Upon arrival at Jolly’s Dueling Piano Bar on Friday night, the weather was cold, but the pianos were hot. The clinking martini glasses only complemented the Billy Joel tunes emanating from the venue. Jolly’s, newly opened on 20th and Chestnut, brings the old New Orleans tradition of dueling pianos to Philadelphia.
Essentially, two grand pianos and two pianists perch on a small stage, surrounded by tables, booths and a bar. Audience members request songs for the pianists to perform, scribbled on cocktail napkins and accompanied by some cash. Whoever ponies up the most gets to hear their song executed in a “Dueling Banjos,” tête-à-tête style of performance.
The audience sang along to everything from clichéd karaoke classics like “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Sweet Caroline” to great piano covers of “Santeria” and “It’s My Life.” However, most of the music was classic rock — and the mostly mid-20’s clientele was all for singing along to the melodic intricacies of Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart.”
They should have been, too, because with $3 cocktails, wine and beer, everyone was socially lubricated enough for an enthusiastic sing-a-long. Even better, there was no cover charge, so everyone's money could go into betting on songs. We went all in for Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” curious as to how the rendition would play out. After a little teasing, the pianist assured us it was all in good fun and, to make amends, played Bob Marley’s “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” promptly followed by “Hey Jude,” just to drive the point home.
Unlike treks downtown or the default trip to Smoke's, the piano bar offers a completely different kind of experience. Jolly’s tries to revive a tradition, an era and a genre seemingly lost on our generation (because honestly, who plays Elton John at parties anymore?). Slightly nostalgic? Yes. But with the piano keys on fire and a full house all night, it looks like they’re succeeding.
