Rillifane

I'm looking for piano bars in Paris. And by this I mean specifically, bars in which the patrons sit at or around the piano and interact with the piano player, join in singing and/or are invited to take a turn doing a number. (Yes, thats right, I'm a shameless ham and love to sing).

I'll be staying close to the Odeon metro stop in the 6th and anything close to that location would be particularly appreciated.

Rillifane

I'm bringing this to the top because I've tried this question in three travel forums and no one seems to have an answer!

Mayhap someone will see it this time and have some information for me.

Iregeo

Hi Rillifane. Look for cigalechanta's recent Paris trip report. There, she speaks of a restaurant where she sang along with others! Not sure it's a pano bar, but...

Rillifane

Yes, I noticed that. I've got it on my list of places to check out.

And there's always the piano bar at Harry's.

I just figured that with the explosion of Karaole places there might be a parallel growth of piano bars.

cigalechanta

Rillefane, I googled for you,
piano singalong piano bars in Pars and it came up with several, a few mentioned on trip advisor

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...de_France.html

Christina

There are some piano bars in Paris, but those are usually higher-class places in hotels, for example (eg, at the Ritz and Crillon). Sing-along piano bars are pretty rare anyway except resorts and cruise ships, aren't they? I don't think there is anything like that where I live, either. Of course, there are plenty of karoake bars in Paris, if you want that. It sounds like you want something just for English-speaking tourists? Otherwise, you wouldn't know the words in French.

I've heard there is something like that (sing along) at the cabaret place up in Montmartre, Au Lapin Agile. I read on tripadvisor someone say there was sing along at Au Trois Mailletz in the 5th near St Severin church, but I've been there, and there wasn't anything like that when I was there. There was one amateaur female singer and a piano player, but no sing along stuff, and she didn't even really do popular songs or chanson. It might vary what they have there, you never know, I guess you could drop by as there is no cover and it isn't far from where you are staying. That is at 56, rue Gallande

Now, if you just want to be a ham and sing along, there is a public sing along to some French songs (and there is usually sheet music available) on the SE corner of St Medard church at the bottom of rue Mouffetard. That is pretty regular (except not late summer), and is Sunday mornings (as I recall, it starts around 11 am). That could be a fun outing for you anyway due to the market there.

LuckyLuc

On Tuesday evening there is a great soirée of piano-bar sing-along at the restaurant Le Gai Moulin (4, rue St-Merri,4ième. Food is ok, price is great, wine is good.

Songs are mostly French torch-songs of the 40s and 60s with some American shown tunes for good mesure (in which you could really help them with some of the pronunciation...)

Intrepid1

A good friend of mine actually used to be the piano player at the Marriott Champs El. but he is now doing it on a cruise ship!!!

cigalechanta

While strolling about Paris with a friend who lives there, he noticed a sign in a bar and commented how popular the piano bars have recently become the in thing.

Rillifane

Christina

If its a song that's been done by Piaf, Aznavour, or Brel, I probably do know the words in French. And I can add some voyageur songs from Quebec (where I lived for seven years) and Cajun tunes (from my neighbors in Louisiana).

Piano bars as I've described can be found in most big American cities. They tend to be popular with older people (which is to say my fellow old geezers - *grin*).

LuckyLuc

(A bit hors sujet, sorry)

Rillifane,

With such a répertoire next time you visit Maine do stop at The Front Porch, in Ogunquit. So far that is the best piano-bar I have found.

cigalechanta

I was there last summer!!!

Rillifane

LuckyLuc

Maine USA I assume and not Maine France?

Christina

well, if you know all those French songs, you will fit right in. You didn't say that you knew them, so I just wasn't sure.

I don't know--I don't think these are as popular as you seem to think they are in all major cities, but the place in the 4th sounds good. If you know all those songs, the thing at St Medard will be right up your alley.

LuckyLuc

Yes Maine,USA. And Christina is absolutely right do not miss Saint-Ménard on Sunday it is a must for me every time I am in Paris. Last December I was there waltzing to the sound of the accordéon.

dmkujat

LuckyLuc...you are right about the Front Porch...its MY fantasy to play there someday! I have played for 3 summers at the Bay View Inn in Petoskey, Michigan, and people loved to hear their favorite songs (you make great tips if you know them!). As the dining hours winded down, on nights with "younger" diners, old Beatles tunes were a frequent request...with the older diners, Sinatra is always the hands down favorite!

Rillifane

"Sinatra is always the hands down favorite! "


As well he ought to be as the greatest "saloon singer" (which is how he described himself) that ever lived.

LuckyLuc

Dmkujat, Well I actually lived your fantasy. And it was great. We were en route to our annually pelerinage to Ptowm, and made our four days stop for some serious shopping in Kittery.

The pianist was playing "la vie en rose" and our group of six French men really let go; we asked if he knew other French songs, he didn't so he invited me to play and since I was at my third martini I just took the floor for the next three numbers. Je vous parle d'un temps que les moins de vingt ans...

dmkujat

LL- you're right, you DID live my fantasy!! I guess I was somewhat "lucky" that the Bay View Inn was in a "dry area" and no one actually could get excessively drunk and obnoxious (not saying YOU were!)...but people who had been partying at cocktail hour often came in for dinner and they could really liven up the place! La Vie En Rose is one I played every weekend....it was the Tennessee Waltz that stumped me on one occasion!!!
Secondly....Kittery was fun for me too....been there 3 times and could go again anytime! Actually, moving to Maine is the one last fantasy I have to fulfill, and that includes playing out my days at the Front Porch...loved Ogunquit's beaches when I was there! <Sigh>

Faux

Hi Rillifane. I finally found the link, this is a place famous for its singalong to Piaf!! Not a piano but a piano accordion - even more lifelike. Not evening but afternoon and what a great way to end an afternoon searching through the flea markets with your granddaughter. A singalong to Piaf classics - imagine singing along to "la vie en rose", "milord", "non. je ne regrette rien" - bliss!

http://www.thingstodo-paris.com/broc...=1&ITEM=21