10 Signs You're Addicted to Dueling Pianos (and that's ok!)
- Jeremy Bell
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
Dueling pianos: the ultimate night out, a symphony of sing-alongs, laughter, and spontaneous dance parties. But what starts as a fun Friday night ritual can sometimes blossom into a full-blown obsession. If you find yourself humming "Bohemian Rhapsody" at your desk or planning your weekend around the nearest ivories, you might just be hooked.
Here are 10 tell-tale signs you've officially crossed the line from casual fan to dueling pianos addict:
1. You Know the Setlist Before They Play It. "Sweet Caroline" is coming, you can feel it in your bones. You've heard "Piano Man" so many times, you could probably step in and play the harmonica solo yourself.

2. You Find Yourself Tapping Out Rhythms on Everything. Your desk, the steering wheel, your significant other's head – anything becomes a drum kit for your inner dueling piano band.
3. You Have a "Regular" Spot (and the Bartenders Know Your Order). It's not just a bar; it's your bar. The staff greets you by name, and your usual drink is being poured before you even sit down.
4. Your Phone is Full of Shaky, Enthusiastic Videos. Mostly blurry, always loud, these videos are your personal highlights reel of epic sing-alongs and impressive piano riffs. It's mostly just a video of you screaming at the top of your lungs. You might even have a dedicated "Dueling Pianos" album.
5. You've Lost Your Voice More Times Than You Can Count. The morning after a dueling pianos night is often accompanied by a sore throat and a raspy whisper. A small price to pay for a night of vocal catharsis.
6. You've Attempted to Play "Great Balls of Fire" on a Home Keyboard (with varying degrees of success). Inspired by the masters, you've tried to replicate their fiery energy, only to realize your keyboard skills are more "Chopsticks" than Jerry Lee Lewis. This is actually a fun bit that we'll do with someone from the audience by having them play the piano solo to Great Balls of Fire. After an extremely brief piano lesson, we let the audience member take a rip at playing the solo.
7. You Judge Other Live Music Experiences Against Dueling Pianos. "Yeah, the band was good, but did they take requests? Could I yell out for 'Don't Stop Believin'?'" Everything else just seems a little… tame.
8. You Have a Go-To Request (and a Backup). You've meticulously curated your song choices, knowing which ones are guaranteed crowd-pleasers and which ones might earn you a knowing nod from the pianists.
9. Your Wallet Feels Lighter (and it's not from your rent). Those song requests aren't free, and neither are those celebratory rounds of drinks. You've started to wonder if you can expense "research and development" for your dueling piano habit. Sometimes a company credit card is a wonderful thing.
10. You're Already Planning Your Next Dueling Pianos Outing While Still at the Current One. The night isn't even over, and you're already checking their schedule for next week, coordinating with friends, and mentally preparing for another unforgettable evening.
If these signs resonate with you, congratulations! You're officially a dueling pianos enthusiast. Embrace the sing-alongs, the laughter, and the pure, unadulterated joy. Just maybe… budget accordingly.
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