A tiny, atmospheric piano lounge near the lake

Word to the wise: If you really want to hear your song request played, be sure to tip well (USD 10-20).

Chicago has a piano lounge to suit every taste: Howl at the Moon caters to impromptu audience participation and bawdy nights out; the 3160 is glam and gay-friendly; the Redhead Piano Bar has an older crowd. The Zebra is a tiny affair, tucked underneath an apartment block – look out for the zebra-striped awning. Inside are hair-raising (at first) dark-red zebra-striped walls, black-leather banquettes and one of Chicago’s finest crooning pianists, Tommy Oman.

It’s the kind of place you’d call smoky if smoking hadn’t been banned, but louche isn’t far off. A very mixed crowd steps in from the madness of Rush and Division for good music and reasonably priced, stiff drinks.