Big Shot Piano Lounge by Lucas Levon
In January 2025, I began a bi-weekly residency performing every Friday and Saturday night at Big Shot Piano Lounge just outside Chicago. The basement piano bar sits near a Metra train stop in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights. The lounge has no cover charge and is a Mecca for locals and vagabonds among the likes of couples on dates, girls night out, families and college bros just coming back from the Cubs game (they won). While there is no formal dress code you may feel best in something a little more put together.
The evening begins at 5:30pm at Big Shot, with tables already reserved for dinner (kitchen open till 10:30pm) and handfuls of regulars and newcomers at the bar. The bar itself sits in a basement near the intersection of Vail and Campbell Street in downtown Arlington Heights (right by a Metra Train stop you train jumpers). The food is excellent - ranging from gourmet style pub cheeseburgers and tasty flatbread pizzas, to steak and seafood. My personal favorites are the Shrimp and Scallops Pasta, Chicken Caesar Salad and the Margarita flat bread. The bar comes stocked as well: Beers on tap and bottles, and wine and liquor (the good stuff). They even have ice cold Red Bull in that mini Red Bull fridge you always wanted.
The old thyme hammy sounds of “Your Mother Should Know” fill in room as diners enjoy their appetizers before being greeted with “Till There Was You” from The Music Man musical. It’s part private concert, part request show during the three hour dinner set. A mix of slow, fast, old and new pepper through the air as the evening continues; “Folsom Prison Blues”, “Wonderful Tonight”, “Walking In Memphis” and “Nothing Breaks Like A Heart” set the tone for the night.
The quaint bustling downtown has a big city feel as the nights moves forward as more dinner guests arrive to the likes of “Tiny Dancer” , “All Shook Up” and “I Gotta Get A Message To You” ring out in this basement lounge molded like a Chicago speak-easy. You never know who you’re going to run into at Big Shot, but if you’ve been there before you’re very likely to see some regular friends. It a hot spot for friendly conversation after a long work week. Grab a drink and request a song. After awhile, people may start to notice you’re there all the time.
Speaking of time, I noticed around 7:00pm - 7:30 pm the night kicks things up a notch as the party gets into full swing. Usually it’s group of girls entering the space requesting “Dancing Queen” or “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” - both piano bar classics. Other times it the fellas and they want to hear “All Of Me” and “Sister Golden Hair” and I think I know why. Personally, I just wish someone would request “Band On The Run” again because that song still really slaps and it’s has only been requested once - and boy was I happy. I was like a one-man band on the run.
As the packed piano lounge is in full swing the show stoppers start making their appearances; “Turn The Page”, “American Pie”, “The Chain” and “Rocket Man” tickle the ivories. Dinner guests are satisfied, the regular guests have found each other, girls are on the dance floor and drinks are being made. Another great night at Big Shot. So many songs so little time.
Until next time at the Pink Pony Club.
