Okay okay okay. So. Listen. San Carlos. Little town. Little sleepy little town on the peninsula, right? It's 9pm and I'm just walking down Laurel Street, which by the way has some REALLY good spots, they really do, and then. THEN. I hear it. Pianos. Two of them. Are they fighting?? No wait, they're DUELING. Two guys absolutely going at it on the keys, taking requests, and the crowd is just vibing. I mean really vibing. The cocktails are flowing, people are singing, and somewhere in the back of my head a little voice says "this is going to be a late night." I did not listen to that voice. No regrets. The whiskey selection is, and I say this with complete authority and only slightly blurry vision, "surprisingly incredible". The cocktails are also dialed in, they've got concoctions on the menu that you may have never heard of, or just pick the vibe you're going for and trust the process. I trusted the process. Multiple times. I used to go to Savannah Jazz back in the day. RIP, still not over it, but honestly?? This place might actually be BETTER. I said what I said. The music hits different when it's right in the middle of the whole room instead of tucked in the back somewhere. Oh and there's an outdoor area too for when you need some of that cool peninsula night air to... recalibrate. I used it. It helped. Briefly. read more

Amazing experience. Great Live music, funny and great show Recommended! Great for a night out with friends read more

Love coming here for the dueling piano entertainment. I posted a picture of their schedule. read more

Faith & Spirits - Entertainment schedule for their evenings - Wine Bars Near Me - San Carlos, California

Stumbled upon this bar as recommended by my friend to celebrate my birthday on a friday night out! Jazz bar with more interaction with the crowd. The performers were funny, entertaining, and are willing to play ANYTHING. My friend thought it would be funny to request Hotline Bling by Drake. We didn't expect them to actually do it!!! Don't be shy to sing along, request your favorite songs, and have a great time! Drinks are great, moderately strong, do quite a bit of damage. read more

Faith & Spirits - Wine Bars Near Me - San Carlos, California

Stopped by this cocktail bar before dinner and absolutely loved it! The place is super cute and was decorated perfectly for Halloween. They have great happy hour specials, which was a nice bonus! The bartender was really friendly and made us feel welcome right away. I found out they have dueling pianos on Fridays and Saturdays. I will definitely come back for the live music! read more

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Cute bar with holiday drinks! However, one of the drinks did not come in the cup that was shown in the holiday menu, so if you're only getting the drink for the cup, perhaps check in about that. We came on a rainy Saturday night and found space on the patio. The fire pit was amazing to sit next to. My friends and I were able to chat and sip for an hour and a half while we heard live entertainment singing 2000s hits (think Britney Spears). When it was getting late, the rain started to come down more. This causes a few leaks in the roof to drip down. We decided to leave before it got too late. The service is great! Super nice and checked up on us for drink orders a lot. read more

I've had many checkered nights of fun at Faith & Spirits since they opened. It's always the last stop, and the crowd is always a fun one. Like most places in the Bay Area, the drinks are a pretty penny, but the entertainment is fun and jovial. There's almost always a birthday celebration going on whenever I'm here. The dueling pianos are an ever-changing focus of entertainment. I seldom see the same performers, and the audience engagement makes this place light up. I have never been to karaoke, but that seems to be a new thing. The crowd is a mix of younger and older, which I love, and the vibes are pleasant. It's a great place to go with your love, date, or friends. It might be a bit wild with your family, but I guess that depends on what members. I will continue enjoying many more memorable evenings at this destination cocktail bar in San Carlos! I discovered people come here from other local cities for the entertainment and festivities! read more

Came for the Halloween event and honestly, it was just right. Lively but not packed shoulder-to-shoulder (which, let's be real, is exactly what we appreciate in our 40s). The cocktails were on point. I ordered the Garden of Eden, a perfectly balanced mezcal drink that hit all the right notes. Poured by a Lorax (amazing)! Hard to judge a place during a big event, but this one caught my attention. Never noticed it before, and now I can't wait to come back for a dueling piano night. read more

Came by on a Friday night for some drinks. We stopped by around 6pm and F&S was mostly empty, which we actually preferred because there was ample seating and tables. Lots of tables were reserved starting at 9pm, presumably when the live piano entertainment begins. F&S has a daily HH where select cocktails are $13 from 4:30-7pm. We ordered the Gold Rush, marg, and espresso martini, all of which were solid. Service for the most part was good but there were a few misses. For example, when we first arrived, we waited at the bar to order drinks. We were largely ignored for over 5 minutes despite F&S being mostly empty. Later, a server came by to check on us, and we ordered a second round of drinks. We waited over 15 minutes but our drinks never came. Ultimately, I went to the bar to check in, and our drink order never got placed. We also had to correct our bill at the end of the night to receive HH pricing. Overall a cute, vibey spot with comfortable seating. read more

Faith & Spirits - Wine Bars Near Me - San Carlos, California

I haven't been here as often as I'd like but I popped in on New Year's Day around 4pm and it was quiet but incredibly pleasant. I didn't get the bartenders name but we had a lovely chat about vision boards and things like that, I really enjoyed them! I opted for a classic tequila pineapple, it was great, and didn't cost me an arm and a leg. I'd love to come back and try some of their signature drinks soon! read more

Unacceptable and Unprofessional Conduct by Staff I've never been treated like this by an employee--anywhere. My girlfriend, her friend, and I were initially allowed into the bar, only to be told shortly after that it was a "corporate event." While they were politely chatting with attendees, I was standing nearby when multiple staff members surrounded us, creating an uncomfortable situation. As I was preparing to leave, one employee in particular (see photo) unnecessarily intervened aggressively by interrupting their fellow staff that was already handling the situation with professionalism. When I calmly said that her tone and behavior were uncalled for, she completely lost her composure, cursed at me, and even gave me the middle finger in front of other employees and customers as I walked away complaining about her unprofessional behavior. She then continued yelling at me and gaslighting me outside within view of patrons. I was on the sidewalk rhetorically asking if she thought her behavior was appropriate. She mocked me with childish hand gestures instead of focusing on doing her job inside. Employees should never, ever behave this way--especially toward a customer who was already leaving voluntarily. As a licensed private investigator who audits hospitality establishments, and as someone with a California guard card who formally worked in the service industry and State Bar of California moral character clearance, I deeply respect service industry professionals. But this individual's conduct was far beyond unprofessional--it was a liability to the business and grounds for termination. Management needs to investigate this immediately, take witness statements, and hold this employee accountable. No guest should be treated with hostility and disrespect in a public venue. read more

Faith & Spirits - The employee who gave me the middle finger just before I took the photo. - Wine Bars Near Me - San Carlos, California

Creative cocktails, beautiful interior with lavish decor, and a dedicated staff that pump out the drinks as quick as the customers come. Perfect spot for a fun night out with the girls, or for a nightcap with a date. read more

Nice place for some drinks. I had the Lovely Bubbly and a martini. Both were well made and tasted great. The service was okay but not the most friendly read more

Came here on a Friday evening for a friend's birthday for some dueling piano action. It's been awhile since I've been to dueling pianos in general. Last time I went, you would write in a song and put down cash (minimum $5) and put it on the piano. Now they have a Venmo code, so you can Venmo them the amount with your song request. We had reserved seats right in front of the pianos! Travis and Dave are so talented! Apparently, they have live music Wednesday thru Saturday (karaoke on Wednesdays), so if you're looking for some live entertainment, definitely the place to be! They also have a vast collection of cocktails to choose from. I got the Mr. Boombastic, which was like a banana-y old-fashioned. Quite interesting! Overall, we had a great time and I would definitely stop by again if I happen to be in the area on those nights. Keep up the faith and spirits! read more

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A must visit in San Carlos if you enjoy craft drinks and live evening music entertainment. Some nights they have an awesome FLAIR mixologist. Fridays and Saturdays belongs to the piano players. A sing-along or not evening. Weeknights can be a surprise and on my visit, there was a sultry group of 4 laying down the jazzy tunes. In and outdoor seating. A place to dress up if you like. If not, go as you please. Great servers that are observant on busy weekends to make sure your next round of libations are ordered. There is also a friendly host that will seat you. Reservations are recommended for special seats. read more

Faith & Spirits - Awesome bartender! - Wine Bars Near Me - San Carlos, California

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So much fun! Love the dueling piano! A nice outing in the Península area. Staff is friendly. Not a restaurant but decent food for a piano bar. Great ambiance. read more

What a fun cool place to chill in the early evening and to party with friends after hours. The best vibe and the drinks are always spot on. The owner is always there working and chatting away with the customers. read more

I met a friend here for drinks early on a Friday evening! The cocktails and bar bites were delicious - we enjoyed our espresso martinis, mozzarella sticks, and wings. The service was friendly and the outdoor seating was pleasant. read more

I love the ambiance of this place. It's cozy and has velvet furniture surrounding the dueling pianos on stage. We went for happy hour so I didn't get to see the performance but the bartenders were nice and the drinks were delicious. I'm definitely coming back to see the pianos in action! read more

Came here to celebrate my husband's birthday. We wanted to find a local dueling piano bar and who knew there was one here in San Carlos as we didn't want to drive all the way into SF. Good thing I made reservations months before as we had a booth close to the pianos. They have dueling pianos on Friday and Saturday nights between 9pm and midnight and reservations are highly recommended as they fill up fast. That night there were at least 4 birthdays as they were all called up in front of the pianos and it was fun to sing along. So they take request but you have to tip the piano players. The more you tip (I think the highest was one person tipped $20 and another tipped $40) but that is not the average, the sooner they play your song. Their pianos have special instrumental sounds added (like drums) to add to the music. This is definitely an adult show as one of the piano players is a great singer and piano player but every other word was an "F" or "Shxx" and I'm not used to hearing such vulgar language on a repetitive basis for hours. I took it as pure entertainment and enjoyed the show. Beers are around $10 and mixed drinks average $15 or so. All in all, we enjoyed the show and stayed the entire evening. It was definitely a party night for everyone who attended. read more

Faith & Spirits - Wine Bars Near Me - San Carlos, California

This is a fun spot on piano night. The dueling pianos players are super funny, talented, and a treat to watch. Cocktails were solid, but the show is what makes this a 5/5. Check it out after grabbing a nice dinner in the area. read more

A fantastic bar and lounge. The bartender really knew her stuff. The happy hour drinks were awesome. Loved the wings. Great ambiance. Amazing lounge music over the loud speakers. Some nights they have dueling pianos or broadcast football games or other fun events. We had a margarita on the rocks with black sea salt ("Tommy's Margarita"), a Corpse Reviver gin cocktail, an espresso martini and a pineapple daquiri. We enjoyed each drink very much. Would totally come here again. read more

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I usually enjoy dueling piano nights and really enjoy what Faith & Spirits brings to the community, but I was disappointed by something that happened recently.One of the pianists (Noah), who mentioned being an educator, said "Colt 45" by Afroman was a song he "wouldn't be proud to sing," but then performed it anyway. That choice felt uncomfortable and disappointing, especially in such a diverse space. If a performer recognizes that a song may be inappropriate, it seems irresponsible to still use it for entertainment. I'm leaving this review because I genuinely love live music and want this venue to reflect the inclusivity that the Bay Area values. Services was okay, and the food is nothing to rave about. We were definitely disappointed with our recent experience there. read more

Amazing place! Great service and ambiance. I feel that I could hang out here all night if they didn't have a closing time. I ordered a Pina Colada style cocktail and it was made to perfection! Hope to come back soon. Highly recommend this bar! read more

Faith & Spirits - Wine Bars Near Me - San Carlos, California

Fun piano bar and a place to go to after dinner. They have both inside and outside seating with a variety of drinks. Drinks are okay, nothing special but it does get very lively both Friday and Saturday night. read more

I had been wanting to check out this place for the longest time, and it was so lucky we ended up coming here on a Sunday. This is one of their slow nights, unlike Fridays and Saturdays, where they have dueling pianos and attract all of the crowds. But I felt like we got everything you would get from dueling pianos, just with one piano and musician (instead of two). Minus the drunken crowds, fighting for seating, and higher cost for song requests. Not that weekends aren't fun, but the night we visited, the piano player, Noah, probably played 10-15 of our requests, since there were not many guests the entire two hours we were there (live music was from 9-11pm on Sunday). Noah was entertaining and full of energy and showcased such a likeable personality the full 2 hours he performed. And it was his very first day at Faith & Spirits! I appreciate that he'll try to play your request even if he doesn't know the song 100 percent. I've been to various piano bars and dueling pianos, and I'd say that's on the rare side. He did some Elton John Rocketman, some Alicia Keys, hits like Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams... and we got to speak with him afterward, and he knows a good range of music, including Disney. He made our experience here enjoyable, filled with laughter and amusement, with his performances and commentary and experimenting with music :P Sheila the bartender was great too. She made us some good drinks. I especially liked the Bitter Sweet Affair, which wasn't bitter and not too sweet, the flavors were just right. The great service, friendly staff, and beautifully lit atmosphere created the perfect ambience for the night. We had the best time, and will definitely be back! read more

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Came here again recently with a friend after dinner. I ordered their wine again and got reminded of how bad they are... my friend finished hers but I was struggling with mine and ordered some vodka instead. I like their bartenders this time. Both were super efficient and the girl has some good moves making the cocktails. It was nice. My friend and I paid to order songs on Venmo. They didn't play our songs. There was a guy whose songs always got played (he paid less, so money isn't really a factor here). We had to ask the 'hot guy' to ask the performer to get our songs played... so if you do want to order songs, the venmo thing doesn't work that great and don't pay too much apparently. You just need to find a 'hot guy' to order for you instead. Other than that, we ran into some fun fellow party goers and had a great time. Water could be self served at the bar. We didn't have issues closing the tab with the nice bartenders this time. read more

I meant to update my review earlier this week. I must be getting old and crotchety - especially since Nye's Polonaise piano bar closed down years ago in Minneapolis (and far deeper shames abound). I need to lighten the hell up! This is a fantastic place. The guys at the benches have wonderfully witty comedic timing (even when they're forced to pander to drunk white rapping females who are moving to London lol). These two are also insanely insanely talented musicians AND singers. Martuni's won't get you double piano action, and it's not fair to compare the Big 4 to a lively and young FUN gig on the Peninsula. I mean it, I really do. I also mistakenly referred to the Fox, when I meant to write the 'Little Fox Theater,' but that's still not fair to compare apples to Guacamole. The liveliness and talent of F&S is only one reason for my updated stars... The other reason involves a snafu getting my Visa card back from the bar. It was just a mixup between waitresses, because we were trying to be sneaky and pick up the bill after our friends gave their credit card for our tab. I am changing my review to a 5 star because of you Garrett! It's been a crazy week, and I didn't realize that my Visa card was missing until Monday. It didn't matter, because Garrett went out of his way to reassure me that my Visa was in safe hands! I had left a voicemail, and written an urgent email, because I needed to finalize payment for a family event that night (Monday). Garrett called me within minutes!!! Not only that, but he offered to go into work early on Tuesday, so that I could pick it up while I was in the area - hallelujah Garrett! Now, should my card be charged 6 months from now, for a very large alcohol order hand-delivered to F&S, then I MAY have to UPDATE my update, but I'm highly doubting that will happen (fingers crossed, bc I don't like to tempt fate with such comments). Great place, completely livens up the peninsula - I think Stanford University must be pretty jealous actually (I haven't seen anything that lively there since before Covid). Bravo, and forgive my geriatric ways! :) Your entire crew is so talented, and upon further examination, it would be a pretty lame piano bar if they were to break into Nat King Cole on a hot Saturday night packed with drunk fun people. I get it! I guess I miss my snooty- but-not-snooty alcoholic piano bar in S.F. This is a SUPER fun place to have on the boring peninsula lol... sorry, I am such an a-hole... we will go back, I will dedicate top 40 songs, and have a laugh and enjoy the night with your amazing LAVENDER Gimlets!!! read more

Faith & Spirits - The food - better than nothing. The garlic cheese bread was surprisingly good! - Wine Bars Near Me - San Carlos, California

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So much fun on the weekends!!! The piano players are consistently great! This bar has changed the nightlife vibe of San Carlos overall. The people in the crowd are typically in their 30s-50s. The espresso martinis are the best! They also make a great old fashioned. read more

Faith & Spirits - Wine Bars Near Me - San Carlos, California

The vibe is get-ready-to-party-like-it's-Saturday on a Thursday! Faith and Spirits is the most happening spot in downtown San Carlos! Had to say hi to Garrett! The evening's festivities revolved around Red Bear Dance! The ladies dragged me. Of course, my terminal shyness would not allow me to say no. When ladies call, men should step up...especially on the dance floor! It would be my first time. Yes, I'm the definition of bereft of Bachata knowledge. Rudy himself was teaching Bachata! Bachata is a social dance which originated from the Dominican Republic and now enjoyed world wide. That's the type of global domination I can get behind. Rudy is an amazing instructor! My gosh! Within an hour, I learned how to lead. Lead with the chest. Leave the hip to trail behind. Smooth. Latin vibe. Pretend to push the mud with your feet and presto, the languid movement takes control. 1 2 3 4. 5 6 7 8. Eight count. (And I love the number 8, vertical, horizontal, especially double & triple. Mmhmm.) Work up to forward movement, back, box then learn to turn! Point left foot. Bent knee to keep your ACL. Shift the weight on the right. Balls of your feet. Step w/ right into a half turn. Feet close. Back step w/ left foot into another half turn. Feet stay in a line. Spot. And voila! You are a turning dance machine! Then partner up and press palms with your partner waist high. Send a clear signal of direction...maybe intention. Lift your left hand to crown of your partner. Twirl her inside to the right. Try the other side! Ay ay ay Caramba! Yeah! SHAZAM! Every dance floor is now a moral hazard. Thank you, ladies! And Rudy you rock! Thanks for hosting, Garrett! Faith & Spirits is superfab place for food, drinks, and F U N !!!!!! Would dance here again! Woohoo! read more

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Faith and spirit is located in downtown San Carlos. We went for doing pianos on a Saturday night and we got there a bit early to get a spot at the bar. It wasn't too busy yet but as a night or on, it got packed. It looks like if you wanted a table, you should make reservations. nothing too crazy to read about but were decently good. They were all quite expensive as you would expect in the bay. The beers were expensive it was $10 but they weren't full pints. They had plenty on draft. Would probably be more fun if he sat in the front as it was a small bar. I thought it was OK as I had enjoyed dueling pianos elsewhere. Good to come for a fun different night, but beware the drinks were expensive. read more

I enjoyed a late night libations and live music. Came in on a night when there was a guitarist and another night a pianist. I think Fri & Sat they are set up for dueling pianos. Dark, loungy settings. Outdoor seating, too. I enjoyed my standard beers here. The martinis are the thing to order here as they have a sidecar. The craft drinks look interesting, but seemed pricey compared to the booze amount of a straightforward martini. I think the sweeter palates would like their craft drinks and drinkers will want the martini. Either go up to the bar or bartender will serve you. The late nights I went the bartenders served us at their lounge tables. read more

Faith & Spirits - Wine Bars Near Me - San Carlos, California

Fun vibes!!! This is an amazing cocktail bar! On Fridays + weekends, they have dueling pianos with live music starting at 9 PM. The servers are very friendly and approachable. I also love how you can make reservations online so you can have private booths available to accommodate larger groups. The drink selection is great and the drinks are on the stronger side. You definitely get what you pay for! :) I had a remarkable experience and definitely will have more outings here. Parking was simple -- there's a huge public lot across the street. read more

Faith & Spirits - a group of people sitting in a bar - Wine Bars Near Me - San Carlos, California

Always a great night. Great service and music. Whenever we visit San Francisco, we always pay a visit. read more

Faith & Spirits - Wine Bars Near Me - San Carlos, California

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I have to say, I LOVE the interior and vibe here. The seating and decor is beautifully done. The bar was decently full on a Thursday night (but not too full). The drinks were solid; they had a good balance of both taste and strength. Next time I'd try to reserve some seating for a special occasion as the nicer seating (couches & booths) was all reserved. My favorite drink of choice was the bitter sweet moment. It captured what I'm looking for in a cocktail -- a bit of sweetness mixed with something more complex. While it wasn't quiet in here, I could easily talk to my friends. Later in the night, 2 pianists went on stage to perform audience requests. They did a great job and people sang along Overall, a very classy bar that was worth another visit! read more

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Bar closes at 10:30 20ish bar tender had the desire to call me boss when I walked in and ask if they were open but instead of using big boy words just simply used a slashing motion which was super confusing. I've been here before, the environment is super douchey and not welcoming, drinks are expensive but we went here on a Sunday hoping they'd be open and not busy they just close an hour before their listed closing. Hard pass read more

The best little cocktail bar on the block (ok, it's the only one, but I stand by this)! I am obsessed with the cute decor of this place, the excellent cocktails, and the dueling pianos! I wouldn't say San Carlos has a hopping' bar scene or even really a scene, but this place is worth staying up a little late for, and bringing your friends too - especially if you have a friend who's having a birthday and you want to embarrass them. Because the piano players do take requests. And they are hilarious! 10/10, would recommend. It gets crowded, so come earlier if you want a seat outside (or inside for that matter). They do allow you to do tables inside, but there's a minimum drink spend so keep that in mind. read more

Was here to watch a Warriors game, and it was oddly a great place to watch a game! The drinks were really good and the food was tasty. Once the game was over, it turned into the dueling pianos and this was actually so fun! Props to the guys for agreeing to take my suggestion of a Meg the Stallion song. Just imagine WAP on dueling pianos and you'll know these guys are working hard for the money! read more

Love this venue, and the entertaining characters on the piano who brought this place to life, but... this bartender! Rude, pretentious, and a horrible attitude. He would ignore many people who clearly had been waiting at the bar to order a drink for a very long time, and would not even acknowledge them, even when it was not busy early in the evening. Meanwhile, he would allow his friends to simply walk up, and cut ahead. read more

Faith & Spirits - This guy! Rude, horrible attitude. Blatantly ignored people waiting at the bar. Allowed his friends to simply walk up, and cut ahead. - Wine Bars Near Me - San Carlos, California

Awesome drinks, great vibe! Piano bar experience is super unique and a blast...just say yes!!