Sunday, November 11, 2007

Stop #38; Marshall-Shadeland

Date: October 26
Neighborhood: Marshall-Shadeland
Pitt Stoppers: Jimmy D., Josh, Noreen, Al, Tuzz, Ed, Hez, Bobby D., Pteri, Toddy, Josh, Paul, and the crowd at the Stone Front.
Bar: Ed's Stone Front Cafe.

Sometimes everything clicks and a bar becomes magical. Mix together beer, music, and friendly people and out comes gold. This was one of those times.

As each of us entered the bar, a cheer erupted from the regulars. Everybody really got into the concept of Pitt Stops. People were talking about music, neighborhoods, the Teutonia Männer Chor, the City - just about everything. People exchanged kisses (I'm looking at you, Josh). A big, friendly dog was wandering around. People were sharing jokes and stories every direction you turned. Then the music came on. Good old music from the 1950's and 1960's. Everyone sang and everyone danced. Everyone was your buddy.

Like any magical experience, written words can't convey its true substance. I hope that the pics and video will do it justice. Thanks to the folks at the Stone Front for a fantastic evening.





Josh making his way inside.








Toddy, Noreen, and Josh in the way back.









Jimmy and Bobby D. giving some love to the decorations.











Even the Stone Front has its rules.







I cannot explain. (Identities have been protected.)










Frivolity.









Al cannot hide his amusement.











More frivolity.









Dancing with Sis behind the bar.









The view of the bar.










Todd's putting a quarter in the slot.









Jimmy giving love to the champs.










Dancing at the Stone Front.


Stop #37; Brighton Heights

Date: October 26
Neighborhood: Brighton Heights
Pitt Stoppers: Jimmy D., Noreen, Josh (not reachable tonight), Hez, Pteri, Ed, Jonathan, Pteri, Toddy, Josh, Tuzz, Al.
Bar:
Big Cat Pat's

Pluses: Genuine Pittsburgh Irish bar.
Weirdness: Odd shirt special. Former wrestler.
Aside: Apparently, Big Cat Pat is a former wrestler.






The outside.









Todd is supremo on the appetizers.






Jonathan confirms that Bobby's sweater is bona fide.

Noreen and Pteri don't care 'tall.






They have you covered at Pat's.









The worst t-shirt special in the city.








Hez, Bobby, and Josh amidst the saucy Irish decor.

Stop #36; Central North Side

Date: October 26
Neighborhood: Central North Side
Pitt Stoppers: Jimmy D., Josh, JoshS, Al, Pteri, Ed, Tuzz, Todd, Noreen, Bobby D.
Bar: Rigg's

Pluses: Sweet Decor, great staff.
Weirdness: The bar lamp.






Rigg's from a distance.









The view east towards AGH.








The tracks.










Todd and Josh putting the squeeze on Jimmy D.







The view to the north.

Notice the unsafe balconies common in the North Side.







The crew finally arrives at Riggs.








The swank decor.












JoshS enjoying the swank decor.








Jimmy D. and Josh confirming location.









Todd's into the swank decor. Ed and Tuzz aren't so sure.









The bar lamp. So cool.











Jonathan displaying bad manners.










Al explaining how to get to the next stop.

Stop #35; Allegheny West

Date: October 26
Neighborhood: Allegheny West
Pitt Stoppers: Jimmy D., Toddy, Josh, JoshS, Al, Jonathan, Chip.
Bar:
The Modern Cafe

Pluses: Cool memorabilia, including a fine collection of Wheatie boxes and what is definitely not Roberto Clemente's first contract.
Weirdness: A scene from The Wonder Boys was filmed here.
Aside: I personally think that The Modern has one of the coolest signs in the city.





The cool sign of The Modern Cafe.













A picture of the owner with the cast of The Wonder Boys.






The Modern is so cool that Jonathan couldn't believe his eyes.

So he closed them.






Part of the Wheaties box collection.










If you look carefully, you'll see that is definitely not Clemente's first contract.










The rear of the Modern.










The obligatory outside picture.










A little known fact: Todd is an ATM.