- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar
Categories: Nightlife Bars Sports Bars Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Sports Bars, Music Venues [Edit]
315 2nd Ave S(between Main St & Jackson St)
Seattle, WA 98104
Neighborhood: Pioneer Square
(206) 839-1300
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 5 pm - 2 pm
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
54 reviews for 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar
Review Highlights
-
"The pianists are great, singing and piano playing skills." In 5 reviews -
"...am having my sisters bachelorette party there and they have..." In 2 reviews -
"There is a cover charge around $7, so make sure you bring..." In 3 reviews
Loading...
54 reviews in English
-
Review from Lucas B.
Seattle, WA
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Apparently we went when there was a sounders game; it was packed. Luckily we scored some seats at the bar which is on the opposite side from the stage. There's not a bad seat in the house.
The pianists are hilarious, no filter on these guys though.. and it's awesome! Don't go here if you're easily offended. They had a couple birthdays and I'd quote the songs they made up but the $15 buckets fogged my memory.
The songs are all over the place, I love classic rock and they had plenty of it! I requested "turn the page" by Bob Segar and the pianist asked me something about getting head that I didn't really catch.. I responded "Man, I'm from Oklahoma.. We don't swing that way." and he proceeded to make a joke about it to everyone before playing my request.
Seating is limited and there was a $10 cover. Don't let that scare you away though this place is kick ass.Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 5/16/2012
Thank-You Lucas ! We try to insure a GREAT Time By All ! We… More » -
Review from Marilyn V.
Seattle, WA
3/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
I came here last weekend where the first leg of a bachelorette party started. The organizer thought it would be a great place to complete the "bachelorette scavenger hunt." (And it was.) It was also St. Patrick's day, so the experience may have also seemed a bit more "wild" than usual. It was also the day of the Sounders game, so there were tons of Sounder fans there. (Go Sounders!)
It was really packed when we arrived. We stood for awhile, because there was no where to sit. We also stood at the bar waiting to order drinks for, what felt like forever, since there were only 2 bartenders. The music was super entertaining, so at least that was a plus. We finally got a table and the waitress was great. She was super busy, but still on top of things and held her composure well. All in all, it just felt like a dirty sports bar, with dueling pianos on stage (and drunk girls dancing on top of it). I didn't feel like this place was special enough to come back for a second visit.Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 3/20/2012
Thank-You for your review ! Yes Saturday was very BUSY !… More » -
Review from Jermey E.
Kirkland, WA
12/17/2011
88 Keys is a blast! This was the first Piano Bar I have ever been to and the experience was amazing. Great food, great drinks, and hilarious pianists! The vibe of the entire bar when we went was loud, fun, and random. From singing Journey to hilarious songs made up about people in the audience.
The place feels like a dive-y sports bar but it only adds to the charm. The bartenders are fast and polite, and our waitress was amazing. Also some of the nicest bouncers I have meet for a Seattle bar.Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 12/18/2011
Thank - YOU !!! We aim to have fun all the time ! We are… More » -
Review from Anjo F.
Seattle, WA
3/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
I came here about 5 or 6 yrs ago on a whim after a comedy show in the area. It was packed, the pianists were brilliant... they pretty much played anything-goes...huge range. The 2nd time I came here was 2 months ago on a Friday night. It was pretty dead and the pianists' range was, well... not as wide. I don't know what happened or if it was just a particularly off weekend night (it certainly wasn't early when we went), but the first visit was tons more fun than the second. Drinks were great all the way around! Perhaps I'll give it another go in the future.... 3rd times a...ya know. Hopefully.
Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 3/30/2012
Thanks For The Review ! We Here At 88 KEYS Sure Hope You… More » -
Review from Brad R.
3/13/2012
Some friends and I recently stopped by this place for the end of the Urban Beer Hunt celebration party. It was a fairly large venue and with all wooden floors and large wooden bar. It had a big stage for the piano guy and his charisma really carried the party. Everyone showed up in costume, so that really livened up the place. While the service was great the food and beers were just average at best. My biggest complaint was plastic cups and plastic pitchers! Really. What are we 2 years old. I can't stand drinking out of plastic. The pitchers reminded me of something out of a Shakey's pizza from the 80s after a kids softball practice. Doubt I'll be going back anytime soon unless I'm shitfaced after a Sounders game... which is highly possible.
Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 3/13/2012
Brad - Thank-You for your review- We always love to see the… More » -
Review from Carolyn M.
Auburn, WA
3/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wasn't real happy with my experience there this evening. I understand it was very busy as it was St Patricks day but I don't feel things were handled very well. Went out for a birthday party with a large group. Had a reservation and when we got there early like we were asked we were given the run around then were treated poorly for finding our own seats. Then the bill was all 25 people put on one credit card. When others asked to start a tab they were told not to worry about it so when it was time to pay it wasn't handled well and everyone paid that was suppose to and were double charged for things. I understand it was busy in there but wish things had been handled differently.
Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 3/22/2012
Thank-You for your review- Yes with St Paddy;s Day And… More » -
Review from Daren D.
10/16/2011 3 photos
This was a thoroughly pleasant experience. It was late night after work, and I'm feeling spontaneous. It was pretty quiet & dim when I walked in. The bouncer/host was totally napping; I tapped the counter to wake big dude up. I take a seat at the bar...
the lights come---kind of like how Sam walked into the TRON arcade after all those years and the lights lit up the place. =D (sans the noise)
Justin, the bartender that night, was an awesome gentleman and crafty mixer. He made me 2 good drinks not listed. See pics. 1 was good. The 2nd was niiiice. Really cool and even handed me 2 Free Admission cards for 2 to upcoming shows. Will have to come back to try the food and a show.Listed in: After-hours Nibbling & Sipping
Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 10/27/2011
We Love 88 KEYS But We Love YOU More !! Thank-You ! More » -
Review from Dave L.
Seattle, WA
11/14/2011
I hosted an event here back in April, and my group of 150+ had an amazing time. Great staff. The Piano Man is excellent, and so is Bobby, the guy at the front door.
I host a good amount of events in Seattle where dozens to several hundred people show up, so I get all sorts of feedback from everyone about what has gone wrong, and I also spend a lot of time with the staff. It is rare for us to leave a place without a single complaint. But 88 Keys is one of those places.Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 4/3/2012
thank-you !!!!!!!!!! More » -
Review from Windy S.
10/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
I did not come here during the Dueling Pianos. We came here to prefunk for a Seahawks game. Since it was a few blocks off the main surroundings of Centurylink Stadium it was a little less busy and easier to find a place to sit, watch football and have a drink.
Drinks weren't cheap but they had the cute Jagermeister girls out promoting and getting people to do Jager shots, which was fun. We ordered the BLT with Fries, okay for bar food standards.
I would come here again before a Seahawk game, mostly to avoid the mass crowds at the bars right around the stadium.Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 10/27/2011
Thanks ! We are Always Open Before And After All Sporting… More » -
Review from Cody S.
2/24/2011
I honestly wish this place would go back to the old 'Howling At The Moon' days.
This place could be alot better. I remember coming here when there were over a half dozen musicians ready to entertain everyone. Then, no musician or server was obnoxious and everyone loved to try to get their song on the que. No longer. The good musicians have went elsewhere and the the place has obviously gone downhill.
It was always a treat to thank the firehall next door.....Listed in: My Favourite Seattle…
-
Review from Michelle F.
Seattle, WA
3/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have mixed feelings about this place. Let me explain, based on my three trips here...
THE WAITER: Awesome, friendly, prompt.
THE WAITRESS: Seemed to forget what she was doing a lot, including forgetting about me (and drinks at our table)
THE HEAD BARTENDER: Fixed our bill when we complained that it was messed up, and gave us a shot as a way of saying, "Thanks, come back." Bonus points for that.
THE FOOD: It's okay. Below par, really. Definitely bar fare, of the "meh" caliber. Now I know not to order it unless I'm already drunk and don't care.
THE DRINKS: Prices seem somewhat expensive for well drinks, and they're not heavy pours. I ended up ordering beer because I didn't want to keep throwing money away.
THE SPACE: Fairly clean, open. Great for piano shows.
THE DUELING PIANOS SHOW: Awesome. They were lots of fun, and even did Bohemian Rhapsody for us after much prodding. NOT an easy song!!!! It was fabulous.
To sum it up.... I would come back, but only for the piano show. I would not drink liquor, but beer instead, and only order food if I was drunk and starving. -
Review from Emily S.
12/7/2011
I hate writing negative reviews for places I only attended because of an event I was invited to, but here goes: if my dear friend hadn't decided to host a portion of her engagement party here, I would have (a) not gone in the first place (b) left within 10 minutes of arriving if I did come here.
The music was too loud (can't talk to people without yelling in their ears all night), the drinks were not better than anyplace on the Ave in the University District (that is a looooow bar!) and were too expensive for their taste/quality, one of the dueling pianists was a completely sleazy "make you feel uncomfortable just by looking at you" kind of guy, who was also taking pictures of random girls at the bar, and THEN the dueling pianists didn't play the song I requested for my friend (somewhat tacky in its own right, but at least one she liked and wanted to dance to), and instead played her a raunchy and completely inappropriate tribute song they made up - she was embarrassed, I felt totally awful for suggesting she go up and dance to a song of her choosing in the first place. And, yeah, I guess I should have probably figured that that might happen based on its proximity to the Stadiums (drunk sports fans probably make up the bulk of their patrons)...luckily she doesn't hold it against me. I'm still never going back.Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 3/22/2012
I have sent you a private message- I hope it was a way of… More » -
Review from Ann W.
12/21/2010
The male pianist was completely obnoxious, perverted, and not one bit funny. It really disgusted me how he made objectifying and sleazy comments to patrons. But the amount of alcohol that the crowd was knocking back, nobody seemed to mind except for the sober people (me and S).
S and I had a deal through Living Social, which is why we ended up at this place. $25 for 2 cover fees and 2 entrees. The food was not good, as to be expected from a "piano and sports bar" in Pioneer Square. Vegetables were frozen and then microwaved... steak was overcooked and dry. Lesson learned: never order steak at a non-steak restaurant, especially not a BAR! Duh, Ann!
The waitress was rude. S doesn't drink and I don't drink often, and the waitress had a huge problem with us not ordering drinks. We were totally content with our waters... what's the big deal? She slammed our credit card down on the table when we were leaving. Tacky.
I do not recommend going to this place unless you are totally drunk and don't mind eating frozen microwaveable meals or putting up with a perverted middle aged man singing oldies. -
Review from Karl S.
Anchorage, AK
12/23/2011
Went there pre Seahawks game to chill out and quaff a few. The place was definitely in sports bar mode, no piano players to be seen. Service was prompt and polite even though the place was jammed packed. I've been to Pat O'Briens in New Orleans, so I'd give this a try for the piano bar.
Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 12/24/2011
Thanks Karl ! Most of the time we have pianos after a game !… More » -
Review from Adam B.
Seattle, WA
12/23/2011
Went for a friends birthday party. Had a great time! Good drinks, good deals, great staff. I'll definately be back!
Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 12/23/2011
Thanks Adam B !!! We Love 88 KEYS But We Love You MORE !!… More » -
Review from Sean R.
Issaquah, WA
9/15/2010
Other reviews are right. It's an obnoxious dirty mouth jingle piano bar that serves over trying bar food. I had beer so I can't rate how weak the drinks are like other reviewers. They do get a thumbs up for serving Stella draft which is hard to find thanks to competing Seattle micro brew fans.
Arrived on 9/11/10 at 7pm because we were starving from visiting Pioneer Square. The bouncer wants $10 each and the place was 2/3rd empty! I admit that I've never been to a dueling piano bar but I had just heard from word of mouth that 88 keys was a good neighborhood hangout. I asked why a cover at SEVEN PM? Bouncer says "because there is a show tonight". I looked around and said "where??", which probably sounded ignorant but hey it was dead inside. And he said ohh later in 30 minutes. I said "man we are just here for a bite to eat not for a show" and I turned towards the door. Show or not, I was not going to pay to enter a restaurant when our main focus was to find a bite to eat.
The bouncer mumbled something like hey just come in. So basically, they are demanding an entrance fee and then waiving it if you object. I think that speaks volumes of the nerve of some joints to ask for cover when they have slow demand. So that kind of irked me.
We were told we had to sit at a hightop towards the back. That's fine, wasn't anyone on stage to begin with and again that's not what lured us into the place. Next thing I know this big guy named Dino walks over. I thought he was just a friendly bloke on his way to the restroom. He introduced himself and wanted to know where we were from. I think he'd already spoken to the bouncer about us and we prolly looked like newbies anyway. I couldn't figure out if he was hired help, owner, manager, or what. But then he snapped the attention of a waitress and told her to take good care of us for the rest of our stay. She was great and polite and kept up with all her busy tables.
I ordered chicken alfredo. It had great garlic bread but the alfredo was a complete miss. The noodles were swimming in green olive oil and by the time I finished my gut was growling and I felt a bit queasy. My friend had an Italian cheeseburger, he said it was so bad that he wished that he never ate it because it was so bad. I dunno, just something wasn't right about it.
Well the show started at 830pm and its Dino himself. I didn't know he was one of the piano players. There were so many empty tables even with the show starting. So asking patrons for $10 cover at 7pm was a bit smug. I watched the door as some patrons would turn to leave only to be told they could come in without cover too so I felt justified that other patrons felt the same.
My Stella was good and the interaction with the crowd was a great experience. It was very juvenile but relaxed. People were paying bids to have their mildly naughty sayings written up on the mirrors like "I prefer your hardwoods over carpet".
The female blonde singer had some great pipes and the former male AI contestant as well. A few birthday songs and bachelorette tribute songs were performed. They really kept the table crowd entertained. Later on we ordered stuffed jalapeno peppers. The peppers were huge and the breading was great, however, I couldn't eat them because they were so damn scoville hot! They didnt have much cream cheese filling to them. The homemade fries were good and seem to be cooked in peanut oil. I paid our tab and off we went at 1030pm.
I will go back someday but they should reconsider the cover fee and/or charge it at 10pm, not at 7pm when people are seeking food not a dance cover. What we spent in food and drinks waiting for a show with a late start should overrule a silly $10 entrance fee at 7pm! -
Review from Heather S.
Seattle, WA
9/25/2010
I've been here a few times, thanks to some free tickets on craigslist. My first time I was super excited to go, since I'd never been to a dueling piano bar before. I didn't even really know what one was. I went on a Friday night, and got there in time for the comedy show. It wasn't too bad, the comedians were funny, but nothing to run and tell my friends about.
We ordered off of the menu, some appetizer sampler, and it was alright, but again nothing to run and tell my friends about. The piano show was good, they took suggestions from the audience, and about a half hour after the piano show started the place was pretty packed.
The second time I went was also because of free tickets on craigslist. This was a thursday night, and boy was that a mistake. There were only 7 people in the joint, including my boyfriend and myself. We ordered the same food as before, and it was just plain awful. Some mexi-american crap. I've heard that they've since changed the menu. The pianists played basically the same songs as before, despite the requests. So.. maybe they don't know how to play anything else? Who knows.
We ended up getting a voucher for 2 free admissions, since the place was so empty. I probably wouldn't go back if it weren't for that voucher and the free admissions - $10 cover charge is pretty insane.
The 3rd time I went the waitress was a complete wreck. She got 1/2 our drinks wrong, and then ended up double-charging us for some. And $10 for a small margarita is just plain robbery! When we asked for a jager bomb she just brought us 2 shots of jager. Incompetent. And then when we complained she brought a glass of monster to drop it into. It was just plain horrible. Also, the comedian for that night was the worst I have ever seen anywhere. She was completely drunk by the time she got on stage at 7pm, and was so crude. Every other word was F this and F that. Completely unnecessary. She only got a few laughs from the audience, but just kept going with the same crap.
Not sure if I'll go back.. the regular cover charge of $10 is pretty rediculous when they're raping you on the drinks at the same time. However if you don't mind spending your whole paycheck on a few bad drinks and awful greasy food, the pianists and singers are definitely great. -
Review from Carrie S.
1/23/2011
Lots of fun! This is a great place to go with your friends, on a date, or just for a fun night out! The service is good. The food is great! The performers are excellent, and very entertaining! I wouldn't go with, like, my grandma...cuz the jokes can get pretty adult themed. But I loved every minute of the show! Make sure you go on a Friday or Saturday night because those are the only nights they have the dueling piano shows.
The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because there is a $10 cover charge per person, and the drinks can get a little expensive (think...$6.50 for a vodka cranberry...in a very small glass). But if you don't mind spending a little bit of money, it's a great place to go! -
Review from A Q.
Seattle, WA
11/27/2011
We had a living social deal for 2 covers and 2 entrees. As required by the deal, we called Saturday morning and made reservations for a table for 2 at 8pm. We fought Apple Cup traffic and got there at 8 but were told they didn't have a table for us because they have a "credit card policy" that you have to give them a cc number and it costs $20 to reserve a table. We pointed to our reservation, clearly written in his reservation book, but he said that doesn't mean anything. We asked why no one had said anything about the cc policy when they took our reservation and he said it's not his problem. Very weird exchange. Confused and disappointed, we just left and got a refund from LS. Total fail.
ETA: The Manager called and apologized for the mix-up. He said that when they took our rez without a cc they didn't think they'd have a problem with running out of tables, but the pre-Apple Cup crowd stayed and they didn't have any tables when we got there. I appreciate that they followed up and will try again in the future. I am still not sure whether you really need to put a cc number down (and agree to a $20 charge) to actually hold a table. Inquire when you make a rez if you are concerned about it.Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 4/3/2012
I am so glad we talked on the phone the following Monday !… More » -
Review from David H.
Seattle, WA
2/12/2007
A Piano Bar!
A Sports Bar!
A Bona Fide Babe Magnet!...Huh?
Okay, here is how it goes:
Wife and I arrive at 88 Keys at 8pm, ready to have a few and meet a friend who is celebrating her birthday (our party paid $15 a head and in exchange we received reserved tables for 16 and a free drink each -standard cover was $5).
The piano show had already started, featuring one middle aged fella and one young buck. There is a bar area and a floor area and, obviously, a stage. The space is cavernous, but dull. There is really nothing sexy about it. Maybe by being both a piano and sports bar, they couldn't commit to a theme.
Moving on.
We sally up to the bar (bartender singing along with the piano-men):
Honey, "Ketel One Martini."
Me, "Jamison, rocks."
Bartender, "$18.25."
Okay, I am switching to pints.
The first couple tunes I heard were Dancing Queen and Like A Virgin, ("Okay, this is going to be a long night", I muse) performed by the young fella with the halfway decent warble. Strange. Soon enough, the older piano-man says, "Stop requesting chick songs, we're guys." He said it with a smile, so no offenses were taken. He is kinda like an annoying uncle, with a tendency to spout lines like "How's everybody doing out there tonight?", but he can play the mouth harp, too, so he gets a bit of respect.
The crowd at this time is a wonderfully diverse mixture of white people. Some with brown hair, some with blond. A blue eye here and a brown one over that way. There is a table singing along enthusiastically, and I see a few 40-somethings (most were younger folk) who appear very Kent (Definitely from the 253 or the 425) with mustaches and little fashion sense. There is also a table full of babes sitting in the table closest to the stage (Gentlemen, make a move to the table of ladies drinking alone). Aside from this GROUP of gals, there seems to be an abundance of females...good news, guys!
As the night went on, learned a lot, such as:
- Humans love sing alongs, and piano-men encourage it (and, no, I will not join in to belt out the chorus of Love Potion # 9, thank you very much).
- The table full of young women were Alpha Phis (for a dollar and up the audience can pay to have the musicians write something cute, like "Alpha Phis on Top" on the big mirror).
- The older piano man wants to be Billy Joel.
- The longharied piano man, who joined the duo at 8:30, rocks (he kicked ass on my request, November Rain).
- These three "piano men" can transform into a three piece band (bass and drums) if the song requires it (which is pretty fucking cool).
- Apparently, after a few, I will yell "Buh, Buh, Buh" when signing along with Sweet Caroline.
- Three inch yellow heels are not that hot, even if you are in a sorority.
- Being a white boy while playing piano and singing Snoop Dog's Gin and Juice is very entertaining ("We don't love dem hoes").
Finally, if you go to 88 Keys on your birthday, the guys will bring you up on stage, help you atop a piano, and sing to you.
Not a bad time at all. -
Review from Denice M.
Seattle, WA
5/22/2007
Dark, dingy bar with a cover and full of either tourists or frat boys. $5.
Drunk, obnoxious bartender who finally pours you a very expensive drink. $10
Scrambled eggs literally strewn all across the bar because said drunk, obnoxious bartender hasn't gotten around to clean up customers' food plates. Priceless -
Review from Gavin N.
4/8/2008 1 photo
Came here Friday night around 11. Surprisingly found some nice free parking right across the street. So hey the evening starts off well. Go in $5 cover, very reasonable. The place is not quite packed, but it's not dead either. Anyway this was my second only experience with a Dueling Piano Bar...the first being Chopstix. I actually enjoyed myself here a lot more. The crowd didn't seem as rowdy as Chopstix, but the place seemed more intimate and that pianists seemed to connect more with the crowd (like have people come up from some tables sit, and get made fun of for a song or two).
I think my favorite lines were used on my friend Megan was:
Rich girls use cotex
Poor girls use sheets
But not Meghan
She just leaves trails on the streets
Yeah that made for a good laugh. Anyway it might have been due to the smaller crowd that night, but service was lightning fast, and they always came by to check on you...I guess it's a necessity to have drunk people in a dueling piano bar, but nothing against good service. They even gave all the tables some free chips and salsa at one point in the night...free food..hell yeah.
Last, but not least. They have some phrase of the night thing (shown in the picture) where it starts at $1 and every new phrase costs an extra buck...or if you tip $50 they keep the phrase up all night. Anyway it's a good way to punk your friends for a couple bucks.
~G -
Review from Allison F.
Seattle, WA
9/27/2009
The stars are strictly for the service, which was excellent, and the band that was playing when I first arrived.
The drinks were really weak. This is not a good sign at a bar.
The "comedy" was sad. Everyone in the place seemed to be in general agreement, but was nice enough not to boo the guy off stage. -
Review from Matthew G.
Union City, NJ
4/4/2010
Go somewhere else if you plan to eat.
Went there before a Sounders game and our group got wings, fish & chips, and a cheesesteak. Only the cheese steak was edible and we had to have the other 2 taken off the bill. Even the fries were soggy. And what kind of sports bar doesn't have at least decent wings?
This food is definitely bought frozen and microwaved. The drinks are fine, but the food should be avoided. -
Review from Stevi C.
Seattle, WA
7/9/2010
I saw a burlesque show here, and while it was definitely hard for the performers to work around the pianos onstage, I'm not rating the show or the venue's capacity to produce shows. I'm rating the food and booze.
Food: 88 Keys has some pretty sloppy Mexican food. Small chile rellanos that aren't spicy enough, and occasionally still have toothpicks inside to hold the stuffing in. The rice is dry and the beans are runny. At nearly $10 a plate, it seems overpriced for the quality.
Booze: Good beer selection, moderate cocktail strength.
The Dueling Pianists that played post-burlesque were pretty good, though. -
Review from Betsey S.
1/2/2008
I'm not a huge dueling-piano bar kinda girl (exception: Christine S's bachelorette party, see my review for Chopstix) so lucky for me, 88 Keys is in Sports Mode when I go there.
Getting a beer before a Seahawks game can be a daunting task if you aren't tailgating - FxMcRory's? Packed. Sluggers? Forget it. Tiki Bob's? No, just no. 88 Keys not only has room for you, but there might even be a place for you to set your drink and possibly even your ass! AND they have buckets of 5 Miller Lites for $12. Done and done. Now if something could only be done about the Qwest Field Eight Dollar Beer Beverage Situation. -
Review from helen t.
Seattle, WA
12/21/2008 1 photo
I've been to this place twice, and loved it both times.
Of course, you need to be the kind of person that likes dueling pianos, karaoke, making a fool of yourself etc etc.
The performers here are great at getting the crowd going and had a decent singing voice. It's a big venue with lots of room for your friends.
And I was there today for Santacon/Santicon, that's quite an experience I gotta tell ya. Singing dirty jingles with 100 people dressed up in Santa suits? You just can't beat that, :) -
Review from Law P.
Seattle, WA
5/31/2009
I was really looking forward to coming to this place. I had been to a couple dueling piano bar places in Cali, but never up here in Seatown. I guess all I can say was that I was disappointed.
Maybe I was expecting too much, but the chicken enchiladas I ordered was a tad bit better than eating a Hungry Man frozen meal of enchiladas. My personal test of a Mexican place is by the enchiladas it serves, these were easily the absolute worst examples of such I've ever had. The menu is uninspired, don't ever eat at a place that looks like it has to serve food to please the masses. PLEASE, if you know what's good for you, go eat dinner somewhere else before the piano fun starts.
The server was fair, it looked like he had a lot on his place and was running around covering all his tables in a timely manner.
As for the main reason you would be going to a place like this, in general the piano skills of the guys are pretty damn good, but their singing voices amount to little more than talking loudly and in rhythm. Sometimes their singing and the volume of it will drive you to cover your ears it's so piercing. I got tired of it real quick. The "clever" dirty songs are so lame, it reminded me of songs we made up on the school bus in 7th grade.
Everyone looks like they're having a good time here, but I just didn't get into it. I think you have to be close to or just beyond the point of being shitfaced to really get into it. After 88 Keys, I'm gonna see how Chopstix is. -
Review from Patrick B.
San Francisco, CA
5/9/2007
I came here with a couple friends for something to do to end the night and I was amazed at how much fun it was. I've been to several other piano bars over the years and despite the sparse crowd here on the night I went, everyone was pretty fired up and ready to enjoy the night.
There were 3 pianists for the night and all of them were amazingly talented (from my non-piano-playing POV). They all put down some great songs and got the crowd going. From old standards to newer songs, each of the pianists knew his material and put his own twist on it.
Highly recommended. -
Review from Paul T.
West Seattle, Seattle, WA
7/23/2011
The musicians are great! The service is slow. My phone died, the manager said the bartender had an iPhone charger, the bartender wanted $5 to charge my phone enough to call a cab. Whatever happened to customer service? Go to Chopstix instead.
-
Review from Jacquelyn Y.
Bremerton, WA
7/10/2011
The group I was with put 2 requests (with tip) in and one was rejected and the other was played for a completely different person. Not impressed with the piano players. They just aren't good or funny.
-
Review from Dennis C.
Olympia, WA
8/1/2011
Have gone there a few times before Sounders games. They haven't gotten one order correct. Perhaps the staff (wait and kitchen) gets overwhelmed when the place is packed. The last time we went there, they double charged our debit card (once for the correct amount and the second with the marginal tip included). We didn't realize it until a couple days later looking at our bank account online. It took several calls and three weeks for our account to to be credited. Inexcusable.
The beer selection is very good. The food we've been served correctly is adequate to accompany alcohol, but the fries are excellent.
Can't comment on the dueling pianos as we have not seen it, and won't because we won't go back. I really wanted to like it as it's a good atmosphere for a pre-game drink with friends. -
Review from Sarah G.
Fullerton, CA
6/14/2009
Went here last night, Saturday, with Hubby and two friends. We had a blast! The pianists are great, singing and piano playing skills.
I deduct two stars because the drinks were the weakest I have ever had. Someone in our party ordered a Long Island Iced Tea and it tasted like water. I had a vodka tonic, and it tasted like tonic with lime. After we ordered our second round of drinks, we mentioned to our server that our drinks were very weak. She apologized and explained that the bartender was new and she even thought he wasn't very good. So, she made our next round of drinks... oh man! Those were the strongest drinks I have ever had!! So I give back one star because our server was super friendly and corrected a situation when we mentioned it to her.
The only food we ordered was chips and salsa as we had been at a bbq earlier in the day. The chips were very tasty and the salsa was spicy, which I love!
I did not look at the food menu, so I don't know about the prices or selection. I probably would only come here for the entertainment and drinks anyway. Even before we started drinking, we were having a blast watching the pianists.
88 Keys gets four stars because the service was awesome and the entertainment was great! -
Review from Tarah M.
2/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
If I had to rate my experience at this place solely on the amount of laughs I had based on the company I was with, I would surely give this place 4 stars. I did laugh a lot and had quite a time, but I think it was because we made our own experience when the laughs dwindled with the entertainment provided by 88 keys.
We purchased livingsocial coupons for this place and we were thankful that they acknowledged all 3 of our coupons and allowed us to dine at the same table, as most places usually only accepts 1 coupon per table. Our coupon included free entry as well 2 dinner entrees. Because they were serving a buffet-style dinner, we were pleased..until we heard that you only get to do one go-around through the buffet line. That was a new one I had never heard before regarding buffet dinner. Anyway, the food was meh so I gladly stuck to my one trip through. Mac and cheese was too greasy for my taste, salad soggy, rolls dry. Blech.
What really killed the mood for this place was how weak their drinks were. The atmosphere itself was kind of sleazy and dive-y, which is fine as long as I can get stiff enough drinks to help coax me to accept the grease appeal. Dive places usually appeal to me because of that very concept: sketchy atmosphere = stiff drink. $5 Long Island Ice Teas should have given me a moderate buzz, if not keel me over due to my lightweight tolerance. This was not the case as I downed that thing. Luckily, the bartender was willing to give us an extra shot of vodka, but considering the extras, it was still pretty weak. After about 4 shots for the each of us, we finally started feeling happy, but felt jipped of both alcohol and money. This was also demonstrated when our server messed up our bill and accidentally charged another tab with ours. After much hounding, she finally realized her error and adjusted both her attitude and our bill.
The entertainment was mediocre, at best. I know the pianists tried to liven the crowd, but hell, with weak drinks, none of us were laughing at his jokes. They need to realize that the crowd will probably have a better time if 1) they're liquored up, 2) the jokes are funny and apply to a younger crowd, and 3) music played will match the generation that occupied the seats in that establishment. I love old-school butt-rock as much as the next, but song after song being sung off-key by the gentleman playing the piano tends to get boring after awhile. The highlight of the night was when part of our group was called up on stage to be ridiculed. We giggled like hyenas and left in search of funner times in Pioneer Square. -
Review from Wesley A.
Denver, CO
1/8/2011
Amazing bar Near Quest Field to watch sport or listen to live piano!! If you are a Seahawks you will love this bar.
-
Review from Chrissy L.
Auburn, WA
5/23/2011
A friend invited us to go here, it was a place I had been interested in going to and for that I thank her for the opportunity.
There was no pricing on the drinks menu's which should have set alarm bells off but I was determined to have a good time.
One guy working there sweeping floors was full of fun so I offered to buy him a "well" drink. Jameson? @ $8??? I think not my friend.
The bar bill (drinks only) for two of us came to $80!!!
So, thanks for the experience, but neither I, nor my wallet can cope with another visit. -
Review from Diane S.
Mercer Island, WA
10/17/2011
Very fun bartenders, great drinks and great music. Even if you go just in a small group you will have a great time. They play all sorts of music and the Bartenders make all sorts of fun drinks. Ask for a the Brazilian drinking they make called the little hobo, so good!
Comment from michael F. of 88 Keys Dueling Piano And Sports Bar 10/27/2011
Thank-YOU ! Hope To See You Again Real Soon ! More » -
Review from Amanda T.
Post Falls, ID
10/23/2010
2 star rating purely on the performances by the piano crew. If this review was based on just the service and food then it wouldn't even deserve a star. Food took an hour and a half to get. Waitress was inattentive and kept promising our food was on its way. Definitely not worth the $10 cover charge. I wish I could take back this entire evening.
-
Review from Ian B.
1/9/2010
I came here with some friends from the Seattle Spanish Society. It's basically two dueling piano dudes singing their tunes back and forth...some more risque sexual innuendo stuff, some popular tunes (like Journey's "Don't Stop Believing"), and some things that make you think outside of the box...like a dude singing Whitney Houston. Later in the evening, the waiters clear the tables and it turns more into a dance club with songs ranging from AC/DC to R&B songs. A couple women from our group didn't care for the risque songs and left early, but, if you can get past that...this place can be a lot of fun and draws an interesting and diverse crowd. The cover was $10. I enjoyed myself and would go back...
-
Review from Sean M.
Edmonds, WA
3/13/2007
I read David's review and had to see a piano man sing Gin and Juice for myself. It was everything and more then I hoped for. While I was there I saw two different bachelorette parties about about 3 birthdays. Drinks where pricey as David stated, and not very strong. Service was hit and miss with the waitress either ignoring us or forgetting about us until later in the night. I best part for was was requesting songs to see if they would get played. It really was alot of fun for a group of people. Not a place I would go regularly, but once in a while it can be great fun.
