No need to travel to the eastside for live music in a sophisticated atmosphere (check out video and slides). 88 Keys Piano Lounge, located at 72nd and Greenfield avenue in West Allis, books musical acts, from individual pianists to full bands, Thursday to Saturday.
Atmosphere
If you miss the eastside ambiance, but live more out west, you will appreciate 88 Keys. Once inside you would never guess this was West Allis, but rather Milwaukee's Third Ward.
The decor is warm and eclectic with a mix of artistic canvases and Rat Pack memorabilia. There are lounge areas with comfortable leather couches, a waterfall table and a parlor room in back. The bar design is piano-inspired with the keyboard overhead and a curved shape.
The crowd is more mature and professional with a mix of ages, from young couples to people well into their 50s,
Menu
88 Keys is known mostly for martinis and there are two pages devoted to just them named after various Rat Pack era celebrities such as Greta Garbo and Sami Davis Jr.; most are priced at $8 and $10 each.
Though not a restaurant, if patrons get hungry, there is a good selection of appetizers, starting at $5 for chips and salsa, individual pizzas starting at $10 and cheese fondue platters $16-$18.
Entertainment
Thursday is Ladies Night featuring individual musicians and $4 martinis.
Friday and Saturday a variety of live acts, most with jazz or blues influences, entertain the crowd.
One such band is Faith, Hope and Love (FHL), a regular favorite at 88 Keys. FHL, together for about 11 years, specializes in classic and contemporary R&B, as well as classic rock - incorporating their own jazzy-blues undertones to 70's classics such as 'Frankenstein' and Led Zeppelin's 'Since I've been Loving You'. About 90% of their playlist is cover material with 10% original tunes.
Various entertainment acts are featured each week, including a Frank Sinatra impersonator, jazz trios and other bands at no cover charge.
Location
7211 W Greenfield
West Allis WI 53214
(414) 257-9490
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