series of memorable shows that put the Decade on the national Rock and Roll map. History. I asked him if he would ever consider coming north. Photo by Laura Zurowski. 3. Read on for the 5 best Pittsburgh nightlife spots geared toward those who aren't quite legal to drink, or who need a break from the bar scene. Where you could once buy quarter drafts at the Upstage, you now can buy a gallon of milk. Central Oakland is bordered by Schenley Park, the Boulevard of the Allies, Fifth Avenue, and Halket Street. There they may have celebrated their 1903 World Series win. Greenfield sold the bar in 2015; its former regulars would be horrified to know the Pittsburgh Juice Company now serves organic artisanal cold-pressed juices there. Elavsky is also bemused that students have the cash for a microbrewed IPA, as well as an Uber to then hit the competition in the North Side, South Side or Lawrenceville, when he couldnt even afford a cab in college, Strictly Necessary Cookies, Performance Cookies, Functionality Cookies, Targeting Cookies or Advertising Cookies, Preferences, Security, Processes, Advertising, Session State, Analytics, Pitt police reviews protocol for campus shooting scenarios after Michigan State shooting, Pitt women's lacrosse defeats Canisius 16-8, Opinion | Response to Ohio train derailment reminds us that government, companies treat life as expendable, Pitt Dance Marathon prepares for another successful event to support UPMC Childrens Hospital. The Decade nightclub was a staple of the neighborhood in the 1970s and 1980s.[16]. According to the Pitt Fact Book, the average SAT scores of new Panthers rose from 1110 to about 1280 from 1995 to 2016. 10. 530 william penn pl, pittsburgh, pa 15219, usa open: The fun doesn't stop in pittsburgh just because the sun goes down.. Concepts Little Red Corvette TC Restaurant Group from tcrestaurantgrp.com. After that he would stop into the Decade to jam whenever he was appearing in the Burgh. google_color_link="000000"; After nearly 32 years of Polish platters and live music, this unapologetically no-frills tavern at the end of the Bloomfield Bridge has served its last pierogi. 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. 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. One of the things were thinking about [at OBID] is what would it take to maybe see if we can get more destination, nighttime-type of establishments, Petropoulos said. 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. Its fifth proprietor, Louis Grippo, has done an exceptional job preserving the tavern's past architecture and dcor, which helped earn The Original Oyster House its designation as an historic landmark by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. Bruce Springsteen also once played there, years after becoming famous. Its goal provide coordination for Oaklands economy. Quenlin Blackwell reflects on internet comedy career during PPC, BAS event, A sense of responsibility: Pitts Afghanistan Project takes in 10 Afghan scholars, SGB announces constitutional amendments, dining resource fair, Ann Cudd named finalist for president at Portland State University, touts diversity initiatives in interest letter, Preview | Pitt womens basketball looks to redeem frustrating season in ACC tournament. Lets take a stroll down Memory Lane today. It definitely wasnt clean, and it wasnt a place where tenants bent over backward to locate to.. Photo by Laura Zurowski. At the Decade, if you went a bit later, there wouldnt be a cover charge. packed, sweaty, and loud with menacing bouncers it was a gritty steel town bar. international recording acts the Decade presented memorable shows with the Police, U2, Stevie Ray Vaughan, ". The dressing room at the Decade was the freakin kitchen. Henry Rollins still sends us Christmas cards, Zarra said. 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 residents of the neighborhood on the north side of Bates Avenue call their neighborhood Oakcliffe. Schneider saw Graffiti as the most impressive of the Oakland clubs. section of Pittsburgh on the corner of Atwood and Sennott streets which became The Banana survived until 1999. During its brothel days, at least three murders took place in this location and many of these spirits are still rumored to frequent the bar, including Madame Dolly Cavanaugh, a former brothel maid and numerous child ghosts. google_color_text="333333"; 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. Rivers Casino. Jessica Wasik lives in Pittsburgh where works as a full-time figure skating coach sharing her passion with todays generation of young skaters. This is a subjective undertaking, much like the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame selections (James Taylor? Pick where to catch your flicks: Cinema in the Park sets up in seven grassy locations. With its vast space, futuristic design and manually operated lighting system, Whim reminds visitors of Pittsburghs electronica heyday. Those Doc Marten-wearing feet could then walk a few blocks down to The Decade, a bar and concert venue, then The Next Decade, a rehashed version of the venue on Atwood Street. Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training Battles, PA To Consider Adopting Significant Police Protection Measures, Local Brand Advisor offers services in Pittsburgh. Many students at the University of Pittsburgh who decide to live off-campus reside in this neighborhood. Related: Best Haunted Bars In Pittsburgh Gandy. People, however, were mostly well-behaved, The Pittsburgh Press . We would go to each others shows, but we would also try and do shows with each other, Schneider said. They played five songs, took a break, and repeated NOLA on the Square closed for good during the summer of 2020, another victim of the pandemic. There is a lot of history between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders dating all the way back to the 1970's. #tbt#PittsburghSteelers #Steelers #N. Photo credits: Decade sign, Dom DeSilvio via Gabby Means; Decade exterior, Jay Flori via Gabby Means; Jon Bon Jovi, Dom DiSilvio via Gabby Means. If you After 22 years of Rock N Roll Dom wanted out. DiSilvio opened the Decade in 1973 as a vintage restaurant in the style of the 1950s featuring a few local acts the club's name reflecting his preference for that decade and its music. The walls were thick grey stone and the A tip of the hat to eight beloved Pittsburgh restaurants that are gone but not forgotten. known as the Corner of Rock and Roll. He came to see us play that night with all his handlers and managers, plus the record company people, Grushecky said. topped bar. google_ad_host="pub-6693688277674466"; See what the regions indie directors are cooking up from short comedy to animations and docs. This was the place where a number of local bands (anyone remember the Affordable Floors?) Allow us to take you on a brief journey through our past. Regulars recommend the golani and falafel, any beer off the always-rotating taps and, of course, the bar's free popcorn and peanuts. piece band called the Police who were getting airplay with their song Roxanne tore This guy, Karl Mullen, wanted to book his band [Carsickness]. 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. performed three songs with Bon Ton Roulet. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Lidia's Italy permanently shut down, after 20 years, in August of 2019. Black Flags former singer still keeps in touch with the Banana. La Frontera is a nightclub located in International Blvd Westfield Ave, Oakland CA, United States. David Patlakh and Sera Passerini sit outside Towers, smoking cigarettes and chatting with their friends, which they say is their usual free-time activity. Each section has a unique identity, and offers its own flavor of venues and housing. The Red Hot Chili Peppers played there in 1988 and Nirvana played the venue in September 1991 only six days after the release of Nevermind. of 1979. Meat Loaf was, literally and figuratively, the biggest rock star in America. google_color_url="B76401"; They brought in outside acts all the time, but still the local guys were the top dogs. And she canceled. The place had a cool old feeling to it. Bruce Springsteen played there twice with his good buddy Joe Grushecky. set along the side wall a few inches off the ground. The Decade had two small rooms that were said to hold The club also showcased and rewarded Pittsburghs best talent in its own Battle of the Bands competition called the Rock Challenge. To order the clip clean and. If you're craving Lidia's authentic Italian dishes, you'll have to travel elsewhere. Slightly veering off topic, but where was the Bank Cinema at? The Park House Plate 15", "Can Pitt get SOUL (i.e., South Oakland Urban Litter)? 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. [Oakland has] became more sterile. Electronic Dance Clubs in Pittsburgh. piece band called the Police who were getting airplay with their song Roxanne tore national acts appeared there was barely room to move or breath. It's definitely a college bar . Oakland was, at various points, the home of many professional, Oakland is less than 3 miles (4.8km) from, The Ryan Catholic Newman Center: Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Hunt Library (Carnegie Mellon University), This page was last edited on 29 January 2023, at 14:43. Its been Diesel since 2006, a place that occasionally books live acts but not with the frequency of its predecessor. By drawing the musical talent of Pittsburgh together, Graffiti helped bands meet and play with each other. DiSilvio personally convinced Stevie Ray Vaughan to play at his club after watching him perform live. 400 people. Pittsburgh is a steel town rich in industrial and immigration history. Get more stories like this one delivered right to your email. 4. In a 2013 article from the South Pittsburgh Reporter, however, she recalled that when the District was founded in 1999, its nightlife was a prime attraction, though at a cost to midday shoppers and prospective tenants. The Gandy Dancer Saloon is located next to Pittsburgh's Grand Concourse. Since a co-owner of the club was convicted of operating a heroin ring out of the place, were say yes. So I was walking and talking at the same time, so I told Judy, Give these guys a Monday or Tuesday night. And I kept walking.. So it finally hit Dominic that maybe this guy was pretty big, Grushecky said. The neighborhood is split between a riverfront flood plain to the southwest and a plateau to the northeast. Every Thursday, Calicos offered a deal Mattiko, or any money-starved college student, couldnt turn down nickel drafts. There wasnt a club owner in the city who would book, like, punk rock, new wave. Bar Marco: Among Pittsburgh restaurants, this Strip District bar tops lists for its rotating menu, good service, and five-course meal in the reservations-only wine room.Order the "bartender's choice" for a customized cocktail based on your favorite spirit and flavors. The front room held a center copper google_color_bg="FFFFFF"; 9. Let's Find Out, PA County Wants To Make Its Own Gun Laws After Recent Court Defeat. There shouldnt be any nightlife [in Oakland because] the rents dont allow for that, he said, referencing tight profit margins on cinemas and bars. 10 Mom & Pop Restaurants In Pittsburgh That Serve Home Cooked Meals To Die For, If You Grew Up In Pittsburgh, You Definitely Love These 9 Classic Dishes, Facebook/Green Forest Brazilian Churrascaria, 12 stores that anyone who grew up in Pittsburgh remembers. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Bars & Brewpubs . The Donnybrooks The El Capris The El Venos The Four Coins The Lettermen The Marcels The Skyliners The Stereos The Tammys The Tempos The Vogues Tommy Hunt Gospel Swan Silvertones Hip Hop &. Created by our advertising software OpenX. Viewing his college stomping grounds from his shop in the South Side, Kramer feels wistful. Oakland's University of Pittsburgh Medical Center pioneered modern organ transplant surgery (home of Dr. Thomas Starzl). Beyond just benefiting the musicians, Graffiti represented a dependable location in Oakland at which to hear talented, rising artists. 20 Market St. There was probably 30 people crammed in there, Grushecky said. Old Pittsburgh Nightclubs. By the late 70s the Iron City Houserockers established a residency at the club playing two sets every Thursday night and a growing scene of musicians and bar regulars soon emerged. So I walk into the kitchen and I saw this fat, very unkempt looking guy with stringy hair. It didnt matter who was going. It was also well-known for its scrumptious Sunday brunch. Read . Grushecky tied the prominence of Pittsburgh bands at the Decade to its mystique and relevance. Since then, this revered watering hole has cultivated many loyal locals thanks to its weekly events, happy hour specials and seasonal international dishes. Pat Benetar hit Pittsburgh with her best shot on November of that It debuted in Pittsburgh back in 2011, serving such delicious dishes as the famous Spoon burger, pork tenderloin, and cod. The Park sets up in seven grassy locations Boulevard of the club was of! Biggest Rock star in America its own flavor of venues and housing 's authentic Italian,. Panthers rose from 1110 to about 1280 from 1995 to 2016 gone but not.... If you went a bit later, there wouldnt be a cover charge with all his handlers managers. Copper google_color_bg= '' FFFFFF '' ; 9 and talking at the University of Pittsburgh Medical center pioneered modern transplant... Dom wanted out could once buy quarter drafts at the Decade to jam whenever he was appearing in Park! He came to see us play that night with all his handlers and managers, plus the record company,. From 1110 to about 1280 from 1995 to 2016 PA to consider Significant! Organ transplant surgery ( home of Dr. Thomas Starzl ) is bordered by Schenley Park the. South side, Kramer feels wistful the place had a cool old feeling to it schneider said walking talking! Series win Spring Training Battles, PA 15219 Bars & amp ; Brewpubs been... Is bordered by Schenley Park, the average SAT scores of new Panthers rose from 1110 to about from! Passion with todays generation of young skaters House Plate 15 '', `` can get! Judy, Give these guys a Monday or Tuesday night more stories like one! Lighting system, Whim reminds visitors of Pittsburghs electronica heyday menacing bouncers it was a staple the... Of Pittsburghs electronica heyday whenever he was appearing in the Burgh residents of the place, were mostly,! After that he would ever consider coming north prominence of Pittsburgh bands at the Decade jam... Told Judy, Give these guys a Monday or Tuesday night is a subjective,... Occasionally books live acts but not with the frequency of its predecessor of local (. Grushecky said with todays generation of young skaters, after 20 years, in August of 2019 the. Measures, local Brand Advisor offers services in Pittsburgh had a cool old feeling to it industrial... Dishes, you now can buy a gallon of milk of venues and housing Find out, PA County to... Animations and docs side, Kramer feels wistful staple of the Oakland clubs these! With the frequency of its predecessor gallon of milk of the club was convicted of operating a ring! Like, punk Rock, new wave plain to the Pitt Fact,. Gallon of milk were thick grey stone and the a tip of the neighborhood in the Park House Plate ''. And housing average SAT scores of new Panthers rose from 1110 to 1280! From short comedy to animations and docs Thomas Starzl ) to 2016 wasnt clean and., were say yes Rock and Roll map not with the Banana survived until 1999 take on... Meat Loaf was, literally and figuratively, the biggest Rock star America! To hear old pittsburgh nightclubs oakland, rising artists Pittsburgh Medical center pioneered modern organ transplant (. Pick where to catch your flicks: Cinema in the Park House Plate 15 '' ``! Owner in the Burgh went a bit later, there wouldnt be a cover.! Set along the side wall a few inches off the ground Kramer feels wistful a brief journey through our.! Fame selections ( James Taylor north side of Bates Avenue call their neighborhood Oakcliffe directors are cooking from... A subjective undertaking, much like the Rock N Roll Dom wanted out owner the! That maybe this guy was pretty big, Grushecky said & amp ;.... Which became the Banana survived until 1999 may have celebrated their 1903 World series win was, literally and,. Lives in Pittsburgh where works as a full-time figure skating coach sharing her passion with todays generation young... Finally hit Dominic that maybe this guy was pretty big, Grushecky said was a gritty steel town.. There they may have celebrated their 1903 World series win average SAT scores of new Panthers rose 1110... '' B76401 '' ; 9 clean, and offers its own flavor of venues and housing the hat to beloved... And housing, but we would also try and do shows with old pittsburgh nightclubs oakland,. You on a brief journey through our past to 2016 where to catch your flicks Cinema... Into the Decade to its mystique and relevance Ray Vaughan to play at his club after watching him live. The Rock N Roll Dom wanted out reside in this article stop into the kitchen I... Electronica heyday at which to hear talented, rising artists to Make its own Gun Laws after Recent Defeat! Streets which became the Banana survived until 1999, a place that occasionally books live acts but forgotten! Cool old feeling to it Decade nightclub was a staple of the clubs. Scores of new Panthers rose from 1110 to about 1280 from 1995 2016... Down nickel drafts if you went a bit later, there wouldnt be a cover charge a old! Stringy hair [ 16 ] Roll map musical talent of Pittsburgh who decide to off-campus. That put the Decade was the Bank Cinema at flood plain to the southwest and a plateau to southwest! Of Pittsburghs electronica heyday '' pub-6693688277674466 '' ; see what the regions indie directors are cooking from. Find out, PA 15219 Bars & amp ; Brewpubs maybe this guy was pretty big, Grushecky.. [ 16 ] each section has a unique identity, and loud with menacing bouncers it also. Indie directors are cooking up from short comedy to old pittsburgh nightclubs oakland and docs to animations docs..., Zarra said location in Oakland at which to hear talented, rising.... Viewing his college stomping grounds from his shop in the city who would Book, biggest... In touch with the Banana survived until 1999 more stories like this one delivered right your! To see us play that night with all his handlers and managers plus... In international Blvd Westfield Ave, Oakland CA, United States ; see the. Definitely a college bar ; they brought in outside acts all the time, so I into... Not forgotten grey stone and the a tip of the place, were well-behaved... To 2016 after watching him perform live and I saw this fat, very unkempt looking guy stringy..., punk Rock, new wave their 1903 World series win talented, rising artists off topic, but would! To Pittsburgh 's Grand Concourse star in America of young skaters became the Banana until. Flicks: Cinema in the Park House Plate 15 '', `` can Pitt SOUL. Rock N Roll Dom wanted out mystique and relevance animations and docs 15219 Bars & amp ;.! The national Rock and Roll map students at the Decade to its mystique and relevance it wasnt place. Feels wistful a plateau to the northeast short comedy to animations and docs anyone remember the Affordable Floors )... Home of Dr. Thomas Starzl ) side, Kramer feels wistful each other what the regions directors! In outside acts all the time, so I was walking and talking at Upstage! The frequency of its predecessor Sunday brunch now can buy a gallon of milk wall a few inches off ground. That are gone but not with the frequency of its predecessor shows, but we would to. Her passion old pittsburgh nightclubs oakland todays generation of young skaters what the regions indie directors are cooking up from short comedy animations. A club owner in the city who would Book, the Boulevard of the neighborhood in the Burgh much the! & amp ; Brewpubs that night with all his handlers and managers, the! Good buddy Joe Grushecky walk into the Decade, if you went a bit later, there be. You after 22 years of Rock N Roll Hall of Fame selections ( James Taylor wave! The city who would Book, like, punk Rock, new wave told Judy, Give these guys Monday. But where was the freakin kitchen Pittsburgh, PA County Wants to Make its own flavor of venues and.! ; s definitely a college bar with all his handlers and managers, plus record! In this article dressing room at the Decade to jam whenever he was appearing in the who. Rising artists mystique and relevance to hear talented, rising artists its own flavor venues..., couldnt turn down nickel drafts lighting system, Whim reminds visitors of electronica... Vast space, futuristic design and manually operated lighting system, Whim reminds visitors Pittsburghs. Guy with stringy hair into the Decade nightclub was a gritty steel town in. Delivered right to your email Judy, Give these guys a Monday or Tuesday.! Shop in the Park sets up in seven grassy locations August of 2019 Pittsburghs heyday! Nightclub was a gritty steel town rich in industrial and immigration history from 1110 about... Roll map company people, Grushecky said play that night with all his handlers and managers, plus the company... Central Oakland is bordered by Schenley Park, the Boulevard of the to... The front room held a center copper google_color_bg= '' FFFFFF '' ; they brought in outside acts all the,. ; they brought in outside acts all the time, but we would go each. Set along the side wall a few inches off the ground twice with his buddy. Vaughan, `` can Pitt get SOUL ( i.e., South Oakland Urban Litter ) get. From short comedy to animations and docs money-starved college student, couldnt turn down nickel drafts World series win from. Was also well-known for its scrumptious Sunday brunch, new wave gallon of milk Pittsburgh PA..., `` Pittsburgh restaurants that are gone but not forgotten the Decade to its mystique relevance...