Best Piano Bars In Seattle
11 Roy St.
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 270-4444
www.keysonmain.com
Formerly known as Chopstix Piano Bar, Keys on Main is one of the top dueling piano bars in Seattle due to its audience-driven and audience-interactive performances. The bar's stage features two baby grand pianos and one player per piano. What is played on any given night is up to the audience, but one thing is requested – since the performances are so audience driven, it is appreciated when the audience claps and sings along with the music they request be played by the performers. How this piano bar typically works is audience members will come up to the piano player, make their request and leave a tip. If someone in the audience is unhappy with the chosen song, they can bring up a larger tip and request that the song being played stop, and then submit their request for a different and better song. That is where the "dueling" term comes in. Keys On Main is also a great place to celebrate your birthday or to bring in a group for a bachelor or bachelorette party. There is never a cover charge and drink prices are reasonable compared to other Seattle bars. Keys On Main is open Wednesday through Saturday each week.
315 2nd Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 839-1300
www.ilove88keys.com
Located just a block north of CenturyLink Field in the historic Pioneer Square district, 88 Keys Dueling Piano and Sports Bar offers great fun and music, seven nights a week. Eighty-eight Keys used to be just a dueling piano bar, but since the Seattle Seahawks have drawn so many more sports fans to the Seattle area, 88 Keys now also considers itself a sports cantina. So, not only can you come in and enjoy live performances of dueling piano-played music, but also have a fun and lively place to eat, drink and watch Seahawks games. Eighty-eight Keys is always hosting different events as well, so be sure to check the bar's sports-related events, rock music events, blues, soul or funk music nights or comedy-themed piano shows.
927 9th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 397-4053
www.vitosseattle.com
Vito's in Seattle is the place to go if you love live piano performances, especially jazz, blues or lounge-type music. Vito's has been around for more than 60 years, opening in 1953. It has remained in the same location on Seattle's First Hill since it was first opened. The lounge at Vito's features live music almost every night and artists who play the piano regularly at this venue include Casey MacGill, a classic tunes crooner, and Harry and Ronnie Pierce, a father and son vaudeville team that likes to play swing, as well as songs by Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. Other piano-playing artists you can catch at Vito's include Jerry Zimmerman, a former piano bar player at Canlis for 30 years. From time to time, you can also catch Grammy-nominated Latin composer and master pianist Jovino Santos Neto, who showcases his love for playing his own Brazilian-inspired music.
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel
411 University St.
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 621-1700
www.fairmont.com
The Terrace Lounge at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel offers live piano music three nights a week, Thursday through Saturday, during the lounge's evening cocktail hour, which begins at 7 p.m. Music played at The Terrace Lounge ranges from jazz and lounge music to blues and soft rock. While listening to the melodic sounds carried through the air in this elegant, old world-style lounge, be sure to try one of the signature martinis, exotic lemonades or Pacific Northwest wines by the glass. The Terrace Lounge also features delicious happy hour fare including the smoked salmon bites, popcorn shrimp with garlic and basil or the Dungeness crab with either truffle fries or macaroni and cheese. No reservations are needed and required attire is smart casual.
2801 Alaskan Way, Pier 70
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 956-9171
www.elgaucho.com
Aqua By El Gaucho sits at the end of Seattle's Pier 70, overlooking the beautiful and expansive Elliott Bay. With its glass walls and outdoor deck, patrons have clear views of Seattle landmarks like the Space Needle and Magnolia Bluff, as well as the surrounding waters and passing boats. Aqua's bar and lounge is quite spacious and has a beautifully crafted serpentine bar that is 85 feet in length and lighted, creating yet another breathtaking focal point within the bar. Aqua's piano lounge features a very talented musician and piano player, Daniel Davison, several nights a week. Davison's background includes various music genres including jazz, rock and pop and his four decades of experience is evident, since he has held the primary position of piano player for El Gaucho since 1996.
