. It wasnt an attractive district. Because the prize was a recording session at Audionation, which was a big recording studio at the time, Schneider said. Today, people come here to meet people passing through our nightspots. You could slide in and catch the band for the price of a couple cocktails. My sister was in love with the 2 Brothers from the French Connection group all I can remember is their names were Tom & Dave they were good back then. In 1873, the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad (P&LE) was first chartered and in . 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. After 22 years of Rock N Roll Dom wanted out. Eric Heyl is Patch's Pittsburgh field editor. Butterjoint: This Oakland watering hole is known for its burgers and handcrafted cocktails, but you can get . The french Connection from the North hills area (Hampton-Shaler-west view) Some real good Break-Dance battles took place there! Closing The club also showcased and rewarded Pittsburghs best talent in its own Battle of the Bands competition called the Rock Challenge. Stevie Ray Vaughan was my favorite. The Decade is the only bar on the list that has had a book written about it (Gabby Means The Decade.). Pittsburgh, PA 15222 It also closed in July 2020. showcase clubs like the Graffiti and Rosebud opened in Pittsburgh the national In late 1978 History. In response to the raucous partying, permanent Oakland residents formed Oakwatch a coalition of residents, business owners, city officials and landlords in 2011 to identify and monitor code violations and help residents, students and institutions in Oakland work together. Stay tuned for the next installment, which will be about Oaklands community improvement initiatives. By drawing the musical talent of Pittsburgh together, Graffiti helped bands meet and play with each other. singer David Johansen on December, 28, 1980. 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. This was the place where a number of local bands (anyone remember the Affordable Floors?) The Decade had two small rooms that were said to hold We usually stay in Oakland, Drew said. 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. The Decade had two small rooms that were said to hold Bars & Brewpubs . University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning, North Oakland seen from near the top of the Cathedral of Learning, Heinz Memorial Chapel at the University of Pittsburgh, Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens[nb 1], Hamerschlag Hall at Carnegie Mellon University[nb 1], Cathedral of Learning viewed from the William Pitt Union, The University of Pittsburgh's Alumni Hall, The Pittsburgh Public Schools' Board of Education administration building, Panther Hollow Lake in Schenley Park[nb 1], Carnegie Mellon University's Mellon Institute, Aerial view of Pittsburgh Public Schools' historic Schenley High School, Soldier and Sailors' Memorial on 5th Avenue in North Oakland, Pittsburgh Athletic Association, built 19091911, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard, The former Y.M.H.A., is now Pitt's Bellefield Hall, The former Schenley Apartments, now Schenley Quadrangle residences at the University of Pittsburgh, The former Schenley Hotel, now the University of Pittsburgh's William Pitt Union, Clapp Hall at the University of Pittsburgh, Former Mellon Institute building, now the University of Pittsburgh's Allen Hall, The former Ruskin Apartments, now the University of Pittsburgh's Ruskin Hall, The former National Union Fire Insurance Company building, now the University of Pittsburgh's Thackeray Hall, The Frick Fine Arts Building at the University of Pittsburgh, The former William Jacob Holland residence, now the Music Building at the University of Pittsburgh, The University Club, now a building on Pitt's campus, Mary Schenley Memorial Fountain (A Song to Nature), The Stephen Foster Memorial at the University of Pittsburgh. After the Boardwalk closed, the barge was towed to Chattanooga, Tenn., where a developers plans to develop a similar Boardwalk operation never materialized. 1. 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. The Ramones, David Johansen (aka Buster Poindexter).The Pretenders, Joe The popular Italian restaurant, tucked in the Strip District, was owed and founded by Lidia Bastianich, a familiar face at the restaurant. Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training Battles, PA To Consider Adopting Significant Police Protection Measures, Local Brand Advisor offers services in Pittsburgh. The Decade guys were definitely better musicians not better artists, but players, he said. It is also home of the main branch of the Carnegie Library, the Carnegie Museum, and Phipps Conservatory. Look at the pictures Records reveal 1918 influenza's devastating impact on a tiny Pittsburgh community. set along the side wall a few inches off the ground. By Stephen Caruso / Senior Staff Writer December 1, 2016. According to the Pitt Fact Book, the average SAT scores of new Panthers rose from 1110 to about 1280 from 1995 to 2016. Created by our advertising software OpenX. It's definitely a college bar . The Electric Banana became the go-to destination for these young punk bands. The Ramones rumbled into town for two shows on March 6th and 7th of 1979. Whim may offer the most epic club-going experience, however. Fantastic place for your amazing night out in Pittsburgh. Meat Loaf was, literally and figuratively, the biggest rock star in America. [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. If the idea of sharing some spirits with Pittsburgh's spirits is on your bar bucket list, Papa J Centro's is the perfect place to check that off. The Park House series of memorable shows that put the Decade on the national Rock and Roll map. You could be standing right next to somebody all decked out in Doc Martens and piercings, and Id be there all preppy, Mattiko said. 530 William Penn Place Schenley Plazas transformation from a gray lot filled with cars to a bright green park with studious sunbathers in the mid-2000s comes to her mind. Petropoulos mentions spots like The Porch as ways to attract a more formal nightlife crowd. //-->, Sign in|Recent Site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Powered By Google Sites, Venues from the trash heap of Pittsburgh's History, 2013 Pittsburgh Music History Year End Recap, Biggest stories of 2011 -- Pittsburgh Pop, Rock and Rap, Hear the Music of Pittsburgh on the Genre Pages via Spotify, Inaugural Pittsburgh Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame Celebration 01/23/14, Pittsburgh Music History Celebrates Black History Month 2012, Scot Tady of Times Online on Pittsburgh Music History, Thanks to Readers of Pittsburgh Music History, Thanks to the Internet, Pittsburgh's music history plays on, The Beat: Andrew Druckenbrod and Scott Mervis Video on Pittsburgh Music History, Vote for the 2015 Pittsburgh Rock 'N Roll Legends Nominees, Calliope and the Smokey City Folk Festival, Sonny Pugar Memorial Music Smiles Program, Graffiti Showcase and Graffiti Rock Challenge. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Meanwhile, Film Kitchen is in full swing once again because of Pittsburgh Filmmakers and its volunteers. Graffiti had a successful run from 1983 until 2000. Miss Shaler Skateland as well. Feathered hair and shoulder pads have long vanished, but the 80s will live forever. performing at the Civic Arena on September 20, 1984 Bruce Springsteen came to the Decade with his friend Joe Grushecky and That was a really nice place. Joe google_ad_format="120x600_as"; ceiling was low. Manor Theater. If the Decade was Pittsburghs Stone Pony, then the Electric Banana was Pittsburghs CBGB. After a decline following the 1970s, Pitts enrollment grew from 26,328 in 1995 to 28,649 in 2016. [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. North Oakland has eight borders with the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Bloomfield to the northeast, Shadyside and Squirrel Hill North to the east, Central Oakland to the south, West Oakland to the southwest, the Terrace Village region of the Hill District to the west, the Upper Hill District to the northwest Polish Hill to the north-northwest. The Cathedral of Learning, the engineering or midsection of the University of Pittsburgh campus, and the Craig Street business district are in North Oakland. After a decline following the 1970s, Pitt's enrollment grew from 26,328 in 1995 to 28,649 in 2016. Kramer, a 80s Pitt alum, is also a former Oakland business owner. How many of these, 12 stores that anyone who grew up in Pittsburgh remembers, do you still miss? From 1973 until he sold it in 1995, owner Dom DiSilvio made the Decade Pittsburghs ultimate rock and roll bar. 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. might not always stay within Oakland as the sun sets and students come out. The front room held a center copper Photo by Laura Zurowski. As larger The Banana survived until 1999. There was barely enough room to walk around the bar. 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 Decade was one of three clubs composing what was referred by some as Oaklands Bermuda Triangle, with locations the Electric Banana and Graffiti rounding out the group. DiSilvio remained cautiously pessimistic about the prospect of crowd-drawing live music in his club. Nearly anyone can show a film these days, using only a laptop and projector. A block from busy Forbes Avenue near the University of Pittsburgh, the Decade was an oasis of live rock and blues music in the desert of Oaklands 1970s disco bars like ". To soak up the ricocheting 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. Scattered amongst Oakland's four neighborhoods are 29 distinct flights of city steps many of which are open and in a safe condition. At La Frontera nightclub you can enjoy the game and a couple of drinks. Downtown Pittsburgh is great for shows, but if youre in Oakland theres not a lot to do, Patlakh said, who, if he is out in Oakland, goes to house shows at friends homes. 10. In the 90s, The Decade and its predecessors mostly hosted some blues performers, like Stevie Ray Vaughan, as well as small-time acts looking for a start. The Decade stood in the Oakland 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. The food is American fare at its best, with burgers, tacos, pizza, salads, and steaks highlighting the menu offerings. 9. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Petropoulos takes great pride in Oaklands rise over the past years to the third largest commercial district in Pennsylvania behind Philadelphia and downtown Pittsburgh mostly on the strength of the neighborhoods daytime economy. The effort failed, the bar closed in 2014 and the site where it once stood now is a Chipotle restaurant. Lets take a stroll down Memory Lane today. From 1973 until he sold it in 1995, owner Dom DiSilvio made the Decade Pittsburgh's ultimate rock and roll bar. The Original Oyster House At Schenley Plaza, industrialist Andrew Carnegie built a library, museum and concert hall complex, which opened in 1895. (412) 261-1717www.muer.com/grand-concourse. The Decade stood in the Oakland He came to see us play that night with all his handlers and managers, plus the record company people, Grushecky said. This Flea Market Near Pittsburgh Covers 14,000 Square Feet With More Than 100 Vendors On-Site, The Charming Out Of The Way Flea Market Near Pittsburgh You Wont Soon Forget, 6 Must-Visit Flea Markets In Pittsburgh Where Youll Find Awesome Stuff, 5 Amazing Flea Markets In Pittsburgh You Absolutely Have To Visit, 10 Beloved Places In Pittsburgh That Well Never Forget. A Pittsburgh music promoter, Danny Kresge, convinced DiSilvio to start hosting national acts at the Decade. But the BBT hardly is the only local nightspot of notoriety that has had its final last last call over the years. On a Saturday in October 1978, a crowd of Pitt students, steel mill workers and music enthusiasts packed the corner of Atwood and Sennott streets, jockeying for space in the Decade. Mattiko described the store as eclectic. Jackson, The Romantics and the bluesmancomedian ReverendBilly C. Wirtz. This is in the lower level of the Penn Hotel. performed three songs with Bon Ton Roulet. Pretty soon the Decade had seven nights a week of great live music, Grushecky said. Its incarnations since have included a deli, lesbian bar, produce store, and a bar named Cumpies. To provide The Pitt News with data for advertisers and internal analytics. 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. we know today. 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. Cavo Night Club. From 1991 until 2008, the Boardwalk was home to places such as Tequilia Willies, Club Champagne and the infamous Donzis, where people seemed to get shot on an almost weekly basis. the place apart with a skillfully played energetic performance on March 20, 1979. DiSilvio personally convinced Stevie Ray Vaughan to play at his club after watching him perform live. We come back the next Thursday for our regular gig, and there was Meat Loafs poster up on the wall. Bars & Clubs. We liked the punk attitude, but it seemed so restrictive. music venue for local artists called the Next Decade. 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. Zarras distracted booking of the band ended up transforming the clubs direction. The Electric Banana on Bigelow Boulevard was the smallest of the three Oakland clubs and featured an Andy Warhol-style banana sign above the entrance. OBID is a government-chartered area that provides services above and beyond that of the city government by taxing property holders within Oakland.