Altar Bar

Yeah, it's a bar. 

The Altar Bar has quickly established itself as one of the premiere music venues in Pittsburgh. Located right in the Strip District the bar functions as the de facto home to many a venerable touring rock band. Almost as important, it looks cool!

Shadow Lounge

The Shadow Lounge

5972 Baum Blvd.

East Liberty, Pa

            Perhaps one of the most unique music clubs in the city, would be East Liberty’s Shadow Lounge.  It’s easily accessible by public transportation, and offers a variety of acts for anyone who comes through their door.  To get through the door most nights, it’s free. 

Mr. Small's

Mr. Smalls Fun House

400 Lincoln Ave.

Millvale, PA

Tickets: $8-$25 (Depending on the act)

           

If there is one predominate music club in Pittsburgh, it would be Mr. Smalls Fun House.  Although it’s located just outside of the city, it stands as one of the biggest-name drawing clubs in the area.  Bands like Tokyo Police Club, Ok Go, Mason Jennings and Snoop Dogg.

Sphinx Cafe

posted by MikeS

The Sphinx Café

401 Atwood St.

Oakland, Pa           

Admission:  $3 Any Night

            $5 For Musical Acts                       

            The Sphinx Café is an entirely different venue for viewing live performances.  The building itself has been repurposed from a church into a hookah bar, and sitting at the front of the interior is a small raised stage, once the altar.  The café itself seats only fifty to sixty customers, primarily on pillows situated on the floor.  In addition, it features balcony VIP seating for one dollar.

Pittsburgh:Churches, Bars, and Bars that used to Churches

           

Smiling Moose

Smiling Moose

What? A bar in the southside?!?!?

The Southside is so filled with bars it often gets overlooked as a music scene. The Smiling Moose is a bar, and a great place to watch a Pens game, but if also has a separate stage for shows, some of which are all ages.

222 Ormsby

If your looking for any semblance of an underground punk scene in Pittsburgh,this might be the first place to go. Hidden away in Mt. Washington, this title-less non-profit venue, is nothing more than a converted house. Despite the lack of real physical stage the venue attracts bands from outside of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania.