Message from Freddy's Ribhouse
Voted the best Piano Bar in Chicago by the Daily Herald, Howl at the Moon is home to the World's Greatest Rock N' Roll Dueling Piano Bar. Two piano players face each other and take turns singing time-tested tunes like "Sweet Caroline" and "Devil Went Down to Georgia". Talented musicians add to the fun of the dueling pianos with instruments like the bass, drums and even the electric violin. Requests are encouraged, and singing along is a must. When groups can agree on the same sipper, they go for 86-ounce buckets of booze bliss, like the ever-popular Long Island Iced Tea. Howl is the place for fun for any occasion. Don't forget to book your group parties with Howl at the Moon!
Editorial by Citysearch
This self-proclaimed "world's most dangerous rock 'n' roll dueling piano bar" brings everyone together from groups of frat boys, conventioneers and bachelorette party-goers to sing classics like "Sweet Caroline" and "Piano Man." The singing is the draw but it's the cheap bar food like gooey potato skins and eight-ounce angus burgers as well as the Howl Buckets--86 ounces of alcoholic anticipation--that keep the spirits lively. The big, open space hosts piano shows throughout the night based on audience requests. Participation is not only requested; it's required.Key Points
- Dueling Piano Bar
- Open 7 Nights
- Best Afterwork Party!
The Inside Scoop
- Parking - Park up to three hours for $12-- after that the price goes up to $17.
- The Extras - Howl at the Moon Buckets are a big draw for big groups--or big drunks. Get 86-ounces of unique libations that are sure to get anyone in the mood to sing.
- Parking - Valet your car for $15.
- Fun Fact - Every hour on the hour, the wait staff performs wacky choreographed dance routines.
- Happy Hour - Make sure to hit up "Howlin' Happy Hour" every Friday. There's a complimentary buffet from 5pm-7pm, $1.75 pony beers until the bar runs out and $20 buckets of domestic beer. Now that's a happy hour.
- When to Go - Check out the "World's Greatest Rock 'n Roll Dueling Piano Show" every Saturday. While enjoying the show, grab a bucket of Corona or Corona light for only $25.
- Save Money - If you want to sing and don't have the $20 required, go on Sundays when it's free.
- Know Before You Go - A $1-$2 tip generally accompanies a song request.
Insider Pages Reviews for Freddy's Ribhouse
The entertainment is outstanding and the crowds are lively and gregarious. They have a way of drawing the audience into their act each and every night. Don't miss it!
Posted 12/18/08 | Report Abuse
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Howl at the moon is a place to come with friends and let loose. They have dueling pianos that have so much fun you can't help but to sing along. Be careful if it is your birthday. You will end up on the piano with them singing to you. Great place for a bachelorette party, too
Posted 06/07/08 | Report Abuse
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Howl at the Moon is a rather large and bustling saloon which features 2 (often dueling) pianos as its major attraction. The energy level is high, and everyone has a roaring good time. The music is spectacular, and the pianists are extremely talented. You can make requests, sing along, dance, and be merry! There is a $10 cover, but is is very worth it. A night at Howl at the Moon is not quickly forgotten!
Posted 07/11/05 | Report Abuse
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
Awesome place to go
by lilmenoni
I had my bachlorette party there and it was a blast. There was great music and the performers really got into the crowd. There was a lot of dancing and you better be ready to laugh your butt off. I definetly recommend going to howl at the moon, just make sure you get there a little early to get a good seat.
Pros: great music and fun atmosphere
Cons: u have to make sure you get there a little early
Posted 08/22/09
Awesome Birthday Place!
by EntCruisesChi
I love piano bars and wanted somewhere to celebrate my birthday this year. I had heard great things about Howl at the Moon and it all proved true! We had a great time and they did get me up on stage for my birthday...as embarassing as it was. It got a little crowded at times, but everyone still had a fantastic time and the piano players were awesome!
Pros: Fun atmosphere, talented staff
Cons: Gets crowded early, almost TOO many celebrations
Posted 05/28/09
Great music, crowded venue.
by BearDownJen
I'm a big fan of piano bars and Howl at the Moon had to be one of the best I've seen. Huge energy from the pianists, band, and the crowd. I went on a Friday night and the crowd was very eclectic -- people of all ages singing along to old and new songs. The musicians are incredibly talented and interactive. The venue itself however is crowded and the dance floor is small. We had to troll around for a place to sit and it was packed when we got there at 10 pm! Drinks are a little pricey (I paid $12 for a bud light and a super small vodka/shirley temple without tip), but the experience is definitely worth it.
Pros: Talented and interactive musicians, great vibe!
Cons: Crowded venue, small dance floor, pricey drinks.
Posted 12/16/08
kind of love this place
by RCARRmercedes
We went here when my cousin was in town. Great time. Really liked the atmosphere and crowd. Even got a date from it. We'll see bout that one. parking is kind of a hassle, but overall would recommend to my buddys.
Pros: liked the vibe
Cons: got a great date out of it
Posted 05/15/08
Brilliant inclusive fun!
by Khole1980
We went to Howl at The Moon on Sunday 16th March, and had a brilliant time!
The players were really talented and gave it their all, even though they'd had a marathon session the day before for St P's Day.
Even though we were visiting from the UK, and some of the songs were completely new to us, we were still able to sing along to old classsics and rock our to some splendidly played Jovi!
Plus some of the band members and singing staff members were plenty easy on the eye for boys AND girls!
Drinks were slightly more expensive than we expected, but there were specials available on some beers.
I'd really recommend it for out of towners, only real complaint was that the dancefloor was much too small.
Posted 03/16/08
Guaranteed a great time
by Jovnka1
This place is so much fun!! The staff is very friendly and the service is great even if they are crowded. The musicians are very talented and keep the audience involved. It gets very crowded on the weekend. You have a much better chance of getting a table if you arrive early.
Pros: Upbeat and a wide variety of patrons
Cons: Can get really crowded
Posted 02/21/08
Bad Experience
by leathercy
Went to HATM last Thursday night about 8:30. The upper level was closed despite all the lower level tables being full. We asked an employee if we could sit in the upper level, there was 11 of us. The guy was a smartass. We stayed another five minutes. By that time there were 21 people standing waiting to sit down and they still wouldn't open the upper level When I asked to talk to a manager I was told by a waiter there was no mgr there. We went to the Red Head piano bar and was seated immediately even though it was crowded and had a great time. We will not be back at HATM
Posted 12/31/07
One howl of a good time!
by coronacouple
I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant the first time my wife wanted to go to Howl. She had been here for a bachelorette party and thought I would like the place. We're not clubbers but nor do we have one foot in the grave yet. This place appeals to most all ages, from 21 to 70, although the mainstay is probably the 30 somethings. You won't feel out of place here regardless.
The evenings start slowly but build fast and by 9PM on the weekends it's pretty crowded.
By 10PM there is a long line to get in. By constantly rotating performers it never gets old and the crowds control the show with requests. We have been back many times and no two nights are exactly alike.
The entertainment.......great! They do more than just play piano and sing. Drums, guitars, everything.
The food..........well, it's bar food. Somewhat limited menu but everything is edible, burgers are very good.
The drinks.......they have them all. Priced pretty much like most other Chicago locations.
The service........as we are regulars and know are severs as they know us, it's great. It gets very crowded and you may have to attract your server once in a while, or you can head to one of the two bars.
Is this place for you???? Well, depends on what you are looking for. We look for an evening of entertainment and are pretty open to most ideas. Howl offers you the chance to get interactive or just sit back and enjoy the show. A typical 5-6 hour night for the two of us is about $130 or so.........including tip and parking. Not bad considering we're talking downtown Chicago.
The Corona couple!
Pros: Great value for an evening of entertainment downtown.
Cons: Crowded later in the evening. Standing room only after 8 PM.
Posted 11/11/07
The place to meet people
by mike370
Great place, reasonabe prices. If you want o meet a lot of bachelorettes, this is the place to go. Did I mentioned the music is great.
Pros: other places across the street.
Cons: crowded
Posted 09/17/07
Awesome music, staff, atmosphere... smoke free too!
by aninaz
Enjoyed the piano duo . Lots of great crowd interaction with the music with requests. Good service and great martinis. Spacious, but few tables so you could end up on your feet for most of the evening. But its worth it! Did not try the food. Used the valet for $10. We had friends visiting and they too had a blast here. will definitely go back here again.....
Pros: great live music, interactive crowd, a fun place,
Cons: limited number of tables....
Posted 12/31/06
TOURIST TRAP!
by spudchild
Does anyone who lives in Chicago even go here anymore? I used to go to Howl when I was a Freshman in college and it was touristy then. On a recent visit, I think the entire place was entirely out of towners just excited to be at an "authentic" chicago nightclub. Overpriced, Boring, Bad Music. If you want a real Chicago experience got to Hogs and Honeys.
Posted 07/28/06
A great time had by all!
by porkchopper
This is the place to be! The music, played by request for a few bucks, is fantastic and the atmosphere is fun, fun, fun! Where else can you hear Journey and Outkst back to back? And a girl who actually plays the fiddle to "Devil Went Down To Georgia?" What more could you ask for! Good food, great drinks, hot bartenders/stage secuirty, and fantastic music. All the right ingredients for a great night! Go early to get a table, some food, and to avoid the long line later.
Pros: great atmosphere, good service
Cons: long line later
Posted 08/08/05
Fun, Fun, Fun
by jaimed9519
We had so much fun. The wait staff was vibrantly dressed and a lot of fun. Drinks were reasonably priced ($3.50 for a bottle of beer.) The pianists were awesome and very, very funny. There were customers of all ages there (from barely legal to 50 year olds) and as long as you have an open mind and the willingness to have a blast, you will have a great time. There are at times rated R happenings (swearing, sexual lyrics) but I thought they were extremely hilarious. $10 cover charge....well worth it. The bar was crowded, but thats all part of the fun!!! Coat-check was efficient and very needed!! 2-stall womens restroom was too small, but there was another restroom on another floor that I didn't visit. The lady turning on the water, providing deodorant, lotion, tic-tacs and tampons was a really great touch.
Pros: Very fun, affordable, location
Cons: , Very busy, small restroom
Posted 12/04/04
AWESOME TIME
by tgif123
If you are looking for fun in Chicago this is a great place to go - awesome music, good looking crowd, great drinks, real good time. Happy hour, dueling pianos its got it all. I plan on going here once a month if I can, its that great!!!!!!!!!! Make sure you try their martinis-fantastic.
Pros: great area, atmosphere, fun
Posted 12/02/04
howl with laughter
by mesopunky
Howl at the Moon is a GREAT place to go to have a few drinks and a good laugh! They have dueling piano's; this is the focal point of the place! They usually have 2 people on the piano's that will take requests and for a little money they may actually play it for you! It can get kind of rowdy in a hilarious kind of way! When I was there the pianist's got a bachlorette up on the platform and sang her a song.. it was the funniest thing I have seen in a long time.. Please don't think this is a jazz type piano bar, it is most certainly not! Again, a GREAT place to have a few drinks and a good laugh!
Pros: entertainment
Cons: go early for seating
Posted 10/08/02