If there’s one place capable of drawing Williamsburg hipsters over the bridge to rub shoulders with frat bros it’s Pianos bar, a bi-level music venue housed in a converted piano shop, which boasts a packed events schedule featuring a mix of local and touring bands. A Lower East Side staple, Pianos hosts a steady lineup of up-and-coming indie artists that serve as a magnet for its loyal fans. Doubling as a concert and dance party space, die-hard music devotees and college kids on the prowl for a hook-up alike are willing to wait-out the long line for the sweaty, gritty experience offered up inside. Considered among locals as the younger sibling of rock-and-roll fixture Arlene’s Grocery across the block, the venue books acts ranging from rock to pop to electronic to acoustic singers, with a DJ out front spinning current hip hop and R&B hits. The main bar is decked out in a beach-themed décor, while the curved concrete bar serves as the set of many a meet-cute between emerging artists flirting up a storm over the bar’s strong frozen margaritas. Rustic picnic tables allow guests to chill out amid the ambient vibe mid-week, while the weekend allows patrons to kick-up their heels and enjoy the party vibe. Think the ultimate house party while your parents are on vacation.
Open till 4AM, the arguably biggest beneficiaries of Pianos are the surrounding pizza shops, which flank each adjacent corner and are quickly populated by the inebriated masses spilling out of its steps on last call. While you won’t see an actual piano within the Ludlow Street night spot, you’ll be hard pressed to avoid striking up a chat with a musical hipster at the bar. Tip: Arrive early and grab a wristband and bypass the line for easy reentry before the main act takes the stage.
