List of pubs with playable piano.;

Subject: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 02:54 PM

Hi chaps.
I am not capable of playing the piano.
But
I know that there are several Catters who are and of one in particular who feels bereft of her means of musical expression while traveling without her own instrument.
I therefore propose that we have a thread on which we can post info re Pubs which have a playable piano available for the use of those who are of that persuasion.
There are other threads which list alternative instruments or bemoan the passing of the pub piano in the UK.
This is not intended as another of those but rather as a resource for our fellow traveler's.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 02:57 PM

The Captain Cook at Staithes ,near Whitby has an upright piano that I heard played and was tuneful.
The Thompson Arms in Flaxton North Yorks is also forte-fied(sorry) with the same.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 03:38 PM

If you're on the Isle of Wight you might pop in to the Buddle at Niton. They have a good playable piano and even have a "sing around the piano night".

Andy

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 03:47 PM

The Brewery Tap , Catherine Wheel Yard , Brentford has an Upright , though the opportunities to play are somewhat limited because of the number of Live Music nights in the pub !

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Acorn4
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 03:54 PM

The problem is with pianos is that, unless they are kept at a constant temperature, they are always going out of tune, as heating is often inconsistent. School have much the same problem when heating is switched off over the weekend. This accounts for the "honky-tonk" sound of most pub pianos, and this won't always suit folk music.

Pubs which have digital pianos can avoid this problem, but unless the landlord is a muso, the pub may not be willing to invest in one and risk a pint being spilt thus knackering the electrics.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 06:33 PM

Yup re problems but they are still out there somewhere so a list of them may help people on future excursions..

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 14 Aug 09 - 04:02 PM

Thanks, Tim! There is one in a pub in Gainsbro too but I will have to ask Sooz or Mike as I am not sure which one. It is near the river I think. I had a tinkle there, last year, lol, the weekend the Folk Festival was on, and it sounded not bad, then. Also, the Barn at Tealby, N Lincs, has a digital baby grand.
If anyone feels their piano in their venue could do with a bit of use....please give me a shout, scampi and chips included and I will be there! ;-)

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 05:18 AM

Slight thread creep, but in the days when I lived in London & went to the 100 Club for jazz two or three nights a week, Alex Welsh's pianist, the late Fred Hunt, used to carry a bagful of piano tuner's tools and always tuned the piano before the set started!

RtS

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 05:30 AM

Ah Mr Skiffler that is useful thread creep.
There may be a kernel of an idea in there,maybe we could have a mudcat Horizontal Harp correction team.
Seriously is it very difficult to put the odd string back to the tension it needs to produce the correct note?
re furbing the whole piano(pianee) would be time consuming and possibly awkward to do but the odd duffer?

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 09:50 AM

as far as London goes:

The Grosvenor pub in Brixton has two playable pianos.

Cafe Oto in Dalston has a piano that is regularly tuned up.

I think the Vortex (also Dalston) also has a piano.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 02:08 AM

Baby Grand ?in foyer of Wortley Hotel,Scunthorpe,North Lincolnshire.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Kev The Clogs
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 05:56 AM

The Swan in Sidmouth, Devon has an upright, which is always being played during Folk Week.

The King George V in Brompton, Chatham, Kent also has a fine upright which is played on a regular basis - the landlord also keeps a VERY fine selection of draught beers, bottled belgium beers and single malts (perhaps this is why our Morris side made it the side's pub of choice :-)   )

Hope this helps

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 09:44 AM

Cheers KTC
It all helps someone down the line.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 12:21 PM

Not a pub, but if you are ever at Lea Village Hall in Gainsborough, they definately have a very nice sounding joanna.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 12:24 PM

Thank you Les.
The list grows....

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 07:16 PM

I think the Wortley hotel, Scunthorpe, piano in the foyer needs mending, they said it didn't work because something was wrong with it, when I asked about it.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 02:01 AM

OOOps sorry.
I is ignorant of piano stuff.
Maybe they should get it fixed it looks nice.
;-)

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 03:55 AM

Sun Inn Beverley

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 03:56 AM

That was me

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 08:24 AM

Smashin mate...

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Broadside Man
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 01:28 PM

And another one for you The Sandford Hotel Wareham Dorset. Not sure how well it plays though.

Oh and just to increase the thread a bit. The Hunters Inn at Heddons Mouth North Devon, have instruments on the wall along with a note saying that if anyone has any unused instruments they do not want just hand them to the bar staff who will set them up so they are there for people to play. When I visited there were three guitars and a trumpet! Beer's good to !

Geoff

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 02:10 PM

Nice one! Ideal music pub thread anyone?

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 08:16 PM

The Royal Oak in Edinburgh has a piano, which does get played sometimes, tho' you'll prob have to scoop a few people off the cover over the keys/change seats/remove Festival Fringe leaflets, etc, before you can get into it. It's prob NOT concert pitch but is playable after a Joanna-ish fashion. Somebody did do some ragtime stuff on it last week when I was in there.
If I'd known about the Swan in Sidmouth, I'd have had a go: next year maybe?

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 08:28 PM

Forgot to say, also, but another thread has reminded me, that the Taybank in Dunkeld, Perthshire, has a number of resident instruments that folk can play.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 01:56 AM

A warning;
There is a story about the great Irish Traveller piper Felix Doran, who used to play at Lloyd's pub in Chorlton-Cum-Hardy in Manchester in the sixties.
One of the regulars used to fancy himself as a piano player and insisted on accompanying eveything that went on there, whether requested to or not (rather like the pratts who insist on singing along with the singer uninvited).
At one session the would-be accompanist toddled in from tha bar, sat down at the piano and began to show his inability - very loudly. After a short period of tolerating the music being valdalised, one of the listeners arose from his seat, walked over to the piano and, following several failed attempts at getting him to desist, slammed the lid down on his hands, breaking several of his fingers.
Desite my being a pacifist by nature, on many occasions at our local session I find myself wishing that bodhrans come with lids!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 02:03 AM

Wow hey that original Jim a dig at Bodrhan Players!
Never seen that done before,ow can you tell when the pub floor is level?
Folk club organizers dribble out of both sides of their mouths.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: mandotim
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 03:39 AM

The Manifold Valley Hotel at Hulme End, Derbyshire has a piano in the public bar. It used to be run by a landlord who had a PHd, specialising in the music of Duke Ellington. There was a sign on the piano which read;
'Parents;please encourage your children to play this piano. However, the following scale of charges apply, proceeds to charity;
Playing Chopsticks costs 10p
Fur Elise 5p
The Entertainer 5p
Anything by Duke Ellington, we pay you!'
Tim

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 04:42 AM

"Wow hey that original Jim a dig at Bodrhan Players"
Who knows, if it happens often enough they (you?) might take the hint.
Coming from an area that abounds with real musicians we know only too well the destructive power of wannabes
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 09:54 AM

Tsk thin skinned eh?
Maybe you have more in common with Bodrhans than you like to think?
Chill out James

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 11:18 AM

Just to keep on topic - How about Organs? The Lord Nelson in Pendlebury. Manchester has one of those large electronic jobbies (Farfissa I think). Used regularly to back (or drown out) singers on a Saturday:-)

Just off topic there was a pub in Abram, Wigan, that had an extremely out of tune one in the Ladies - Into which we all used to traipse to do the Abram Circle dance! There was also a pub called the Spinners Arms (Known localy as the Stinking stocking!) in Swinton that had a glass piano and a bloke I worked with years later (Sid Gregory) used to play it regularly. Alas the piano and pub are no more and I, as a kid, played my part in destrying both when it was boarded up and awaiting demolition. If only we knew then...

DeG

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 12:17 PM

Hmmm not being a keys player I dunno if pianists and organists mix socially. LOL

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 12:20 PM

"Maybe you have more in common with Bodrhans than you like to think?"
Do you never think it might not be the world versus bodhran players - but rather, bodhran players versus the world?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: GUEST,sir rog - cookieless again
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 01:53 PM

Sun Inn also has a "house" fiddle and guitar available for general use - there is also some kind of piccolo/flute but I've never seen anyone attempt to play that.

R

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 02:47 PM

Could be I suppose the bodrhan is shield like in design but is often viewed by others as a weapon I fear lol,
The Sun in Beverly sounds interesting.
Sir Rog.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 07:05 PM

Anyone know how to make one of those online map thingies where you add all the places on to it? I'd quite like to do a pub piano tour, lol! Probably not a good idea to do more than one a night, though!
:-)

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 07:33 PM

Ok, I'm taking the bait, but out has been trotted the old inaccurate (for some at least) myth that bodhranistas play bodhrans because they can't play anything else.
Sorry to disappoint you: I play a lot of other instruments. I just happen to LIKE drums, and CHOOSE to play them. I DON'T insist on playing along with everything, and I DO listen to the tunes, probably know them better than some of the fiddle scrapers! And I can keep time as well as the Speaking clock.
I'll get me strait-jacket then!
Couldn't play the piano at the Oak tonight: too many people draped over it! Too much hassle to prise them upright.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 09:26 PM

Tattie Bogle,
Sorry - you are right of course - I'm still smarting after having attended a night which started off almost perfectly (3 fiddles, 1 concertina and 1 flute player) totally naused up by an insensitive pratt with a bodhran - not for the first time.
We have excellent sessions with highly skilled melody instrumentalists here; unfortunately visiting bodhran players invariably DO insist on playing along with everything, whatever their ability - you want horror stories - how long have you got?
Of course there are skilful bodhran players; what there seems to be a dearth of are players capable of calculating (or caring about) the effect a percussion instrument has on the music they seek to accompany, hence the fairly widespread antipath towards the instrument.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 01:55 AM

Maybe you could take the bait on another thread then chaps there are enough of them besmirched with attacks on us goat ticklers.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 03:45 AM

"Maybe you could take the bait on another thread"
Ok - if you elicit a promise from all bodhran players to take their dead goats elsewhere and stop nausing up sessions - deal?
It would appear that you are every bit as "thin skinned" over criticisms of your instrument as you accuse me of being.
Re the significance to this thread; we also have to put up with visitations from wandering spoons, bones, coin-on beer glass, and 12-string kalashnikov virtuosos, not to mention the very occasional (tbtg) keyboards driver.
I have little doubt that if the rosewood upright and the Steinwood Baby Grand were just a tad more portable it wouldnt be too long before....... brrrrr, perish the thought!!!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 07:54 AM

Well there aren't many about so if you stay out of the few pubs with them in I am sure the plonkers would be as happy about it as the pianists.
Thin skinned ? hmmmm ok .

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 07:33 PM

Reading some of the above comments, I feel it is a shame to go off thread but typical of many mudcat threads.
The instrument I have heard played most insensitively most often, is the guitar but that is probably because the instrument I have heard most often at sessions, music nights, open mics etc...is the guitar. If it is relevant and I am not sure that it is, I have heard Tim L play the bodhran and I have never heard him play it inappropriately or annoyingly and he is a very competent player on guitar and bodhran who adds to the music that takes place. I guess his response is the same as I feel when some people assume, and say, all pianists are insensitive plonkers. I think there are good and bad players of most instruments and some of the technically 'good' players are the worst at playing over other people.

I am a pianist. There are some people who play the piano with little appreciation or sensitivity toward their audience or the other musicians they are playing with, it is like life...some people like to be heard, whether or not, what they have to 'say' is what others are interested in hearing. I try, when I play, to consider whether it is appropriate/adds anything to the music going on...I hope that most people find that I am sensitive and my playing is not instrusive....if I am accompanying someone, I don't just play, I try as best I can, to do just that so that the music enhances rather than competes against the other performer/s...BUT for me to be able to play, I need a piano. I saved up and bought a stage piano but it is not always fun to trail it about and I REALLY would like to hear about places I can maybe have a go on a traditional one. Sorry about the capital letters but can we get back to the thread, now?
Pllllleeeeez.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 09:12 PM

You quite right sorry for digressing.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Mavis Enderby
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 02:06 AM

A couple for the near future possibly - both in Lincoln.

The Dog and Bone did have a derelict piano they were hoping to restore but I'm not sure how far this has got.

The Tap and Spile have plans to get a piano according to their website.

I'll have to visit both and see how far these plans have got...

Pete.

PS: Not exactly a pub but the Armoury Cafe Bar in the Drill Hall has a Steinway grand and used to do regular acoustic open mics but these don't seem so common now. Again, I'll see if I can find out what's happening.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rasener
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 02:25 AM

Good excuse to get to the bar Pete :-)

Les

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 03:08 AM

I was enjoying the progress of this thread until it was bodhran hi-jacked.... could you please take your bodhran chat to the thread I just started for bodhran chat. Thank you and Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 01:17 PM

Not sure about the Drill Hall Open Mics but I have played the Steinway at the Seafront Sessions and it was definitely not for plonking on,but was ace to play...AND it had a piano stool whoopee! I dream of all towns having a piano bar... :-)

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 01:18 PM

I mean at the Saturday Sessions in the Drill Hall, been in the sun too long, today!

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 24 Aug 09 - 07:35 AM

Anyone know of any other playable pianos in pubs etc, then? It would be great when on holiday, to pop to a local pub and have a quick tinkle so withdrawal symptoms aren't so bad.

I do think it is unreasonable that my family won't let me take my piano on holiday...it only takes up half the car... ;-)

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rasener
Date: 24 Aug 09 - 07:37 AM

How dare they tell you what to do with your half of the car :-)

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 24 Aug 09 - 08:42 AM

:-)

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 07:17 AM

Horror...went to Jossals in Market Rasen, Lincs...the piano inside the door is used as a .....wait for it...pianists sit down or don't read if of delicate disposition...it is used as a ....draft excluder...

speechless!

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 11:06 AM

'a draft excluder'

You mea if one sits there when the press gang's abroad. you'll be save from their clutches??

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tradsinger
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 12:10 PM

The Plaisterers Arms in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, has a piano that gets played fairly regularly. There was a very good Christmas session there.

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 02:39 PM

Lol to Mr Happy!
Thanks Tradsinger :-)

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 01:02 PM

I trust that all these playable instruments do have the currently required Entertainment Permission in place?

See also Pianos In Sessions.
thread.cfm?threadid=127736&messages=57

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rasener
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 03:49 PM

But Rockhen, Jossal's is a Restaurant, not a pub.

Also, you could have invited me to eat with you, you miserable devil :-)

Les

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Mavis Enderby
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 04:38 PM

Ooops - seeing this thread again made me remember I should have reported on the Lincoln Tap & Spile & Dog and Bone

Tap and Spile have indeed got a piano, playable, but could have done with a tune last time I heard it (admittedly a few months ago - it might have been sorted by now)

Dog & Bone piano was alas too derelict to restore....

Loved the piano at Faldingworth on Saturday Rockhen. Need to hear more in sessions!

Pete.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Peter the Squeezer
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 04:52 PM

Cap & Stocking, Borough Street, Kegworth.

Just in Leicestershire, but on the borders of Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire, close to East Midlands Airport.

The pub is hidden away in a back street, you may have to ask for directions from a local. very much a real ale pub, with several guest beers, and draught Bass on gravity from a jug! Well worth taking the effort to find.

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/12/12819/Cap_and_Stocking/Kegworth

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 06:20 AM

Very kind BC, and good to hear you..! Thanks Peter, too :-)

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Mr Red
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 09:34 AM

Prince Albert, Rodborough, Stroud. Monday night English music session. see select Mon

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 05:27 PM

Thats the Rockhen who played on me cd for me Pete.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 05:31 PM

Lol

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 05:51 PM

Its no laughing matter....;-)

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: GUEST,Piano Paul
Date: 13 Apr 12 - 06:42 AM

Wonderful piano at the Coopers Arms in Burton on Trent - I played it for 3.5 hours at the recent Burton beer festival. It is farily well intune but the action is amzing so very easy to play - next time I go I will have to not drink the strong ale - the never ending pint pot took its toll! The pub is unsusual as it doesn't have a bar as such, you just order and it's brought ot you. Highly recommend the piano though and the locals seemed to love it. I will be back

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 14 Apr 12 - 05:08 AM

The 'Eel's Foot', in Eastbridge, Suffolk - players welcome during Thursday night sessions.

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 09:03 PM

Good to see the new places listed this month. I am hoping that Caistor (N Lincolnshire, UK)'s newish venue The Settlement will soon have managed to tune the piano that some very strong characters carried upstairs so that we can use it. Bless their poor backs and other aching bits! Will update asap :-)

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Rockhen
Date: 21 Aug 12 - 07:51 PM

The piano in the Ship Inn, (The Street Weybourne, Holt, Norfolk
Weybourne NR25 7SZ) was in use last week. It seemed to like being used! (I think!) Thank you to the lovely lady who lent me her accordion, for a couple of tunes, too. A really welcoming crowd :-D

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: Nick
Date: 21 Aug 12 - 09:19 PM

Thompsoms Arms Flaxton now he's got the dodgy low D sorted :)

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: mally
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 03:59 PM

Tan Hill inn N.Yorks. The highest pub in G.B. has a playable piano.

      Mally

Subject: RE: List of pubs with playable piano.;
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 23 Aug 12 - 08:12 AM

from my manor (south london):

the Grosvenor (Brixton/Stockwell) has two perfectly good pianos
The Queens Head (Brixton/Stockwell) has one
The Cavendish Arms (Stockwell) has a playable electric organ (Wurlitzer-style, though don't think it's a Wurlitzer...)