The Student News Website of Francis Howell North High School.

FHNtoday.com

The Student News Website of Francis Howell North High School.

FHNtoday.com

The Student News Website of Francis Howell North High School.
The Collector Store

FHNtoday.com

Countdown to 4th Quarter!
days
0
5
hours
1
6
minutes
0
1
seconds
2
8
The Collector Store

New dueling piano bar is ‘more than dream come true’ for owner

It started with eleven years of playing piano. Eleven years of touring and living in hotel rooms. Eleven years of being away from family. Eleven years, and Philip Manaois created a dream of his own: Jive and Wail.

“I was basically sick of living in hotel rooms,” Manaois said. “It was years of the same room in a different state. I wanted to settle down and be home.”

Jive and Wail is a dueling piano bar which has become increasingly popular among adults on Friday nights. The St. Peters location has been open for three months and the Maplewood location has been open for almost two years.

“Three years ago, I couldn’t see myself here,” Manaois said. “I saw myself still touring, still being away and then this happened. It was all starting to come together.”

Although Jive and Wail only has two locations, which Manaois said is “more then a dream come true – it’s a miracle”, he wishes to expand in the future. Friday nights become increasingly busy, which is the main reason Manaois would like to expand.

“I waited outside for three hours before,” customer Erika Wilson said. “And I don’t recommend it for a date, it’s too loud to even talk in there! But it’s a lot of fun.”

Pianists that play during Wednesdays encourage the crowd to recommend songs. Waiters and waitresses leave song request forms along with a pen on every table for the audience to fill out.

“I liked requesting my own song,” customer Tiffany Dandino said.

One reason a lot of people enjoy coming to Jive and Wail is because the players include audience members in their acts.

“We love to embarrass people,” Manaois said. “Whether it’s their birthday or bachelor party, we’re going to make sure they look like a fool, all in good fun, of course.”

Another reason people enjoy coming back is because it’s a local business with a well-trained staff.

“The waiter was friendly and fast,” another customer said. “If a place has a good staff, I’m going to tell my friends. If a restaurant doesn’t, then I won’t recommend it to anyone.”

Eleven years to achieve his dream of his own and it’s still exceeding what he expected.

“It feels like a dream and sometimes,” Manaois says, “I have to pinch myself to make sure it’s all real.”

Donate to FHNtoday.com
$105
$500
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Francis Howell North High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to FHNtoday.com
$105
$500
Contributed
Our Goal