Brandy's Piano Bar

Brandy's Piano Bar at 235 East 84th Street in Yorkville has been running since 1979 and is one of the Upper East Side's few gay-identified bars. It is a classic New York piano bar: a pianist plays every night, the waiters and bartenders take turns singing Broadway and pop standards, and the regulars join in. There is no cover charge. Listings show a daily happy hour in the late afternoon and early evening before the main music sets, and the bar stays open late. The room is small, so on Friday and Saturday it fills quickly; arriving early is the standard advice from reviewers. The crowd is mixed, mostly gay men plus friends, neighbors and visitors, with a wide age range and a friendly, unpretentious feel. It hosts seasonal parties such as its annual holiday party (December 2025). It suits anyone who enjoys the sing-along culture of the West Village piano bars but is staying uptown. Take the 4/5/6 to 86th Street or the Q to 86th Street and Second Avenue. 21+ ID is required.