With house parties seemingly on the decline and a few years too young for Oaklands bar scene, Claire Drew, an undecided first-year student, bemoaned how little she and her friends can do in Oakland at night. So I said to Joe, Who the hell is this? And he says, This is Meat Loaf. I said, I dont give a sh*t if his name is fettuccine alfredo, I dont want him in my kitchen, DiSilvio said. DiSilvio opened the Decade in 1973 as a vintage restaurant in the style of the 1950s featuring a few local acts the clubs name reflecting his preference for that decade and its music. North Oakland can be loosely defined as the area of Oakland between Neville and Bouquet Streets, encompassing all of Craig Street and running north to Polish Hill. The Decade had two small rooms that were said to hold In late 1978 The speakeasy is a beautiful part of the Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh's top-notch hotel, and a member of the Historic Hotels of America National Trust For Historic Preservation. two of the Iron City Houserockers. Free to play original rock and blues the music scene flourished at the Decade. The place had a cool old feeling to it. People, however, were mostly well-behaved, The Pittsburgh Press . 31st Street Pub, Strip DistrictDuring its 53 years in business, first as Greenfields Pub then as the 31st Street Pub, this place went through several incarnations: First as a shot-and-beer place for mill workers, then as a biker bar and in its final days was a punk rock haven. The third club in the Triangle was Graffiti, which opened on Baum Boulevard in North Oakland in 1982. So I walk into the kitchen and I saw this fat, very unkempt looking guy with stringy hair. The Decade was the home base of Gravel The Iron City. ". series of memorable shows that put the Decade on the national Rock and Roll map. 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. Pat Benetar hit Pittsburgh with her best shot on November of that Papa J Centro's , 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. When they packed the place, Zarra began booking punk bands. Pittsburgh, PA with 80s Night Clubs. Theres one or two bars, theres no movie theatre theres nothing., The change in students isnt limited to the booze, said. (412) 391-7272www.papajs.com. The french Connection from the North hills area (Hampton-Shaler-west view) Some real good Break-Dance battles took place there! Although they were not contemporaries, Warhol and Marino grew up on the same block with their former houses only a few doors apart. 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. Jay Yander, a 99 Pitt grad, often went to the two venues, which he remembers focused on local bands.. The Beehive even added a liquor license halfway through its life span from 1992 to 2002. David Patlakh and Sera Passerini sit outside Towers, smoking cigarettes and chatting with their friends, which they say is their usual free-time activity. The Decade was legendary, he said. It was also well-known for its scrumptious Sunday brunch. Graffiti featured concerts by national groups just prior to their commercial breakthroughs, including two of the more popular rock bands of the 90s. It was also known for its scrumptious gyros. acts moved on. But the end came when the building was purchased by David Scaife, the son of billionaire newspaper publisher Richard Mellon Scaife, so he could store his personal car collection there. Photo by Laura Zurowski. Diesel Club Lounge doubles as a DJ mecca and live-music venue, and its still South Sides most virile independent venue. google_ad_format="120x600_as"; But the BBT hardly is the only local nightspot of notoriety that has had its final last last call over the years. Pittsburgh is a steel town rich in industrial and immigration history. google_color_text="333333"; Although the Cathedral of Learning is now the fourth-tallest educationally purposed building in the world, it remains the world's second tallest university building, the tallest educational building in the Western Hemisphere,[14] and the second tallest gothic-styled building in the world. After his wild show played encore, after encore, after encore and then stood at the front of the stage and shook hands with everyone in the club. The University of Pittsburgh, which is heir to the Pittsburgh Academy that was incorporated in 1787, relocated to Oakland in 1909 from its campus that was then in Allegheny. Heaven wasn't in a bank, it was actually in the lobby of the Fulton Building, which is now the hotel. They played five songs, took a break, and repeated Grushecky remembered the exchange led to Meat Loafs quick exit from the Decade. After 22 years of Rock N Roll Dom wanted out. After a decline following the 1970s, Pitt's enrollment grew from 26,328 in 1995 to 28,649 in 2016. There was barely enough room to walk around the bar. The plateau is divided into two primarily residential areas which are separated from one another by Bates Street, which runs up a valley from the flood plain to the plateau. showcase club like the Whisky-A-Go-Go in L.A. and the Agora in Cleveland. 400 people. It was like the black sheep of rock n roll, Zarra said. 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. Each section has a unique identity, and offers its own flavor of venues and housing. Students could grab a coffee, study, hang out or catch a movie then later concerts all in the same spot. But the small Oakland bar could not accommodate the vast Meat Loaf entourage. Jackson, The Romantics and the bluesmancomedian ReverendBilly C. Wirtz. Papa J Centro's bartenders and waiters are always happy to share their paranormal experiences with those customers who are brave enough to listen. Scattered amongst Oakland's four neighborhoods are 29 distinct flights of city steps - many of which are open and in a safe condition. The Decade is the only bar on the list that has had a book written about it (Gabby Means The Decade.). Diesel Club Lounge doubles as a DJ mecca and live-music venue, and it's still South Side's most virile independent venue. Morris died five years later; the bar space currently is vacant. google_ad_client="pub-8685855016547639"; Disco dropped dead. Went to the VIP north in Hampton in the 80's great place to be on Sundays. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. After that he would stop into the Decade to jam whenever he was appearing in the Burgh. Meanwhile, Film Kitchen is in full swing once again because of Pittsburgh Filmmakers and its volunteers. hey built up a loyal following that packed the Decade every weekend for years. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Smaller business districts in Central Oakland provide additional dining options along Atwood Street and Semple Street. Facing increased competition from other local live venues, Nicks closed in 2004. 10 Best Vintage Photos From Pittsburgh In The 1970s Posted in Pittsburgh October 30, 2016 by Beth Price-Williams These 10 Photos of Pittsburgh In The 1970s Are Mesmerizing A peek at these photos of Pittsburgh in the 1970s may take you back to a whole different time in your life. sounds parachutes were hung across. Johanasen. The place is now an IGA supermarket. Central Oakland has five Pittsburgh neighborhood borders, including North Oakland to the north, Squirrel Hill North to the northeast, Squirrel Hill South to the east, South Oakland to the south and southwest, and West Oakland to the northwest. 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. Trace Pittsburgh's North Side history all the way back to 1889 and you'll discover the long-standing Park House Tavern. Business owners take the change as a blank check for higher quality and more specialized drinks and food with higher prices while many Pitt students might be happier with bargains and a variety of choices for fun nights out. wanted to sit at one of the few tables, you had to get there early. As executive director of the Oakland Business Improvement District, Georgia Petropoulos is used to competing with Downtown. The dressing room at the Decade was the freakin kitchen. Its been Diesel since 2006, a place that occasionally books live acts but not with the frequency of its predecessor. To order the clip clean and. Now in Squirrel Hill, she spends her time holding dinner parties with friends or going out dancing. The flood plain was previously packed with industrial sites such as the Pittsburgh Works Consolidated Gas Co. and the Jones & Laughlin Steel Co.,[9] but presently, the Pittsburgh Technology Center hosts facilities such as the Entertainment Technology Center of Carnegie Mellon University. Scattered amongst Oakland's four neighborhoods are 29 distinct flights of city steps many of which are open and in a safe condition. Continuing in the spirit of the 80s, locals like to get their dance on at lively spots. Mc Kees Rocks (8 miles) Carnegie (8 miles) Homestead (8 miles) Glenshaw (11 miles) Braddock (12 miles) Bethel Park (13 miles) After some reflection, DiSilvio relented on his Meat Loaf bar ban. 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. However, he is still disappointed at his options for a night out in Oakland. sounds parachutes were hung across the ceiling. Stay tuned for the next installment, which will be about Oaklands community improvement initiatives. After booking a few cover bands, Zarra took a chance on a Pittsburgh punk group called Carsickness. bridges Civic Arena Downtown Pittsburgh football Forbes Field historic moments holidays industry music and musicians North Side Oakland oddities Photographer Darrell Sapp . //-->. concert promoter Danny Kresege convinced Dom Disilvio to make the Decade a Tucked in East Liberty, Spoon was a favorite dining spot of many Pittsburghers. It was one of the better showcases that was in Pittsburgh. 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. Her work can be found at Examiner.com. Although the campus of Carnegie Mellon University and parts of Schenley Park, including Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens and Flagstaff Hill are popularly referred to as being in Oakland, and are located with the 15213 zip code, they are actually part of the adjacent neighborhood of Squirrel Hill North. 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. But, matching the demographic changes is part of how Hemingways has stayed tucked into the heart of Pitts campus on Forbes. Though Pittsburgh is no longer replete with dance clubs, surefire picks still exist. The neighborhood is split between a riverfront flood plain to the southwest and a plateau to the northeast. Black Flags former singer still keeps in touch with the Banana. It also closed in July 2020. [12] Twenty-one years later, Mary Schenley gave the city 300 acres in Oakland for a park. These 6 Pittsburgh Restaurants Are So Magnificent Theyve Been On T.V. While Forbes Field was closed in 1970, some remnants of the ballpark still stand. Gene's Place 3.9 (38 reviews) Dive Bars $Oakland Divey in Bridgeville; #1 Park Avenue in the South Hills; the Kramer, a 80s Pitt alum, is also a former Oakland business owner. A nice spot. Irish Rockers called U2 played the Decade on April 21, 1981. Jam google_ad_width=120; 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. The Strip and South Side host some of the city's best nightclubs and bars, while the North Shore . What made the Decade unique was what made the Stone Pony unique in Asbury Park the local guys ruled. If you 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. The Strip District is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.It is a one-half square mile area of land northeast of the central business district bordered to the north by the Allegheny River and to the south by portions of the Hill District.The Strip District runs between 11th and 33rd Streets and includes four main thoroughfaresRailroad Street/Waterfront Place, Smallman . [3] As of 2020, two of these public stairways, Joncaire Street (Central Oakland) and Louisa Street (West Oakland), also contain runnels which allow cyclists to easily transport a bike up or down the flight. But he loved us and supported us, Grushecky said. ft venue holds up to 2,000 partiers along with five soft drink bars and an enormous dance floor, and is open every Friday and Saturday night from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Party to Top 40 hits and hip-hop tracks blasting at 75,000 watts under incredible lighting and visual effects and maybe enter one of the contests held every weekend google_ad_host="pub-6693688277674466"; We usually stay in Oakland, Drew said. 14 on McKee Place and Fire Station No. Jessica Wasik lives in Pittsburgh where works as a full-time figure skating coach sharing her passion with todays generation of young skaters. In 1868, Oakland Township, just two years after seceding from Pitt Township, was annexed to the City of Pittsburgh. ", "Allegheny County; its Formation, its Cities, Wards, Boroughs and Townships", "Teddy Roosevelt giving a speech in Pittsburgh | the Brady Stewart Collection", "Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia", "The Pittsburgh Press Google News Archive Search", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oakland_(Pittsburgh)&oldid=1136264597, The neighborhood is the location of the massive Carnegie culture complex, originally funded by. Get Pitt and Oakland news in your inbox, three times a week. The Pretenders packed the Decade on March 19, 1980. 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. 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. 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. They were noted for being great music bars. We had bars. To provide The Pitt News with data for advertisers and internal analytics. We could accept the deaths of Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, but the end of Dreaming Ant is a rude awakening. 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.. Photo by Laura Zurowski. DiSilvio remained cautiously pessimistic about the prospect of crowd-drawing live music in his club. wanted to sit at one of the few tables, you had to get there early. The Original Oyster House Related: Best Haunted Bars In Pittsburgh Gandy. 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 club also showcased and rewarded Pittsburghs best talent in its own Battle of the Bands competition called the Rock Challenge. According to one visitor's account, "At the Encore there wasn't even a standing room inside. In 1873, the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad (P&LE) was first chartered and in . Officials bought another 100 acres from her for "Schenley Park." By Stephen Caruso / Senior Staff Writer December 1, 2016. the same songs. An up and coming three Graffiti had a successful run from 1983 until 2000. Irish Rockers called U2 played the Decade on April 21, 1981. The effort failed, the bar closed in 2014 and the site where it once stood now is a Chipotle restaurant. As larger Bruce and I went over to the Original [Hot Dog Shop] and people swarmed him. Even Bruce Springsteen stopped in after playing at the Civic Arena when Grushecky took him on a tour of Oakland. feels Oaklands nightlife should match this new professional student body, along with the professionals at UPMC and Pitt. 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. Top Nightlife in Pittsburgh: See reviews and photos of nightlife attractions in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Tripadvisor. Eric Heyl is Patch's Pittsburgh field editor. The Park House is located on East Ohio Street in the city's historic Deutschtown area. 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. DECADE ROCKS OUT, AFTER 22 YEARS -Scott Mervis Pittsburgh Post-Gazette August 22, 1995. The club survived for another seven years. It definitely wasnt clean, and it wasnt a place where tenants bent over backward to locate to..