Piano bars in London have evolved over the years, and now they’re attracting a younger audience who want a modern musical cabaret style venue whilst enjoying a glass of wine (or two).

The Piãno bar was established in Kensington High Street in 2003 by Bazz Norton who has a passion for music and piano bars. Now Bazz has expanded his empire with his wife Moya, and they’ve opened up a bar in Soho on Charing Cross Road where they can be seen schmoozing at the bar with friends old and new.

The streamlined bar is elegantly lit with a glowing red light (no hint of Roxanne other than perhaps a rendition on the piano).  Metallic globes hang over the bar accenting the contemporary setting and the bar is decked out with some of Bazz and Moya’s musical memorabilia.

I love listening to live music and I’m always mesmerised when people can sing and play an instrument, purely because I can’t.  There’s a sense of live intimacy which you can interact with if you wish. No, it’s not the dreaded karaoke (that’s next week's blog) but you can request your favourite song - which always helps you get in the mood.

This is a great venue for meeting up with the girls for a drink and a bite to eat without being pestered by lager louts! It’s definitely a lively venue with a hubbub of cool sophistication, and on Sundays they do live jazz music.

Bottles of wine start around £15 so it won’t break the bank, and you can order delicious Chinese food which is cooked next door. Try the Kimchee Pancake and the One Chubby Pork Belly (With Fried Egg, Water Spinach & Chilli Paste); with a name like that hopefully we aren’t what we eat!

Ladies, if that doesn’t entice you then the devilishly handsome barmen will. Enchanted by their good looks and foreign accents this is my kind of bar... definitely worth an encore visit!

www.thepianogroup.com