This is a very cool place with amazing service, and the pianists were excellent, but I'll never go back. They take requests via Venmo and only play the songs they want IF you paid the most for your song at any given point in time. I sent $5 for a song; never heard it. They kept saying things like "This one from Venmo for $20". It was off-putting.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Joy Zimmer
We showed up at 10. Got drinks decently quick and worked our way to a table in the back that just got up. Flagged down a waitress and tipped big early to ensure service the rest of the night. After an hour, security invited us behind the pianos since the party for the night didn’t show. 2 songs later the party showed and we were asked to go back to general seating except people had already filled in our previous table. So we closed our tab and left because that is AWFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE. The worst part is as the party was filing in, I heard them say they’d be there a half hour. Too bad, we would have been there til time bar time and as a previous waitress I would have continued to tip well. As I was leaving I made sure to share my grievances. The bartender took offense assuming I didn’t tip her. I assured her I did as it wasn’t her fault. Bar staff and musicians were great. AWFUL MANAGEMENT!!! We will never be back. You can’t upgrade and then double downgrade a customer. Will remove this location from my sisters upcoming bachelorette party I was planning. This was going to be a great evening and now we’re driving home very sour. Step up Ivory Room. I was surprised to hear Madison locals not knowing there was a piano bar, but after tonight, I will forget about your existence as well.Update: Thanks for the update! A couple girlfriends were looking to attend a couple weeks ago. I respectfully declined but knowing it's new ownership, I'll gladly tag along. Thank you for sharing the news.
Brian
My new favorite bar! I had been meaning to go for years, yet somehow hadn’t made it in since single and dating again. Big mistake. This gem has officially stolen me away from open mic at Comedy On State, my previous regular Wednesday. I look forward to experiencing their full list of regular players, and the regulars sing along with joy, devoid of pretensions. The real delight for me as a long-time bartender is Julie, the owner and managing bartender. She actually smiles charismatically like I was taught in the industry, instead of the expressionless order-taking predominant in Madison. The best part of that is that she means it and clearly loves the music as much as her clientele. As someone starting a joy-based business (ice cream café), Julie is truly a role model for me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paige96312
Lovely place for a higher energy hang out. Full bar but limited seating near the music so come early on busy nights!Parking: A few metered spots nearby, best parking garage is just off state street near Ian's.Wheelchair accessibility: Wouldn't recommend, stairs are needed for the bar or music area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Piano
Carlos
Great atmosphere, but be prepared for heavy crowding!
Grace Kolesar
The whole place smelled like puke. Me and my friends sat at the bar for 25 minutes without a glance towards us. The bouncer was so unbelievably rude- Me and my boyfriend left for a few minutes to find my card AFTER we paid the cover fee. When we returned, the bartender said it was only good for one. Absolute waste of money. Never coming back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
James M
Best place in Madison by far. I guarantee you have a great nite. The staff and talented players are the nicest most genuine people you'll meet. They make it feel like home?
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Piano
Jackie F.
Pro: Dueling piano! Fast service, friendly security. Live music bidding via cash or venmo. Con: Two bathroom for a place that can hold 300 people. Bumper car in front of the bar when busy. Parking hell. Tis a college bar, so the songs are a bit on the current side with the dueling piano. We got to the bar around 7 pm and left at midnight, paid cover and waited by the back of the bar to check out the piano action. Got some seats after 30 minutes then the place got crazy full around 9 pm. The kids were wasted and had a joyous vibe to the sing along, mostly females in large groups all over the place. Some older alum are also around telling war stories of 80s and 90s, they all are drinking here before a home Badgers' game. The bathroom gets really problematic after a while. There are just not enough toilets for the establishment, good luck waiting in line.
Chris Kinsey
Super fun place. Good drinks and atmosphere.
Mark Alexander
Great entertainment. The crowd at this bar does have some college students but leans a little bit older than the majority of the bars in this area. However, the drinks are only slightly better than what you would expect at a college bar.
Maybe should be more than two bathrooms in the whole place ? but a super fun must see event
Bowen P
awesome atmosphere, good drinks.P.S. please get James some drum lessons
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Piano
Alexi Gray
I had a really great time here the other night but I think someone spiked my drink because I was slumped outside on the pavement after bar time. 2.5 drinks had never done that to me before. Be safe everyone, travel with good friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Alexi G.
I had a really great time here the other night but I think someone spiked my drink because I was slumped outside on the pavement after bar time. 2.5 drinks had never done that to me before. Be safe everyone, travel with good friends.
Elizabeth Kerr
Well, this place is great. Attentive bar tenders and amazing entertainment. Only complaint is the bathrooms- they should be gender neutral so there are two single seater options. If you are on the fence about going, go! It was the most fun I had during my week-long stay in Madison.
This is a very cool place with amazing service, and the pianists were excellent, but I'll never go back. They take requests via Venmo and only play the songs they want IF you paid the most for your song at any given point in time. I sent $5 for a song; never heard it. They kept saying things like "This one from Venmo for $20". It was off-putting.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
We showed up at 10. Got drinks decently quick and worked our way to a table in the back that just got up. Flagged down a waitress and tipped big early to ensure service the rest of the night. After an hour, security invited us behind the pianos since the party for the night didn’t show. 2 songs later the party showed and we were asked to go back to general seating except people had already filled in our previous table. So we closed our tab and left because that is AWFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE. The worst part is as the party was filing in, I heard them say they’d be there a half hour. Too bad, we would have been there til time bar time and as a previous waitress I would have continued to tip well. As I was leaving I made sure to share my grievances. The bartender took offense assuming I didn’t tip her. I assured her I did as it wasn’t her fault. Bar staff and musicians were great. AWFUL MANAGEMENT!!! We will never be back. You can’t upgrade and then double downgrade a customer. Will remove this location from my sisters upcoming bachelorette party I was planning. This was going to be a great evening and now we’re driving home very sour. Step up Ivory Room. I was surprised to hear Madison locals not knowing there was a piano bar, but after tonight, I will forget about your existence as well.Update: Thanks for the update! A couple girlfriends were looking to attend a couple weeks ago. I respectfully declined but knowing it's new ownership, I'll gladly tag along. Thank you for sharing the news.
My new favorite bar! I had been meaning to go for years, yet somehow hadn’t made it in since single and dating again. Big mistake. This gem has officially stolen me away from open mic at Comedy On State, my previous regular Wednesday. I look forward to experiencing their full list of regular players, and the regulars sing along with joy, devoid of pretensions. The real delight for me as a long-time bartender is Julie, the owner and managing bartender. She actually smiles charismatically like I was taught in the industry, instead of the expressionless order-taking predominant in Madison. The best part of that is that she means it and clearly loves the music as much as her clientele. As someone starting a joy-based business (ice cream café), Julie is truly a role model for me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lovely place for a higher energy hang out. Full bar but limited seating near the music so come early on busy nights!Parking: A few metered spots nearby, best parking garage is just off state street near Ian's.Wheelchair accessibility: Wouldn't recommend, stairs are needed for the bar or music area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Piano
Great atmosphere, but be prepared for heavy crowding!
The whole place smelled like puke. Me and my friends sat at the bar for 25 minutes without a glance towards us. The bouncer was so unbelievably rude- Me and my boyfriend left for a few minutes to find my card AFTER we paid the cover fee. When we returned, the bartender said it was only good for one. Absolute waste of money. Never coming back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Best place in Madison by far. I guarantee you have a great nite. The staff and talented players are the nicest most genuine people you'll meet. They make it feel like home?
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Piano
Pro: Dueling piano! Fast service, friendly security. Live music bidding via cash or venmo. Con: Two bathroom for a place that can hold 300 people. Bumper car in front of the bar when busy. Parking hell. Tis a college bar, so the songs are a bit on the current side with the dueling piano. We got to the bar around 7 pm and left at midnight, paid cover and waited by the back of the bar to check out the piano action. Got some seats after 30 minutes then the place got crazy full around 9 pm. The kids were wasted and had a joyous vibe to the sing along, mostly females in large groups all over the place. Some older alum are also around telling war stories of 80s and 90s, they all are drinking here before a home Badgers' game. The bathroom gets really problematic after a while. There are just not enough toilets for the establishment, good luck waiting in line.
Super fun place. Good drinks and atmosphere.
Great entertainment. The crowd at this bar does have some college students but leans a little bit older than the majority of the bars in this area. However, the drinks are only slightly better than what you would expect at a college bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Maybe should be more than two bathrooms in the whole place ? but a super fun must see event
awesome atmosphere, good drinks.P.S. please get James some drum lessons
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Piano
I had a really great time here the other night but I think someone spiked my drink because I was slumped outside on the pavement after bar time. 2.5 drinks had never done that to me before. Be safe everyone, travel with good friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I had a really great time here the other night but I think someone spiked my drink because I was slumped outside on the pavement after bar time. 2.5 drinks had never done that to me before. Be safe everyone, travel with good friends.
Well, this place is great. Attentive bar tenders and amazing entertainment. Only complaint is the bathrooms- they should be gender neutral so there are two single seater options. If you are on the fence about going, go! It was the most fun I had during my week-long stay in Madison.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5