Moose and Shanks

Not long after we booked and told others that we were heading off to Orlando this summer, a trusted friend of Moose suggested we should look up Howl at the moon. A bar just off International Drive in Orlando. Now to call Howl at the Moon a duelling piano bar would not be doing it justice, but we’ll get to that later

The bar is open 7 nights a week but, on a Friday, and a Saturday it is open much later and it was on the middle Saturday of our holiday that we planned to visit. When you first look at the website and navigate to the relevant location, there can seem to be an overwhelming variety of options for your night out. Reserved table, party packages etc. I signed up to the mailing list and ‘won’ a happy hour package. These are valid for Friday and Saturday nights and allow free entry from 7pm and a selection of free drink vouchers. Then remaining drinks for the night are at a reduced rate e.g. $5 Corona, $4 Coors light! There is no pre reserving a table or areaon this package so is very much first come, first served!

We were unsure how early or fashionably late we should make our arrival but having got our glad rags on and spruced up quite quickly. We were in an Uber from our hotel and pulling up nearby on I-Drive by quarter to 7. We killed a few minutes making our first ever visit to a US liquor store and being wowed by the offerings. And then it was off to join the queue for the bar.

We needn’t have feared being the first as there were a few other groups in line. Something to bear in mind, always carry ID. Both Moose and I had our UK driving licences so were covered but the group ahead, one lad who I’m pretty sure wasn’t pulling a fast one hadn’t brought anything with him and was refused entry. I’ll give it to his friends, they all chose not to go to the bar too, so I’ll salute their observance of the Bro code!

Once inside, it was obvious which areas were already pre-reserved as these were taped off, but all other areas were free and clear. We decided on a few high rail chairs with a clear view of the stage area. A server was soon with us, and our first order was in. I decided to maximise my freebies and ordered 2 Coors lights with mine but Moose was feeling adventurous, and she combined her 2 for a cocktail.

By this point as a few more groups drifted in, the first bit of music started to play. To begin with it was just 2 musicians sat at grand pianos facing each other playing a few songs but you know more is to come as you can see drums and guitars etc set up behind them on the stage. The concept of the bar is simple. Either through using Venmo/cash app or good old-fashioned cash you choose 3 ‘upbeat’, well known songs for the crew to play and sing and have a very merry time. For those feeling the urge to splash more cash, there are 2 boards at the back of the stage that you can pay to have messages posted on. As each message is written up, the price to replace it goes up a dollar and continues all night. No idea what it got up to in the end! May just have had a few too many beers to notice! 😂

Moose’s choice of song for the night was ‘Life is a highway’ by Rascal Flatts and she got her wish early in the night. I went for a bit of Oasis and ‘Don’t look back in Anger’ but didn’t see my song till towards the end.

A bit of a novelty that did tickle Moose was the inclusion of a proper buffet set up at the far end of the room by an unused secondary bar. Other food may have been available but we’d eaten before heading out so it was never really within our plans of the night, so a hint of buffet was enough to satisfy.

A great range of pop and rock was played and the musical team excelled themselves. At no point could you guarantee who would be playing what instrument. A pianist then moved to guitar then to drums and then back on vocals. An extremely multi-talented group of individuals.

As the music and drink continues to flow, a few of the bar staff carrying large bottles of spirits come up on stage to join the musicians. ‘Shake, shake señora’ begins to play and you’re encouraged to join a huge, snaking conga line and as you reach the stage you received a mouth full of alcohol. I chose not to partake as sticking to straight forward beer for the evening but Moose was right up there. The song plays for a good few minutes and you are encouraged to get round again if you can! Needless to say, she didn’t need a second invite and was dashing back past me and into the line again!

We chose to call it a night around half eleven as we’re both getting old and asked for the bill. With happy hour prices and I reckon I had 11 beers (including the freebies) in total, and moose on the cocktails. We were charged less than $100 plus tip! Now that is very reasonable, especially bearing in mind what we’re used to,back home.

We were using the Uber app to travel around Orlando with and despite not ordering transport till outside, we were back at our hotel not long after midnight!

An amazing night was had, even though I may well have felt the after-effects of a heavy drinking session the next day and didn’t get up properly until into the afternoon and a planned trip to Volcano Bay was postponed!

Tips for a great time from Moose and Shanks

Even if you look like middle aged people like us, bring some form of ID. They will turn you away if none held!

If you can’t access Venmo or cashapp due to where you originate from (no go for us from the UK) then make sure you hold plenty of cash for making requests. They are very happy to take a written sheet from you with the cash. Just be ready to get on your feet to head up to the stage to drop it off.

On the subject of cash, plenty of single dollar bills will be handy. This was one of the few places in Orlando where we came across a toilet attendant providing a selection of colognes and hand wash. For the men, this guy doubled up as part of the music crew and played the mouth organ on more than one occasion.