Live entertainment
Joe Lupis
Singer · Pianist · Entertainer
Joe Lupis is a seasoned pianist and vocalist whose style blends the Great American Songbook with an eclectic mix of jazz, rock and roll, country, and more. Influenced by artists like Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin, Joe brings a classic, polished presence to the piano while making each song distinctly his own. At Christner’s, he especially enjoys the intimate connection of the piano bar, where guest requests, shared memories, and timeless music come together to create a personal and memorable evening.
A closer look
Performance Gallery
My passion is the Great American Songbook—Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and all of those wonderful standards—but my taste is actually pretty eclectic. I’ll play everything from country to rock and roll to jazz and everything in between. I’ve never been interested in simply duplicating the original recording. I take a song and make it mine.— Joe Lupis
In his own words
Q&A with Joe
How would you describe your style of music in three words?
“My three words would probably be standards, eclectic and balladeer. My real passion is the Great American Songbook—the Sinatra and Tony Bennett era—but I play everything from country to rock and roll to jazz and everything in between.”
Is there a song you love playing because guests always sing along, smile or request it?
“Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’ is probably at the top of the list. It gets requested a lot, but I still really enjoy playing it. It’s just a fun song, and people always seem to get a real kick out of it.”
If someone is visiting Christner’s for the first time, what song do you hope they’ll hear you play?
“I’d probably want them to hear ‘In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning’ by Frank Sinatra. It’s a little obscure by most people’s standards, but it’s one I really enjoy playing. There’s something about that song that just grabs people, and I think it fits the atmosphere at Christner’s beautifully.”
What’s your favorite item on the Christner’s menu?
“The steaks, without a doubt. They’re probably the best I’ve ever had. I’ve eaten at Christner’s with my family for several special occasions over the years, and the steaks are always so tender and delicious. They just melt in your mouth.”
What’s your favorite part about performing at Christner’s?
“My favorite part is when people are sitting right around the piano bar because I can really interact with them. We’ll carry on conversations, talk about favorite songs, and sometimes someone will tell me about a memory they associate with a particular song and ask me to play it. That kind of personal connection makes the evening much more intimate.”
Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’ is probably at the top of the list. It gets requested a lot, but I still really enjoy playing it. It’s just a fun song, and people always seem to get a real kick out of it.— Joe Lupis
More About Joe
What makes the piano bar experience at Christner’s special for you as a performer?
“The piano bar gives me a chance to really connect with people. When guests are sitting right around the piano, we can talk, they can make requests, and sometimes they’ll tell me about a memory they associate with a particular song. Then I get to play that song for them. It becomes much more than just performing music—it’s a very intimate, personal experience.”
How do you choose the music you play for a room?
“I pride myself on choosing songs that I know are going to be people-pleasers. One of the compliments I hear most often is that people really appreciate my song choices. After doing this for so many years, you get a sense for what people want to hear, and a lot of the songs I naturally choose are also the ones people request the most.”
The piano bar gives me a chance to really connect with people. When guests are sitting right around the piano, we can talk, they can make requests, and sometimes they’ll tell me about a memory they associate with a particular song. Then I get to play that song for them. It becomes much more than just performing music—it’s a very intimate, personal experience.— Joe Lupis
Live music at Christner’s
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