Grassroots effort to save historic piano bar in Oakland at brink of closure
KTVU s Elissa Harrington reports.
OAKLAND, Calif. - A historic piano bar in Oakland was on the verge of closing for good until A GoFundMe was launched by some loyal regulars.
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant, located in the Grand Lake neighborhood has been around since the 1930s. But in March, it was forced to close its doors, and the owner doesn’t know when it will finally be safe to reopen.
Its unique interior includes wallpaper made of business cards. There’s a lounge area with traditional songbooks and microphones.
Regulars fight to save beloved Oakland piano bar the Alley
Emma Silvers
FacebookTwitterEmail
1of2
The late Alley pianist Rod Dibble, who built the bar’s loyal following over nearly 60 years, claps in approval after a woman sings in 2011.Alex Washburn / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
2of2
Bryan Seet (center), who succeeded Rod Dibble as featured pianist at the Alley, plays there in 2018. He and loyal regulars are trying to save the historic venue from permanent closure.Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle 2018Show MoreShow Less
As dive bars go, the Alley in Oakland has never been short on charm. With its grand piano, decades-old business cards plastered to the dark wood walls and a loyal cast of regulars who come from all over to belt songs by Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, the 87-year-old piano bar is a one-of-a-kind Bay Area institution.