Dueling piano bar opens on Okaloosa Island

OKALOOSA ISLAND — A new pirate-themed bar offering dinner and a show will open Friday.

Captain Jack's Dueling Piano Bar, above Dock on the Island at 1318 Miracle Strip Parkway, is an interactive act in which guests get to pick the tunes performed by two dueling pianists. Performers rotate weekly and will entertain both musically and theatrically from 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday until "their fingers can't play anymore."

"There was a void in our community after Howl at the Moon (a former dueling piano bar across the street) left the area," said Lee Pardue, director of operations. "Our locals told us they wanted something like this again, so we listened. We're excited about this new project."

The bar, which seats 129 guests, will offer an assortment of specialty drinks and menu options by chef Tommy Lemasters. Already on the menu are Paco's Plank Pizzas, 1- and 2-foot pizzas served on pirate ship-like planks. The 2-foot meat lovers pizza is $15.

There are also an assortment of dips like the $8.50 Queso Con Carne and the $12 Ms. Bilger's Tuna Dip.

Nate Sangsland, one of the performers, said the show is traditionally for adults only. The concept of dueling pianos originated in the 1890s at Pat O'Brien's in New Orleans. There, the two pianists would "duel" for the crowd's attention and tips.

At Captain Jack's, guests must be 18 years old to enter. Pardue said they hope to add a family-friendly show by summer. The cover cost is $5.

"It's fun because guests get to choose all of their favorite songs, and we play them," Sangsland said. "We also have some comedy thrown in there."

"It's going to be great to have this in the area again," Pardue added.