Don’t Tell Mama
“– FIRST PIANO BAR EXPERIENCE —
We stumbled upon this place when we went bar hoping in Hell's Kitchen.”
“I love to come here with a couple girlfriends – it's relaxing and intimate and the staff/singers are always great.”
“I had mini crab cakes and the shrimp and lobster ravioli with a vodka sauce.”
Don’t Tell Mama
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Coat Check: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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We were in NYC few just a few days and organized an impromptu "family reunion." We had heard about Don't Tell Mama, the location was perfect (we had tickets for a show down the block for that night) and were able to get a reservation for 10 the same day. While there are several venues in this one location, we stayed in the front dining room only.
Our server brought the main menu. Someone in our party asked about the price fixed menu and the server brought those out too. For $24, you get a soup or salad, an entree, and a dessert. Seemed a good deal, especially in a midtown Manhattan restaurant. I decided to go with the price fixed meal. I chose the gazpacho to start, the tilapia for a main course, and a brownie for dessert. It's been a while since I've had gazpacho, so I have no expertise as to what a good bowl should taste like. However, the gazpacho I ate here was just bland and very unexciting. Not bad, but much less than the gazpacho I remember from my past. The presentaion of the talapia was very nice. But the presentation was the best part of the dish. Also very bland and unexciting. The brownie was the highlight of the meal. Moist and delish. My wife had the chicken marsala. Now that was a tasty dish (only $18). My brother-in-law had another of the price fixed dishes, the coucous. It ended up less than half eaten. He described it as greasy and bland.
The service was excellent. If only all of the food was up to that standard. I was torn between 3 stars (for the food) and 4 stars (for the food and ambiance), but since the food quality is the most important item in the rating, I ended up rounding down.
It's all about the staff ! Was looking frwd to this place from a friend who went . We went to the piano bar , on entry told min drink policy . Sat at bar and there was piano man singing some songs that I didn't really know which is ok . ( I'm a musical buff so usually know all songs ) Bar staff where cordial to say the least .. Not really much interest in customer .. Then it all fell into place ,. Piano singer and staff have this set up that they all tell joking stories about how good good singers they are etc .. Mike is passed to one staff then another who sing audition songs they used from their failed career obviously .. They talk to eachother assuming you as a customer like or are enjoying their entertainment .. It was uncomfortable and cringy .. ESP when they all constantly pat eachother on the back while you as a customer seat there ignored .. Just dony get this place and hence wont t be back !
Great ambience, NYC crowd, which is nice. Piano player and a cabaret in the back. Gotta find out what THATSabout!
What's not to love about Don't Tell Mama? Good location in Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. Laid back ambiance. Live pianist playing classic and modern jams. Happy hour from 4-8pm. Generous wine pours for $4. Friendly bartender. Doesn't get much better than that. Oh, and don't tell mama!
Best friend and his Cap21 crew were performing a cabaret called "Second Time Around" in the piano bar at Don't Tell Mama, and of course, I had to come to support him! It was such a cool way to spend a Thursday night! While the whole bar was pretty big, the piano bar in the back was more of an intimate affair. There was roughly around 30 seats and admission was $10pp + minimum of 2 drinks. We were limited on our choice of beverages and the drink prices were pretty inflated…but yet again it's Manhattan prices. Overall, the staff was friendly and I definitely had a great time!
This review is for the Piano Bar. We walked in late on a holiday Sunday after a show and were immediately greeted. The venue was packed but luckily for us, four seated had just opened up at the bar.
The staff is friendly and super efficient, multitasking by singing while mixing drinks or serving tables. They are amazing and talented and very entertaining.
The atmosphere is pure and unfiltered fun. Everyone is laughing amd singing along and it's just all around a great time.
The food surprised us, in a good way. We had a turkey club and it was pretty good for a bar snack. The drinks are a little pricey, but completely in line with this side of town.
We'd definitely go back, it was just too much fun.
This was NOT my favorite place I have ever been. This was my first time visiting Don't Tell Mama, and it will probably be my last. My friends and I stopped here for some drinks while bar hopping. We had dinner around the corner, and when we saw that there was a piano bar, we could not say no. Unfortunately, this piano bar was different from every other one I have ever been to. Every song was a familiar song with the words changed completely. Would it have been fun to sing along? YES! But, it was frustrating that you couldn't because of this weird situation. Some people seemed to be in on the "fun" – maybe they were regulars? But, half the crowd looked just as confused as we were. I was also concerned that we wouldn't be allowed to leave without ordering our 2 drink minimum – which was indicated by tacky posted signs – but we got lucky and were allowed to escape after only one drink. Thank goodness!
DTM is a classic New York piano bar on restaurant row. I go to shows a lot in the capacity of reviewer but don't hang out much at the bar.
The drinks very cheap. Happy hour wine is 4 dollars and drinks I think are 6 or 7 with house booze. It's a relaxed, casual, and cheap place to hang out with friends (or get liquored up before you go eat at Joe Allen). I have never eaten at DTM so can't speak to the food, but with Joe Allen so close, that's my go to for food in the area.
The bartenders are all great and sometimes you hear someone singing at the piano that blows your mind.
Yesterday was such a day: Amy is a sub on Sundays and she's extraordinary. In fact, my friend was off to a BBQ and I decided to have an early dinner at Joe Allen. I went to make a phone call and heard "One Note Samba" on the speaker audible from across the street. And I went back and had another drink just to list to Amy.
She's not the regular person for Sunday afternoon but I hope DTM hires her on a regular basis. Versatile singer: Great American Songbook to 1970s pop to Latin music. And a far better than average lounge pianist.
Much fun.