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The nightlife scene is thriving and Metromix doesn't miss a...
- Address:
- 526 Main, Royal Oak, MI, 48067
- Overall User Rating:
-
(2 ratings)
- Official Web Site:
- http://www.526main.com/
Status: There’s not much lacking when it comes to metro Detroit’s bar offerings, but one category in short supply are piano bars. There are a few dozen throughout the state, but on September 15, the selection increased by one.
“Royal Oak needed something different in the city, and it sounded like something that would be fun,” said Daniel Safford, manager of new dueling piano bar 526 Main which occupies a two-story, 9,000-square-foot space next to BlackFinn in Royal Oak.
The formerly vacant area has a second-floor Mexican restaurant called Tequila Blue which opened a few days after 526 Main. Both spots are owned by Tony Kasab, James A. Harvey and Jerrold Jung, the same owners of the neighboring Woody’s Diner.
“It’s awesome,” said 29-year-old Ryan Romanik of Ypsilanti opening night as he sat next to 24-year-old Rebecca Clees of Commerce Township. “This is just what this town needed. The music, the food, the drinks – it’s all great.”
“It’s unique in Royal Oak to have dueling pianos,” said 25-year-old Tom Baroch of Royal Oak who said he would be coming back to 526 Main.
Gear: There was nothing exceptional about the patron’s clothes Thursday night, and the staff wore standard black polo and button-up shirts with the 526 Main and Tequlia Blue logos.
Mood: Blue and orange lights illuminated the stained concrete floors and stone walls which gave way to floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto Main Street.
The crowd was loosely packed into the venue as pianists good-naturedly teased them while taking song requests.
“The setting is very intimate,” said 31-year-old Darren McCaffrey of Ferndale who sat in a booth along one wall with 25-year-old Ashley Katbi of Troy.
A corner bar filled a portion of the venue, and several small square tables packed the remaining space.
Pick me up: Soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers and pizza are all available at 526 Main. Prices average about $10 for a salad, sandwich or burger.
If a meat is what you’re looking for, 526 Main has you covered with its Chicken Ala King ($12), Swedish Meatballs ($13), Baby Back Ribs ($15/half slab or $23/full salb), Filet Mignon ($30/10 oz.) and more.
Tequlia Blue, which was not open Thursday night, offers Mexican fare.
Entertainment: The piano duels, which feature local and national pianists, begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. On the second level, there will be a DJ, lights and a dance floor starting around 10 p.m. Thursdays through Saturday.
Multiple flat-screen televisions tuned to various sports channels are available on each wall.
There is $10 cover Wednesday through Saturday, but if you eat at the restaurant upstairs, $10 will be deducted from your bill, Safford said.
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