Brett and Hannah Dowell met at Westport’s former Ernie Biggs Dueling Piano Bar in 2010. She was playing when he requested Zombie by The Cranberries.
“He thought it was pretty good,” Hannah says with a laugh. They married in late 2012.
Now they are debuting Hammers Dueling Piano Bar at 3901 Main St., at a stop on the future streetcar line in Midtown.
Described as an “all request, clap-along, sing-along and drink-along” venue. It features two baby grand pianos with a drummer in between, seating for 180, and a back bar.
“It will be upbeat, a party atmosphere, very interactive,” Hannah Dowell says. “Bachelorette and bachelor parties, large parties to celebrate special occasions.”
Customers enter through the back parking lot (parking validated) and the bar will have backdoor security.
Brett Dowell has long worked in Kansas City bars and always wanted one of his own.
Hammers opens at 4 pm for happy hour with a full-bar, specialty cocktails, fishbowl cocktails, and non-alcoholic specialty drinks. Hammers won’t be serving its own food, but is encouraging customers to “order in,” meaning get food delivered from nearby establishments.
Seating for the piano show starts at 7:30 pm with the show starting at 8:30 pm, Thursday through Saturdays.
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays the venue will have different events such as karaoke or trivia.
A large “Last Supper”- like mural by a local artist Benjamin Parks features Dolly Parton, Prince, Snoop Dogg, Tina Turner, David Bowie, Michael Jackson and other music legends.
Hammers, after Hannah’s nickname (but she doesn’t want to share that story), started in 2015 as a traveling dueling piano business for weddings, corporate events and other gatherings, and the couple doesn’t plan to stop that side gig anytime soon, they say.
The founders of local Exact Partners, along with other investors, acquired the corner, two-story brick building in early 2021, and have been renovating it in phases. They are looking for additional tenants for the 3,900 square-feet building.
