The Piano Man

The namesake Billy Joel song incessantly rings in my head every time I enter a Piano Man outlet. I’m thankful for the distractions, even if their band or act for the night is late: a decently strong cocktail, the gorgeous faux candles, the all-round sensation that I’m not entirely in a restro-bar (this typically then makes me wonder if being a try-hard is such a bad thing all the time), or the company I’ve brought with me. 

This three-branched Delhi establishment (Safdarjung, Gurgaon, Saket) has built a reputation over the years for the live music by captivating acts, and for its expensive dinners. It’s not just jazz either, of course: you’ve got a range of genres on your plate if you peruse their booking availability for each week carefully. 

Two props I’ll add here: unlike many restaurants who try to program live music as an afterthought crowd-chaser, there is nothing to complain about in terms of their acoustics. Secondly, though they really don’t need exceptional food to preserve their status, their menus are relatively compact, with a quick choice of bites across cuisines, and their diversions into attempts at fusion have flavours that actually mesh well together: think wasabi broccoli or tandoori miso lamb chop. Cocktails, on the other hand, are wildly in your hands for customization. I’d advise you get that out of the way before the performance and follow them up with more trustworthy liquors that are quick to order later.

If there’s a high-profile series of listening sessions or an international act with Delhi dates sans the large concert experience, chances are they’re coming here.

This is also quite the first-date venue: combining the experience of watching something together with a fancy meal. Dark enough that you won’t be conscious of looking at someone or being looked at, enough to talk about. At the same time, no one’s telling you can’t pick among the least expensive tickets and get by with a beer.