There was barely enough room to walk around the bar. Elavsky also credits the shift in nightlife to a smarter, more serious college crowd determined to finish in four years. Jackson sang his Is She Really Going Out with Him and Funny Papers" in April Irish Rockers called U2 played the Decade on April 21, 1981. 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. In 1873, the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad (P&LE) was first chartered and in . 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. The curtain fell on the popular diner for the final time in October of 2019. He feels that trend has reversed in the last few years. more. In late 1978 Zarra still owns the building and operates an Italian restaurant there named, appropriately enough, Zarras. 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. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Night Clubs in Downtown, Pittsburgh, PA. . singer David Johansen on December, 28, 1980. google_color_url="B76401"; wanted to sit at one of the few tables, you had to get there early. It wasnt an attractive district. He was an older guy, his idea of rock n roll was Dion and the Belmonts. the same songs. 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. Even if you've never eaten at NOLA on the Square, you certainly recognize it from the outside if you spend any time in downtown Pittsburgh and in Market Square, in particular, The popular New Orleans-themed restaurant brought a bit of Louisiana flare with its southern-inspired dishes. 1960s, 1970s Pittsburgh Nightlife, Bars, Restaurants, Nightclubs Kinolibrary 178K subscribers 7.6K views 5 years ago From the Kinolibrary Archive Film collections. (412) 224-2273www.parkhousepgh.com. It's the best of all worlds: dinner, drinks, and dancing. In an interview with the Post Gazette Danny Kresge said"In ohter cities, there are such clubs and the have proven quite successful. For part one of the series, click here. It has since been a deli, a lesbian bar, a PITTSBURGH, PA - The Bloomfield Bridge Tavern shut its doors Saturday after a more than three-decade run, and thats sad. topped bar. Since he bought Hemingways, Elavsky said many of the old hot spots have closed and students and their dollars have left to other competing parts of the city, like the North Shore and South Side. Created by our advertising software OpenX. Join the conversation in the comments! known as the Corner of Rock and Roll. Chiodo retired in 2005 and the bar was razed to make way for a Walgreens and Subway. The third club in the Triangle was Graffiti, which opened on Baum Boulevard in North Oakland in 1982. Mc Kees Rocks (8 miles) Carnegie (8 miles) Homestead (8 miles) Glenshaw (11 miles) Braddock (12 miles) Bethel Park (13 miles) out their nights of Oakland bar hopping East End Yinzers shelled out the two We come back the next Thursday for our regular gig, and there was Meat Loafs poster up on the wall. After booking a few cover bands, Zarra took a chance on a Pittsburgh punk group called Carsickness. Its incarnations since have included a deli, lesbian bar, produce store, and a bar. Those guys were the punk rockers and, for whatever reason, those guys did not like the Decade bands, Grushecky said. It was a party every Saturday night with the Houserockers. Was that in the same building? 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. They always had the Rock Challenge, which was big. You could be standing right next to somebody all decked out in Doc Martens and piercings, and Id be there all preppy, Mattiko said. However, the border between Central Oakland and South Oakland is further south than they believe. The Ramones rumbled into town for two shows on March 6th and 7th of 1979. The Decade scored big booking a little-known guitarist out from Austin. Baseball fans might know Oakland for the beloved Forbes Field, which was built in 1909 as the third home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and first home to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Went to the VIP north in Hampton in the 80's great place to be on Sundays. Bruce Springsteen played there twice with his good buddy Joe Grushecky. Despite its reputation as one of Downtowns go-to destinations, Morris eventually encountered financial difficulties and Froggys closed in 2003. Scattered amongst Oakland's four neighborhoods are 29 distinct flights of city steps many of which are open and in a safe condition. 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. ceiling was low. So it finally hit Dominic that maybe this guy was pretty big, Grushecky said. Electronic Dance Clubs in Pittsburgh. When they packed the place, Zarra began booking punk bands. A nice spot. 1 2 127 Next Old Pittsburgh photos and stories | The Digs . Oakland is the academic and healthcare center of Pittsburgh and one of the city's major cultural centers. We would go to each others shows, but we would also try and do shows with each other, Schneider said. Alex Chilton, and Meat Loaf. To provide The Pitt News with data for advertisers and internal analytics. Bruce Springsteen also once played there, years after becoming famous. [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. Diesel Club Lounge doubles as a DJ mecca and live-music venue, and it's still South Side's most virile independent venue. Meanwhile, Film Kitchen is in full swing once again because of Pittsburgh Filmmakers and its volunteers. First published on October 24, 2013 / 6:00 AM. packed, sweaty, and loud with menacing bouncers it was a gritty steel town bar. 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. 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. Plate 15", "Can Pitt get SOUL (i.e., South Oakland Urban Litter)? We usually stay in Oakland, Drew said. (412) 281-7100www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/PittsburghWilliamPenn. Oakland is Pittsburgh's second most populated neighborhood with 22,210 residents, a majority of these residents being students. We were on the same label at the time Cleveland International Records. Johanasen. Monday came, and by the end of the night there was 2 feet of beer cans on the floor. 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. Over the decades, Oakland pushed through a population dip as Pitt did and became overwhelmed by the Universitys ever-encroaching boundaries. known as the Corner of Rock and Roll. A tip of the hat to eight beloved Pittsburgh restaurants that are gone but not forgotten. 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 The f**king place was bonkers there were lines around the block, Grushecky said. Its incarnations since have included a deli, lesbian bar, produce store, and a bar named Cumpies. The club also showcased and rewarded Pittsburghs best talent in its own Battle of the Bands competition called the Rock Challenge. Regulars recommend the golani and falafel, any beer off the always-rotating taps and, of course, the bar's free popcorn and peanuts. Today, people come here to meet people passing through our nightspots. To soak up the ricocheting It is currently the Garage Door Saloon. In the 80s, The Decade, located where Garage Door Saloon is now, hosted the likes of U2 and The Police. Lets take a stroll down Memory Lane today. cut their teeth. Many students at the University of Pittsburgh who decide to live off-campus reside in this neighborhood. 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. There was barely enough room to walk around the bar. 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. Nicks Fat City, South Side It was more of a performing venue than a bar, but if the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame can admit James Taylor than I can admit Nicks. 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. 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. Over the next five years Kresege booked a 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. Let's Find Out, PA County Wants To Make Its Own Gun Laws After Recent Court Defeat. Articles in some news media have made this error; for example, a column about street cleanliness near the University of Pittsburgh used the term "South Oakland" to describe an area entirely within the boundaries of Central Oakland.[10]. The Decade was the home base of Gravel The Iron City. The name first appeared in 1839 in a local paper, Harris' Intelligencer. Jam Price is not such a concern.. Grushecky remembers the concert as monumental for the city, as well as Oakland. The refurbished Joncaire Street city steps (with bike runnel) in Central Oakland. Lets briefly mourn the loss of Dreaming Ant, Pittsburghs most revered movie-rental store. //-->, 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. A Pittsburgh music promoter, Danny Kresge, convinced DiSilvio to start hosting national acts at the Decade. Influential bands from the era such as Sonic Youth, the Minutemen, Operation Ivy and Black Flag all played shows there. Jam Because the prize was a recording session at Audionation, which was a big recording studio at the time, Schneider said. Pittsburgh needs such a club, and the Decade in Oakland is willing to help support such a concept". [11] The difference is largely because the area between Forbes Avenue and the Boulevard of the Allies houses many undergraduate students. Patlakh, a first-year computer science major from Philadelphia, admits his hometown spoiled him when it comes to nightlife. Spoon said goodbye during the summer of 2020. There was a bit of a competition between us, where the Electric Banana guys played the Banana and the Decade guys played the Decade. 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. I saw him at a jazz fest in New Orleans. 100 W. Station Square Drive The food is American fare at its best, with burgers, tacos, pizza, salads, and steaks highlighting the menu offerings. 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 10. 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. Finally, Cinema in the Park is a warm-weather favorite. google_color_link="000000"; google_ad_type="text_image"; 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. Before gaining a huge national popularity, U2, The Police, The Pretenders and Stevie Ray Vaughan each played sets at the Decade during the late 70s and 80s. There wasnt a club owner in the city who would book, like, punk rock, new wave. Created by our advertising software OpenX. The popular Italian restaurant, tucked in the Strip District, was owed and founded by Lidia Bastianich, a familiar face at the restaurant. I thought it might be interesting to rank these late local establishments by the imprint they left during their heyday. Gandy Dancer Saloon If you Petropoulos mentions spots like The Porch as ways to attract a more formal nightlife crowd. The bands gigged in the back room on a wide stage (Photo Credit: KDKA) Sandcastle 1000 Sandcastle. While Pitt and UPMC attract daytime traffic, employees of the institutions. In 1868, Oakland Township, just two years after seceding from Pitt Township, was annexed to the City of Pittsburgh. It was like the black sheep of rock n roll, Zarra said. . Every Thursday, Calicos offered a deal Mattiko, or any money-starved college student, couldnt turn down nickel drafts. The Gandy Dancer Saloon is located next to Pittsburgh's Grand Concourse. The area between Forbes Avenue and Boulevard of the Allies is officially part of Central Oakland. I couldnt even remember what bands I would have seen there, Yander said, but he remembers most tried to be as close as they could get to Nirvana. google_ad_client="pub-8685855016547639"; 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. Chauncys, South Side This Station Square landmark was the place to go to dance away the doldrums for more than 20 years -- until a judge pulled the plug on the music in 2004 and ordered the place closed after numerous complaints of assaults, drug dealing and gun activity at the nightclub. They played five songs, took a break, and repeated acts moved on. Petropoulos takes great pride in Oakland's rise over the past years to the third largest commercial district in Pennsylvania behind Philadelphia and downtown Pittsburgh mostly on the strength of the neighborhood's daytime economy. Related: Best Haunted Bars In Pittsburgh Gandy. After some reflection, DiSilvio relented on his Meat Loaf bar ban. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. This is a subjective undertaking, much like the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame selections (James Taylor? Pittsburgh, PA with 80s Night Clubs. Pitt 96 grad Christine Mattiko would spend those. As a showcase club, Graffiti sought acts from a wide spectrum of genres and young musicians, featuring national acts while still promoting local talent. In keeping with an historically accurate layout, a police raid escape route winds through hallways and back staircases before spilling out onto Oliver Street. See what the regions indie directors are cooking up from short comedy to animations and docs. The Pretenders packed the Decade on March 19, 1980. As executive director of the Oakland Business Improvement District, Georgia Petropoulos is used to competing with Downtown. 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. So I thought, Ugh, this isnt going to work, he said. Morris died five years later; the bar space currently is vacant. Petropoulos takes great pride in oakland's rise over the past years to the third largest commercial district in pennsylvania behind philadelphia and downtown . An up and coming three 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. You could slide in and catch the band for the price of a couple cocktails. two of the Iron City Houserockers. The Decade was the antithesis of the Electric Banana. Disco dropped dead. 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. 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 The Boardwalk, Strip District This actually wasnt a single bar, but several bars and restaurants over the years that were located on a barge moored on the Allegheny River. Famous national artists like Aerosmith and Bon Jovi visited the Decade after playing shows at larger venues in the city because of its reputation. Since 2006, the space has been occupied by the much less tawdry Buckhead Saloon. 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. As downtown Pittsburgh's oldest-standing former brothel and the city's third oldest building, this historic landmark serves up some hauntingly good tales along with its beer, wine and cocktails. Miss Shaler Skateland as well. 2. A group of young inexperienced Zarras distracted booking of the band ended up transforming the clubs direction. singer David Johansen on December, 28, 1980. Continuing in the spirit of the 80s, locals like to get their dance on at lively spots. That was a really nice place. Pat Benetar hit Pittsburgh with her best shot on November of that 6. Belvederes Ultra Dive Pittsburgh. The parachutes on the ceiling were all the ambience that was needed. Since a co-owner of the club was convicted of operating a heroin ring out of the place, were say yes. The first national act to play the Decade was. This year, Citiparks will screen everything from Skyfall to Finding Nemo for free. He came to see us play that night with all his handlers and managers, plus the record company people, Grushecky said. piece band called the Police who were getting airplay with their song Roxanne tore Pretty soon the Decade had seven nights a week of great live music, Grushecky 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. 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. That support stretched to other musicians both locally and nationally as the clubs size grew. [7] The Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, the largest mosque in the city, is located in North Oakland. 80s Night Clubs in Downtown on YP.com. google_ad_height=600; series of memorable shows that put the Decade on the national Rock and Roll map. Bloomfield Bridge Tavern, BloomfieldIts painful to include this place on the list. might not always stay within Oakland as the sun sets and students come out. in Oaklandfor 22 yearswatching theirfavoritePittsburgh bandsand national rock acts. Top Nightlife in Pittsburgh: See reviews and photos of nightlife attractions in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Tripadvisor. The Speakeasy. It's definitely a college bar . Central Oakland is bordered by Schenley Park, the Boulevard of the Allies, Fifth Avenue, and Halket Street. But he loved us and supported us, Grushecky said. In the 90s, specials on cheap booze, like Calicos 5-cent drafts, did well. A row of stools were lined against the street side wall. Walk Like an Egyptian 400 people. John Elavsky, the owner of Hemingways Cafe since the mid-90s and a Pitt alum, has watched the decline of nightlife in Oakland that Patlakh laments. 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. 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. The reigning champions of 80s nostalgia are Belvederes and Lava Lounge. Photo by Laura Zurowski. He started hiring everybody and he became like the Godfather of rock music. The club survived for another seven years. The Park House Pat Benetar hit Pittsburgh with her best shot on November of that The Electric Banana became the go-to destination for these young punk bands. Scattered amongst Oakland's four neighborhoods are 29 distinct flights of city steps - many of which are open and in a safe condition. That was the the best part. 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. 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. Netflix has wrecked the rental industry, yet movie screenings are on the rise. It's a nice dive bar with rolling skating. 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. 400 people. It was also well-known for its scrumptious Sunday brunch. In the early 1900's at the corner of Atwood and Sennott stood a small hotel. 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. google_color_bg="FFFFFF"; year. Zen Social Club Night Clubs Website 23 YEARS IN BUSINESS (724) 766-4556 125 W Station Square Dr Pittsburgh, PA 15219 5. Although they were not contemporaries, Warhol and Marino grew up on the same block with their former houses only a few doors apart. Theres one or two bars, theres no movie theatre theres nothing., The change in students isnt limited to the booze, said. NOLA on the Square closed for good during the summer of 2020, another victim of the pandemic. Lidia's Italy permanently shut down, after 20 years, in August of 2019. Schneider saw Graffiti as the most impressive of the Oakland clubs. All photos used with permission. To order the clip clean and. 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. Read . concert promoter Danny Kresege convinced Dom Disilvio to make the Decade a packed, sweaty, and loud with menacing bouncers it was a gritty steel town bar. It features Live music, DJs & karaoke in a no-nonsense, arty space with pool tables & a full bar. At the end of it I thought, This punk isnt bad, he said. In 1984 Dom DiSilvio, owner of the Decade club, asked guitarist and ex Silencer member Warren King to form an "all-star" band to bring in customers on club's slow Monday nights. Some folks dress up in pastels and high-top shoes, but really, its all about the attitude. 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. My preference was Graffiti, by far. Jackson sang his Is She Really Going Out with Him and Funny Papers" in April Feathered hair and shoulder pads have long vanished, but the 80s will live forever. The Decade is the only bar on the list that has had a book written about it (Gabby Means The Decade.). I asked him if he would ever consider coming north. Bars & Brewpubs . His shop, The Beehive, which he ran with business partner Steve Zumoff, served as a general hangout. A group of young inexperienced It also closed in July 2020. Like the true hidden gem that it is, the speakeasy is buried beneath the hotel's lobby, returning this refurbished space to its original 1920s location. When 3. 4. She did not mention any specific plans within the near future. Its been Diesel since 2006, a place that occasionally books live acts but not with the frequency of its predecessor. People, however, were mostly well-behaved, The Pittsburgh Press . 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. Some residents of Central Oakland think of their neighborhood as being part of South Oakland. Stay tuned for the next installment, which will be about Oaklands community improvement initiatives. college nights at Calicos, a bar where Fuel and Fuddle is today. The one night I was there, Bruce Springsteen showed up and played a couple songs, he said. On a Saturday in October 1978, a crowd of Pitt students, steel mill workers and music This is the first of two parts. The Electric Banana featured more college students and unrehearsed distortion. West Oakland, the smallest of the four districts, is bordered by Fifth Avenue in the south, DeSoto Street in the east, the Birmingham Bridge to the west, and Allequippa Street to the north. The Park House is located on East Ohio Street in the city's historic Deutschtown area. Belvederes Ultra Dive is a nightclub located in Butter street, Pittsburgh, United States. The Pretenders packed the Decade on March 19, 1980. Long ago, people came to the site now known as Station Square to meet passengers arriving on the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad. 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? And she canceled. 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.. Current business owners say the key to attracting students is offering higher quality products, even if the price tag goes up, but former business owners like Kramer say the cost of space near Pitts campus is still too high for many venues. You have these memories of things that may have happen, but its good to see the universities keeping up with the time so kids still want to go there, Mattiko said. The fate of the building, and the crests of various Polish cities painted on the small wall of the bars parking lot, is unknown. The Decade, OaklandWas there ever any doubt this legendary Oakland bar at the corner of Atwood and Sennott streets would top the list? sounds parachutes were hung across. Jeff Usleman recalled seeing bands at the Oakland bar and catching the Springsteen cameo while attending Pitt in 1984. [Youre] rubbing two quarters together like, Im going to get wasted, Mattiko said. Its goal provide coordination for Oaklands economy. 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