Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar videos
I didn’t know what to expect the first time I walked down the stairs into Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar on 2nd Avenue in downtown Nashville. I’d heard the hype — the singalongs, the giant cocktails, the dueling pianos. But nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.
The Warm-Up
It starts quietly enough. You settle into your table or sidle up to the bar. The lights are low, the crowd is buzzing, and there’s this underlying electricity in the air, like something big is about to happen.
Then, it does.
Two pianists walk out onto the stage, take their seats, and without warning, launch into a blistering rendition of Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets.” The crowd goes nuts. Everyone’s singing. Strangers are toasting. A guy in the back is standing on a chair. It’s only 7:45.
And that’s Pete’s for you.
Controlled Chaos (The Fun Kind)
At Pete’s, nothing is scripted. You scribble your song request on a napkin, toss it on the piano with a tip, and watch the magic happen. One minute they’re playing “Piano Man,” the next it’s “WAP,” and somehow it all works. They can play anything — and they do. And if they don’t know it? They fake it with enough charm to make you not even care.
It’s not just the music either. The performers roast each other. They roast the crowd. They roast you — especially if you’re celebrating something. Got a birthday or bachelorette party? You’re going on stage. Don’t fight it. Embrace the chaos.
The Drinks Are Part of the Show
Now, let’s talk cocktails. Pete’s doesn’t do small. From the 52-ounce schooners to the famous bathtub drinks (yes, in literal mini bathtubs with rubber duckies), this bar is built for big nights and bold choices. Want to drink something called a “Lucky Duck” with three straws and a glow stick? You’re in the right place.
And don’t be surprised when your drink comes with a side of karaoke encouragement from the pianist mid-song. Everything — and I mean everything — is part of the performance.
A Nashville Must
Whether you’re visiting Nashville for the first time or you’ve lived here your whole life, Pete’s offers something no other spot can: a place where the music is alive, the crowd is family (at least for the night), and your inhibitions disappear right around the second verse of “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
This isn’t just another Broadway bar with live music in the background — this is the main event.
Insider Tips for the Best Experience:
- Get there early if you want a table (before 7 PM is golden).
- Bring cash for song requests — the bigger the tip, the faster your song makes the setlist.
- Celebrate something — even if you make it up. This place loves a good reason to put you on stage.
- Be loud, be proud, and for the love of music, sing along.
Final Thought
There are few places in Nashville that capture the spirit of the city quite like Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar. It’s rowdy. It’s funny. It’s emotional at times (one group sang “Friends in Low Places” with arms around each other — I’m not crying, you are). And most of all, it’s just damn fun.
So the next time you find yourself wandering through downtown Nashville wondering where the real party is — follow the music. It’s probably coming from Pete’s.