The Redhead Piano Bar

(312) 640-1000

16 W Ontario St (State Street)
Chicago, IL 60610 41.8934 -87.6288

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

REDHEADPIANOBAR.COM

Hours:

Sun-Fri 7pm-4am

Sat 7pm-5am

Last updated 5.07.12

Category:

Bars & Clubs, Piano Bars, Lounges, Cabarets, Pubs, Bars & Pubs, Sports Bars, Nightclubs, Whiskey Bars, Wine Bars, Taverns

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Martinis

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Jazz, Blues, Funk, Soul & R&B, Rock & Pop

Bar & Club Special Features:

After Hours, 21 & Over, Specialty Cocktails, Romantic Nightlife, Live Music, Smoking Permitted, Private Parties

Minimum Age:

21

Smoking Permitted:

Yes

Capacity:

175

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About The Redhead Piano Bar

Featured Review

Jennifer Olvera

Contributor

The Scene – Warm burgundy walls, amber lighting and dressed-up patrons, who stop in before or after martini-supplemented dinners, create a speakeasy feel at this comfortable basement bar. Twenty-somethings brush elbows with seniors, as songbirds belt out tried-and-true hits to piano accompaniment. – – The Draw – Originally known for its roster of standards, the piano bar's expanded sets now comprise almost everything popular, including Neil Diamond and Elton John. Diverse repertoires, in turn, draw a myriad of characters who gather around and get in on the action, or…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Not a fan of coat check? Then skip the outerwear, or leave it in the car, since checking is required Thursday through Saturday.
ambiance
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. “The music and bartenders are fine, and I would have no problem with the older crowd, but terrible service from the staff is too high of a price for me to pay to have fun.”
  2. “Typically crowded, so get there a few minutes early and hold onto your table, then enjoy the fun music.”
  3. “The people watching is fun.”
  4. “There are plenty of places to wear sneakers and throw peanuts on the floor but if you want a nice, classy piano bar with a fun crowd and unmatched performers, go to The Redhead!”
  5. “Overall the atmosphere is warm and upbeat.”
  6. “When my husband returned from work, we decided to walk and find a place to eat, so my husband slipped on his comfortable (not inexpensive) running shoes.”
  7. “don't know of anyother club in Chicago that has great live music, great drinks and a fun crowd.”
drinks
93.33000183105469% positive
  1. “If you are looking for a friendly upstanding bar, look to any of the other great bars around the city.”
  2. “find it interesting to see a review from a bartender who just so happens to think the bar he works at is great.”
  3. “We got great seats at the bar facing the piano without having to pay off the staff.”
  4. “There are plenty of places to wear sneakers and throw peanuts on the floor but if you want a nice, classy piano bar with a fun crowd and unmatched performers, go to The Redhead!”
  5. “From interesting conversations to great music and attentive bartenders to great drinks, cigars and people watching”
  6. “don't know of anyother club in Chicago that has great live music, great drinks and a fun crowd.”
  7. “My favorite bar”
  8. “This is my favorite bar in Chicago.”
  9. “Great, talented musicians; Perfect cocktails; attractive crowd”
  10. “This is a great place to take someone from out of town if you want to keep an eye out for celebrities, or a nice place for locals who want a change of pace from the usual bar and dance club.”
  11. “The only positive thing I can say is that the drinks were good, albeit pricey ($18 for two drinks).”
  12. “Best drinks/ Best piano”
  13. “highly recommend this intimate bar!”
  14. “The service was poor and drinks were small.”
  15. “Its a great piano bar that is always filled with a nice variety of locals.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Its a great piano bar that is always filled with a nice variety of locals.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Although we were all well dressed and just come come from dinner in a nice restaurant nearby, she decided to turn us away because my youngest son had a pair of Nike shoes on.”
  2. “The crowd seems to vary in age depending on the time of night and it's always a great place to people watch.”
  3. “If you have the maturity level of a 3 year old don't come here but if you enjoy a good, well run club for all it's nuances this place has it all, A pro door staff, pro (also cute) waitstaff, and BARTENDERS, not bartenders but BARTENDERS!”
  4. “This is a great place to take someone from out of town if you want to keep an eye out for celebrities, or a nice place for locals who want a change of pace from the usual bar and dance club.”
service
63.09999942779541% positive
  1. “I'm not saying that the whole staff was rude, or did not like mexicans, but the bouncer sure did not.”
  2. “The good service stopped there.”
  3. “The crowd seems to vary in age depending on the time of night and it's always a great place to people watch.”
  4. “the so called bouncer at the door, was as rude and ignorant as one can be.”
  5. “It makes me wonder if the other good reviews are written by its rude staff members.”
  6. “If you like rude service and snobs, go to Red Head Piano Bar!”
  7. “The staff is fantastic and is always willing to accommodate me and my friends.”
  8. “hate people who dress like hobos and go out to bars.”
  9. “The service was poor and drinks were small.”
  10. “immediately felt at ease, met some interesting people and had a great night.”
  11. “If you have the maturity level of a 3 year old don't come here but if you enjoy a good, well run club for all it's nuances this place has it all, A pro door staff, pro (also cute) waitstaff, and BARTENDERS, not bartenders but BARTENDERS!”
  12. “again met some great people and had a great night.”
  13. “The service was one of the worst experiences I have ever had.”
  14. “The service was good, quick refills and frequent ashtray emptying (probably because we got a table).”
  15. “The bartender's always put on a great show, and the entertainers really get the crowd involved.”
  16. “You can go four blocks south to Hubbard to Howl at the Moon for music that is just as good and waiters and waitresses who don't ruin their customers' night out with rudeness.”
  17. “From interesting conversations to great music and attentive bartenders to great drinks, cigars and people watching”
  18. “The music and bartenders are fine, and I would have no problem with the older crowd, but terrible service from the staff is too high of a price for me to pay to have fun.”
  19. “People are friendly at the Redhead.”
  20. “The people watching is fun.”
  21. “find it interesting to see a review from a bartender who just so happens to think the bar he works at is great.”
  22. “suggested to our delightful hostess that she check into the 21st century.”
  23. “The service was horrible and the crowd was nothing to talk about.”
  24. “In a city known for great and friendly customer service, the service here is the absolute worst!”
  25. “Asinine dress code and rude battle-axe doorperson”
  26. “We got great seats at the bar facing the piano without having to pay off the staff.”
  27. “The staff was rude to us and completely disrespectful and discrimenatory.”
  28. “If you are looking for a friendly upstanding bar, look to any of the other great bars around the city.”
value
60.0% positive
  1. “The only positive thing I can say is that the drinks were good, albeit pricey ($18 for two drinks).”
  2. “Drinks are good, but that's not worth the hassle.”
  3. “The music and bartenders are fine, and I would have no problem with the older crowd, but terrible service from the staff is too high of a price for me to pay to have fun.”
  4. “The place seemed a little pretentious, but it was cheap live music and it was easy to get to.”
  5. “When my husband returned from work, we decided to walk and find a place to eat, so my husband slipped on his comfortable (not inexpensive) running shoes.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “Typically crowded, so get there a few minutes early and hold onto your table, then enjoy the fun music.”
  2. “The service was good, quick refills and frequent ashtray emptying (probably because we got a table).”
1 Star Rating: Poor

12/20/11

HORRIBLE! STAY AWAY!!

by TrishInChicago

Had been there a few times in the past years, but t his time I was 'turned away' by the big bouncer who told my 2 friends and I that we weren't allowed inside because we had too much to drink! We came by taxi. We live in Chicago. We're all in our mid-60s. I think it was age discrimination in its ugliest form. Go to HOWLIN' at the MOON. Much more fun, genuine and it's 'real Chicago.'

2 Star Rating: Below Average

06/02/10

Disappointed

by katierp

We went to Red Head Saturday May 30, 2010 for our anniversary with another couple. We got great seats at the bar facing the piano without having to pay off the staff.

Dave Johnson, the pianist, was a pro although we left after an hour. Somebody needed to sound check him. Thepianoandhisvoicedblendedtogetherintoamishmash.

I know he favors Billy Joel and Joe Cocker - but all his songs sounded the same and muddy. He didn't encourage audience interaction and the people sitting around the piano were DUUUULLLL. We left, agreeing we would give it another chance with a different performer.

The people watching is fun. The security staff take themselves very seriously. I don't object to the dress code.

  • Pros: Bartenders, drinks, dress code
  • Cons: Reserved areas waiting for big tips
4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/12/09

Not to Everybody's Liking, I'm sure

by Gesq

I know a lot of people balk at their enforcement of the dress code - and I would agree that there is a right way and a wrong way to turn people away. There aren't many places that insist on dress codes anymore, so I can appreciate that they still exist somewhere. I just think they can do a better job of turning people away without turning them off completely. "I'm sorry but we have a dress code and tennis shoes are no allowed" isn't difficult to say.

That said, I enjoy this place. Cougar hunters would love this place as well. The riff-raff is kept out (with some collateral damage, I know). The music is lively. They can make a proper cocktail.

This place certainly isn't for everyone - but it has stayed in business for years. I think they enjoy having a bit of a reputation for being pushy at the door.

  • Pros: Lively
  • Cons: Staff can be rude at times
4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/29/09

Walked in a stranger, come away with friends

by Jegan

I was there a few months ago and the bartender, Eric made me feel welcome and introduced me to other people sitting around the bar. I immediately felt at ease, met some interesting people and had a great night. I went back recently and was amazed when Eric remembered my drink. I again met some great people and had a great night. I'm a believer

  • Pros: great staff, great crowd, warm place
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/18/09

My favorite bar

by HotChick4U

This is my favorite bar in Chicago. I love it - check out Tuesdays - incredible piano player every week. Martinis here are not cheap, but you get what you pay for so I like it. I also don't mind the coat check policy or dress code. I hate people who dress like hobos and go out to bars. Viva Redhead Piano Bar!

  • Pros: Great environment with lots of hotties
  • Cons: None

The Details on The Redhead Piano Bar

Place Categories:

  • great place
  • favorite intimate bar
  • horrible service
  • great drinks
  • great people
  • fantastic whole staff
  • like rude service
  • rude called bouncer
  • warm atmosphere
  • nice classy piano bar
  • enjoy run club
  • famous musicians
  • great customer service
  • rude staff members
  • great seats
  • not like mexicans
  • full bars
  • good hand
  • friendly upstanding bar
  • incredible piano player
  • poor condition
  • great fun crowd
  • great live music
  • rude staff
  • love cougar hunters
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