There's a new restaurant-speakeasy-bar-live music venue now open in Addison: Called The Alley Music House, it's in the former Pete's Dueling Piano Bar at 4980 Belt Line Rd., where it's hosting live music, sports viewing, and some innovative wings.

The concept is from Sean Cooper, a food & beverage veteran who previously worked in the franchise world. His goal with The Alley was to create a space supporting live music, with great food and a craft cocktail bar, in a contemporary elegant space.

"Music is a passion of mine," Cooper says. "I was a violinist in high school, I've done some performing on stage, and I wanted to provide a live music venue for musicians of all genres to have a place to play, rehearse, or host a listening party. On top of that, we want to serve some good food. I was previously in the wing business so I know how to do good wings, plus burgers — just an American bar."

Cooper grew up in DeSoto, graduated from UNT, and was a franchisee of Wing Zone, the second-largest chain in the U.S. At Alley, he's doing wings with an unusual twist.

"We're baking our wings — nothing fried," he says. "Everything's roasted or baked. We don't deal with grease, it's not good for you, we wanted to take a healthier route, and you can still get amazing wings without frying them."

The menu also includes smoked meats, tacos, quesadillas, a bistro sandwich, and a baked potato.

At the center lies their craft bar, overseen by skilled mixologist Alaria Waddle, who previously worked at Roots Southern Table. Waddle's bar program includes cocktails with house-made infusions and fresh ingredients.

"Everything is fresh, with syrups made in house, with a mission to 'drink clean,'" she says. "It syncs with the healthful approach of our kitchen, with everything grilled, baked, or air-fried. We're striving for a fresh health-conscious approach to regular bar food."

They have 16 TV's, plus a music video wall, and in addition to live music, they'll host karaoke, trivia, plus beer and wine tasting events.

They've been softly open for a couple of weeks in the former Pete's (which relocated to Frisco in 2023) and will begin hosting live music acts on May 16, starting out Thursdays-Sundays, and adding more days down the road.

"We're right across from the Improv, and would like to make the area a destination for fun entertainment," Cooper says.