Hollywood's Piano Bar is closing its doors after a seven-year run.
In a former iteration of the bar, The Piano Bar was a "seedy" dive (per the bar's website) that had come into existence in 2000. In 2009, after it was bought up by new owners, it was transformed into a polished and intimate space for live music and traditional cocktails.
The bar was a kind of rarity in Hollywood, in that it made good on its promise to deliver serious music. There were nightly performances from acts that ranged from jazz to Delta blues. And you know what? There was no cover charge! We were/are so fond of the space that we'd named as it one of our favorite piano bars earlier this year.
We are saddened to say, then, that the bar will be serving their last round of drinks this Sunday. What this means, of course, is that a huge celebration is underway. The bar will be bringing out some surprise guests, as well as old favorites, to the stage for the upcoming days. Tonight, Thundercat and Kamasi Washington of the Brainfeeder label will be taking the stage, as well as West Coast Get Down and Miles Mosley. If you've never heard of Thundercat or Washington, just know that you've likely heard their music already; they were partly responsible for the jazz sounds on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly.
Also, there's going to be free barbecue on Sunday. So you have no excuse for passing over the festivities. Here's a schedule of the upcoming acts that'll be performing in the evening (you can check for set times on the bar's Facebook page):
Thursday: West Coast Get Down, Kamasi Washington, Miles Mosley, Thundercat
Friday: Aaron Durr, The Flathead Roadsters
Saturday: Mike Hayes, Boom Boom Boom
Sunday: Austin Hanks, Deana Carter, Brother Sal and the Devil May Care, as well as surprise guest appearances
Jonnie Houston, one of the owners of The Piano Bar, told LAist that the bar has "been a home base and haven for local musicians and artists over the years."
"Our goal was to create an environment where musicians could connect with people," Houston added. "We've managed to create a 'Cheers'-like vibe in the community. We're proud to have supported so many great artists over the years."
Here are samples of some of the acts that'll be dropping in on The Piano Bar in the upcoming days:
