The city’s (and perhaps the country’s) first real jazz den is a labyrinth that unravels slowly but hooks you from the first note. A performance space, bar, bakery and restaurant that’s spread over three floors – this Piano Man plays some serious tunes. Expect underground speakeasy style interiors with a beautiful piano lit by a chandelier of golden trumpets at the ground floor. This is the soul of the venue with a stage as its centrepoint, surrounded by theatre-style seating in a red brick room with names of jazz greats etched on the walls. The music room is meant to keep the focus firmly on the artists, so the bar area with a piano key design has been made one floor up with a viewing gallery. It makes sense then that this artist first space has a well-planned roster with something new every night and has already hosted a jazz fest of its own. Even the green room in the basement is bigger than any we’ve seen in some of the best music venues in India. Speaking of the best, owner Arjun claims their Bloody Mary is top notch and we agree, but it’s the smooth Old Fashioned and brilliantly done Whisky Sour that we order on most nights. If cocktails aren’t your thing, all the other major players are in there as well, so pick your poison. While this is one venue where we suggest you go to feed your soul, if you do get hungry and manage to find a chair, try the Old Monk Sticky Chicken Wings and Mac Cheese Fritters. The upper floors include their Dirty Apron eatery with a quaint terrace we love to sip wine on, but it’s the jazz that keeps pulling us back!
Critic reviews are anonymous and all bills are paid by them.
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