude to customers, ignores drink orders, is super condescending and won't sing songs after being tipped. Owen, the pianist, was great!

We try to visit bars with gay history anytime we vacation. And Brandy's did not disappoint.

They are friendly to everyone! It is a small venue but when we went on a Sunday night it wasn't crowded. We sat at the bar but there were tables available.

The drink price wasn't bad. And the bartender was awesome. It was an awesome environment. The pianist was excellent and the interactions among patrons was awesome. There were some amazing singers who stopped in. I highly recommend making Brandy's a part of your life.

I went to Brandy's on NYE with four friends, and overall was a nice fun night.

We got there at 8:30 pm to catch a good table, since they don't take reservations and there are not many tables. Usually there is no cover charge, but on NYE you have to pay $10, which give you a party hatband/hat and a glass of champagne at midnight.

We ordered few bottles of champagne and few other drinks. The pianist was ok; he was fun but didn't want to experiment too much in song he didn't know. He also had an iPad where he download notes (I miss old music-books and artists who memorized songs!)

The two bartenders who joined him for few songs were talented: a redhead lady and a young guy. We had a good time, but the all night was "ruined" by the redhead waitress who follow us outside the bar to complained we didn't gave her enough tips. She was a tornado, really upset, yelling at us. I think we did fine, the usual 20%, plus my boyfriend previously paid with a good 25% on drinks at the bar.

Beside this upsetting moment, it's definitely a nice piano bar to try on, and have a good time.

SUCH a fun place! This venue is TINY, so make sure if you want to have a seat at a table you come immediately - like 830PM. No Joke. It quickly becomes standing room only once the piano bar starts up (around 930PM).

We came promptly at 830pm on a Friday night and were able to get a nice set of chairs / tables for a group of 6. Disclaimer: Brandy's typically does NOT seat groups larger than 5 simply because they do not have the space. So be strategic about how you phrase your seating requests ;)

Once the pianist starts, they require a 2-drink minimum. It does NOT have to be an alcoholic drink however, with they do not advertise. :) The table area does have waitress service once the show starts, and all of the staff are pleasant and friendly - and they frequently join the pianist for performances in the "stage" area. I have heard some nights the staff are different and less pleasant... downright rude. I have not had this experience, although the "bouncer" seems to always have some sort of an attitude so tread carefully with him.

Because of this bar's history, they focus a LOT on Broadway and show tunes. It started as a gay bar and it remains a gay influenced bar - so let's not go acting shocked here, people!

It's an alright place to go for a little while, have a few drinks and listen to some music. The place is pretty crowded on a late Friday/Saturday night with really no place to sit. The pianist was great but the singing wasn't the best. If you're around the UES late night and want to just pop in for a few minutes go for it. Just be mindful of the crammed space and the average sounds. Plus side: one of the performers, did sing from "les mis" though - so if you can't afford the broadway show you can always hear her at Brandy's!

I'm so fortunate living right across the street from Brandy's piano bar, I'm becoming addicted to it, almost every night before to go to sleep, I go there x a glass of wine to enjoy the great music this talented people performance every night, from the pianist to the bartender and waitress, they not only sing beautifully but also entertained with jokes and request, making this place a unique best keep secret at upper east side!!!

We decided to check this place out because my friend had heard about it. The place is described as a whole in the wall, partly because its tiny with a huge black door--you wouldn't even really know what was going on there unless you knew the place.

There was no doorman, but when we opened the door, the place was packed with people. We stood by the door for a bit because there wasn't really anywhere to move. After awhile, we moved closer to the live pianist/singer. Then we managed to get some seats! I requested a song and my friends and I stayed there until about 2am.

The bartender/waitress also sing and the pianist is also an amazing singer. I was quite impressed and had a blast belting to some of my favorite oldies and "newies." The people who frequent this bar are older (late 20s/early 30s)... but as the night gets later, the crowd gets younger. The one thing that struck was that most of the people seemed really friendly--and what better way to meet some new people than over a shared interest in music.

We went in not knowing to expect, but I'm a big fan of people who can sing well and a friendly atmosphere. I'm giving it 4 stars because its a place that had to grow on you since you'd be surprised by how crowded it is.

First off: It's not a gay bar.

I enjoyed Brandy's. A bunch of us came here on a Sunday night looking for a place that was initmate but where it could handle our drunken loud and (sometimes) obnoxious behavior. Brandy's was the perfect place because the piano player accompanyist/singer, bartender, and waitress/cocktail singer were all seemingly drunk too. Or at least they acted that way.

We didn't care, we had lots of fun here. Although the accompanyist was a great pianist, his repertoire needs to be expanded a bit.

It didn't matter because we had lots of fun here on a, of all days, Monday Night.