JOIN USCultural performances along with dining have become somewhat common in the city. A sort of ‘dinner theatre’ theme is what restaurants and cafes follow these days. On the same lines, a niche initiative called the The Piano Man Jazz Club (TPMJC) started off. But what makes it different is not only its focus on jazz in the ambience, but also their interiors’ concept.
There is jazz in each aspect of this place. On the walls (literally), are names of famous jazz musicians and stars embedded, which feels as if one is sitting alongside Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong. Dark brown antique wooden decors, red bricked unkempt walls, ceilings low and table and chairs petite. A large chandelier on the ceiling which is the only light fixture makes it difficult to read the menu at times. It creates a dungeon-like environment where everybody sits, eats and appreciates jazz together.
Jazz is the more important than the food or drinks here. But the novelty is overwhelming enough, simple yet attractive. People sit on the floor, stairs and are happy to be cluttered if the place is houseful, to watch a free jazz show by the talented artistes.
The cocktail mixes and their food are no cliché. The drinks menu is longer than that of the food. My Thai and Dance on the Piano Key are two drinks, which will keep you up for the whole night.
The food menu is a three page small diary. Grilled Lamb Sliders, Fish Finger Hoagie, Old Monk Sticky Chicken Wings and Bacon Cheesburger Bombs are delectable choices. The items on this list are mostly dry items and finger foods. It’s basically a bar, with cocktails to die for.
But there is incredible decorum in this bar. People pay attention to the jazz. Basically, they go here for the jazz too. If one wants to eat, they can move to the second and third floor, to the Dirty Apron, part of the TPMJC. In Dirty Apron one can eat, drink and chat away to glory, it’s more of a regular dining area, with a different menu. Apron has its own music, bonfire and decor, distinct from TPMJC.
Different jazz bands play every night around 9 or 9.30 pm here. These bands are
Indian, foreign and also indie new comers. Music curation is not disputable, as the concept belongs to Arjun Sagar Gupta, who has been a pianist in practice since the past 15 years and also holds the Jazz Utsav for the past eight years.
*Address: B 6-7/22,Safdarjung Enclave Market, Opposite Deer Park
*Meal for two: Rs 1,800 plus taxes