The Piano Works - Covent Garden — Restaurant in London

A lovely oasis of crisp cocktails, plentiful soft and hard drinks, wonderful talented band members willing to give almost any song under the Sun a go in a duelling or solo piano led rock band cover. It's also one of the cleanest, most comfortable and family friendly venues in the Leicester Square, Chinatown, Wardour Street Soho area. Truly family friendly as well with great food options for lunch and dinner before 2200 and then the crazy chaotic piano fun begins.

Apparently, the Farringdon one attracts an older professional crowd, post work drinks often being the reason people gather. However, the West End version truly accumulates all people together under one roof. In the five visits so far this year, there has been a truly diverse crowd with anything from teachers and doctors hanging out after a well-deserved strike, multiple bachelorette/hen nights out, the occasional stag bachelor finale, post work office people, young and elder couples plus individuals just looking to chill and maybe cut loose after a long day lunching their card in at work.

Additionally, although it's encouraged you needn't have to tip cash money to the pianists when making song requests. All you need are a pen and square paper form found at the bar and you fill in name, song title and band/artist performing, the time and any special shout outs (often for a birthday or wedding shower).

Give it a go, turn up anytime from open to close (1AM weeknights but 3 from Thurs-Sat). Also note that it's happy hour every day Sun-Weds from 5-9pm. Make the most of it and be brave in trying a new something. It's one of the safest, most comfy places to try something new so that will always be encouraged.

Special shout-out to the staff: security, supervisors, bar staff and management. They run a tight ship but keep everything light and breezy, understanding colleagues work best when happy and satisfied and heard. The lady manager also helped me out of a slight jam when I were experimenting with panoramic video on my new phone for practice. One anxious individual approached me asking not to be filmed when I told her I weren't recording any people just the band and the lights and sounds in the ambience to reflect the vibes. Unsatisfied, the worried lady then asked to see and I told her "let's talk to security and sort this out now." Before long I were with manager lady and head security man, showed the video and have subsequently been asked by Piano Works West End to keep recording, share the videos and help their online promotion, marketing and branding.

Not often are you out with friends, confronted with some awkwardness and walk out feeling as if you truly belong and have helped future career prospects all in one.

Thank you, everyone at Piano Works West End. We will be back at the end of the week for more...

*This is an edit and redaction of certain aspects of my previous review... after the Owner telephoned me moments ago. Threatening legal action for defamation. Fair enough. I will comply with those wishes.

How they have my phone number after 4 years since being employed is possibly a breach of GFPR. But it is what it is.

I used to work here. I was let go, due to a total misunderstanding by the Ops Manager. I went back, as a customer with my friends and girlfriend many months later, and I was told that I was not allowed to come in and spend my money....due to being (i felt) unjustly fired, as sometimes happens in hospitality. That all happened several years ago.

I went back on a weekday in February 2022. I was able to speak with Nico the now General Manager of the Piano Works "west end" in L square. I respectfully asked him whether or not I could come by some day (as a customer), after work with my friends and girlfriend, since the venue itself has a pretty decent concept.

I was met with an aggressive and disrespectful attitude with hostility and aggressive behaviour, shouting at me that I was banned for life and needed to leave the venue immediately. FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER!

I was incredulous. But not shocked, but to treat any person in such a way is just dissapointing and self evident of certain things.

It's such a shame really. I love live music. I love karaoke and having a nice time with friends. And this venue blends them reasonably well... even if there seems to be a lot of the same "requests". This I remember from my time as a Waiter there.

In all fairness, it isn't the worst of venues, the concept is good. I always found the security staff were pleasant and professional when I was there, very friendly and did their job to the best of their ability.

Sadly, I have to give 1 star. And I rarely give a 1 star review, preferring to convey any grievances directly to management if there is an issue. However, polite or reasonable discourse is not an option anymore.

This is the final edit i will make. I stand by my review. And if a legal challenge is brought, fair enough. I will not be silenced as a law abiding tax-paying citizen. It is my right to speak and review an...

Recently attended this venue and I love the live music, the food and the waiting staff! It is a lot of fun and is always such a great vibe.

The only downfall with this venue is their bar staff. Their charges are extremely suspicious... every round we would order the same drink and each time it was a different price depending on who was serving you. A friend of mine called them out and the one bar gent could not explain where the extra £5 charge came from on the bill. They are clearly adding on a tip for themselves or selecting the service charge options (probs 15% or what ever is the highest option) rather than giving the customer the choice. One of the bar man was also mixing the cocktail by pouring it from glass to glass and spilt majority of it on the floor (couldn't be bothered to make more) so filled up this ladies glass (stood next to me) with overflowing ice to make up for the minimal cocktail that was actually left after the spillage. If you also look at the photo I have attached you will notice that they charge more for a full pint of Guiness than they do two half pints of the same beer. How does that work?

My advice if you go to this venue, ask the bar staff for a bill every time, check it and then pay accordingly. Otherwise you may end up paying £30 for 1 house rum and coke. If you are management at this venue, find out what is going on here because something is very shady. Every member of our group had the exact same feedback and I am sure there are loads more people who would feel the same.

The waiting staff deserve a massive praise and I couldn't fault them one bit. Thank you for the excellent service. The...