Ernie Biggs Wichita
550 N Rock Road
Wichita, KS 67206
(316) 260-1432
550 N Rock Road
Wichita, KS 67206
(316) 260-1432
Ernie Bigg’s had a soft opening on Thursday night. It’s located on Rock Road in the former Gaslamp Grille, former Shadow, former The Grape building.
A handful of us decided to go on Saturday night after dinner and once again place was really busy. To those who remember the “Shadow” or “The Grape”, it has a “Shadow” type feel inside. I can’t speak for what Gaslamp looked like because I never set foot inside the area. Well me along with hundreds of other people, probably why it’s now Ernie Biggs.
The bar is broken up into two areas, the piano area which was the main portion of The Shadow (the north part of the building) and then there’s a bar area/patio at the south end of Ernie Biggs.
The south end is opened up and allows smoking which really wasn’t well ventilated even with it being a patio and all. We all smelled like smoke from hanging out in the south portion every now and then due to the fact the piano bar area was really busy. I hate it when you leave and your clothes reek. It’d be nice if the place didn’t allow smoking whatsoever.
As for the music, it was great. I’ve been to a number of piano bars on road trips and such and they played all the basics like Neil Diamond to Bon Jovi to Billy Joel to Journey to even modern day tunes like Train “Hey Soul Sister” or .Fun “We Are Young”. This was the first time though I’ve ever seen a drummer playing while the Dueling Piano’s. By definition, I’m not sure it was really “dueling piano’s” as a friend even pointed out with the drummer and even at one point a guitar being brought out.
Like all piano bars, they had their jars for tips and took song requests at all time. They were great at getting the crowd involved with sing-a-longs, had people on stage, etc.
The service was great though, friendly wait staff and door men. The musicians did a great job of keeping the crowd engaged. Drink prices were similar to what you would see downtown. I know firsthand Vegas Bombs are $7.50 there.
Regardless it was good entertainment and no cover was charged at the door. I’m a big fan of dueling piano bars and find it very fun to sing along with them since being a musician was a dream of mine growing up that never came to fruition.
I’d definitely go again.
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