Banana Cafe & Piano Bar
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Banana Cafe & Piano Bar: A gay-friendly restaurant and piano bar in Southeast Washington, DC, serving Caribbean food and live music.
When Jorge Zamorano, a Cuban-American, opened Banana Cafe & Piano Bar, he wanted to bring Caribbean culture to DC. The place feels like a warm, loud dinner party, pulling its look and menu from Cuba, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. It’s distinctly Latin American, but everyone feels comfortable here.
For LGBTQ+ visitors to Washington, DC, it's a solid choice for dinner. The food leans Caribbean, and the piano bar makes it feel like a night out, even if you're just grabbing a casual meal. The decor helps; it’s colorful and a little over the top, which works for conversation and celebration.
You’ll find it at 500 8th Street Southeast, easy enough to get to from most parts of DC. Check bananacafedc.com for menus and hours. If you’re tired of the usual DC dinner spots and want something with a bit more flavor and live music, this is it.
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The space is cool, the service is great and the performers are top-notch, which is why I don’t understand how the audio linked to the pianos is so absolutely god-awful. Genuinely terrible.
I love the Georgetown Piano Bar! The food and drinks are amazing, and the entertainment is always top-notch. The pianists are incredibly talented and very friendly and approachable. The Piano Bar also hosts New Year’s Eve parties, and they are always a lot of fun. I would definitely recommend checking this place out!
The piano show was super capitalist and rude. We have to pay for a song which is fine. I paid $5/song I said I didn’t know how much to pay (I’m not from here). Piano guy loudly pointed out that other ppl paid more but after I Venmoed them. Apparently they played songs for ppl that paid more first, not first come first served (only in America). I came up to ask if we can Venmo more because we were leaving. Piano guy didn’t let me talk and screamed near the mic, “LOOK I GOT PPL PAYING $20 $20 $20 AND YOURS IS FIVE. LOOK LOOK LOOK LOOK”. I was so embarrassed and left
Don’t waste your time or money… Expensive drinks with automatic gratuity and “entertainment charge”. Smallest cocktail glass I’ve ever had. Not sure they know how to make an Old Fashioned. Singers/ piano players are struggling. Microphone issues.
What a fun vibe!! I love the piano bar! It's always shocking that they serve food too. Such talented pianist. My only complaint would be when I paid for a song to be played it never happened all 4 visits.
Had an absolute blast here with friends and family... Great music, great fun, awesome drinks, the dueling pianos were fantastic. Definitely stopping by anytime we're in or near the DC area. Hunter was incredibly talented and made the whole evening.
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Last updated on 20 August 2026