Buffalo Rising Online

Jan 25th 2006, 10:34am By

Approaching the Sidebar on Hertel Avenue, it is hard to accurately predict the interior. As the keyboard signage suggests, the Sidebar is a piano bar, but it is also a neighborhood bar with lots of surprises within. Once inside, the clean dEcor and Art Deco vibe practically transport you to the roaring twenties with black tin ceilings, checkerboard floors, and rich paint tones that complement custom murals and Leonetto Cappiello drink prints.

Cheektowaga native Andy DiAmico opened the Sidebar two years ago. He loves the neighborhood and is hopeful for the future of Hertel as new businesses are already moving in and building up. (Like the nearby Empire Grill currently under construction.) Across the street, are North End Trattoria, Taste of Thai, La Dolce Vita and more. iIn two years, Hertel will be a destination,i says Andy.

The Sidebar is divided by the central double-sided bar into two areas. The left (green) side has tables and upholstered chairs for conversation. The right (red) side has a piano, and comfy black leather couches for lounging. There are huge, bold murals depicting debonair ladies and gents from the twenties. These were custom painted by a relative of Andy for his brotheris wedding at Sheais Performing Arts Center awhile ago. Andy hung on to the works, eventually hanging them here at the Sidebar where they fit perfectly. While enjoying a drink from the comforts of the couch, you may notice some moving artwork on the opposite wall. Occasionally, the Sidebar screens black and white classic movies (with the sound turned off) to create another layer of background interest. Music is played over the speakers but on the weekends, the music is live!

Every Saturday night, enjoy piano melodies by Thom Diina, from 9pm until 1am. And every other Friday night (including this Friday 1/27) check out Jaman Trio from 10p n 2am. Sidebar can accommodate private parties and special events. Last fall Ron Hawkins from Lowest of the Low, played an acoustic show at the Sidebar.

Oh yeah, letis not forget the reason you came n the drinks. Sidebar has an extensive bar n both in scale and offerings. In addition to many bottled beers, on draft are Guinness, (local) Flying Bison, Yeugling, Blue Moon and Sierra Nevada. You wonit find a fancy printed martini menu here, but SideBar bartenders can concoct just about anything from a Manhattan, to an Old Fashioned to even a Side Car.

This winter, grab a friend, grab a drink and warm up at the Sidebar. But as soon as spring springs, you can sit out front to people watch on Hertel, or retreat to their back patio.

The Sidebar 1459 Hertel Avenue 716.835.1995 Open daily from 5pm til 4am. Saturdays from 7pm til 4 am. Closed Sundays

(top photo: BR's own Anthony Cuellar Jr. tickles the ivories for fun.)