After paying a $5 cover, those lucky enough to get in the entrance of the South Oakland bar were greeted with a wave of body heat, cigarette smoke and spilled Rolling Rock. He was an older guy, his idea of rock n roll was Dion and the Belmonts. . Free to play original rock and blues the music scene flourished at the Decade. The Decade was legendary, he said. The Decade, OaklandWas there ever any doubt this legendary Oakland bar at the corner of Atwood and Sennott streets would top the list? While some things have changed since Pittsburgh's oldest bar and restaurant first opened in 1870 such as its 10-cent beers and penny oysters, the iconic recipes, unmatched customer service and the building's original character remain unchanged. The third club in the Triangle was Graffiti, which opened on Baum Boulevard in North Oakland in 1982. What's there now? out their nights of Oakland bar hopping East End Yinzers shelled out the two Gandy Dancer Saloon Electric Banana, OaklandNo mention to historic Pittsburgh bars would be complete without mentioning the place on Bigelow Boulevard where punk rock flourished. 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. Norman had opened for Bon Jovi at the Civic Arena earlier in the day. We could accept the deaths of Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, but the end of Dreaming Ant is a rude awakening. 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. 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 Red Hot Chili Peppers played there in 1988 and Nirvana played the venue in September 1991 only six days after the release of Nevermind. 403 E. Ohio St. My preference was Graffiti, by far. The walls were thick grey stone and the Especially on a Friday night, it was a happening place. Grushecky noted a rivalry between the two scenes sparked by these differences. Belvederes Ultra Dive is a nightclub located in Butter street, Pittsburgh, United States. Photo by Laura Zurowski. Those guys were the punk rockers and, for whatever reason, those guys did not like the Decade bands, Grushecky said. A graduate of Robert Morris University with a degree in English Studies, Jessica is also a contributing writer for Allegheny West Magazine. sounds parachutes were hung across the ceiling. A Pittsburgh music promoter, Danny Kresge, convinced DiSilvio to start hosting national acts at the Decade. 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. Some folks dress up in pastels and high-top shoes, but really, its all about the attitude. Since 2006, the space has been occupied by the much less tawdry Buckhead Saloon. Get more stories like this one delivered right to your email. It is currently the Garage Door Saloon. The Pittsburgh landscape, and its neighborhoods, have certainly changed a lot over the years, with some of our very favorite shops and restaurants closing for good. When Each film started as a project for the PBS series Independent Lens, and each explores topics of social concern, such as activism in India. 530 William Penn Place The Pretenders packed the Decade on March 19, 1980. Since then, this revered watering hole has cultivated many loyal locals thanks to its weekly events, happy hour specials and seasonal international dishes. When he was a student, from 1999 to 2006, bars were often shot and beer joints, and if they served food, the emphasis was on low price not on high quality. The Decade nightclub was a staple of the neighborhood in the 1970s and 1980s.[16]. section of Pittsburgh on the corner of Atwood and Sennott streets which became 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 somewhat dark, intriguing atmosphere with its view of the city's funicular railway is enough to draw you in but it's the fast bar service, classic saloon menu, happy hour specials and incredible seafood options like $1 oysters that have helped this unique bar maintain its excellent reputation among locals for decades. Fantastic place for your amazing night out in Pittsburgh. After booking a few cover bands, Zarra took a chance on a Pittsburgh punk group called Carsickness. So I thought, Ugh, this isnt going to work, he said. We realized what students want is better food, not cheaper food, Smith said, referencing Fuels menu which often includes items like a surf and turf that would never have been considered for an Oakland menu even 15 years ago. Smaller business districts in Central Oakland provide additional dining options along Atwood Street and Semple Street. Blue, Bon Ton Roulet, Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band, and many 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. Lidia's Italy permanently shut down, after 20 years, in August of 2019. 1 2 127 Next Old Pittsburgh photos and stories | The Digs . For the next few years it was a still a live 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. 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Johanasen. See what the regions indie directors are cooking up from short comedy to animations and docs.