The only piano man you'll find in this Wrigleyville bar is Billy Joel blaring from the jukebox. A local said it best when he called the Piano Man generic. It's everything you'd expect when you combine Cubs fans and beer; $5 pitchers of Miller Lite, guttural cheers and several TVs tuned to ESPN. On a quiet night you might catch the Food Network, but you'll have to ignore any hunger pangs it inspires; this bar doesn't offer food (takeout from nearby restaurants is welcomed, though). A pool table and video games provide entertainment for those who don't have their eyes fixed on the flat screens.
On the plus side, Piano Man is more spacious than the popular Cubby Bear and just far enough from the field to avoid overcrowding and long waits for drinks. During the off-season, you won't find more than a handful of regulars—a group of older gentlemen who've earned the undivided attention of the bartender. Take advantage of the quiet dive on a cold night and cozy up with a date and some cheap beer by the corner fireplace. A blocked-off back room with a piano (but still no piano-playing man) can be rented for private parties.
Centerstage Reviewer: Stacy Warden
