In a time shrouded by fears of opening new business and a hospitality industry still battling the after effects of covid, Norwich welcomes The Piano Church Bar to its cultural scene. 

Speaking to John, the bar’s owner, amongst the impressive original structure I learn about the origins, how to chase a dream and why a grand piano is just as good when it is electric. 

He opened his doors on the 26 September and has already seen the bar fill with crowds of differing people. From pensioners to university students he has been told ‘it is lovely to find somewhere I don’t feel out of place’ and it easy to see why.

Not only is John himself friendly but the church’s historical feel reminds customers that people have been gathering as communities for hundreds of years. Whilst there are less hymns now than when it was an active church prior to 1970, the musical tradition continues.  

We briefly discuss the changing landscape of AI. John himself started his journey in Norwich twenty years ago when he studied Computer Science at UEA. Yet, he argues, ‘you’ll never replace human interaction’.  

John initiated the plans for his bar after turning fifty. Suddenly realising he was only seventeen years off of retirement he felt ‘if I don’t do something I’ll never do it’. Aware that Norwich is already full of great musical venues he wanted to offer a unique one. He joked ‘where else is there?’ and he is right, this place offers something entirely different.  

The charm is in the design with this venue, as we stand looking down at the bar from halfway up the bell tower John explains how significant it was to him to keep the original flooring and windows. If for nothing else, ‘the conservators will appreciate it’.  

The acoustics are as wonderful as you could imagine with the high ceilings but the single glaze windows offer a few issues, namely the neighbours. John considered the noise impact he might have and has an online system constantly measuring the sound levels. He cares about his neighbours and tells me, ‘I don’t want to be annoying – I want them to come in here’.

This underpins The Church Piano Bar’s ethos perfectly, this is a place that goes beyond the wine and focuses on the shared experience of music; it is about the community.  

When it comes to sourcing the acts John talks fondly of the old piano bar Platform 12 that shut down during Covid, a familiar haunt of his and the inspiration for his own bar.

Links to other music fanatics local to Norwich like John Fennel, who is responsible for Louis Marchesi’s Saturday sounds and Pete Turrel at the Merchant’s House help John find pianists. He claims, ‘they know everybody,’ and is constantly passing over his business cards. One of his resident pianists, Phoebe, even came from an open mic event at the Louis Marchesi.  

However, there is more than one way to become a performer at the “The Church Piano Bar” with John planning on an Open Piano night on Wednesday evenings.

He encourages his customers to get involved and likes ‘the idea of never knowing what is going to happen.’ Piano’s may not be the only musical instrument here for long, as John expresses interest in expanding eventually, having had a harpist offer their intrigue. Additionally, this spring he plans on expanding the altar into a sofa area so he can open  for coffee in the day as well. The Church Piano bar is only just beginning! 

Image credits: Erin Heffernan