The Space Upstairs is a loft space above Construction Junction that is home to the (post)modern…read morejazz dance company The Pillow Project. The door is next to Creative Reuse's on N Lexington Avenue. On the second Saturday of every month, the Pillow Project invites people to come and enjoy a lounge atmosphere of dance, live jazz music, and performances involving mixed-media. Alongside that, the space is used for many other events as well, each group giving it its own special charm. I've seen classes, clothing drives, photoshoots, and many other types of events use the loft. The space itself is gorgeous, with the modern coolness you'd expect from a loft belonging to a performance art troupe, combined with the history of Pittsburgh - since it is attached to Construction Junction, you can be sure that just about everything up here has been repurposed. The large windows let tons of natural light in, and the hardwood floors are gorgeous. Scattered over the space there are a few extremely unique pieces of art including a busted up mattress hanging on the wall and a laptop with a tree growing out of it. There is a large bar off to one side infront of two small openings that look down over Construction Junction. Old couches and tables are scattered throughout the space for seating and a small raised platform, infront of the multimedia control center, is also sometimes used for seating. The only problem with the space is that it is somewhat of a weather permitting space - You really feel it in here when it's hot or cold outside. There are huge heaters on the ceiling for the winter but they're very uneven, so beneath them it's burning, and not too far away it's cold again. But that's what you get when you're in such an old building, it's a really minor complaint. There is also a small waiting area downstairs right inside the door. So if you're looking to catch a cool performance, come on the second Saturday of any month and check it out. If you're looking for a neat event space, be sure to ask the Pillow Project for details. And now I can finally check in to the right place

The space upstairs is a unique venue for music, art, and dance. I have been coming to the Second…read moreSaturdays events for years and have never been disappointed. The people at the events are the welcoming and creative. I love being there and highly recommend any event that happens there.

It took me over 3.5 years to come here, which is funny to me, as I am a very regular concertgoer. I…read moream super happy that Club Cafe reopened under new ownership, as that opportunity may have been otherwise not possible. Walking in here, I was immediately surprised by how small and intimate this venue is. There are a few places to sit here, but it is mostly standing room only. No matter where you are, you are likely no more than 15 feet from the stage. Just a heads up -- there is a slight step when you enter into the venue, so step up and/or over it. I tripped on the slight angled step of the door and slightly stumbled into the venue. There are a lot of local acts that perform here -- many that I am not aware of, and so that may have been what kept me from coming here in the past. I happened to come here for a national act, Ondara, of whom I was actually surprised to see performing in such a small venue. I would definitely come back here again for the right performer/band. The acoustics are wonderful.

Solid effort to bring in TODD BARRY (Dec 1 2023). Intimate show…read more Nice small venue on E Carson

I have been to the Playhouse several times. You can purchase tickets for shows online with a small…read moreprocessing fee or onsite at their box office. The theater itself is smaller than others downtown but every seat has a great view. It is always clean. There are plenty of parking garages nearby and also on street parking if you are lucky enough to find a spot. I will definitely be back!

What a beautiful venue! I've attended shows here as a patron, but also experienced it "behind the…read morescenes" when my son had performances here with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School. The building is new and kept impeccably clean and well maintained. It is easy to get tickets from their box office and their staff is helpful and engaging. The seating in the theater is laid out in such a way that basically everyone has a great view and the seats are spacious and comfortable. Overall, it is a great place for performers and patrons alike.

I have been waiting so long for this place to open!! But then I moved to Austin and now it's open…read moreand I'm here on a visit. And OMFMary!!! I'm in love. Am in Garfield or NYC?!? Amazing space that makes a mean cocktail...or two or ten. Most are only 8 bucks! Everyone is welcome here! Well, you know, unless you're phobic or racist. They have drag shows (the bomb), deejays, dance nights, etc. The decor is so beyond Pittsburgh and I'm happy they're in my old neighborhood (adjacent). I can't say enough things about this bar. Everyone who works here is so sweet and fun. Bathrooms rule! Mary's RULES!!!

Love the ambience, intimacy, and great mocktails. The bartenders are very sweet and the shows so…read morefar have been great. I felt safe being there and there was a nice mix of people coming through on a Saturday night with heavy emphasis on sapphic folks.

Creative theater company located Downtown…read more Their annual fundraiser, BUS, is a frenzied 24 race to perform collaborative, dazzling, cutting edge theater, all in the space of 24 hours. Their venue is a very hip space in a restored building. Their Midnight Radio is a perennial favorite. They call it immersive theater, I just call it exhilarating and fun!

My family attended the production of "The Forest of Everywhere" and had an amazing time. It was my…read morefirst immersive theatre experience and I was impressed with the costumes and set design. The entire theater was transformed into an enchanted forest with various animals that need help. My 2-year-old and I got to awaken an ancient tree, participate in a forest sing along, feed bugs to an Australian alpaca, dance with a donkey, and get photobombed by an ostrich. Shows like "The Forest of Everywhere" and production companies like Bricolage are going to help generations of kids fall in love with theater!

A beautiful local DIY place for creatives to form community and pursue your passions.read more

Everything you can expect from a small rock venue in the best way. Super affordable tickets in a…read moregreat lively area. There's a lot of spirit at this venue with kind staff. I'd really recommend checking this place out since they have shows super frequently and accessibly.

As someone who spends half their life in crowded venues, Preserving Underground in New Kensington…read morehas easily become one of my favorite spots to catch a show. The setup is brilliant. It's built into an awesome old converted church complex, which gives it an immediate, distinct vibe the second you walk up. Before the bands even start, you can hit up their massive record shop on the main floor. I've caught myself crate-digging there more than once and always walk away with a solid haul of vinyl or CDs before heading downstairs. For a basement space, the sound quality is shockingly good--crisp, heavy, and doesn't just turn into a wall of muddy noise like most underground rooms. It's got that perfect, intimate DIY energy without sacrificing the audio. If you go to a lot of shows, this place needs to be on your radar.

I'm kind of surprised to see folks referring to this as the best venue in Pittsburgh. I did not…read morereceive that impression. I attended the Four Chord pre-show earlier this summer, featuring Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, 408, and some other performers. They didn't start the show on time and had us waiting outside. It was hot inside the venue too, which I didn't love. But the worst part about the experience was the sound. It was SO echoey. Maybe they were having an off night, but I was really regretting not having earplugs with me. The sets were good regardless, and it was nice that they had pew seating along the sides, but I wasn't otherwise super impressed with the venue itself.

The Goldmark was a very fun place to go to! We decided to go here after we went to Sidequest on…read more44th. We were going for the Speakeasy, but unfortunately it was closed, however, it was still fun to go to Goldmark! There was a fun dj there on a Thursday night and it was so busy! Although it was busy, the bartenders were so attentive and kind! We are all looking forward to going back!

Still the best place for D J s in the city. There are other venues with amazing events with the…read morebest DJs in better spaces ... but pound for pound the best spot for great spinning !