I went here on a Friday night. Overall my friend and I had a great time listening to the music and singing along to some favorites. The pianists seem to know the classics that people love to belt out-- just want you want out of a piano bar.
I'm rating it four stars because the place was too big for the size crowd it attracts. The place felt empty at peak hours, which can detract from it's atmosphere. The crowd is mainly 30-somethings with some late 20-somethings mixed in. Also, we tried two of the specialty cocktails from the menu (we decided to indulge a bit since we used the Yelp deal), but they were just so-so.
I'm torn on this place. Â I want to dislike dueling piano bars. Â Every one that I have been to is very formulaic and very similar to the last.. but every time I just have so much damn fun. Â Showed up here after having quite a few drinks at another establishment. Â Not gonna lie - I can appreciate a place that takes requests and encourages drunken tomfoolery. Â The Penguin is what it is, if you are looking for a piano bar where it is appropriate to act ridiculous, you have found it!
Review Source:This is always a fun bar to have a drink and relax. Â What more could a person ask for after a busy crazy day. Â They normally have good drink specials and great live entertainment. Â The two guys playing the pianos always put on a show. Â It is so much fun to pick out a song for them to play and sing. Â THe more crazy the song the better the show. Â The bar staff is very friendly and make great mixed drinks. Â Unlike many other bars downtown you don't have to worry about seating. Â The place is full of tables for the taking. Â It can get a bit packed on weekends because of the hotel right next door but it is still a great please to be and one of my favorite bars that I just don't get to enough.
Review Source:All in all, 3.5 really
My only experience with Dueling Piano Bars prior to my voyage inside of this establishment was the scene from Roger Rabbit where Daffy Duck and Donald Duck duel it out to hilarious consequences.
Unlike Roger Rabbit, there is no password  required.  Even better there is no cover.  But as you would expect, Penguin is not home to animated cartoon characters playing their hearts out for your amusement.  Also it is kind of a tourist destination, and  the beers are priced above average.  However, all and all this place certainly exceeded my expectations and was actually a pretty fun time.
As expected the dueling pianists play some pretty predicable tunes, and what they play is hingent upon tips. Â Yet for some reason, hearing a piano blast out the tired songs shoved down our ear lobes from FM radio and weddings somehow feels fresh and somewhat exciting. Â Granted despite what their fingers can do, the pianists don't always know all of the words.
Drinks are your typical standard domestic set and will set you back about 5 bucks. Â The crowd seemed to be mostly military people, people from New Jersey to see the Giants game, and a bachelorette party or too. Â There is no cover and they force you to dump your drink into a plastic cup if you choose to go outside to smoke, converse or contemplate the meaning of life. Â My only real complaint is the awkward placement of the bar in relationship to a pillar (if you go, you know what I am talking about)
Great for large groups, out of towners, and for listeners of generic white people music.
This bar has lost all identity. Â It doesn't know if it wants to be a posh upscale bar with high prices, a fun piano bar that entices people to drink and have a good time, or just a chill piano bar. Â Entertainers tend to do their best with what they have, but with lack luster crowd involvement and high prices on drinks, this place won't be around much longer. Â Take a note from Howl at the Moon in Indianapolis and create some Friday or Saturday night specials that get people drinking more and having a good time and THEN the wallets will open for tips, song requests and of course, more BOOZE. Â I've been 4 separate times and it's been worse each time. Â So for now, I'll go across the river to the other dueling piano bar.
Review Source:I didn't get this place.
Maybe it was because I hadn't been to this address since it was the Havana Martini Club. That decor was classy and a bit elegant and I could take my wife there to enjoy some live music and maybe a bit of dancing. Now it looks like they ripped that out and put up a bunch of stock tables and chairs as cheaply as possible.
Maybe it was because the two pianists looked like two dudes that wandered in off the street and sat down to doodle at the keyboard.
Maybe it was because at about 8:30PM on a Saturday the place was empty except for my wife and I and the couple we were with and what looked to be two bachlorette parties. I could be unclear but one girl in each group was wearing a tiara and I saw phallic-themed party favors.
Probably it was my expectations. I see "piano bar" on a sign and I think of nattily dressed musicians possibly smaltz-ing their way through the standards. If Michelle Pfeifer wants to stretch herself across the piano I wouldn't mind. These guys just seem to be banging out tired pop tunes.
First off, let me say that I really miss Havana Martini and wish we could have gotten some sort of variance that allowed Cigar bars to stick around.
I've been to Penguin a few times and have been disappointed that they've tried to charge a cover for a place that is not even close to filled and has a completely dead atmosphere. Â I have a tough time seeing this place stay in business long term, because it is almost never hopping. Â
I've been here one night when I can say that it was truly exciting. Â However, I was quickly dismayed. Â After hanging out and listening to some hit-or-miss music I decided to pony up five bucks to hear Meatloaf's I Would Do Anything for Love, which is a song I've requested at other dueling piano bars in the past. Â I am a pianist and I suggest this song for two reasons: (1) it is over-the-top, fun, and kinda rocks and (2) it is A PIANO SONG!!! Â Usually for these reasons the pianist thanks me for the request and belts out a pretty awesome rendition, but not the pianist at Penguin. Â Instead, he literally got on the microphone, read the request and said "not in a million years". Â I immediately walked up to the piano and took my money out of his jar. Â Kudos to him, he did not protest.
We left shortly thereafter.
Went here for date night on saturday. we showed up around 9 to a half filled place.
Drink specials weren't that great, $4 flavored vodka drinks and $3 pbr. I went through there flavored vodka menu and tried most of them as i havent had much of the flavored vodkas. The gummy one tasted like sweddish fish, and as I'm a huge fan of the fish i wish i would of started on that one :)
Music was great, performers had some minimal crowd interaction, but were great at embarrassing the birthday crowd. We got lucky enough to buy one of them a shot as he took a break. Also had a great conversation with him till he had to get back on stage.
Place got packed around 1030, the bar was super busy, even sitting at the bar it took about 10 minutes from when you finished your drink to get the next one.
Parking is easy at fountain square, woman dont need to pay a cover and guys are just $5. Throw them some hard songs, they played every ll cool j and ben folds five song i could throw at them.
I'm a HUGE dueling piano bar fan. I think they're a blast, but the Penguin isn't my favorite one. I've been there twice, and both times the entertainers are just... okay. The drinks here are pretty pricey, but the service is good and the atmosphere is nice. It's probably the best you can do in a 100 mile radius, and it's still a good time.
Review Source:I am torn about this place. Several times I have been here and had an OK time but then there have been times where I question myself as to why I ventured into this place. I love loud, raucous places and this place often fits the bill. But there are just a few things that rub me the wrong way and have me questioning the business model and setup of this bar.
First, cover... I will be the first to admit that I am thrifty and occasionally cheap, but I really don't see a reason to charge an entry fee. I feel like they are charging cover just b/c  they can. Not cool. There are plenty of bars/clubs/venues that do not charge (and certainly could) and I'm going to those long before I consider Penguins. If the service, music, and overall experience were above average, I'd have no problem with a cover. Alas, that's not been the case. *This location was supposed to be free for participants during Santacon and was trying to charge cover. They are not going to be on the list of bars next year.
Second, the pianists seem like they are "phoning it in" and this kind of sloppy musicianship is a contributing reason for my aversion to a cover charge. Maybe I was there on a bad night, who knows?
Third, service seems hit or miss. I've had table service some times and then other times I've had to go to the bar. I don't know what the reason is, and its a slight annoyance at best, but I thought I'd mention it since I'm on a negative bent.
So, what's good about this place? Uhm, the music can get yer feet tapping and screaming out the garbled lyrics to your favorite song. For those that muscle up the liquid courage to strut their stuff on the dancefloor, have fun, as everyone is watching you do to the setup and super bright lighting. If you go up on stage, be careful and try not to spill your drink on the pianos (I believe they are shells with electric keyboards, but I could be wrong).
I know that any place is what you make of it, and I usually try to do that, but Penguins makes it pretty hard to like.
*My suggestions, ditch the cover (not just for ladies on Friday night), maybe through some kind of loyalty discount for "liking" your facebook page, etc. Hire one or two dedicated table servers, and dim the lights a bit on the dancefloor.
I have no idea how this place stays open...It is only open on weekends and the three times I have been in, it was about 75% empty. Â Piano Bars require you to make a little bit of a fool of yourself in general--- singing and dancing along. Â If there isn't anyone else around you doing the same, you just feel silly.
Also, I take issue with the fact they charge cover. Â How can a place that is so clearly in need of customers drive them away by making you pay to enter? Â This requires some serious dedication to the place and often I am only looking for a 30-45 stop in.
The piano players are good considering their market.  They may not be as talented as others in bigger cities I have been to (Vegas, Boston), but they  are good enough.  They are unfortunately are required to edit their songs and are unable to do some of the raunchy piano bar favorites (as far as I can tell).  Part of the fun of a dueling piano bar is watching someone on a baby grand belt out the "Discovery Channel" song. Â
Drinks are mediocre... not particularly strong and typical price for downtown (read expensive). Â They do have a cool list of specialty drinks that are all good. Â Waitresses are very nice and service is good.
I highly doubt I will be back, which makes me sad because I love piano bars. Â Guess I have to get my fix when I am outside of the city..
My friends and I visited this bar while we were in the city for a conference. I had no idea what a deuling piano bar even was--what a pleasant suprise! When I first walked in it was pretty dead in there but by 10pm it was packed and the alcohol was flowing. Â The two piano players put their own spin on songs from all genre's--rock, rap, country...you name it. Â They sing them all by playing piano and they take your request with a tip. Â They even made up some really halarious songs and used the audience members as props. Â
My only beef was that after going to the bar three nights in a row some of the songs became redundant. Â This bar really MADE our trip to Cincinnati memorable.
I'll be the first to admit this ... I'm not the biggest Dueling Piano Bar fan in the world. In fact, the cheesiness and "birthday party feeling" all these bars seem to have makes me cringe a little bit. So when a friend suggested we go here, let's say I was less than thrilled.
Being that as it is, I actually had an OK time.
Don't get me wrong, everything about piano bars still remains. Two guys behind two instruments battling it out over songs, making terrible jokes and playing piano covers of rock songs that should be done with guitars. Yikes.
However, they were indeed both very talented and when audience members threw up songs they wanted to hear, they knew how to play them and did a pretty good version.
It wouldn't be a dueling piano bar without the liquor and they did have a decent selection of drinks. Nothing too cheap but nothing ridiculous overpriced either. And they came really quickly too after we ordered, so that was a win.
There are tables everywhere here, which is nice if you're traveling with a few people (as we were) or a giant group, as many were. Of course, the ease of getting a lot of people into a room coupled with the nice quick bar meant everyone was drunk here ... everyone. It might have been less annoying if I had come at the end of might night when I too was a little tipsy, but oh well.
And, of course, on the weekend there is a cover charge. Blegh to that. I probably would have given 4-stars if there wasn't a cover, but I can go see Live Music throughout this city without paying a dime. I know this is a chain and they can charge whatever they want, but seriously Penguin? Eh...
I'm not sure I'll go back here unless brought with friends again. Still, if you like this sort of thing (and there are a whole bunch of people I know who do), then this is a place to check out.
So admittedly, I was only here for about an hour and it was a little early on in the night (9:30ish).
I won't be too harsh as I am expecting to go back for the full experience.
The two guys playing the piano were pretty good. Â Impressive how they knew anything that was requested. Â It was pretty dead and I'd like to go back when there is a bigger crowd and more interaction.
I got a couple of drinks and they were reasonable priced and came quickly. Â
I'll update when I go back a second time but this is all I can say for now.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0! You WIN!
I guess Penguins are tougher than Cats. Fat Cats, that is. Deservedly so. Great new member of downtown. Great slightly different alernative to the scene we have.
If you have not been, don't be scared. Give it a try. Casual place, friendly bartenders, and a few good laughs. And live music to boot.
Bring cash. The piano players do it for tips.
What a fantastic display of talent New Years Eve! The dueling piano event was stupendous! The players new every song, every word, every note and every funny comment in between....we were blown away with the professionalism and entertainment that the four revolving pianists displayed. The drummer played like a rock star, so the group's holistic groove demanded dancing and audience participation.......dancing lasted until 2:00 AM.
Review Source:This has got to be one of the most fun piano bars I've been to, and it an awesome addition to downtown!
This is a tue dueling piano bar. There's no tvs set up as distraction, no back rooms to hide in, spacious bar, and just an overall fun laid back atmosphere. I went on opening night, and I have to say, it seemed like the staff and the players here have been doing this here for years. The cocktail waitresses were incredibly nice, and even gave us drink options!
They've got everything here from beer to wine to cocktails. Sorry no bottle girly drinks like smirnoff and the likes. But I ordered a tequilla sunrise, and she asked what type of tequilla I'd like in it! I don't think I've ever once had someone ask me, and just giveme the cheap stuff. I loved that I had a choice of about 7 different kinds! The prices here were incredibly reasonable for a bar, especially downtown, and especially when she started ticking off high end brands, not a cheap one on her list! it was still only $6, which is awesome for high end alcohol.
The piano players were a lot of fun and really interacted with crowd. Even heckling a few patrons. They really value your input and want you to have a good time, while of course working for their tips ;) There are couchs availble to sit on as well as small and larger tables, the bar, and some high top tables in the back.
I really love the feel and the vibe to this place, and the staff is super amazingly awesome! Granted it may have been them trying to make a good impression on opening night, but I'll definately be back there! Like i said, this is a great classy yet fun addition to downtown!
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