This is a different type of bar. Â A Dueling piano bar to be exact. If you're looking for a fun show and a few drinks this is your place. If you're looking to get smashed and dance your night away in a club- I would venture across the epicenter to suite ( if it's even still named that- clearly I'm aging myself)
When visiting my old stomping ground my friends and I stumbled into Howl at the Moon by accident due to the rain our plans changed.
We all had a good time. A few drink specials- nothing too exciting but  at least we had options between beer and shots.
The guys playing the piano were really talented. They even rocked out a lot!! Everyone gets a free first song suggestion and after that your songs cost money- I'm not sure how much. If you find yourself in the epicenter and want to do something different- Howl at the Moon is a perfect spot.
Extremely disappointed  The bachelorette party that I was a part of was having such a great time on Saturday night, the music, bartenders, bathroom attendant, etc. were all wonderful!  Then the female piano player was unnecessarily rude to my bachelorette.  When we called her on it she responded with nothing but attitude.  It was bad enough that we felt it was necessary to speak to the manager Jim.  When we spoke with him he didn't really seem to care...wasn't even apologetic until we called him on apathetic.  We promptly left and have no intention of going back.  This location really gives the other locations a bad name!
Review Source:This is one of my favorite spots to visit in the Epicenter. Â Each time I've been, I've never been able to get an actual seat inside, but the outer deck area is very nice. Â There's also plenty of room for dancing (if that's your thing).
I don't frequent dueling piano bars a lot, but the musicians at this one are pretty decent. Â Combine some of the strongest drinks at the Epicenter with fairly good music and you're looking at a really good night.
I recommend trying at least one of the fishbowl drinks that they offer.
I've never been to a dueling piano bar, so I didn't really know what to expect. I did read through the reviews before coming here - my friend was celebrating his birthday and so picked the joint. Sorry Chad - they aren't offering specials anymore.
Quite loud, but the music was solid. The folks up on the stage were rocking and rolling and I thought that they were talented. Maybe not the greatest musicians, but they clearly knew how to keep the crowd active and they absolutely understood how to make the bucks! Not just the progressive pricing to get your message written on the mirror, but the subtle plugs for the $20 "play it now" requests and the $40 "I promise I won't suck if you let me come up on stage and sing". And even when the request is a slow downer - Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" - they played it quite uptempo to satisfy the request and still keep the vibe going.
Drinks aren't cheap and they are hit or miss. I had one that was very weak and one that was very strong. I skipped the girl selling Jello shots, but we did buy one for my birthday friend. Be ready to take a picture when they do. Next time, I might just stick with the beers. The drink menu does not have prices and the server didn't give me an itemized receipt, so I can't even guess at how much they cost.
Book a table. Seriously! We were lucky because we got here early and managed to snag the second-to-last at 8:00. The three reserved tables didn't show up until 9:00 and by that time it was SRO.
Parking in Uptown is a challenge. You might be lucky and find a space on the street if you're lucky, otherwise there are expensive parking lots everywhere.
A really rocking good time. I'm sure we will be back.
You know, it may be crowded on weekends, hard to get a seat, drinks could be slow getting to the table - I've experienced all of these things on my four or five visits to Howl at the Moon. But, each visit, I've had a phenomenal time with friends, singing, laughing, drinking and dancing in my chair. Each time I leave, I think, "we have to come back here again soon ". So, how could I not give it a five? My favorite girls night out destination.
Review Source:I attended a happy hour party on Friday. The party includes one drink for one dollar and the rest at a discounted four dollar rate. I ordered two stoli o and sodas - but my first was significantly weaker than the second even though it was made by the same bartender. It wasn't a huge deal, but  I feel that drinks should at least be consistent. The happy hour party comes with free appetizers as well. They hand everything out to you most likely to conserve food. I felt overall the temperatures were off  but most of what I tried tasted  pretty good.
The real reason for the meh review had to do with a bus person (or manager)- I really am not sure who he was. Basically we had two or three tables pushed together because we had a large group. He kept obsessing about our seating arrangement and trying to push our chairs in. It wouldn't have been a huge deal but there were four chairs to a small table-top and we would have been packed in like sardines if we kept the table the way he clearly wanted it. Even when we said we needed a bit more room he stomped around us and was visibly agitated. We were not creating any kind of distraction and the chairs were not a hazard the way we had them, he was compulsive about them, it was really strange.
The instrumentals were good - and the musicians clearly had a wide-range of song knowledge. The vocals were not nearly as good, in fact I hate to say it but they were just kind of bad.
All in all I don't think id go again, one dollar drink or not...
I wasn't very impressed with the pianist and their lyrical abilities. The bar on the right was way crowded and not staffed accordingly. The bar up top on the left wasn't even staffed. I heard they don't like to staff the bar on the top left due to Customers using the stage as a site seeing balcony and preventing Customers from accessing bar.
You need to definitely keep both bars open and well staffed. Keep bouncers available to coordinate the crowd listening and hanging out.
I came on a Thursday night and there was no cover and $1 beer (for a specific type). I don't drink beer, but my friends took advantage of this. It wasn't too crowded... we found some seats by the upper bar. They musicians had a great energy and most could play multiple instruments. We could also get by with song requests for $2, which was nice. The one in Chicago takes at least $10 to get them to consider your song.
Also, it's in a great location because there are tons of other bars nearby on the top floor of the Epicenter. We floated in and out through the night and had a great time!
You might be surprised...no not really...I hate piano bars. They are right up there with nails on a chalkboard and...oh, yeah...karaoke nights or the ultimate...karaoke only bars. There is nothing worse than forced fun. If you are in a bar and spontaneously sing a song that is playing...great. If it is staged to embarrass people...not so great. So needles to say I arrived with a one star in mind.
Atmosphere - crowded yet spacious, slightly older crowd, mostly high tables and chairs, two bar locations, center stage w/ large mirror used for writing silly messages.
Service - prompt and friendly. Never really had to wait for a drink. Went to the bar on the first round and used a server after both w/ equal success.
Pricing - Similar to other Epicentre establishments ($7 mixed drinks)
Piano Playing/ Songs - Songs played consisted of your standard sing-alongs of "Piano Man", "American Pie", "Tiny Dancer", and "Sweet Caroline". These songs were played with the dueling pianos but as others have mentioned there is support from a drummer and a keyboard player, which is unique to this setting. The musicians will also play requests. Since a majority in attendance w/ me were Steelers fans we got the musicians to play an excellent version of "Renegade" by Styx (a Heinz Field staple). Â They also played a surprisingly interesting take on Wiz khalifa Steelers theme song "Black and Yellow".
Overall - Despite the fact that I dislike piano bars and the place did not have the same cozy feel that I prefer of say a Mr Smith's in DC, I had a good time. This was mostly due to the company and the musicians willingness to play anything requested...and play it well.
I came here with a Bachelorette party, so my review might be skewed a bit. It was so much fun - I hadn't been to a dueling piano bar since college.
They basically played all the songs I requested (win.) and humored the Bachelorette by getting her up on stage to dance (great photo-op.) - everyone was friendly, which helped as well.
$1 beers - nice. And the slightly nasty-tasting buckets of random booze and girly mixers were the best $70 I've ever spent in the name of my friends.
Pianos, guitars, drums and lyrics = live music. haha neat! One thing I noticed, I was over dressed and I felt out of place but it seems like a joint you can go kill some time. A countrish sort of atmosphere, nothing wrong with that, it just adds to the authenticity of the kind of place it is.
Review Source:Well, well, well. This past weekend I traveled up to NC for the ACC championship game. Lucky me, I used to live there so I stayed with a close friend, no need for the extra expense on the hotel.
It was my first time being back in the city since I turned 21 and I decided to have some fun. After the game, I was feeling a little down, so we headed over to the Epicenter. This whole place was new to me. We decided to try this place out on the top floor.
Cover was only $3 if we had a ticket to the game. So me and 4 of my girl friends went in and needed a drink right away. My eyes caught hold of this gigantic bucket thing. We rushed over to the bar and looked at the menu. We spotted the buckets and decided to start with the Adios Mofo....yeah Adios is right. Now between 5 of us we finished the night with 5 buckets. We switched back and forth between that one and the Fruit Roll Up which is my personal favorite. They have numerous other drinks, shots, bones, etc. Overall prices were decent. A bucket was 20 bucks....split between 5 people, it isn't bad.
Howl At The Moon is a dueling piano bar. Now I have been to others, and this one is definitely the most fun. The best part about it is, they only play songs that the audience requests. You fill out a piece of paper and it goes into a pile and then they play the songs. They whole bar sings along, and has a great time!
I do have to say, we finally got a table and sat down and the wait staff was very rude. She started off super nice, but then completely ignored us and didn't even want to take our orders anymore. Regardless, I had a GREAT time and I hope to visit one of the locations in Florida!
This is a must if you are in the area looking for a fun night out to just let loose.
Came here with some good people from the firm. I've been a to a few of these dueling piano bars around the country and this place is an epic fail for one reason and one reason only - it is way, way, way over priced. Three beers and three shots of Patrón tequilla ran us $50. This is ALMOST New York prices...but we're at Charlotte (it is located in the downtown EpiCentre)! Don't get me wrong, Charlotte is a nice town and all, but there is nothing really happening there that can command that price level.
Other than the price, service & performance were just so-so. This won't be on my repeat list.
Ladies, have you been looking for that place where you can go with some girlfriends, kick off your shoes and have some drinks at reasonable prices? Every once in a while, do you want to plug in that curling iron, slap on some makeup, put on that pushup bra, and go dance on a baby grand?
Gents, have you been looking for that place where you can go with some buddies and find these girls?
... Look no further. A group of my girlfriends and I did the former. Free admission was very nice, so be sure to print out those passes.
I don't know what people are talking about, but the entertainers were great. The feeling of the entire place was very inclusive, and the band was cracking us up every minute of the night.
Yes it's hard to get a table because they host a lot of parties, but there's nothing wrong with going up to the front of the stage with your drink to get a better view. Remember, you meet people by dancing with people at this place.
They keep the back double doors open to the patio, so people can take their drink, go have a smoke, and talk to folks while being able to hear them.
I'm not sure why people are saying that their drinks are overpriced. I'll be honest when I say that I'm not sure what they are individually, but here's how my evening tab went [I had a friend visiting that I was picking up the tab from, so don't think that all this is me being a crazy lush]:
2 incredibly dirty martinis
2 margaritas
3 bahama mama buckets (cost split between 4 people)
------------------
38.00
To me, that is reasonable, and a little bit above. That, coupled with good friends, great entertainment, general hilarity, and the fact that I didn't see one person who wasn't having a rockin' good time, makes me give this place five stars.
Last night a group of about 12 of my friends and I hit up the Epicenter and spent most of our evening at Howl at the Moon. Â If you come on a Friday night, be prepared for a 7 dollar cover - and pretty expensive drink prices overall. Â The place was packed when we arrived around 10 but a few groups had left and we were able to grab a few tables in the middle of the room. Â We tried to get a third table for our group, since there were 12 of us, but a worker came over and was actually really rude to several of us and said we didn't have enough people for 3 tables, that we needed four to a table...we had 12 people, 12 divided by 3 is 4 the last time I checked - it was honestly really silly, but if the guy was just friendly about it, it wouldn't have been an issue at all. Â
The music was pretty great overall - playing songs from GaGa to Elton John. Â They do take requests here, but only for money - and more than 5 or 10 bucks I'd guess. Â The drinks were really great, for 20 or 25 bucks you can get their 'bucket', which comes in a variety of flavors and they won't let you order one unless you have 4 or more people going to drink it - it's just that strong! Â I left the bar after two buckets and a few rum and cokes feeling really goooood! Â I did have a lot of fun, but mostly because of the people that I was with, not because of the high prices and rude workers. Â My only other comment is that the crowd on a Friday night was a bit older - I'd guess the average age to be 35-45, and most of my friends are 25-32, not that there is anything wrong with that :) Â Just want people to be aware of the typical crowd to expect :)
You might be surprised to find out that I'm a fan of the dueling piano bar. Â Unfortunately, not so much when it comes to Howl at the Moon. Â Before I get to that, I will say that they have some sweet offers if you're into looking for them.
Currently on Yelp you can get two people in the door for free by showing the coupon (hint: use it). Â If you use Foursquare, you can check in outside the door and get in for free (hint: if you forgot the Yelp coupon, use it). Â If you're the mayor of the place, you can score a free drink (hint: if you can, use it).
With the economy the way it is, being able to get anything for free is awesome, and on that front, you have to like being able to get anything for free. Â And throwing alcohol into the mix? Â Definitely a bonus.
It's just a shame that the good news stops at the door. Â Or the bar.
What is generally so entertaining about the dueling pianos falls completely flat here. Â If you've ever been to a similar establishment (say Crocodile Rocks in Myrtle Beach), you have likely seen a couple of really talented performers who go for hours on their pianos - technically keyboards wedged into piano frames - and keep you going all night.
At Howl at the Moon you get something else entirely. Â It's a couple of marginally talented musicians on generally the same keyboard concept, but there are other musicians as well (a drummer and guitarist), but no one can sing particularly well, none of them had much charisma and rather than keeping the energy going with singalongs that everyone knew (think Piano Man) they launched into songs that nearly no one could understand because of the volume of the music and after a couple of songs they would take a little break and do a dance like something from Coyote Ugly - even the bartenders and servers. Â So you can't even get a drink to take away the pain.
That all means that instead of an intimate night spent hanging out and singing drinking songs with a hundred of your best buddies, you get something else entirely.
Probably the worst part of it was that the best tables in the house - those in the front - were all taken up by bachelorette parties. Â Now I get that they are a business, and I'm sure those ladies spent loads of money, so I completely understand. Â And it isn't that I have anything against bachelorette parties. Â But to have six or seven large tables (actually four-tops pushed together to form 8- or 12-tops), taking up the bulk of the room, and relegating everyone else to second-class citizen status? Â That's a bit much.
If I ever go back it's to hold _my_ bachelorette party. Â Or at least to claim some free drinks so I can actually enjoy the place. Â Or maybe both.
Need a  night out to let your hair down?  Well look no further than uptown Charlotte!   I fell in love with Howl @ the Moon in San Antonio Texas, so whenever I have an opportunity to visit Howl at the Moon in another city, I have to do it.   The musicians are great, and they make it alot of fun.  Don't know the words to the songs to sing along -- who cares, make something up!  The drinks are a little pricey, but they do have drink specials so it does not have to be a high dollar night.   I will warn you that if you get easily offended or not wanting to sing, have fun and laugh -- I would say skip the piano bar completely.  These entertainers and the patrons like to get loud, sing, dance and let loose and that is exactly why I keep coming back.   I cannot wait to visit Charlotte again in July!
Review Source:The first time I went to Howl at the Moon was with my brother. Â I spent the night singing loudly along with every song and continuously requesting songs that I hadn't heard in awhile. Â The musicians are very talented, but I would not recommend coming if you're not ready to sing along and enjoy the music.
I felt the drinks are a bit pricey, but affordable, and the service is pretty good...even on really crowded nights. Â If you are planning on going on a weekend, you might want to get there early if you want to sit down.
I don't think this is a "regular" spot for most people, but definitely worth visiting every once and a while.
When I get to play tourist- there are things that I do, that I probably wouldn't do at home. Howl at the Moon is one of those things.
I've been to Howl at the Moon locations all across the country- from Hollywood, to San Antonio, to Orlando, to my home town of Chicago and now Charlotte, Howl locations crack me up with their unique combination of the talent of the dueling piano players coupled with the entertaining banter and dances. It's the perfect place to laugh the night away.
The music runs the gamut- from the 70's to today. A tip along with a request will get your favorite song played. Want it played sooner? Put in a bigger tip.
On this snowy night in Charlotte, the place was only half full so there was plenty of room to slide some tables aside and dance to all our favorite songs (hey- if no one else is going to suggest a song . . .we're not shy!) This is a place where audience participation is a must so don't even enter the place if you are not ready to sing along, dance or just bob your drunken head to the music.
Our servers kept the beer (and shots, oh my aching head the next day) freely flowing and they were quick with the clean up when the guys next to us tipped over their table and sent bottles flying to the floor.
This location is on the 3rd floor of the Epicenter which is quite the climb if you can't figure out the maze of stairways to get you there. And careful on the way down- a few drinks in you might have you careening off the top level!
Not an everyday spot , for sure. But if you are looking for a fun night where you can laugh at yourself and marvel at how those piano players know "every song", Howl at the Moon in your place.
Oh. And keep your eyes peeled. You just may find me slipping the pianists a $20 so I can regale you with one of my favorite songs sung at the top of my lungs! Watch out, Charlotte!
This is a really cool idea.. Â a dueling piano bar.. Â basically, they have live and very talented musicians, who can play pretty much anything.. Â people write down requests and toss them in with tips.. Â some tips are small but one time I was there and some guy tipped 100.00 to hear Sweet Home Alabama...dude must have been LIT!
Anyway, it is small and nothing fancy, but it is high energy fun..The musicians are awesome and the drinks are good.. the big buckets are not tasty but they will do the trick.. i never drink them, but i do buy them for college kids who work in my office for fun.. LOL
Usually less of a line than Whiskey River, The Forum or Cans.. and a sometimes a less "trendy" crowd.. The good thing about the epicenter in general is that you can go check out a different night spot in the same location without driving if you get bored one place.. you just go to the next...
Every now and then the whole staff gets up on the bars and does a dance.. that can be entertaining..
Some things to note:
The parking is in the garage of The Epicenter and there are a bazillion steps to climb up to the third floor, there IS an elevator, but i don't know if there is one that goes up to this level.. so don't get hammered and then try to walk down.. i have seen some nasty spills...
ALSO beware if they tell you you won a VIP party for you and your friends.. basically it is a "your list gets in without cover" offer... there is nothing VIP about it.. so don't fall for that.. Â It is still cool, but don't tell people you are going to be VIP becz you will just be embarrassed when basically all they get is free cover...
Located on the 3rd floor of Epicenter, Howl at the Moon is a dueling piano bar. So if you've never been to this type of bar before, check it out before making assumptions. Basically, 2 pianos on stage provide the entertainment the whole night, playing popular songs & battling for tips. It's really tough to explain, other than you'll be amused by the "skits" & songs they know & come up with.
There are 2 bars & the bartenders are pretty quick, but don't catch them when they go into their song & dance routine. You'll be stranded at the bar with no bartender in sight. The beer is a bit pricey, along with a $7 membership fee, but that's what you're going to get in an Epicentre bar.
You'll have a great time at you're 1st visit to Howl at the Moon, but just don't go there too often. To avoid seeing the same skits & banter again, I'd suggest making this a once a month trip.