old pittsburgh nightclubs oakland
The border between Oakland and Squirrel Hill runs along Junction Hollow. Eric Heyl is Patch's Pittsburgh field editor. Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training Battles, PA To Consider Adopting Significant Police Protection Measures, Local Brand Advisor offers services in Pittsburgh. Jessica Wasik lives in Pittsburgh where works as a full-time figure skating coach sharing her passion with todays generation of young skaters. But as Oakland has matured over the past 20 years, it has traded dive bars and longtime rock joints for corporate fast food and student housing, leaving alums longing for their college nights. The bands gigged in the back room on a wide stage And Mary Schenley gave another gift: land for Schenley Plaza. These 6 Pittsburgh Restaurants Are So Magnificent Theyve Been On T.V. [15] Oakland is also home to the university's French-Gothic revival Heinz Memorial Chapel and St. Paul Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Its incarnations since have included a deli, lesbian bar, produce store, and a bar. Protect Your Home from Ticks with Yard Guard from Viking Pest, 1 Person Dead, Others Injured In 2 Pittsburgh-Area Shootings: Report, Here's How Many Guns Were Sold In Pennsylvania Last Month, What Kind Of Home Can $1.9 Million Buy In Pittsburgh? Dominic had been looking for something like this to come along, but he had no idea about the music stuff. As it was before they Within hours after news broke the PHI would close because the Forbes Avenue building it was in had been sold, more than 800 CMU brainiacs signed a petition hoping to save it. Haring had his first art show while living in Oakland. So feel free to disagree with these rankings in the comments section below. To provide The Pitt News with data for advertisers and internal analytics. wanted to sit at one of the few tables, you had to get there early. In 1963, The Pittsburgh Press dubbed Shadyside 'our Greenwich Village.'. A Pittsburgh music promoter, Danny Kresge, convinced DiSilvio to start hosting national acts at the Decade. The popular Italian restaurant, tucked in the Strip District, was owed and founded by Lidia Bastianich, a familiar face at the restaurant. NOLA on the Square closed for good during the summer of 2020, another victim of the pandemic. If you've ever wondered what Pittsburgh was like roughly eight decades ago, step into the Omni William Penn Hotel's Speakeasy, the only one of its kind in the city. out their nights of Oakland bar hopping East End Yinzers shelled out the two The Decade had two small rooms that were said to hold google_color_link="000000"; The Decade stood in the Oakland Location: A coal patch in Northern Appalachia. The f**king place was bonkers there were lines around the block, Grushecky said. They always had the Rock Challenge, which was big. Pittsburghers raved about the mac and cheese at Shiloh Grill, perched at the top of Mount Washington. While Forbes Field was closed in 1970, some remnants of the ballpark still stand. But we went over to Decade and jammed with the band that was playing, Grushecky said. Bruce Springsteen played there twice with his good buddy Joe Grushecky. The fate of the building, and the crests of various Polish cities painted on the small wall of the bars parking lot, is unknown. Jay Yander, a 99 Pitt grad, often went to the two venues, which he remembers focused on local bands.. It was one night out of more than two decades of a thriving music scene in Oakland that brought in a diverse array artists, such as Bruce Springsteen and Black Flag. [Oakland] used to be an entertainment district, Kramer said, mentioning bowling alleys, cinemas, live theater and enough bars with names like CJ Barneys, Laga, Zeldas Greenhouse and Sanctuary to comfortably hop from pitcher to pitcher on a cool Pittsburgh night without ever getting chilly. It is also home of the main branch of the Carnegie Library, the Carnegie Museum, and Phipps Conservatory. This is a subjective undertaking, much like the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame selections (James Taylor? Tucked in East Liberty, Spoon was a favorite dining spot of many Pittsburghers. feels Oaklands nightlife should match this new professional student body, along with the professionals at UPMC and Pitt. In an interview with the Post Gazette Danny Kresge said"In ohter cities, there are such clubs and the have proven quite successful. The Electric Banana featured more college students and unrehearsed distortion. google_color_border="FFFFFF"; See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Night Clubs in Downtown, Pittsburgh, PA. . Oakland developed rapidly following the Great Fire of 1845 in Downtown Pittsburgh, with many people moving out to suburban territory. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally opened in 1901, the railroad station is now part of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation and home to the saloon aptly named after a slang term used for rail workers who maintained railway tracks. After booking a few cover bands, Zarra took a chance on a Pittsburgh punk group called Carsickness. Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC and the Pittsburgh Technology Center are major landmarks of this neighborhood. So I walk into the kitchen and I saw this fat, very unkempt looking guy with stringy hair. SkyWatch at Carnegie Science Center. Especially on a Friday night, it was a happening place. There was probably 30 people crammed in there, Grushecky said. Panther Hollow Inn, OaklandFor decades, this was one of the only bars within easy walking distance for Carnegie Mellon University students, an important consideration when snow is falling in January. 1 2 127 Next Old Pittsburgh photos and stories | The Digs . Thus the Mystic Knights were formed with ex Wild Cherry guitarist, The members changed over time and the band become known as "Warren King and the Mystic Knights of the Sea." The Best 10 Dive Bars near Oakland, Pittsburgh, PA Sort:Recommended Price Offers Delivery Offers Takeout 1. Grushecky tied the prominence of Pittsburgh bands at the Decade to its mystique and relevance. All you need is a dark room and comfortable seating, and the trend is strengthening every month. Back outside Towers, as the cigarette smokes dissipates in the cool November air, Passerini thinks back on her two years of on-campus living. singer David Johansen on December, 28, 1980. Love Pittsburgh? Rivers Casino. Scattered amongst Oakland's four neighborhoods are 29 distinct flights of city steps - many of which are open and in a safe condition. After a long week of term papers and 9 a.m. classes, Pitt students in the 1990s had a pitcher full of options when they needed to knock back brews and let loose to Spice Girls or Biggie Smalls. Froggys, DowntownFor a quarter of a century beginning in 1978, the gravelly voiced Steve Froggy Morris held court in his Market Square bar and restaurant where celebrities such as Jack Nicholson flocked when they were in town. google_ad_type="text_image"; RAND's Pittsburgh center is located in North Oakland as well as the long time RIDC business incubator on Henry Street. For years, colorful owner Joel Greenfield had a Skull Room in the back filled with cabinets of skull-shaped mugs and other skull-themed oddities. performing at the Civic Arena on September 20, 1984 Bruce Springsteen came to the Decade with his friend Joe Grushecky and Bruce and I went over to the Original [Hot Dog Shop] and people swarmed him. La Frontera is a nightclub located in International Blvd Westfield Ave, Oakland CA, United States. Gooski's 4.3 (94 reviews) Dive Bars $Polish Hill Divey "the perfect dive bar tho for someone that wants to get out of the house and have fun with someone (if" more Outdoor seating 2. Its goal provide coordination for Oaklands economy. Joe A Bloomfield staple for more than six decades, Alexander's Italian Bistro was. Our marketing agency in Pittsburgh is ready to help right now! dollar cover charge, grabbed a Rolling Rock or Iron, and listened to a set or South Oakland has six land borders, including the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Central Oakland to the northeast, Squirrel Hill South to the east, Greenfield to the southeast, Hazelwood to the south-southeast, Bluff to the west, and West Oakland to the northwest. showcase club like the Whisky-A-Go-Go in L.A. and the Agora in Cleveland. The bar's interior is a treasure chest of old distilled whiskey bottles from the hotel between 1911 and 1913 and several functioning antique seltzer bottles. In late 1978 At Schenley Plaza, industrialist Andrew Carnegie built a library, museum and concert hall complex, which opened in 1895. Pirates fans gather on the site each year on the anniversary of Bill Mazeroski's World Series winning home run on October 13, 1960. People, however, were mostly well-behaved, The Pittsburgh Press . topped bar. Located up a flight of rickety stairs in the Strand Building on Forbes Avenue, for more than 20 years the place with all-black walls and large mirrors was where people went to drink and dance to alternative music. South Oakland was the childhood home of Andy Warhol, and later the residence of fellow pop artist Keith Haring. google_color_url="B76401"; Over the decades, Oakland pushed through a population dip as Pitt did and became overwhelmed by the Universitys ever-encroaching boundaries. South Oakland runs along the Monongahela River and forms a triangular shape between the Monongahela River, the Boulevard of the Allies, and the western bank of Junction Hollow. Be sure your next bar crawl makes a stop at Station Square's historic Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Station so you can drink up the history of Gandy Dancer Saloon. [Oakland has] became more sterile. google_ad_format="120x600_as"; 4. Price is not such a concern.. set along the side wall a few inches off the ground. Later it became arestaurant called Atwoods Garden. Graffiti, OaklandMore than a bar, this nightspot at the intersection of Craig Street and Baum Boulevard was, as it said on the sign outside, a cafe, pub and showcase. 12. We played with, at the time, some really great bands Blind Sight, The Goodies and Anti-Flag. Over the decades, Oakland pushed through a population dip as Pitt did and became overwhelmed by the Universitys ever-encroaching boundaries. There shouldnt be any nightlife [in Oakland because] the rents dont allow for that, he said, referencing tight profit margins on cinemas and bars. Address: 123 Shiloh St, Pittsburgh, PA 15211, USA Address: 134 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA Address: 24 Market Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA Address: 5104 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA Address: 2937 W Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216, USA Address: 1400 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA Pittsburgh In Your Inbox Some folks dress up in pastels and high-top shoes, but really, its all about the attitude. When Each section has a unique identity, and offers its own flavor of venues and housing. These Steps of Pittsburgh quickly connect pedestrians to public transportation and provide an easy way to travel through this densely populated area. On any given weekend night during the late '70s, fifteen thousand people between the ages of twenty-one and forty were spread out in disco clubs throughout the region: Backstage Holiday House on Rt. With its vast space, futuristic design and manually operated lighting system, Whim reminds visitors of Pittsburghs electronica heyday. Mario's Oakland Saloon. Across the Monongahela River, South Oakland runs adjacent with Pittsburgh's South Side Flats neighborhood. While Pitt and UPMC attract daytime traffic, employees of the institutions. google_ad_height=600; google_color_url="B76401"; Disco dropped dead. While we might not be able to eat at those Pittsburgh restaurants well always love, well probably always remember the good times and the good food we had at are favorites. Other national acts that appeared at the Decade included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cindi Lauper, Jimmy Vaughan and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Albert Collins, Koko Taylor, The Romantics, the Pixies, Johnny Thunders. Screen Tests Get more stories like this one delivered right to your email. The under 21 crowd packed the place every week to watch the Break-dance teams like the mid-town rockers. As the neighborhood cleaned up and bars shut down, partying seemingly moved to Central and South Oakland houses. A Pittsburgh music promoter, Danny Kresge, convinced DiSilvio to start hosting national acts at the Decade. Though Pittsburgh is no longer replete with dance clubs, surefire picks still exist. The Decade nightclub was a staple of the neighborhood in the 1970s and 1980s. The french Connection from the North hills area (Hampton-Shaler-west view) Some real good Break-Dance battles took place there! Nearly anyone can show a film these days, using only a laptop and projector. section of Pittsburgh on the corner of Atwood and Sennott streets which became Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Graffitis rough, brick-covered, warehouse exterior contrasted with its spacious lounge interior. Its generations of blue-collarfamilies built much of the town's businesses, bars and restaurants from their very beginnings, growing them into true institutions and forever preserving the city's hardworking, steel city values. October 24, 2013 / 6:00 AM Papa J Centro's bartenders and waiters are always happy to share their paranormal experiences with those customers who are brave enough to listen. The Pretenders packed the Decade on March 19, 1980. And she canceled. //-->. What made the Decade unique was what made the Stone Pony unique in Asbury Park the local guys ruled. Old Pittsburgh Nightclubs. year. Was that in the same building? 4. So it finally hit Dominic that maybe this guy was pretty big, Grushecky said. / CBS Pittsburgh. In 1955, the first effective polio vaccine was developed by Dr. Jonas Salk at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The food is American fare at its best, with burgers, tacos, pizza, salads, and steaks highlighting the menu offerings. Since a co-owner of the club was convicted of operating a heroin ring out of the place, were say yes. known as the Corner of Rock and Roll. 7. The place was full of people, smoke and sound.". Pitt 96 grad Christine Mattiko would spend those. Over the next five years Kresege booked a West Oakland has six borders with the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of North Oakland to the northeast, Central Oakland to the southeast, South Oakland to the south and south-southeast, Bluff to the southwest, and the Crawford-Roberts and Terrace Village regions of the Hill District to the west and northwest, respectively. The Decades owner, Dominic DiSilvio, already stressed over managing the number of people crowding his bar, did not appreciate Meat Loafs engorged presence in the kitchen. two of the Iron City Houserockers. David Patlakh and Sera Passerini sit outside Towers, smoking cigarettes and chatting with their friends, which they say is their usual free-time activity. Since its construction in 1860, this building has been home to a brothel through 1937, a boarding house until 1979 and Tramps Restaurant through 1994, along with a few ghostly guests. Oakland is boring and expensive, Passerini said. international recording acts the Decade presented memorable shows with the Police, U2, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Belvederes Ultra Dive Pittsburgh. www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/PittsburghWilliamPenn. ceiling was low. Home to three universities, museums, hospitals, shopping venues, restaurants, and recreational activities, this section of the city also includes two city-designated historic districts: the mostly residential Schenley Farms Historic District and the predominantly institutional Oakland Civic Center Historic District, as well as the locally-designated Oakland Square Historic District. Grushecky remembers the concert as monumental for the city, as well as Oakland. ceiling was low. From Prohibition-style taverns and restored saloons to haunted watering holes, there's no shortage of unique and iconic buildings in which to toast to the city's backstory. Jackson sang his Is She Really Going Out with Him and Funny Papers" in April It was like turning the lights off. Elbo Room Jack London Oakland [Youre] rubbing two quarters together like, Im going to get wasted, Mattiko said. It was a place where you could just go and see who was playing this Saturday. So I thought, Ugh, this isnt going to work, he said. It was also known for its scrumptious gyros. Where you could once buy quarter drafts at the Upstage, you now can buy a gallon of milk. The residents of the neighborhood on the north side of Bates Avenue call their neighborhood Oakcliffe. On a stage the size of a postage stamp,then- up-and-coming acts such as U2, the Police, the Ramones, Jon Bon Jovi (pictured above) and the Red Hot Chili Peppers played. While playing in the band Mother McCrees Garden, Russ Schneider performed at all three of the Oakland clubs in the mid-90s and described the Electric Banana as a start-up venue. 212 Boulevard of the Allies It wasnt an attractive district. google_color_text="333333"; It's definitely a college bar . Chiodo's Tavern, HomesteadJoe Chiodo held court in this legendary Homestead Bar that was home to the popular mystery sandwich. Its walls were covered with Steelers knick-knacks and other memorabilia, including an alligator jaw and dozens of bras donated by the bars female patrons for reasons that never were fully explained. The Pretenders packed the Decade on March 19, 1980. ". Pat Benetar hit Pittsburgh with her best shot on November of that In addition, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire operates Fire Station No. cut their teeth. On a Saturday in October 1978, a crowd of Pitt students, steel mill workers and music This is the first of two parts. All photos used with permission. 7. I was walking past the bar one night, and there was these two weird-looking dudes all dressed in black. Tucked into the back corner of Crazy Mocha in Bloomfield, Dreaming Ant offered the most eclectic library of DVDs around. But the first national artist who actually played at the Decade set a high bar for future bands and convinced DiSilvio that the new plan might have a chance. If you're craving Lidia's authentic Italian dishes, you'll have to travel elsewhere. Whether you are a craft beer lover or opt for the occasional cocktail, guests can pick their poison from La Frontera nightclub's bar menu. Discover the best bars, dance clubs, places for live music and more with our 10Best local expert's picks for the Best Nightlife in Pittsburgh. acts moved on. The people were super nice. Since its formation, Oakwatch has noticed a decline in disruptions and house parties in recent years, based on reports from a September Oakwatch, Despite the memories of a thriving nightlife, Petropoulos. The neighborhood is split between a riverfront flood plain to the southwest and a plateau to the northeast. Upstage, OaklandIts a testament to the popularity of the Upstage that more than a decade after it closed, former patrons maintain a Facebook page in its honor. At La Frontera nightclub you can enjoy the game and a couple of drinks. There they may have celebrated their 1903 World Series win. 4. Formed in 1976 the Houserockers signed a management/ production deal in 1977 with. (Photo Credit: KDKA) Sandcastle 1000 Sandcastle. Join the conversation in the comments! The curtain fell on the popular diner for the final time in October of 2019. . What made the Decade unique was what made the Stone Pony unique in Asbury Park the local guys ruled. Old Pittsburgh Nightclubs. year. Was that in the same building? 4. So it finally hit Dominic that maybe this guy was pretty big, Grushecky said. / CBS Pittsburgh. In 1955, the first effective polio vaccine was developed by Dr. Jonas Salk at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The food is American fare at its best, with burgers, tacos, pizza, salads, and steaks highlighting the menu offerings. Since a co-owner of the club was convicted of operating a heroin ring out of the place, were say yes. known as the Corner of Rock and Roll. 7. The place was full of people, smoke and sound.". Pitt 96 grad Christine Mattiko would spend those. Over the next five years Kresege booked a West Oakland has six borders with the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of North Oakland to the northeast, Central Oakland to the southeast, South Oakland to the south and south-southeast, Bluff to the southwest, and the Crawford-Roberts and Terrace Village regions of the Hill District to the west and northwest, respectively. The Decades owner, Dominic DiSilvio, already stressed over managing the number of people crowding his bar, did not appreciate Meat Loafs engorged presence in the kitchen. two of the Iron City Houserockers. David Patlakh and Sera Passerini sit outside Towers, smoking cigarettes and chatting with their friends, which they say is their usual free-time activity. Since its construction in 1860, this building has been home to a brothel through 1937, a boarding house until 1979 and Tramps Restaurant through 1994, along with a few ghostly guests. Oakland is boring and expensive, Passerini said. international recording acts the Decade presented memorable shows with the Police, U2, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Belvederes Ultra Dive Pittsburgh. www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/PittsburghWilliamPenn. ceiling was low. Home to three universities, museums, hospitals, shopping venues, restaurants, and recreational activities, this section of the city also includes two city-designated historic districts: the mostly residential Schenley Farms Historic District and the predominantly institutional Oakland Civic Center Historic District, as well as the locally-designated Oakland Square Historic District. Grushecky remembers the concert as monumental for the city, as well as Oakland. ceiling was low. From Prohibition-style taverns and restored saloons to haunted watering holes, there's no shortage of unique and iconic buildings in which to toast to the city's backstory. Jackson sang his Is She Really Going Out with Him and Funny Papers" in April It was like turning the lights off. Elbo Room Jack London Oakland [Youre] rubbing two quarters together like, Im going to get wasted, Mattiko said. It was a place where you could just go and see who was playing this Saturday. So I thought, Ugh, this isnt going to work, he said. It was also known for its scrumptious gyros. Where you could once buy quarter drafts at the Upstage, you now can buy a gallon of milk. The residents of the neighborhood on the north side of Bates Avenue call their neighborhood Oakcliffe. On a stage the size of a postage stamp,then- up-and-coming acts such as U2, the Police, the Ramones, Jon Bon Jovi (pictured above) and the Red Hot Chili Peppers played. While playing in the band Mother McCrees Garden, Russ Schneider performed at all three of the Oakland clubs in the mid-90s and described the Electric Banana as a start-up venue. 212 Boulevard of the Allies It wasnt an attractive district. google_color_text="333333"; It's definitely a college bar . Chiodo's Tavern, HomesteadJoe Chiodo held court in this legendary Homestead Bar that was home to the popular mystery sandwich. Its walls were covered with Steelers knick-knacks and other memorabilia, including an alligator jaw and dozens of bras donated by the bars female patrons for reasons that never were fully explained. The Pretenders packed the Decade on March 19, 1980. ". Pat Benetar hit Pittsburgh with her best shot on November of that In addition, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire operates Fire Station No. cut their teeth. On a Saturday in October 1978, a crowd of Pitt students, steel mill workers and music This is the first of two parts. All photos used with permission. 7. I was walking past the bar one night, and there was these two weird-looking dudes all dressed in black. Tucked into the back corner of Crazy Mocha in Bloomfield, Dreaming Ant offered the most eclectic library of DVDs around. But the first national artist who actually played at the Decade set a high bar for future bands and convinced DiSilvio that the new plan might have a chance. If you're craving Lidia's authentic Italian dishes, you'll have to travel elsewhere. Whether you are a craft beer lover or opt for the occasional cocktail, guests can pick their poison from La Frontera nightclub's bar menu. Discover the best bars, dance clubs, places for live music and more with our 10Best local expert's picks for the Best Nightlife in Pittsburgh. acts moved on. The people were super nice. Since its formation, Oakwatch has noticed a decline in disruptions and house parties in recent years, based on reports from a September Oakwatch, Despite the memories of a thriving nightlife, Petropoulos. The neighborhood is split between a riverfront flood plain to the southwest and a plateau to the northeast. Upstage, OaklandIts a testament to the popularity of the Upstage that more than a decade after it closed, former patrons maintain a Facebook page in its honor. At La Frontera nightclub you can enjoy the game and a couple of drinks. There they may have celebrated their 1903 World Series win. 4. Formed in 1976 the Houserockers signed a management/ production deal in 1977 with. (Photo Credit: KDKA) Sandcastle 1000 Sandcastle. Join the conversation in the comments! The curtain fell on the popular diner for the final time in October of 2019.