A
piano bar (also known as a
piano lounge) consists of a
piano or
electronic keyboard played by a professional
musician, located in a
cocktail lounge,
bar, hotel lobby, office building lobby, restaurant, or on a
cruise ship. Usually the pianist receives a small salary plus
tips in a jar or basket on or near the piano, especially from patrons requesting a song traditionally written on a beverage napkin. Some piano bars feature a baby grand or
grand piano surrounded by stools for patrons (or, somewhat humorously, an upright piano covered by a counter that makes it appear to be a grand piano). Others have a bar surrounding the piano or keyboard.