Piano Room – Kings Cross
Sydney’s live music scene can sometimes feel a little dead, so it’s always good to find a venue that makes musicians a priority – especially when the club also serves decent cocktails.
Located under the iconic Coca Cola sign in the Cross, the Piano Room is a dark and sophisticated bar (although I’m not sure about the gold leopard statues) that has the stage slap bang in the middle of the floor. The décor has a black and gold theme reminiscent of Tia Maria, complete with ebony marble, leather lounges, upholstered armchairs, birdcages with candles in them and an outdoor smoking terrace, although the standout feature is undeniably the view of William Street that stretches to the city. Live music plays every night, with the emphasis on soul, funk and jazz (you can see the week’s line-up on the website).
I’ve been to the Piano Room a couple of times, ranging from a birthday function (at which a friend of mine wasn’t allowed in – despite us being on the door list – because his suede shoes were too casual) to popping in late at night when other bars have closed, but while I have hazy gin-soaked recollections of martinis I decide it’s time to go back in the name of Bar Zine to have another look.
It’s early on a Thursday night and a woman is tinkling the piano’s ivories while a guy strokes his bass as I order the Blood Orange Pisco Sour ($19). The menu says it’s made with Peruvian pisco, blood oranges and Grand Marnier but the barman uses Campari and sweet vermouth instead of Grand Marnier. The result is good – sour and well balanced – although it lacks the wow factor.
The Piano Room also acts as a supper club with a Latin-inspired menu that includes chipotle coated squid, pork ribs with dark beer BBQ sauce, deep fried red piquillo peppers stuffed with salt cod, garlic and parsley aioli as well as cinnamon churros with drinking chocolate. Deciding that the blood orange juice in the pisco sour is sustenance enough, however, I decide to forgo the meal especially since I don’t see anyone else eating. Having said that, I am tempted to come back and eat here some other time and if any Bar Zine readers have dined here then feel free to leave a comment below.
I’ve got to be honest and say this isn’t a bar I’ve ever felt particularly comfortable in (perhaps because I’m not fashionable enough) but it is one of the best late night options in East Sydney and I do like the mix of live music with good cocktails. However, I’m still not convinced about the leopards.
Now it’s your turn – how do you rate this bar?
(6 votes, average: 2.67 out of 5)
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Piano Room. Corner Kings Cross & Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross. Phone 9356 8238 or see the Piano Room website
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