Louisa M.
Yelp
By nature, singalong piano bars are going to deliver a great time, and Pat O'Brien's Piano Bar and Pub at Universal CityWalk is basically the perfect mix of rowdy fun and classic New Orleans charm. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a lively, festive atmosphere, lots of warm wood tones, and that unmistakable sound of raucous pianos.
The main draw here is of course the dueling pianos. The musicians are energetic, funny, and will take requests, sometimes roasting the audience in the most playful way possible. It's part performance, part interactive experience, and all-around good time. Now, the quality of the performers make a huge difference. It's a draw whether you'll luck out or get a couple of duds, but I have usually been able to make it work no matter who is playing.
Drinks are strong and plentiful, and the Hurricane cocktail lives up to its legendary reputation. The menu has classic bar fare so you can make a night of it if you're hungry, but this is more of a drinking bar. It can get packed, but there are tons of tables around the pianos as well as off towards the back if you're looking for a "quieter" evening (relatively speaking).
My major criticism here is that they have the dueling piano volume just way too loud. Like painfully loud. Bring earplugs or you will be in pain. I don't get why bars feel like they have to have the volume cranked up to 11 in order to bring the fun. It's the patrons who do that, and we can't stay too long unless we want our eardrums to start bleeding.
Pat O'Brien's is a fun piano bar spot (I still prefer Orlando staple Howl at the Moon, but this isn't a bad choice if you're in the Universal resort area). It offers lively music, strong drinks, and a fun party atmosphere.