Brandy's Piano Bar

Elite '08

30

71

Brianna S.

Phoenix, AZ

As we were walking by we heard someone belting out 80's to a piano with a really good voice and decided to pop in here.  This place is amazing, seriously one of the best places in the UES.

The performers are really talented, every single person in the bar was singing along and there was a huge mix of people here.  The bartenders get up on the bar and sing back up to some of the songs.  Overall this place is just a really, really good time.

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9

Dennis K.

Silver Spring, MD

Hopefully our experience there the Saturday before Christmas was unusual. This is reputed to be an all-types-friendly gay bar, but it was filled exclusively with drunk straight people, mostly young, with a lot of little girls shouting at one another about nothing but "oh my god!" Things started out fun but the volume just grew and grew and the quality of the entertainment dropped to the level of the crowd. The excellent pianist just resorted to playing sing-alongs everyone knew rather than playing anything interesting (the waitress inserted the occasional well-chosen tune). Unfortunately it looked like a lot of the yellers were also well known to the staff. I can imagine this being a very pleasant place on a school night.

Oh, re the setting: tiny, about 15 to 20 tables for two close together around the piano, with seating for maybe 10 at the bar and a rail behind the tables when things are full (it was packed). $33 for three coffees with Bailey's and a whiskey, no cover, so quite reasonable.

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2

Amy w.

New York, NY

Definitley a chick place, but if you like to sing really loud to your favorite songs then this is a great place for you

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Elite '08

51

143

Michael K.

New York, NY

The best bar I've seen on the Upper East Side.  So understated too.  Walking in the frigid winter cold, I look in the window, and see nothing but warmth and a good time.  I step inside.  I get immediate welcomes from patrons and bartenders.  It gets a little crowded though.  Well, a lot crowded.  You'd be lucky to have a seat at the bar, and sitting at the tables takes nothing short of divine intervention.  And speaking of divine, there's the bartenders.  Between serving it up for a room full of picky gay men and their fickle women-friends, they all manage to have a go at the mic and impress us all.  Most of the time, though, the pianist does the singing and takes requests for tips, so bring some extra cash if you wanna hear your favorites.

As far as gay bars go, this is definitely not a typical one.  Come with a date or alone, but don't expect to just pick someone up.  Brandy's also attracts quite a bit of straights as well, which really adds to the friendly community atmosphere.  Different singers come on each night during the week (except Mondays, their off-night), so try them all and pick your favorites!  Personally, I prefer the Saturday night crowd.  Finally, I have to also suggest Brandy's for their happy hour, before 9:30.  It's much quieter, drinks are cheap, and it's much easier to get to know the bartender and people around you.  Sunday is bingo night, woo!

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Elite '08

164

421

Lindsay K.

New York, NY

I'm scared that writing this review will blow up my spot, but I feel obligated to share the awesomeness that is Brandy's.

A whole in the wall off third avenue, my friend and I stopped in Brandy's one happy hour to find a nice bar tender pouring drinks for one patron.  The bar lined the back wall, and tables dotted the front of the room to surround a piano.  

The bartender chatted with us while he quietly sang along to the Dreamgirl's.  We lost track of time, the bar started to fill up, and by 8 he told us that he was signing off, and would give us the happy hour prices.  Why thank you, we said, and wondered where he was going...

Ladies, and gentlemen, I give you the best piano bar this side of Houston Street.  The piano player usually sings the best show tunes, the favorite sing alongs, and the greatest songs by Barbara ever written.

The crowd becomes your best friends, the bartender is mic'd and sings back up, and the cocktail waitress will put down her tray to belt out the best version of Preacher Son you've ever heard.  The rotating cast of piano players (a different star each night) will sing anything from  Cabaret to Rent, to Piano Man to Thunder Road.

This is my favorite bar on the upper east side.  Please do not ruin it for me. I'm talking about you, big obnoxious groups of straight girls... PLEASE!

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1

Julie L.

New York, NY

I love this bar, as does my mom.  We always go there when she is in town.  I heard a rumor that the bartenders are in charge of getting snacks and I've had everything from grapes to trail mix.  It's a lot of fun, even if you're going when the performers aren't playing.

I do have a word of caution, there is one waitress/singer who is not very pleasant at all.  I'm not sure of her name but she has a short dark pixie cut.  I arrived with my mom, her friend and two others and she was pretty rude to us even when we wanted to tip the piano player.

I would still highly reccomend this bar, its fun, you're guarenteed a good time, I just had a less than stellar experience with the waitress.

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