Summary:

In 2004 Esquire Magazine placed Pittsburgh at the top of its “Cities that Rock” list. Need proof? Visit Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, where clubs, bars, restaurants and social clubs showcase local talent every night of the week.

Lawrenceville

Just blocks from where American composer Stephen Foster is laid to rest in Allegheny Cemetery, straight-up American music is thriving at the Thunderbird Café (1) on Butler Street in Lawrenceville. Every Monday night, musicians can join in on the electric open jam session beginning around 10 PM. On Wednesday nights, the volume drops for an acoustic open mike night beginning at 9 PM. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, drop in for a steady lineup of rock, blues, funk, and jazz. You’ll also find standard bar-food favorites until 1 AM.

Up the hill on Penn Avenue, Brillobox (2) has become the newest hipster destination of choice, with shows in their second-floor performance space from local favorites such as the New Alcindors and Life in Bed, as well as shining stars of the national indie rock and experimental music scenes like Gogogo Airheart and Elf Power. DJ nights on Thursdays serve up a soul and funk dance party vibe. Score sandwiches, salads, and snacks from the kitchen through late evening.

Mount Washington

Mount Washington is best known for its skyline view on Grandview Avenue’s restaurant row, but a venture back onto Shiloh Street offers dining options where an elegant soundscape takes center stage.

At Redbeard’s Mountain Resort (3), local jazz legend Kenny Blake and his Trio draw a crowd every Tuesday night beginning at 8:30 PM; the kitchen offers casual dining until 1 AM and a full bar to round out your relaxation.

And on Friday and Saturday evenings, the Shiloh Inn (4) serves up swingin’ cabaret style entertainment and fine dining in their piano bar on Friday and Saturday evenings, with the occasional appearance by a Frank Sinatra tribute and “Pittsburgh’s own Bobby Short.” Smooth croonin’, filet mignon, and a Manhattan from the bar…as Frank would say, it’s old-style high life that’s “too marvelous for words.”

North Side

On Wednesday nights, there’s no happier place in town than the public rehearsals of the Pittsburgh Banjo Club at the Allegheny Elks Club (5). Here, a loyal crowd gathers to hear the club’s polished practice sessions, which typically includes a stageful of 40 or more banjo players with a little brass backing from a tuba and horns. The mood is lively, the crowd sings along, the beer is cheap, and the entry at the door is free (just ring the buzzer). The party begins at 8 PM.

Also on Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 PM, the Grkman Duo fills the hall of Penn Brewery (6) with the Alpine oom-pah sounds of the North Side’s German heritage. On Fridays and Saturdays, the brewery hosts a regular lineup of Dixieland jazz, blues, and swing, as well as the occasional rock or reggae performance (like local legends The Flow Band)—all of which can be enjoyed over fresh brews and German fare.

Internationally renowned acts also make regular stops at two North Side venues. At Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild (7), the key note is jazz, with the world’s top performers convening to record Grammy-winning recordings in this intimate performance space. The Andy Warhol Museum (8) keeps its lights on later during “Good Fridays,” where musical performances with an indie and experimental angle are often part of the Friday night programming.

Oakland

Oakland’s reputation as a cultural center is fortified by its sophisticated musical offerings. Here, you’ll find venues that frequently present classical, baroque, and other early music performances; call it the great-great-great grandfather of rock. The Renaissance & Baroque Society hosts a regular schedule of performances at Synod Hall (9); Chatham Baroque also makes appearances here during their performance season.

For a reflective close to the weekend, join the Compline Choir as it fills Heinz Chapel (10) with the sounds of evensong every Sunday at 8:30 PM throughout the academic year. Elsewhere around campus, the faculty and students of University of Pittsburgh Music Department (11) keep a full performance roster that combines education and entertainment, with glee club, African drumming, and new music chamber orchestra events in various university classrooms and performance venues.

And at the Carnegie Lecture Hall, local folk heroes Calliope (12) present a full season of performances from an international coterie of bluegrass, klezmer, Celtic, and traditional musicians.

South Side

The South Side is known for its eclectic cultural mix, so it’s only natural that the neighborhood’s music scene solidly represents all genres. It was here on the South Side where Pittsburgh bands Rusted Root and The Clarks cut their teeth at Carson Street clubs before taking their act to arenas around the country.

On Thursdays at 8 PM, Gypsy Café (13) flavors your Mediterranean dining experience with traditional Croatian tamburitza music from The Gypsy Strings. Later in the evening, the house band at Excuses Bar & Grill (14) has lured in the crowd for more than a decade with its open stage blues jam.

On Friday nights, the American Serbian Club (15) invites the public to celebrate their heritage during Srpkska Noc, which features live performances from local and international Serbian music performers. For a full cultural immersion, indulge in Serbian specialties from their kitchen, such as cevapcici (grilled sausage links), raznjici (pork shish-kebob), burek (meat strudel), pita, and srpska kafa (Serbian coffee).

Crowds line up for a coveted seat in the intimate setting of Club Café (16), where the spotlight is on singer-songwriter and contemporary folk, jazz, and Americana rock. Local favorites Mark Dignam, Heather Kropf, OPEK, and Kevin Finn make frequent appearances. Recent national acts include CJ Chenier, Jill Sobule, and Janis Ian.

Down Carson Street, The Rex Theatre (17) has reinvented itself from an art deco-days movie house to a concert hall, with a roster of national and local acts taking the stage several nights each week. Check their schedule to catch local favorites Good Brother Earl, or scout out the city’s next rockstars at open stage nights on Mondays or during Undercurrents, a regional rock showcase.

The Pittsburgh punk scene has taken up residence at The Smiling Moose (18), with weekend shows from bands like Creta Bourzia, Mud City Manglers, Submachine, and Master Mechanic for the 21+ crowd.

Strip District

The Strip District is known as a cultural gumbo of ethnic shopping, and the neighborhood music scene is just as diverse.

Weekend shoppers can take a mellow midday break with acoustic Songwriter Saturdays at the coffee shop and cigar bar Leaf & Bean (19) from noon to 3 PM. Outside Jimmy & Nino Sunseri’s market, keep an ear out for Mirella Volpe (20), who charms the crowds nearly every Saturday with traditional Italian tunes on her accordion.

Come nighttime, CJ’s (21) offers a new harbor for jazz fans with a nightly lineup of Pittsburgh’s favorite jazz combos, supported by a full menu of soul food. Rodney McCoy, Tony Campbell, and Dwayne Dolphin are among the regular personnel. On Tuesday nights, the bands take a break, allowing you to make your own contribution to the Pittsburgh music scene on karaoke night.

The fiddle, bodhran, and pennywhistle make frequent appearances at Mullaney’s Harp and Fiddle (22). On Tuesday nights, there’s live music for the weekly Ceili Dance sessions from 8 to 10 PM, with free lessons from the Pittsburgh Ceili club to get everyone in on the action. In addition to other traditional and contemporary Irish music performances from local bands such as Red Hand Paddy and The Wild Geese, it's worth a visit for Sean McClorey and Joe Kelly, who regularly present “Songs, Stories, and Spirits,” an evening of music, poetry, and traditional Irish storytelling.

Indie, garage rock, punk, speed metal, and alt-country bands come to the 31^st Street Pub (23) to earn their cred in front of the Pittsburgh scene . The stage in the Skull Room has hosted national acts such as the early tours of the White Stripes and the revival of Exene Cervenka; local favorites The Modey Lemon, Grand Buffet, and The Cheats are regulars on the roster. Cheap beer and consistently good bookings make it a favorite spot for all of those about to rock. Shows start at 10 on weeknights; a little later on weekends.

Hear Local, Buy Local

Like what you hear? Stop into the city’s independently owned music stores, where you’ll find Pittsburgh’s music scene fully represented and windows full of fliers clue you in on upcoming shows.

Bloomfield

Paul’s CDs

The selection at Paul’s is broad in scope, with latest releases from all of Pittsburgh’s music scenes, including jazz, indie, garage, alt-country, soul, and folk. Check out lists of the staff’s latest favorites at the counter. 4526 Liberty Avenue; 412.621.3256.

North Side

Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild

Stop into the Visitors Center to pick up Grammy-winning performances recorded live at the MCG auditorium. Recent releases include projects from Nancy Wilson, Slide Hampton, and local favorite Joe Negri. 1815 Metropolitan Street; 412.322.1773.

Stedeford’s Records

Pittsburgh’s hip-hop, jazz, funk, and reggae talents can be found on vinyl and CD at this music mainstay. 417 East Ohio Street; 412.321.8333

Oakland

Brave New World

Specializing in punk, rock, and hip-hop, with a whole lotta local flavor. 406 South Craig Street; 412.682.5007.

South Side

Dave’s Music Mine

Jam packed with new and used CDs from local and national bands in all genres. Special midnight hours for new releases on Monday night! 1210 East Carson Street; 412.488.8880.

On Your Radio

WYEP/91.3 FM, an independent public radio station, broadcasts a regular rotation of local artists from their new Community Broadcast Center on the South Side flats, including live, in-studio performances.

WDUQ/90.5 FM presents “news, jazz, and NPR” from its studios at Duquesne University. On-air hosts often add a dose of history when spinning discs from Pittsburgh’s legends of jazz heritage, a long list that includes Billy Eckstine, Earl “Fatha” Hines, Mary Lou Williams, Art Blakey, Billy Strayhorn, Stanley Turrentine, and Lena Horne.

WEDO/810 AM is the “Station of Nations,” with a weekend full of broadcasts of traditional music from the countries that comprise Pittsburgh’s ethnic heritage. Tune in for the sounds of Serbia, Greece, Croatia, Italy, and of course, extended polka broadcasts.

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