After 33 years Wellington’s first-ever cocktail bar, The Piano Bar at the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, has a new look. A sleek, black, oval cocktail bar with coloured mood lighting has become the centre-piece of Whitby’s Bar, just off Whitby’s Restaurant on the 17th floor of the hotel. With extensive views out over the city and harbour, this is the bar that introduced Wellingtonians to cocktails. Tens of thousands of locals, business people, conference attendees and tourists have sidled up to the bar until the wee small hours as resident pianist Shaun played the music patrons most wanted to hear. Hotel general manager, John Primer, said Shaun’s brand of music won’t be lost with the new-look bar. “Shaun can now be heard in Whitby’s Restaurant as well as the bar. “Whitbys is one of the few venues in Wellington where live music is played nightly and it doesn’t inhibit dining or bar conversation. Restaurant and bar customers often request songs and according to Shaun, the most requested song over the 25 years he has played at the hotel is the theme from Dr Zhivago. John Primmer said Whitby’s Restaurant continues to offer its well-known buffet and a la carte menu and Whitby’s Bar has a new light meal menu. “Guests dining alone can sit at the bar and enjoy a light meal with a drink, rather than sit by themselves in the restaurant,” he said.