Philadelphia - October 30, 2009

Get Your Jolly's

Jolly's Dueling Piano Bar Opens

You can’t throw a brick in this city without hitting a “musician.” But a real showman is hard to find.

Today’s opening of Jolly’s Dueling Piano Bar will leave the performance-starved amply sated.

After a long hiatus, the Philly institution is back — with Anthony “Tony T” DeCarolis and “Wildman Joe” Marchetti tickling the ivories of two Roland FP Digital baby grands with more than 2,000 songs from the ’50s to today.

The staff (comprising out-of-work actors and crazy exhibitionists personally cast by owner Jolly Weldon) dance, sing, and generally act as if slinging recession-proof grub (veggie spring rolls, Maryland crab cake sliders) is their moment of prime time.

Avoid Thursday’s Cougar Nights and opt for happy hour, when food and drinks are just three bucks. If harmless old men ply you with interesting conversation and free whiskey? No judgment.

Just leave the music-making to the pros.

Jolly’s Dueling Piano Bar, 2006 Chestnut Street (215-687-1161 or jollyspianobar.com).

Photo: Bob Bezushko