A Pittsburgh Bar For the Kid At Heart

This Pittsburgh nightlife rave is long overdue. My friends and I have been fans of BAR 11 since discovering the South Side long, long ago. The bar, located at 1101 Bradish St [Google Maps], right on the corner of South Side’s 11th St. and Bradish. The bar is hard to find and doesn’t even resemble a business from the outside. If you didn’t know what you were looking for, you’d miss it in a heartbeat. But, once you get inside, it’s hard to imagine that the outside could even contain and conceal the color, noise, and fun that fills the inside!

There are fire-breathing costume-wearing bartenders (oh yeah), toys galore, blacklights, strobelights, and any other kind of lights you can picture and a very eclectic music mix (P-Funk to Backstreet Boys) which suits the very eclectic crowd perfectly. There are LOTS of Pittsburghers here: young and old, hippies and preppies, men and women - all quite drunk - all having the time of their life. And they’re all housed behind a nondescript stone gray wall…

Even better, the bartenders are quick and skilled (and the drinks always pack a punch for a low price). In fact, I asked Rob, the owner, about drink price hikes after the Pittsburgh drink tax - and guess what? Minus a 25 cent increase in mixed drinks, BAR 11 prices stayed the same (which were always very good to begin with) and this equals many very happy Pittsburgh night owls!

My production crew (okay, my girlfriends) and I spent a Friday night at BAR 11 with my banging new camcorder and we got great footage (coming to a Web site near you soon!) and even better, some EXCLUSIVE interviews with the BAR 11 staff: Bartenders Howdy & Dave and Doorman 2T. We heard some uncensored stories and even got the answer as to why they were all wearing raincoats (It was a theme because it was raining outside). Read more to find out what we learned and keep an eye out on Pittsburgh Rants and Raves for the VIDEO Exclusive! Full Story »

So, there’s this really cool Web site for Pittsburgh party-goers that should be pointed out to all those interested in the nightlife scene. Barjumper.com is actually more than just a guide to nightlife in Pittsburgh, it’s actually a very cool social network (or, as the Web site says: A Nightlife Community) that you can join and receive member benefits.

There are three membership levels - two are free and the third all-access level costs 5$ to join. Not too tough to scrape up - even for you poor college students! What you get with your memberships are access to special contests (there is currently a contest to win a South Side barcrawl). And, discounts…access to private events…specialty drinks…line privileges…reduced or no cover…and, did I mention coupons? Full Story »

Funk It Up with Pittsburgh Band JAZZAM

And, once more, I have to write about my favorite Pittsburgh band, JAZZAM. After the loss of their lead singer a few months back, the future of JAZZAM was uncertain. I spent many a night listening to their “It’s About Time” album and praying to the music gods that the band could work it all out.

Needless to say, as you could tell from a prior post, New Year’s Eve brought this amazing funk jam band back to Pittsburgh. And, you could say that this past weekend has re-established their rank as one of the most popular regional bands in Pittsburgh. Music fans from around the city showed up to Thunderbird’s Cafe this Saturday to see JAZZAM, with Morgantown, WV opener, Symmetrical Kickboxing. In fact, the band was so missed that the Thunderbird sold out + 10 people!!

I’m just glad the band is back and touring again. Keep an eye out for them in the near future in Pittsburgh and other (relatively) local dates. AND, for you festival-goers - keep an eye out for this summer because JAZZAM will be out and about!

1. Molly Brannigan’s - February 8, 2008
2. Docksider’s (Erie, PA) - February 9, 2008
3. The Shadow Lounge (with Ryat) - February 29, 2008
4. The Empty Glass (Charleston, WV) - March 7, 2008
5. The V Club (Huntingdon, WV) - March 8, 2008
6. Agora Theater with Ekoostik Hookah (Cleveland, OH) - March 28, 2008
7. Thunderbird Cafe - March 2, 2008

And stay tuned for more! This is my favorite band in the whole wide world and I want to share them with as many people as possible!

While I’m just about fully recovered from New Year’s Eve, my tapping feet will not recover for weeks after the amazing musical show put on by regional touring band, JAZZAM, at Molly Brannigan’s this Monday night.

I attempted to get some video on my new camera so I could post it here. While the picture was fantastic, the audio is horrible - and the most important part - so, yinz will have to wait until I get my new digital video camcorder to see these guys in action (PS: donations are welcome!) Until then, check the band out on Archive.org, YouTube, or Myspace!

Finally, if you’re looking to see JAZZAM again, they will be playing on January 26 at the awesome Thunderbird Cafe! Here’s a collection of pictures from New Year’s Eve so you can see the fun you missed!

Hemingway’s cafe, located at the base of Pitt’s Litchfield Towers in Oakland, is a great gathering place for young professionals and, obviously, college students and even professors.

A real hit is the what I call the “Hemmy’s Wednesday Double Whammy.” Take their famous appetizer, the Pita Chips, which consist of fried pita bread covered with a spicy artichoke cream cheese spread, smothered in cheese, and topped with tomatoes and scallions. Pair Pita chips with non-stop $1 Blue Moons on Wednesday and it makes the perfect”hump day celebration’ for a Wednesday night out or happy hour celebration. (ONE SPOILER: There are no orange slices paired with the Blue Moons on Wednesdays) Full Story »

CHIHULY AT PHIPPS CONSERVATORY

The University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning looms behind a Chihuly glass tower in the outdoor garden.

This is one of the best exhibits I’ve been to in a long time and I am ecstatic to hear that it is here in Pittsburgh for 4 more months (new extended end date is February 24 2008). If you live in Pittsburgh or will be visiting Pittsburgh in the next 4 months, take a few hours to stroll around Chihuly’s wild world.

To be honest, you just have to see it. Full Story »