PLUS Dueling Piano Bar — Restaurant in Raleigh

They re-opened a couple months back by being classified a restaurant but keeping the live music. Have not been to any shows since re-open but attended a few before. They always do a tremendous job trying to provide as much as entertainment as possible with talented musicians. Seems like they are trying to maintain same level of fun while adjusting to the new normal and earlier closing times. While I understand why he's upset, I don't agree with a lot of the owner's politics as it relates to NC and handling of Covid. Easy to blame govt but shouldn't blame focus on all the selfish people who didn't do simple things to help stop the virus spread? Anyway- I share this primarily to point out that even though I share a different opinion, I fully support and ask others to support this business. This place really seems to embrace bringing together all sorts of different people for a good time. The emphasis on uniting rather than dividing is rare these days and I can't help but support a great business like this even though I don't agree 100% with their politics. But I'm sure those reading this review weren't looking for a civics speech. Bottomline- try this place out if you haven't. You'll have fun unless you are opposed to the idea of having fun in the first place. REPLY TO OWNER: I am both humbled and blown away by your response. I appreciate everything you took the time to write. We could probably sit down and talk about this for hours but for brevity's sake I'll express a sincere thank you and an assurance I will some day take up your offer a drink/fist bump. One last thought I will share though is I realize on social media it's so easy to criticize but take's more time to put yourself in someone else's shoes. If I were in your situation with my livelihood on the line I probably would have reacted in the same way only angrier. With vaccines out now I'm really hoping we're starting to see a light at the end of tunnel of all this Covid madness. Keep weathering things until normal returns, stay safe and I can't wait to return to Plus to have fun once all this craziness...

First time here, and we will be back. The owner, one of the players, took time to talk to nearly every single group...was so gracious and grateful to have you there. Customer service like that is what makes the place desirable to come back. A $1.00/person reservation fee, $10.00 cover charge, AMAZING COSTS!!! to pay $11.00 for 7 hours of live entertainment is ridiculously cheap. Wife had three drinks, I had three sodas, chips and queso, and wings and bill was only $65.00. That's a cheap date right there!

Also, our server, Margot (not sure how she spells it, apologies if incorrect) was fantastic!!! Not only with our table, but as former servers ourselves, we observe how our server handles their section and tables and she was constantly on top of everything!!! When we come back, I'm requesting her section in advance!!!

We also observed the multiple security staff, bar staff, etc making their way thru the crowd, and actually helping to keep tables clear, make sure everyone had a good seat, and was heard for any complaints (none here). This is great communication and more importantly leadership from the owner Tony.

I've read through some of the negative reviews here, and even before the show started, Tony explained to the crowd that anything and everything was meant to be in good fun. We are there to get out of the normal rut that is life and have an enjoyable experience. And boy did we ever. Yeah, I paid for a song, and it didn't get played by midnight, but hey, it's ok. I enjoyed all the others (except Frozen...I took a piss during that one, call it good timing). I know how hard it is to be in the entertainment business and you can't please everyone everyday in every way. You do the best you can, learn from the mistakes you made, and be better. And. This place is top notch!!!

Can't wait to see you all again, and give Margot...

90 min after open to play any real music. Begging for tips to play anything. Sounded like really bad karaoke when they did play. Worst money spent this year. Go to Pete’s in Austin to learn how to run a Dueling Piano Bar.

Update to business reply: copying reply here in case they decide to delete it. “You know what’s weird… We recently fired a guy and he went to work at Pete’s in Austin. I’m SURE this review is purely coincidental 🙄 but you should go see him. 😉”

THIS is exactly what you get when you go here. Same attitude from just about every employee we interacted with. We had a reservation for 15 people at opening. Sat at the tables on the left just past the hostess desk.

As far as Austin, it is pure coincidence. I’ll have to see if I can track them down when I’m there next. I travel to Austin for work often and have been going to Pete’s for years. Never once been to PLUS because I don’t really go out with clients in Raleigh. No clue anybody from here worked there. My comment was based solely on my experience. They just play good music, accept requests as they come in, with tips of course but never once do they mention tips. Last night felt almost predatory. Some of the things we heard “The band doesn’t make money by you just walking in the door, you have to tip”. And “better tips get songs played sooner, for example a $20 tip is going to get played before a $10 song”.

And the worst part was that they were really terrible. Johnny B Goode sounded like bad karaoke and Sweet Caroline was the worst I’ve ever heard. We didn’t even recognize it at first.

Oh, by the way. You should update your website that has food menu since you don’t have food anymore. We had to DoorDash some Chick-fil-A because we came prepared to eat.

All 15 of us concur, we won’t be back. And I’m the only one that’s...