Georgetown Piano Bar — Restaurant in Washington

Very disappointing experience. I reached out 7 months before my wedding inquiring about hosting our after party there. The manager was said it would be no problem. I asked if we needed to pay a booking fee or minimum to hold the space, and he said no because it is usually empty on Sunday nights. I checked back in 5 days before the wedding, and he said that he booked a sorority formal there that would have a DJ playing until 11 p.m. but that we could get in at 10 p.m. anyway and that he was confident the party wouldn't even be staying that late. While not ideal (why didn't he reach out when the sorority inquired about reserving the night I had already requested, that he said I didn't need to pay to reserve? Also, it is a piano bar so we wanted the piano, not a DJ.), we figured it would be fine since he said it would be ok. Come the night of our wedding, after we've directed all the guests to go there, the first group arrives and are told by the bouncer that they can't get in until 10:30 p.m. Then at 10:30 p.m. they are told they won't be permitted in at all. We scrambled to find a space and thankfully the kind folks at Mr. Smiths fit us all in so all good in the end for us. But bad customer service from Georgetown Piano Bar! I do not recommend for any...

What can I say about Georgetown Piano Bar? Well, I love it! I think it's one of the best bars in the area. I've known the staff and owners for years from back when they were down the street at the old Mr. Smith's. Spencer (Sunday to Tuesday and most Wednesdays) and Hunter (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays) really do great on the piano and go out of their way to make you feel at home. The bartenders and waitstaff are equally friendly and always make sure your drink is full.

It can get a little busy on the weekends, especially during the school year, so I tend to come in more on the week nights when it's a bit more calm. Great place to bring your friends and enjoy some wonderful live music. If you know what you're doing and work it out with the piano players, they'll usually let you sing along! I've also hosted a few parties and events here and the owners and staff are very accommodating.

Oh, and don't overlook the food! It's a small menu, but the food is delicious and all freshly prepared. Surprising treat, you won't be...

My boyfriend and I stopped in for drinks on a busy Friday night and we were made to feel unwelcome. We were sitting at the bar, chatting over a drink, when the bouncer walked over and told me “you need to stop”. He must have seen the confusion on my face because, without skipping a beat, he said “you two have been kissing all night.” That line only added to my confusion. As the bouncer walked back to the entrance, we spoke with the bartender who called over the manager. I told the manager that we probably shared a peck or two over the course of the two hours that we spent at the bar. His response? “We don’t do that here.”

I’ve been to this bar more times than I can count and I’ve always made it a point to visit whenever I’m in DC. The bartender is excellent and the live music is great, but I cannot support a business where I am singled out for being gay. Why should I go out of my way for a bar on a quiet street in Georgetown when I could stumble into any gay bar on U Street and know that I’ll be treated...