5 Best Piano Bars In Cleveland, Ohio

1. The Big Bang Bar

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Big Bang Bar opened in 2015 in downtown Cleveland, but the company got its start back in 2001 in St. Louis, Missouri. Big Bang is a dueling piano bar, which means two musicians take their seat at two pianos, and spend the night taking turns singing live songs. You’ll be impressed by the sheer number of songs each musician has memorized. They will go through tons of popular songs, and will even take requests from the audience. If you’re the type who likes to entertain, you’ll be pleased to know that the dueling musicians often bring up members of the audience to sing and dance as well. Half of the tables are reserved, and the other half unreserved. We do recommend reserving a table, but if you decide not to, it’s best to arrive early so you can be sure to snag one. The bar has a small plate menu, so your group can nibble on chicken wings, quesadillas, and flatbreads while enjoying the music. And of course, they’ve got an impressive drinks menu as well! Big Bang Bar makes a great place to celebrate special events like birthday or bachelorette parties.

The Big Bang Bar

Address: 1163 Front Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA

Website: The Big Bang Bar

Opening hours: Thu: 7pm - 1am; Fri - Sat: 6pm - 2am (closed Sun - Wed)

2. Johnny’s Downtown

Johnny’s Downtown is an excellent place to go if you’re looking for a piano bar with a romantic ambiance. With low lighting, beautiful artwork, and a menu full of upscale Italian food, it certainly makes for a great date night. The restaurant opened in 1993 and is situated in a historic building from the 1860s. Their menu offers up dishes like home-made gnocchi, pan-seared walleye, and filet mignon. They’ve also got an excellent wine line to choose from, so you can drink something that perfectly pairs with your entree. With the exception of Sundays, there’s piano music in the bar every night of the week. They even have private rooms which you can book for special events. Reviewers love the service, food, and ambiance.

Johnny’s Downtown

Address: 1406 W 6th St, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA

Website: Johnny’s Downtown

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 12am; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 12:30am; Sun: 4pm - 9pm

3. The Velvet Tango Room

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If you’re looking for an environment that is reminiscent of The Great Gatsby, flappers, and speakeasies of the prohibition era, look no further than The Velvet Tango Room. It opened in 1996 and is owned by a man with a mysterious past. It’s said he was born in Eastern Europe and then escaped to South America. Eventually, he made his way to Cleveland and opened up this cocktail bar. The Velvet Tango Room really paved the way for craft cocktail bars in America. It was one of the first of its kind and has been hailed as one of the nation’s best. The bar offers a very extensive drinks menu, arranged by type of alcohol. They also serve dessert cocktails if you’re after something extra sweet. And of course, music is a big part of the atmosphere at the bar. They’ve got both a jazz trio and a pianist playing every night of the week. Sipping a made-from-scratch cocktail while listening to music, what could be better?

The Velvet Tango Room

Address: 2095 Columbus Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA

Website: The Velvet Tango Room

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 4:30pm - 1am; Sat: 6pm - 1am (closed on Sun)

4. Nighttown

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Nighttown has been around since 1965 and is named after the Red Light District in Ulysses by James Joyce. The owners wanted patrons to feel like they have stepped into a New York City restaurant at the turn of the century. Inside you’ll find brick walls, artwork, and a stage draped in red for musical performances. There’s a jazz performance most nights of the week, and you can check out the calendar and book tickets on their website (a table reservation will be included with tickets). Their dinner menu is hearty and uses seasonal ingredients. You can enjoy dishes like lobster pot pie, prime rib, and risotto. They do offer vegan and vegetarian options. We also recommend saving room for dessert, as they’ve got an excellent choice of classic American treats like New York cheesecake and an apple tart. You can even rent out one of their six dining rooms for a private event. If you want an equal focus on the music and the food, we’d say this is a great place to experience both.

Nighttown

Address: 12383 Cedar Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA

Website: Nighttown

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 1am; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 2am; Sun: 10am - 1am

5. Society Lounge

Last but certainly not least is the Society Lounge, another bar serving up craft cocktails and speakeasy vibes. When you descend the stairs into the bar, you feel like you’ve stepped back into an era which focuses on fashion and glamour. They’re passionate about serving you a cocktail that’s made with high-quality spirits and fresh juices. They’ve got an extensive menu, with a range of drinks from classics to Society Lounge originals. They also offer plenty of options for those who don’t want to drink alcohol. And they’ve got live music adding to the ambiance. A jazz band will play tunes while you sip your drink and enjoy the atmosphere.

Society Lounge

Address: D2063 E 4th St, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA

Website: Society Lounge

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 5pm - 12am; Thu: 5pm - 1am; Fri - Sat: 5pm - 2am (closed on Sun)

Plenty of options for music lovers in Cleveland

Whether you’re looking for a cute date night, a place to celebrate a big event, or to simply have a night on the town, Cleveland offers up some great piano bars. From speakeasy-themed bars to romantic spots, there’s a little something for everyone. And music is a big part of the environment at them all. So book a table at your favorite piano bar and prepare to enjoy some tunes while sipping on a good beverage.