Around the Block: Le Piano Jazz Bar Brings the 1920s to the 2020s

“Jazz, Booze, and Butter.”

A promise of the experience ahead hangs on the wall in the entrance of Le Piano jazz bar, located off the Morse Red Line stop on the quaint, cobblestone North Glenwood Avenue.

The bar, which opened in late 2018 at 6970 N. Glenwood Ave., offers a live performance of jazz alongside delicious appetizers, as well as cocktails for patrons over 21 years old.

The ambiance and atmosphere of Le Piano is warm and inviting. The venue is built around a concert space and features a grand piano. Most tables and booths are U-shaped, allowing for easy conversation while immersing guests in the live performance.

The decorations are charming and eclectic, with an array of musical instruments like saxophones and trombones hanging from the ceiling, alongside old-fashioned telephones and stilettos scattered across the restaurant. A mural on the farthest wall from the door is covered in signatures of past artists and performers, offering a glimpse into the venue’s history.

In a past life, the storefront was one of the locations of the No Exit Cafe. It was frequented by musicians, performers and poets until it closed in 1999, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The entire restaurant is candlelit, reminiscent of 1920s speakeasies and classic jazz eras. Edison lights strung outside the building on the cobblestone street illuminate the inside, ameliorating the cozy atmosphere.

Le Piano hosts weekly performances Tuesday through Sunday with doors opening at 6 p.m. and shows starting between 7 and 7:30 p.m. 

The Friday night show Nov. 10 was especially enjoyable, performed by the Chad Willets Quartet. It consisted of Chad Willets on percussion, James Wenzel on bass, Dennis Luxon on piano and rotating guests on trumpet.

The crowd contained couples, small groups of friends and the occasional individual patron. The music appealed to all listeners, with bright and snappy solos in addition to melancholic, tranquil melodies. The fusion of classic and modern jazz enhanced the listening experience and kept audiences of all ages engaged.

It’s best to make a reservation ahead of performances because the venue only has about 17 tables in addition to seats at the bar. A payment of $15 is required up front to cover the salary of the performers, which allows for flexibility in whether or not the guest wants to order food. The small dishes on the menu range from $10 to $29, but are priced closer to $12-$15. 

The menu is on the smaller side, serving only small dishes and appetizers along with a full cocktail list.

Some particularly delicious dishes include the seared brussel sprouts and pomegranate redux and the golden fingerling potatoes — both incredibly rich and savory, plentiful enough to share. 

The golden fingerling potatoes were presented like pommes frites with an aioli-like dipping sauce, but were sliced into wedges instead of traditional shoestring style. 

The seared brussel sprouts quickly disappeared due to their sweet yet smoky flavor and slightly crisped outsides.

The penne pasta, which came with mushrooms in a white wine cream sauce, was enjoyable but incomparable to other dishes with more zeal and flavor.

The drink options are abundant but mostly suited to guests 21 and older. Although classified as a bar, guests of all ages are welcome. Mocktails or zero proof drinks can be made upon request but aren’t worth their higher prices.

The cocktail list offers a margarita, old-fashioned and cosmopolitan all with variants like adding pomegranate or burnt orange. All cocktails on the list are $15 and the bar can service drinks not specifically listed on the menu.

The setting allows for patrons’ full attentiveness to the performance, while also accommodating quiet side conversations. The delicious food and cozy ambiance paired perfectly with the subdued performance that received a deserved round of applause after every solo and song.

While a jazz bar is not the typical haunt for college students on a Friday night, it’s definitely worth a visit. The atmosphere and music provides a fun night of conversation with friends, even for those who are not yet lovers of jazz. 

Le Piano is open Tuesday through Sunday from 6 p.m. until the last guest leaves.

Featured image by Eliza Thomas / The Phoenix