Keys Piano Bar & Grill opened in Downtown Manchester in the former 603 Bar & Grill space, also known as the Brimmer (former Black Brimmer) to many OGs. It was also Penuche's and Blu for a short time.
The place was redone and much of the seating is seagreen color. The main level offers a full service bar with seating and 12 beers on tap, wine, cocktails, mocktails, mixed drinks, frozen margaritas & slushes and boozie smoothies. There is also table seating and a piano stage which features evening entertainment including Dueling Pianos. There is more seating on the balcony level. The downstairs features a cozy sports bar with fooseball, darts, 2 smaller bars with seating, high top tables, and flatscreen TVs.
The food menu is still evolving which offers a Caribbean Cajun style menu including burgers, cubanos, appetizers, key jerk smoked wings, salads, chipotle chicken chowder, salmon, tacos, jerk chicken, jerk pork, jambalaya, and dessert (bananas foster). The pricing seems fair here. They offer specials on drinks and food on certain nights.
I stopped by Keys Piano Bar & Grill for an early dinner before the dueling pianos. I sat up at the bar and given menus to look at. I got an ice water and decided on the Keys Jambalaya ($14.95 plus tax) and the Jamaican Beef Patties (3 for $11.95 plus tax). The Jambalaya came out first which had a mix of onions, peppers, tender shrimp, andoulle sausage, chicken and spices in thick chunky sauce over soft rice. This dish had good spicy flavors. I would definitely order this Cajun favorite again! The Jamaican Beef Patties were filled with plenty of seasoned ground beef in soft pastry shells, homemade dipping sauces provided. The beef patties were really great along with the dipping sauces. I will ask to try their homemade banana ketchup next time since I enjoyed banana ketchup with my Filipino food.
For dessert, the Bananas Foster ($8.95 plus tax), which was comprised of 2 firm slices of pineapple French toast smothered in a brown sugar rum sauce, toasted coconut, cinnamon leche drizzle. The banana slices were very firm, like plantains. This dessert was pretty good, but if they had ice cream with this dessert, it would be spectacular.
The check was presented on a portable electronic Square payment reader. The e-check was $38.90 with tax and before tip. Overall, Keys Piano Bar offers a nice chill vibe as opposed to the previous incarnations at this location which featured loud rock music and large crowds of drinkers on the weekends, specifically the Brimmer. The temperature inside this place was a bit warm on a hot day outside. read more