Dueling pianos will return to Maplewood with the opening of The Live Juke Joint Dueling Piano Bar. Co-owner Phil “Spanky” Manaois was part of the ownership group at The Jive & Wail piano bar, which occupied the same corner space at 7376 Manchester Road. After a division in management, The Jive & Wail closed its doors in 2010, and Manaois went on to launch Spanky Entertainment, which books piano entertainment at venues across the country.
However, co-owner Drew Graefe said Manaois always had an interest in returning to the Maplewood location. “A big reason we are back in Maplewood is that we really care about the community and have close relationships with lots of other great new businesses there,” Graefe said.
Set to open right before Thanksgiving, the bar will feature specialty cocktails, draft local beers and a list of wines and spirits, as well as a full kitchen serving classic American fare. Upcoming menu items include the Sweet Child of Mine maple-glazed wings and the Blame It On Texas burger with two beef patties, barbecue sauce, fried pickles and fried onions.
The venue will feature pianists from around the country, who will play everything from classical music to country to rap in request-driven shows. Thursday nights will be keyboard karaoke nights, and Sundays will be Junior Jukers, a family-friendly show featuring age-appropriate music and a lunch buffet.
This article appears in November 2015.