The Redhead Piano Bar

We visited the Saturday December 19 around 9ish, and were very impressed with the singer/​piano player! He played a variety of tunes, including «Hello», which he totally aced! The atmosphere is classy but not stuffy, they want you to check your coat, and they have a no tennis shoes policy. I prefer a place with a few rules and standards so that the crowd does not get noisy and out of control. The entertainment is first class. We will return!

Excellent place and a party atmosphere, we were there on a Saturday night! By the time we got there everyone was in a party spirit! We didn’t eat just had drinks… Lots of them! Music was great the piano player had loads of energy and played a wide range of music which everyone enjoyed!
I would highly recommend this place!
Great night, great music and plenty of drinks!
Sore head in the morning but very much worth it

Redhead piano bar got those cheesy neon light sign like you’ll find in Reno NV. But truth be told, that’s what drew me in at 2’oclock in the morning hanging out in these cold Chicago streets in the dead of winter on a cold January night. However once you walk in the door. It’s not only warm in temperature, but warm in vibe. Totally reminded me of the sitcom Cheers. Except with an awesome musician at the piano. Can’t tell you how many couples are in the space lip locked falling in love all over again. Although downtown, it definitely has a neighborhood bar feel. For good music, cheap drinks, friendly bartenders, and really cool patrons… Readhead Piano bar is where you wanna be. Good looking folks in here too

We had come to this place for years, Roger let us in, loaned shoes to the guys, a jacket, cigar, he was amazing! His blonde, older, busty boss was never far behind… also, AMAZING!
Tonight, different story… what do you mean

The only thing that stands out about this place is their strict dress code. We were a group of about 8 people who had all just gone out to dinner and just wanted to stop in somewhere for a drink. One of the gentlemen in our party was wearing sneakers so the bouncer was telling us about their strict dress code. The managers and bouncers are all wearing suits and running around with ear pieces and were scrambling to figure out how to address this situation. You have 8 people that are going to drink. are you going to let us all go for one pair of shoes? They thought about it and in order for us to stay, our sneaker-​wearer had to someone else’s shoes that they had in the back. After this frenzy, we went to the bar and had some drinks. The bar is dark and there is a piano at the front where thee piano player serenades the guests with Billy Joel, Neil Diamond and other popular tunes. You can also put your requests in the jar and leave bread in the jar :-) The piano man will play your song if he can.

What is the point of going out if you are not going to dress appropriately! A lot of reviews complain about the dress code, but if I am going out, I step it up. Since I love this place, I don’t have a problem with accommodating their dress code, as minor a code that it is. I have been turned away from certain places in downtown Chicago for being black and not being a sized 2! With that being said, The Redhead Piano Bar is my all time favorite jazz and piano spot. From the ambiance, to the crowd to the awesome drinks, I love it all. I love it because I can enjoy a place that isn’t overrun with some young 20 somethings that don’t know what real music is. So, if your only complaint is the dress code, then The Redhead isn’t the place for you. They have so much more to offer!

If you are new to Chicago, heads-​up: the Redhead is not a ‘classic’ Chicago bar. Locals don’t go there – but there are a million places close-​by. Try the Green Door. The Redhead is a notorious tourist trap masquerading as an exclusive club. I enter as evidence the pretentious dress code, the bouncer/​doorman talking into an earpiece outside, the ‘rope’ in front of the reserved table, the dated décor, and the outrageous prices. The music is hit or miss, but more miss than hit.
That all being said, we go once a year as part of a family ritual to have a drink, listen to the piano player, and watch the staff and interesting clientele. It’s entertainment, albeit dark and dated.

Past it’s prime, sad to say. I have had so MANY great evenings here but talent grows less consistent and clientele seems less fun. On a great night we get a great piano player and it’s not crzy crowded.

The dated sign makes you wonder if this wasn’t a low-​class competitor to the Playboy Club. I’ve only attended corporate events here for two different companies, and I came away with the same idea that this is a good place for tourists but too much of a dark, dated place to attract local audiences looking for top notch music.

It was a Tuesday and I could see through the window that the place was dead. As I approached the front door, a man was exiting. He looked like a homeless man that was being asked to leave. I asked him if the place was open. He said it was, but I would have to trade my shoes in for some «loaner shoes» because they were running shoes.
The last time I was hear, I dropped over $ 400 with a group of people. My running shoes probably cost more, and are nicer, than any «loaner shoes» they could provide. It was not like they were turning people away at the door because they were full. They should have been begging people to come in and generate some business, so they can afford to buy more «loaner shoes».
If you want to maintain a sophisticated image, get rid of the homeless thug acting as a doorman who offers up the «loaner shoes».

Yeah, the dress code is overkill as stated by other people. If you have on sneakers, even stylish sneakers, they ask you to change into shoes they have in the back that were «donated.» LOL, good luck with that. I’d rather just be denied entry. But I was out with people and I sucked it up, plus they do that to everybody, so no need to take offense.
Honestly the place is a dive. Place looks like it hasn’t been updated in years, better yet decades. They have a place outside where you can smoke cigars, I went to check it out and it looks like my Uncle’s garage. Not welcoming at all.
For live music there are a ton of other places such as Andy’s, Green Mill, even Howl at the Moon that are a lot better.

We got turned away at the door for wearing «athletic gear.» Wow. Didn’t realize dress code was so stingy. Tennis shoes meant that we were not welcome on an otherwise slow Tuesday night.
If you want in to this establishment, make sure you are dressed accordingly.

We were told to check out this piano bar by a friend while we were visiting Chicago.
After a day of shopping, we decided not to take the subway back to our room to change. We had dinner and went to The Piano Bar just as they were opening. The African American man guarding the gate entrance looked my husband over like he was a disgrace. Actually used his hands to motion how inappropriately dressed he was. Back in NY, he would have been perfectly fine to attend an evening event dressed the way he was. All this man had to say was that they have a dress code and pants must be worn. He didn’t need to be so RUDE. Won’t return on any other trips to Chicago.

Excelente lugar para tomar una copa y escuchar buena música en piano. Gran ambiente. Todas las edades. Llegar antes de las 8 pm en sábado o estar parado. Lugar pequeño, no hay comida.

Gave this place a try and it has «pretentious» written all over it. It has good music from the pianists, but it’s small… Too small. The drinks are okay.
Our server Sarah was really nice though. *thumbs up*.

I totally thought about ordering a Red Headed Slut when I was inside, but maybe that’s a bit inappropriate given the piano bar that I just walked into haha.
On our second stop of the night, my friends and I dropped by this piano bar to enjoy a beer and listen to some cool jams. One thing’s for sure– they are «strict» on their dress code being semi-​formal. The bouncer was okay with letting us in even though we weren’t dressed completely up to par, so props to him.
Gotta echo the other reviewers though: this bar is meant for someone with an old soul. Admittedly, I didn’t grow up listening to the classics (and that’s what I get for being raised in an immigrant household. All my music was Chinese opera!). That doesn’t mean I don’t know some songs or can’t appreciate the smooth sounds from the piano.
Was it for me though? Eh… it was aiite. I prefer piano bars with more contemporary selections (and perhaps a younger crowd), but the redhead here is fine for a one night fling. Don’t get it twisted now!

I give this a 5 for the piano and the company and a 1 for the appearance, cleanliness and drinks.
The crowd median age is probably 40. A few college kids and a few low 30s pulling down the otherwise average 50yr olds. ;) Still though, when listening to jazz on piano and hearing your requests (if you’re lucky) be played, all get along and dance (or fall over) together, which made it a really fun time.
The staff was nice, though the bartenders were sooooo slow, and the drinks were not good. Get yourself a beer and deal.

Tourist trap for those who have no idea what else to do in chicago. If you are considering this bar, don’t. Staff is arrogant. Coat check is obnoxious. Drinks are over priced.
If you’re visiting from out of town, I highly recommend Howl at the Moon. if a piano bar is what you want. Otherwise, spend your trip on Hubbard, or Clark, or Randolph or Rush. Definitely do not waste you’re time and money at red head.

If you are over 40, ignore all the negative posts concerning this classic Chicago piano bar, and stop in. The entertainment is always good. The drinks are always doubled. And the crowd and crowd watching is what it is all about. It’s crowded and happy and the perfect destination after you have had a great dinner somewhere else just as legendary.
If you are under 40, you need to have an older soul to appreciate it all.

I’m a little terrified and sad that more than a few people seem to find the Redhead to be representative of Chicago. Er, no. It isn’t. It’s fine as a tourist trap piano bar, but leave it at that.
The prices are completely out of whack, the dress code is unnecessary, and the coat check is annoying. I can’t speak to the quality of their mixed drinks because I drink beer, but they looked like they were made properly. Bar staff was fine, but I think the place is having an identity crisis.

You remember when you were a child and you were always waiting to grow into an article of clothing like those shoes or jacket? And how great you felt when they finally fit? Well that’s the way I felt the other night at the Redhead…like I had finally gotten to the age where this place was the perfect fit for me!
The last time I was here, smoking was still allowed inside bars so the image I had in my head was of a dark, smoke filled room with old people standing around drinking and singing. But let me tell you, that all has changed! (or maybe it was just my perspective??)
Whatever the case, gone was the smoke, and now the people are «age appropriate» read that as thirty, forty and fifty somethings out for a fun night of alcohol and sing alongs!
On this Friday night, the place was full of «regulars» that knew Stu the piano player who kept the fun going from 8 – 11:30. Another piano player has the late shift. We were lucky enough to get there early and were able to grab 4 seats around the piano. If you want to sit, go early for by 10pm, there was standing room only and a line outside to get it! Yep…this place has quite a following from Bachelorette parties, to tourists to locals.
The music is great, the piano players talented and the wait staff somehow manage to get through the crowds to deliver well poured drinks with always a smile on their faces. And know that there are plenty of bouncers around to keep everything running safely. It was a great evening out!
Know before you go that there is not valet parking but there is a public garage across the street that will run you about $ 38 for the evening. Also– during the colder months, they have a mandatory coat check so you will be required to check your coat. I did like the «glow in the dark» ink approach for my coat check number on my hand just in case I lost my ticket. There is also a dress code here so no sloppy attire or beachwear. Think «business casual» and you should be fine. . jeans are okay as long as they are not torn.
Go for the fun and the singing. For whether you are just starting your night or finishing up here in the wee hours, the Redhead is likely to be your kind of place.