How often have you been to a restaurant where there's a pianist playing?

[PinkieTuscadero]

I never have but I'm watching a Hugh Grant film, y'know, the one where he plays a bumbling Englishman in America, and he's on a date in a restaurant where there's someone tinkling away on the ivories. And it occurred to me that there is nearly always a restaurant pianist in American films. So are they really that common in America or is it just a thing films do to create a bit of romantic ambience?

Twice but i don't get to eat out in 5* restaurants that often.

Once. Was in Sheffield.

Oh and afternoon tea at the Ritz as well, they had a piano.

A few times, it really adds to the experience for me. Much better than people swearing or children noisily playing chase in between the tables!

About 3 times.
Once there was actually a beautiful 5 piece mini orchestra. ( hotel abroad )

Never.

About 5 times. All in England, mostly mid-range independent restaurants. One was a fairly swish hotel.

Quite often in Glasgow, even in chain places like Browns and the Slug & lettuce.

Never in a restaurant but I do enjoy a cocktail in the piano bar when on a cruise ship.

Once. In Browns on Christmas day.

Once in Portmeirion. It was a lovely touch but slightly marred by the tantrum my (then) 3 year old had because we gave him a different flavoured ice cream to the one he wanted!

Once, it Brighton. It was lovely.

Often. Live in the Middle East and most restaurants I go to are in 5* hotels (so that I can drink with the meal). Pianists are common, and also harpists in reception.

It’s very wanky and unnecessary.

Once, could do it more often if I wanted to but I didn’t particularly like it.

Quite often in Glasgow, even in chain places like Browns and the Slug & lettuce.

This

Joe Allen’s in the Strand. Great ambience

Depends on the setting, though. I’m sure I’d like it in some circumstances. Drinks, sure, but I prefer to eat in peace and quiet.

On weekends in pubs there’s often piano or some other music.
It is not the norm in America in a regular restaurant.

My friend plays piano in The Ritz

A couple of times by accident. I found it really annoying both times.
All a bit showboaty. Go and play somewhere else, I’m trying to chomp down on my food and catch up with my mates.

Every night on the cruise,

A handful of times in "real life"

A few times. Last one was at Two Bridges on Dartmoor and he did requests. It was lovely.

I lived in the US for the first 28 years of my life, part of that in Manhattan going to some pretty glorious places. I have never seen anyone playing a piano in a restaurant.

My local supermarket in the US has a bar and a piano.

All the time in lovely lovely Ciao Bella in Bloomsbury.

Standard, fairly cheap Italian with the same bloke playing the piano for at least the last 15 years.