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• Piano bar in the works: 88 Broadway

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Something new is coming to downtown Urbana, and better than that, it’s helping to rejuvenate the Lincoln Square Mall. It’s a piano bar called 88 Broadway, and it’s making its debut in July. Located at the old Bergner’s west entrance at the Lincoln Square Mall, (Eight Broadway 138 Lincoln Sq.) 88 Broadway is more than the average piano lounge. In fact, it’s quite different.

Not only will 88 Broadway feature everything from pizza to fondue as well as an extensive beverage menu, the bar will create a different atmosphere where the local piano men won’t just be tickling the ivories, they’ll be dueling over who is the better player. When it opens, 88 Broadway will host pianists who will ask the audience to participate along with them. More than that, once the lights go down later in the evening, the audience won’t just be sitting back and watching, they’ll be singing along to classic piano favorites including Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” which is sure to be a house favorite. Owner Doug Larson hopes 88 Broadway brings a high-spirited kick to the Lincoln Square Mall.

88 Broadway will be open from 11am to 2 am and will serve both lunch and dinner. The menu consists of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pizza, fondue, four-course meals and of course, dessert. Fondue will be available until 9pm, but other items listed on the menu will be served throughout the evening. A sampling of the menu might go something like this: asparagus spears for an appetizer, a “Caprese Style” Salad, a Cajun Crab Cake Sandwich, the Veggie Delight Pizza (or a build your own), the Three Cheese Classic Fondue, and the Spiked Fondue for dessert. 88 Broadway also plans to host private parties for any occasion.