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Best Piano Bars In Chicago

If you're tired of heading to the same bar and listening to the same top 40 songs every week, then try something a bit different by visiting a piano bar in Chicago. Have your beverage of choice, relax and enjoy some time with friends while listening to jazz and blues hits; after all, you're in the Windy City, which has a rich musical tradition. Give these piano bars a look and a listen the next time you and your friends plan a night out on the town.
bevibar2
(Photo Credit: beviamowinebarchicago.com)

BeviAmo Wine Bar
1358 W. Taylor St.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 455-8255
www.beviamowinebarchicago.com

After a long week at the office, relax and start your weekend by heading to BeviAmo Wine Bar in Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood, where singer and songwriter John Sabal plays the piano and sings on Friday nights. The live music kicks off at 8 p.m., so plan to arrive a bit earlier so you can catch a seat. While you're there, take a look at BeviAmo's wide selection of wine, which comes from all over the world. The venue is a great way to end an evening out on the town, as it is open until 2 a.m. Sunday through Friday and until 3 a.m. on Saturday. Beer and cocktails are also available, and the wine bar is also located near several public transportation options.

Hugo
(Photo Credit: Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House's Facebook)

Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House
1024 N. Rush St.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 640-0999
www.hugosfrogbar.com

End your day or start your evening with a trip to Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House right in the heart of downtown Chicago. The piano bar kicks into high gear starting at 5 p.m. and ends at midnight, and has featured musicians such as Zoie Moser and John JT Talmadge in the performance lineup. The restaurant offers a wide selection of seafood and fish dishes, as well as steaks, chops and desserts, and a wide and varied wine menu with vintages from all over the world. Hugo's locations in Naperville and Des Plaines also have piano bars, so you're well covered if you plan to venture out into the suburbs. Don't forget to make reservations.

Julian's Bar At Luigi's House
778 N. Route 59
Aurora, IL 60504
(630) 375-6400
www.juliansbar.com

There are plenty of piano bars outside of Chicago's city limits, too. Luigi's House, located in the western suburb of Aurora, features live entertainment at Julian's Piano Bar. Live entertainment is scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. with a steady musical lineup that includes an assortment of musicians. Patrons can select wines from a stocked wine cellar and an assortment of martinis. Keep in mind the bar requires a two-drink minimum or bottle service during the live performances. You can also order appetizers at Julian's Bar and follow it up with a full meal at Luigi's House.

Sabatino's Restaurant
4441 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 283-8331
www.sabatinoschicago.com

Located in Chicago's Irving Park neighborhood, Sabatino's Restaurant offers a musical experience for patrons. If you're in the mood for a late evening featuring food and music, then take note: the restaurant's piano bar has performances on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. by Chicago-based singer, pianist and composer Robert Kramer. The pianist draws from a number of eclectic musical styles to create his own sound, including jazz, pop and rock. Sabatino's menu has a selection of classic Italian dishes, so you can dine while you take in the music.

Sluggers World Class Sports Bar and Dueling Pianos
(Photo Credit: Sluggers World Class Sports Bar and Dueling Pianos' Facebook)

Sluggers World Class Sports Bar
3540 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 248-0055
www.sluggersbar.com

Sluggers World Class Sports Bar likely isn't what you think of when you picture piano bars. Situated right near the Friendly Confines in Chicago's Wrigleyville, it's definitely a sports bar where you can cheer on the Blackhawks or the Hoosiers. But it shakes up the traditional piano bar idea and turns it into the lively dueling pianos. The pianists also take requests, and there's a dancer pole in the middle. The dueling pianos are held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and after Cubs home games. You can also play plenty of arcade games at Sluggers. The bar has lengthy food and beer menus, too.

Megan Horst-Hatch is a runner, reader, baker, gardener, knitter, and other words that end in "-er." She is also the president of Megan Writes, LLC. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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