Profile

This piano bar, opened in 1979, has the kind of unpretentious neighborhood feel that might have inspired Billy Joel's song from that era, Piano Man. Every night, bartenders and waiters croon along to Broadway favorites, jazz standards and classic rock. Brandy's attracts a certain segment of Yorkville's gay contingent, but hetero couples are just as welcome to add their off-key voices to the din. Trading quips as they down martinis and Buds, the regulars seem practically nailed into their seats at the long wood bar, which lost its polish long ago. The time-worn, slightly sleazy air is solidified by dozens of coats of paint on the walls and worn linoleum floors. During the concerts, there is a two-drink minimum, but drinks are fairly cheap. — David S. Hirschman

Two-drink minimum at table seating.