- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Sgt Pepper's Dueling Piano Cafe
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Music Venues, Bars [Edit]
91 S Pine AveLong Beach, CA 90802
(562) 499-4600
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 7 pm - 1 am
Fri-Sat 6 pm - 2 am
Sun 8 pm - 1 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
176 reviews for Sgt Pepper's Dueling Piano Cafe
Review Highlights
"I'm totally amazed by the talent that the pianists have."
(in 54 reviews)
"everyone was singing along with the pianists."
(in 13 reviews)
"Good times all around."
(in 8 reviews)
Loading...
176 reviews in English
-
Review from Belle N.
Anaheim, CA
1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
5/23/2011
Just met the Duke of this place! Hahaha he works there and mebbe cuz we recognized him he gave us a double shot of Patron instead of our single??
Really liked how lively it was inside and the sing along atmosphere! This is definitely a place we'd come back to with a larger group who doesn't mind singing outloud...LOL -
Review from Susana M.
1/27/2012
$7 cover, not bad. $35 dollar charge for birthday decorations which consisted of some strings and happy birthday signs on the table, no balloons. The 30s and up crowd wasnt my favorite since I am 25. Definitely no eye candy. Also, given that the crowd was much older, the song selection wasnt my favorite. Food is decent. Fries were extremely salty.
On to the good stuff, the pianists! WOW! The female vocalist was beyond amazing and hilarious! All the male vocalists were pretty good as well. Their drinks are pretty strong as well. I ordered the "ex boyfriend" martini - delish.
Anyways, I'll probably make a pit stop at this place next time I am in downtown Long Beach. I would not make it my event of the night. -
Review from Aaron F.
12/18/2011
I was here for a party bus stop and was inside for about 20 minutes.
My funny and embarrassing issue happened at the bar. You can laugh at me if you want which I did to myself. However the bartender just moved on.
I was standing waiting to flag down the bartender and as I made contact with her she said just a minute. She sets down two shot glasses fills them with some booze busts out the lemon and squeezes them no less than 6 inches from where I was leaning over and lemon juice got in my eye!!!! I swear she saw me reaching for my eyes in agony as they were burning but she just kept moving!!!! Not nice. Maybe she was pissed at me for flagging her down for a drink and took out her frustration on me??
Luckily no one in my party saw me, at least I think they didn't. Just saying I would appreciated an apology at the least. -
Review from Jennifer L.
Garden Grove, CA
11/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I ended up at Sgt. Pepper's last night because Mai Tai's had a $5 cover, and it was already near closing time, so it didn't seem like it would be worth it. But I'm glad that we ended up at Sgt. Pepper's because it was such a blast!
My girlfriends and I were only there for about an hour since they closed at 1am that day, but we still had a great time.
$3 well drinks, who can go wrong with that?
The pianists are very talented, and everyone in the audience was singing along, dancing, and just having a great time. You do have to bid for your song to be played, and I believe the starting bid is at $20.
There are tables and chairs, which I liked because I like to be able to sit and talk to my friends when I'm out for drinks.
I'll definitely have to come back here to get the full experience since we only got to stay for an hour. -
Review from Cory C.
Los Angeles, CA
1/19/2012
I wasted a Saturday night going to this place!
This place charges a cover of $7 and there was absolutely no seating. Also, this place has rude waitresses and servers. Save yourself a night of disappointment and pass on this place. -
Review from Christopher O.
Carson, CA
11/10/2011
Happy hour on a Thursday night. Happy hour lasts until 8:30 or until pianists begin. Prices are good...$3 well drinks/$3 appetizers. Good prices.
Before 8:30 this place is not too loud/packed. Once pianists start ppl usually trickle in. Sliders/fries/wings/and rolls are all good.
It's like a big interactive concert. It's lots of fun to watch and participate. Fun for a group thing. Not a date thing. FYI -
Review from Krystin B.
Anaheim, CA
1/12/2012
I bought the VIP pkg for NYE for my boyfriend and I. It was $75 each and they added a huge tip and tax to it so it came to $193. Our drink bill came to $48 with tip. I got my bank statement and they had charged a third transaction of $129!!!! I called twice to see what is going on but I am still waiting to hear back. This is CRIMINAL and FRAUDULENT! I will never go there again!
-
Review from cindy k.
San Diego, CA
1/8/2012
Just got back from sgt. peppers. Made reservation to get a table up front (not by request). seated at 6:30pm. Cover charge was $7/person before 8pm. Duel started at 7:30pm. In the meantime, we had your typical american food with drinks.
The pianists were very entertaining. Songs played are upon request. Those that request a song with a $20.00 bill or more are priority. Anything less are played if they have time. A lot of times they will change up the lyrics to entertain the audience. If cursing and sexual comments are not part of your vocabulary, this place is not recommended for you.
Overall, this place was very entertaining. Lots of singing with a kick of comedy. This place attracts those born before the 80's. Modern songs are thrown in here and there, but you would enjoy this place more if you know songs from the 70's, 80's, and 90's. -
Review from Nicole V.
San Pedro, CA
11/19/2011
Sgt. Pepper's is built for birthday parties of girls, or dudes that like to sing, bachelorette parties, or other girl-based get-togethers. I came here tonight to celebrate a friends' birthday and it was an interesting experience. We had a party of about 30 people and we were given the very back of the restaurant - the only place that could accommodate a group of our size. It was great to have the group cordoned off from other parties so we could walk around and socialize with each other, but the view of the stage was somewhat limited.
The entertainment starts at 7:30 - and the performers are good. Very talented to learn a wide gamut of songs and be entertaining and humorous for a rowdy crowd. They will play songs from the Beach Boys to Lady Gaga and everything in between. Kudos to the performers! This is just my own personal preference, but I don't like it when I attend something as a group, but the music/noise-level is so loud that you can't hear the person next to you.....but I knew it was going to be loud going into this, so just be sure you're not going to Sgt. Peppers hoping to get caught up with an old friend. Save that for Sunday brunch!
The service gets knocked down a bit. Well, I can't blame the servers too much, but I think that the kitchen and the bar had a hard time keeping up with the volume of orders coming in. I didn't eat here tonight (except for a few fries I stole off my brother's plate - yum!), but everything I saw looked heavy/fried.
The drinks are unique and tasty. A wide variety of martinis, cocktails, and celebratory shots.
At the beginning of my review, I mentioned this place would be a great place primarily for girl-based parties.....probably because all the guys I saw there were with their wives or girlfriends who were celebrating another girl's birthday. Unless you have a thing for music, most guys probably would rather hit up the Auld Dubliner nearby for good drinks and eats - and would probably be more inclined to sing if it wasn't "forced" upon them.
All in all, a decent experience. I'll round my score up to a 3.5 star review. -
Review from sarah s.
Los Angeles, CA
11/9/2011
I would describe the entertainment as very tasteless. They were constantly and overtly reminding the audience of how badly they wanted our money. And in an attempt to embarrass people who were celebrating, they would call them up on stage and sing raunchy songs about them.
They kept telling us that the more money we give the better chance of hearing our song. Which I think most people already assumed or only needed to be told once. They would waste time with gimmicks to get more money, such as plotting men against women to outbid each other to hear songs their gender likes. And they kept reminding us to buy more drinks.
I was expecting to hear typical piano bar songs, but they were rarely played. Instead they played songs as fast as they could and only parts of them. It seemed they were trying to get through song after song, to once again make more money.
In typical piano bar fashion they would call up people on stage who were celebrating something to embarrass them. But hearing about how every girl up there takes it in the ass gets annoying fast. The piano players kept making dirty remarks and gestures towards each other. Like I said, it just came off as very tasteless and a waste of good talent.
Oh and on top of that the music was way too loud creating a distortion effect in the room.
Overall it was not the piano bar experience I was hoping for and I won't be going back there! -
Review from Elle B.
Long Beach, CA
12/8/2011
This place is odd.
I am sure that the 30's and up crowd would find this place quite charming. The piano players mix an interesting blend of talent and camp, and the bartenders do know their way around the bar. However when I went with a friend of mine we were puzzled. We were the youngest people there! Mid 20's with not a lot of cash to burn, so the $10 cover hit us harder than the rest of the crowd. Scanning the room I saw many different types of people, however one thing came through. We were ten years too early for this place. Everyone around us was enjoying the premium drinks and naughty songs (which were well played, credit where credit is due) However there was an air to the room. A rule that was unsaid. These were people with careers already established. The 9 to 5 routine a sort of metronome in life of the Sgt Pepper's customer. These were men and women with families. They needed this place. To remind them of their 20's. The broke and carefree days.
This is not to say the place is desperate or tries to hard. No no dear yelp reader. This place is not for someone like myself. Rather, this is not for the me of today. Those not used to steep covers and premium drinks at premium prices need not step in. No no, this is for the crowd who wants something back. Who can afford and needs a reminder that life is not about the mundane and the usual. Established men and women come here to walk on the wild side. This is not place for the upstart and the reckless.
This is for the established and refined. A playground for those who haven't played in a while. Danger for those of us old enough to drink but too young to appreciate some of the 80's songs. -
Review from Archie G.
San Jose, CA
9/14/2011
"Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world..."
This place features food, booze, dueling pianos, and lots of tone deaf drunkards. Sure, the dueling pianos are entertaining, but you could have two dueling Teddy Ruxpins playing cassette tapes and the drunken crowd would still go crazy. In the end, it feels like a special education class on steroids.
"It's nine o'clock on a Saturday, the regular crowd shuffles in..."
You have crowds of people sitting at separate tables (and it looks like students sitting in a classroom). Some have a distant look in their eyes or slurred speech or both. If they were not in a bar, I would assume they had serious brain damage.
"It's a little bit funny this feeling inside, I'm not one of those who can easily hide..."
The piano player on the left or right will play the beginning notes of the song and eventually, one person will recognize it and start singing along to it and then the rest follow. The lyrics aren't posted, so people butcher the lyrics, melody, and general timing of the song. But they look so damn happy singing songs. It makes me want to reward them with gold stars, chance tickets, or stamp of an Alligator on their report card.
"She's got a smile that it seems to me, reminds me of childhood memories..."
Anyway, my only knock on the joint is how it is set up. You have one tiny bar in the far right corner, so sitting at the bar is impossible if you happen to come alone or with a small group that isn't eating dinner at a table. The rest of the place is filled with tables, but the place is so spaced out that it's tough to really rub shoulders with people and develop camaraderie.
"I see you driving 'round town with the girl I love and i'm like..."
Screw it. I can't take this anymore.
"F*** Youuuu! Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!"
Yeah, but no matter what class I am in, I always want to fit in. -
Review from Jennifer C.
Newark, CA
9/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place made me smile... and smile big.
I was having a bad night, but being on a mini vacation, my friends and I decided to still go out on the town in dtLB. We went to a couple bars around the area and it was the same stuff: beer, drunk people, loud music, blah......
I was feeling restless and bored, up until we wandered into Sgt Pepper's Dueling Piano Cafe...
Two extremely talented, funny and entertaining men were on stage taking requests to play any song that your heart desires to hear.... any song PIANO version. So freakin' cool... esp if it's a song like Snoop Dog's "GIN AND JUICE" or whatever other song you do not expect to hear an acoustic piano version of.
There was no cover to get in on Sunday night and they have a full bar. Sit by the stage and maybe you'll get lucky enough to be pulled onto it. Get your TIPs ($) ready if you're gonna make some requests. They're very accomodating, but make sure you pay the artists for what they deliver.... and I can assure that you will not be disappointed! -
Review from julia l.
Van Nuys, CA
10/10/2011 1 photo
I was just cruising around long beach, you know...doing my thing. I havent been here in a while, so I figured, why not go explore this weekend?
I passed my Sgt Peppers and I was suddently reminded of the awesome time I had here a few years back! Such an awesome time that I'm going to write a review thats a few years late!
The two piano players that were there at the time were pretty awesome. They played whatever the crowed wanted to hear, and randomly shouting curse words at one another, totally random but really funny.
There was no cover, which is always refreshing and I cant really remember that much bec Im trying to write about a drunk night a few years back, bear with me please!
Either way, a must try bar in long beach!Listed in: Local & Not Local Goodness!
-
Review from Tiffany C.
Long Beach, CA
10/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
More of a 3.5 review, but I'm feeling generous today.
I guess I have to prelude this by saying that we had reservations, and we were here because of a bachelorette party. Having said that, I have to say that I really enjoyed it here. The pianists are very talented and entertaining. Yes, our bachelorette did go up a few times during the night. To top it off, they let us have our fun with her "Suck for a Buck" shirt.
The food is ok, the drinks are drinks. Can't say too much. Really would just go here for the entertainment. Wouldn't really recommend going here if you're not celebrating anything, as it's more fun when someone you know is up there.
It is a little pricey. Plus there's a cover to get in. Thus, 3.5. -
Review from Donna S.
Carson, CA
9/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here to celebrate my brother's 29th bday. I called (actually emailed) about 4 days from the event to make reservations for 15 people. On a side note, it's easier to get ahold of them through email because their hours are weird.
They emailed me back with a contract since the reservation was for more than 12+ people (or some other number). One, I've never had to sign a contract to reserve. Two, they had a rule that scared me: if a guest arrived late (16 minutes after the reservation time) or didn't show up at all, the cardholder (the one who reserved) will get charged $7 (cover fee for the time we were coming).
The waiter that served us was extremely nice considering that he was serving my group of 15 drunken guests.
The entertainment--the pianists + their band (at times)--were so much fun to listen to. My parents came with us and they enjoyed it as well! I was really bummed when I requested Billy Joel's 'River of Dreams' and they didn't know it :(
I much prefer Howl at the Moon at Universal City Walk, but this will do since it's much closer to me. -
Review from Stacy O.
Huntington Beach, CA
7/7/2011
CHECK YOUR RECEIPT. My bartender decided to give herself an additional tip. Very dishonest and unethical.
A 15% tip should be sufficient. If a bartender takes money that you did not authorize then it's like having them steal money from your wallet.
****UPDATE*****
After contacting the manager, I was refunded the entire tip. I am one happy camper. -
Review from Shannon L.
Anaheim, CA
1/17/2012
We went here with a large party for a friend's birthday celebration. We had a reservation & they gave our table away since we arrived a few minutes late (even though we called to alert them that we were on our way). The guy at the door was very rude. We will never go back.
-
Review from Mandelina P.
Long Beach, CA
1/16/2012
Lot's of FUN! Came here w low expectations, on a "whim" date w the hubby... The pianists are talented- they read the crowd well and made everyone laugh. I was pleasantly surprised at the raunchy sexual humor. Although there were a few bachelorette/bday parties there, the pianists did not leave anyone out- made sure to play stuff that entertained the fresh 21 year olds, to the grandpas in the back corner. They played modern, as well as older 70s 80s And 90s stuff. Everyone was singing along at one point or another, and laughing throughout the night. We scored on coming in on a Sunday night- NO cover and $3 pabsts (in the brown bag-hilarious touch, btw). I recommend this place to anyone looking for a unique night of fun, affordable entertainment- go w a good attitude and you will have blast. Sgt. Peppers is also a nice way to change things up from the usual dinner&movie night or club night. Will definitely return w my girlfriends or mabye even the fam to checkout their champagne Sunday brunch next month!
-
Review from Linda T.
8/26/2011
Came last night on a Thursday, we were there early at 7 for the happy hour that lasts until 8:30. It was pretty empty, but the drink specials were wroth it $3 blue moons on draft and half off the appetizers, we had the chicken satay which was okay (yeah I rhymed that, sue me), and the buffalo wrings which were yummy. The entertainment was so-so at first, but as the night progressed they got better and better. It got quite crowded by like 10 pm, and the interaction between the crowd and the pianist was great. Very fun.
tips:
*we had reservations, so we got good seats
*"you pay to play" if you want your suggestions add a few bucks, the sooner you put them in the more likely they play them, as the night progresses people start to add more money, and highest bidder pretty much wins
*go for happy hour, its lonely at first but worth it
*no cover on Thursday (at least not when we got there) -
Review from June Y.
7/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sgt. Pepper's Dueling Piano Bar was EXACTLY what I expected it to be.
1. You must be either DRUNK or A MUSIC GEEK (like my wife) to have a good time here.
2. A weekend attendants are birthday groups, bachelorette parties, wedding parties, and etc.
3. The food isn't great and alcohol is expensive.
BUT HEY - you're at a piano bar. You don't come to a joint like this and NOT expect the above three elements.
The waitstaff here is great. Our waitress kept track of individual tabs and was consistent in checking up on our group of 10 to see if we were happy and merry. Personally, I did not find the first hour or so to be entertaining, but as alcohol was consumed and the performers got a good feel of the crowd, it turned into a real fun evening. By the time we left, I found myself singing "Forget you" (edited for content) at the top of my lungs.
The place is loud. It is definitely a party-environment. Pianists started playing at 8pm and majority of the crowd was already drunk. What did I say: you must be drunk to enjoy this place. My advice? Go get dinner, get drunk, THEN come to Sgt. Pepper's. That way, you're entertained from the get-go.
The pianists also take requests - but that request paper slip better have a $5 or a $10 bill sitting on top of it because you'll never hear it otherwise.Listed in: Best Foods in Long Beach!
-
Review from Mike K.
11/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I haven't been to anyplace like this before so I was really fascinated with the whole layout and everything going on. Sarah S. mentioned it was tasteless and yes some of the songs they chose were sexual but I thought it was Hilarious and Fun. I mean common, they are using songs played on the radio...just not the radio edited version ;D By the time I arrived at Sgt Pepper's there was a cover charge of $10 which I didn't mind. The sit down area was well crowded and no seats were available so we decided to just stay in the patio(smoking area) even though I don't smoke you can still hear the music going on, grab drinks and socialize with strangers. Fun experience, will be back!
-
Review from Diane V.
Long Beach, CA
Came here the other night with a bunch of our friends to celebrate my bf Chucky's bday. A couple of our friends got here around 8ish while there was still seating and scored us a table in the back of the place. It was prime considering we had about 15 people so we had a great time not in the way of other groups.
The cover is $10 but worth it for a birthday. I also ordered some food and it was pretty good. Got the buffalo style chicken strips with a side of fries. Our server Audrey was pretty good tending to our group throughout the whole night, being patient with us and making sure that even the guests of ours that came late, were each tended to.
The price drinks are a little more than average ($7 for a mixed drink) but you're paying for the atmosphere and it comes with hilarious entertainment. The pianists were all hilarious, talented, and lively and we definitely had a good time, especially with it being our first. It was worth the extra bucks for my request so the pianists could roast Chucky upstage.
There's also a side patio, a smoking section that you could also bring your drinks to. I don't smoke but it was certainly a bonus for some of my friends that didn't have to leave their drinks at the table in order to have a smoke break.
It might be a little pricey to come here on a regular Friday night but it's definitely perfect for special occasions or if you're going with a bunch of friends. It's little cheaper before 8 ($7) so if you wanna save, that's the time to go. You do have to pay for parking so just don't forget to get your ticket validated. Other than that, get ready to sing your hearts out here, we sure had a blast.Listed in: Sit Back and Unwind..with some…
-
Review from Jennifer C.
Long Beach, CA
8/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here with some friends on a Saturday night we got here around 8:30 and the place was packed and crowded filled mostly with bachlorette parties I think I counted 4 or 5 throughout the night. Since we got here late it was pretty much standing room only all night. As expected it does get really loud in here, and if you don't position yourself in the right place the audio can sound really horrible at times.
There is a $10 dollar cover on Saturday evenings. -
Review from Stephen T.
Long Beach, CA
6/21/2011
I absolutely LOVE this place, I have never had a bad time here!
In fact, one early afternoon my brother from Philly and I showed up and they had not started playing yet. My brother plays some mean keys and I asked if they would let him play since no one was there yet and the entertainers were just rolling in. It took some doing, but my brother ended up sitting down and playing "bottle of red" by Billy Joel, which is one of my favorites to hear him play due to the amazing solo late in the song that he hammers out! He did so well, that mid song, one of the real piano players actually stopped eating her meal, went to the other piano, played and sang back up! It was something I will always remember...
Anyway, I have been here a half dozen times, both for the piano and for sitting outside having drinks. The food is worth what you pay, and the drinks are about average in price.
Long story short, worth going to if you enjoy live music mixed with comedy. -
Review from Devo S.
10/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Friggin' fun! Martha and Bill were super; the appetizers were half off (my wings were terrific!) and the beer and wine was cheap, too. But the best part was the singalongs and singing and mirth and merriment! From 8:30 - 11:30pm on a normally dull Sunday night, we all sang along at the top of our voices to the musical proclivities and mastery of Martha and Bill...good times!!
-
Review from tammy w.
Norwalk, CA
7/1/2011
What you get:
A good ol time...!!!
2 pairs of pianists competing against one another, making wisecracks with and at the audience. The pianists know a wide range of music from the 60s up til now, and genres ranging from country to rap. You get to pick what you want to hear! You will be dancing, singing (in the worst way) and laughing your lungs out at the silly antics, games and competitions.
Many birthday celebrations, bridal showers and crowds of peeps who just want to have fun in the worst kind of way. If you have sensitive ears, this is not the place for you.
My advice is to make a reservation so you have somewhere to sit and get there early to get your drink on. This place gets crazy packed, with some crazy people.
You can dress up in best get up or come very casual. There crowd ranges from early 20s to 50s. There's an ATM at the front door. The food is mediocre, but, hey, you don't go to a piano bar for the food...
Oh, and it's 7 bucks to get in. -
Review from Nikki M.
7/28/2011 1 photo
4.5 - I love Sgt. Peppers! I just celebrated my 22nd birthday there this past May, and it was super fun! I had been there once before with a smaller group. This place is fun for a girls night or for a special occasion. It's $7 to get in the door, and is 21+. We had reservations...I HIGHLY recommend this. It is not easy to find a spot on a weekend here. And no one wants plans ruined by having to stand the entire time, right?
The pianists and singers are seriously top notch with huge vocal ranges and the ability to play almost any pop song. They frequently include the audience, and it's a good time! They have a long list of drinks for those who get stage freight when trying to think of a drink to order. The prices can be steep, but this wasn't a problem for me last time since it was my birthday and everyone was buying drinks for me (you should use this method!).
The service is generally pretty good, but if you don't like to be embarrassed then please don't tell anyone. They will call you on stage, especially if it's for a special occasion. This sadly happened to me after I had lost my buzzed...would have been much better while I was still feelin' no pain. The made me dance like Michael Jackson and wear a sparkly globe...yikes! But it was all in good fun, so I wasn't left too damaged.
It's a great time...go! -
Review from alexis b.
8/5/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Good times here even on a Sunday!
Came in randomly with the homie Cookie Boy and enjoyed sitting in the back watching these talented semi raunchy pianist. I bet this place is rockin on weekend nights. Shit I may even go back tomorrow with the PIC whooo hooo. They could make the regular mixed drinks stronger but the shot drinks are juuuuuust fine!
I look forward to coming back on a weekend!!! -
Review from Anthony T.
Buena Park, CA
7/20/2011
Imagine if you will an old saloon where there are two pianists playing old-timey tunes on their grand pianers and everybody around them are either singing along, fighting, shooting, cheersing, swinging from chandeliers, making-out, and sliding mugs of beers down the bar.
This is the place I wish it was, but really the only thing valid about the first paragraph are the two pianists. But y'know, it's not too far off. It's a totally fun place to bring a date or the family. The music is just a bunch of requests and covers and the occasional crowd controlling tunes to make the audience yell obscenities.
Did I mention that one of the lady pianists has a really great ass? -
Review from Chuck A.
Long Beach, CA
5/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
.., we celebrated my 29th birthday here & I had a blast.
Music, booze, along w/ some great company? Count me in!
I love piano bars, for we've been to Rock the Keys & Howl @ the Moon before. The whole concept is genius to me. My childhood consisted of my dad blasting the Beatles all day, every day. After hearing & seeing this place existed, I was immedietely in.
We missed the $7 cover they had before 8pm that Saturday, so we paid the full $10 to get in. Covers like that don't bother me if I know the entertainment is for sure. We walk in & meet up w/ my cousin Arnel & his lovely wife Laura. They had saved us seats in the back, which was better for our party because we couldn't have all fit towards the front.
Sgt. Pepper's had some talented pianists, they were funny & fun. They definately had a different style compared to other piano bars. We didn't see much dueling or musical improv as we'd prefer, but it was all for fun. Each pianists took turns helping finish the other musicians song of choice. I'll have to agree w/ Monica H.'s review, for the pianists love their tips!
We had requested a few songs, but never heard them played. After a little fued the 2 pianists had w/ each other in a men vs. women song bout, the stakes had gone up to $100 to shut the other sex up. This went on back & forth twice, so each pianist made a quick $200 from their audience.
After seeing those $100's thrown around, we knew our songs weren't going to be played. Either way it was still fun. Our server was pretty cool & did her job. My friends Jessica & Frank ordered me a shot of Liquid Marijuana & that put me in a goooood mood. After that, a muff diver shot was placed inbetween my gf Diane's legs as I attempted to make my way thru a mountain of whipped cream towards its alcoholic center. Everyone yelled & called me a, well you know. Good times indeed!
I wish I had more details to tell you, but after that muff diver shot I blacked out. This place is great for birthdays/events, w/ a smoking area that allows you to take your drinks outside as well. Fun crowd, good music, decent prices, & especially good times. Check it out!Listed in: Get some drinks in!
-
Review from jenn f.
Long Beach, CA
11/9/2011
You are GUARANTEED a night of great drinks, laughter and FUN! The Pianists are amazing! Not a dull face in the crowd. You won't be able to sit still...the music varies night to night. Sgt. Pepper's in the place to come when you know you are due for a good time. Great times! Salud!
-
Review from Erin H.
Westminster, CA
11/15/2011
This is one of my favorite spots to celebrate something. I have been here probably about a half dozen times in the past 2 years, and it's always a great time.
The performers are hilarious, and you always feel like you're part of the show. You request songs by writing them down, and then you put the request on the piano with a few dollars. Obviously the bigger the tip, the quicker (and better) your song gets played.
I gave Sgt Peppers a 3 instead of a 5, for a few reasons. There is a pretty hefty cover on the weekends. The lowest I've ever heard is $7 and I think it's gone all the way up to $15. Also, seating is VERY limited. If you don't have a reservation on the weekends, you'll most likely end up standing at the bar which is PACKED, unable to see the performers, waiting for someone to get up. The one time I tried to make reservations for a large birthday party, they were very rigid about the full party being there within minutes of the reservation. If you've ever tried to organize more than 3 people at once, you know you can NEVER have 20 people show up at the same place at the same time. So instead all 20 of us went and spent a lot of money at the Derby in Mission Viejo, which is another piano bar. -
Review from Gus G.
Greater Los Angeles, CA
7/26/2011
Sgt. Pepper's is a little expensive. The drinks are OK. It gets very crowded and the people can be annoying.
However, the entertainment here is top notch if you're into the whole drunken cover music thing, and this may have been the only time I've felt some justification for paying a cover charge at a bar. And, if you're savvy and show up early enough, you can avoid the cover charge altogether.
Just don't expect to stay here all night getting drink after drink unless you can afford it. I ordered two drinks and nursed them throughout the evening while having fun listening/watching the music. I bought the girl whose birthday we came for one drink. I spent around $40 for the night after the cover. -
Review from Harmonie T.
Los Angeles, CA
3/12/2011
Girl wearing blue feather boa on my right. Guy wearing bright red beret on my left. I'm not the first Yelper to quote Karey R. in a review when I say "WHAT ARE WE HERE FOR!?!"
We ended an epic girls night at this dueling piano bar to sober up on some sing-along's. We didn't pay a cover, we didn't order drinks, basically we came for the free entertainment! Among the many songs, they took requests and played:
- "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey
- "Santaria" by Sublime
- "Hey Ya" by Outkast
- "Wannabe" by Spice Girls
...then a girl got booted off the stage for dancing...DRAMA!!! haha
The pianists are talented for sure. Very versatile with their instantaneous knowledge of music. Places like this always make me feel like I should've continued taking piano lessons when I was 12.
...unless anyone wants to sing-along to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." I can play that! :) -
Review from Emily C.
Cerritos, CA
3/21/2011
This place is good if you're intimidated by karaoke because you can still sing, but the focus won't be on you. It'll be on the piano players (who actually are talented) instead. Plus, they serve alcohol!
As a lot of other reviews have said, the only bad things are the fact that it gets super crowded and it won't be as fun standing up as having a table, and there's a $10 cover. -
Review from Jordan S.
Villa Park, CA
6/3/2011
Why was the piano invented?
So the musician would have a place to put his beer.
I had the best time here for my 24th birthday party! We got there early so we were able to request a bunch of songs like "Great Balls of Fire" and "Leroy Brown" early on. Later on as the joint fills up the requests are based more on how much you're willing to tip. $5 on a Thursday pretty much guarantees you a song unless somebody 'pays' to stop it like some guy did to halt "I will Survive!" This made everyone happy.
I'm pretty sure for $20 you could get them to play Chopin's Nocturne in G Minor, or just bang their head on the keys for 3 minutes, whatever you want! Dance monkey dance!
They really try hard to get the audience to participate and we were in the mood to please! I came with my two good friends on a Thursday night and we drank and sang till we were blue in the face. It was also cool because it was "Thirsty Thursday" and the beers were just $3 (not like I was paying) And as if this cake needs icing, there were also a lot of cute single girls here. Lucky me.Listed in: Bars
-
Review from PCH S.
Seal Beach, CA
Updated - 8/20/2011
Found my receipt. The drink was $8. Of course I left a tip, but it wasn't $9.50 on an $8 drink! I will call the manager.
BEWARE OF FRAUDULENT OVERCHARGING.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/13/2011
The entertainment is fun, and the performers are impressively talented. My low review is for some… Read more »
-
-
Review from Jonathan G.
Long Beach, CA
2/18/2011
-Fine for what it is. I really want to like this place, but has a sort of sleazy feel that leaves me wishing each morning after that I had done something else the night before.
-They charge cover on the weekends.
-Bar/pub food only.
-Piano players are great, but spend most the show trying to get money from the crowd. They do this with a variety of gimmicks, but dont plan on getting your song played without attaching $5-$10+
-The constant pleading for money from the crowd grows wearisome quickly, and borders on a experiance similar to a panhandler on the corner: you sort of want to help, but really you just want them to leave you alone.
-good for groups, focus is all on stage. NOT a bar scene. -
Review from Katherine G.
Lomita, CA
6/2/2011
I ABSOLUTEY LOVED THIS PLACE!
came here for my sister in laws birthday! i loved it! it was the shit! any music you like is here! from English to Spanish songs! and boy can they sing and play! i loved it!
Great service! didnt take long to get service.
but sorta long to find a table but we didn't have to stand too long you have to be aggressive lol but if you want a good seat there is a good seat everywhere there!
Everyone is supper friendly!
21+
