The team behind Bar Marco and the Livermore have opened a new space in East Liberty on Baum Boulevard. The owners say that the aim for this space, called The Pines, is less about being known for great cocktails, and more about being defined by the art and the people who are part of its community.
For the longest time, the room – which shares an address with the Livermore, although its entrance is on Baum Boulevard – sat empty.
The Bar Marco and Livermore team have owned the space for a few years, but have been using it for private events. Most of the time, the room was unoccupied.
The address is remembered by many as being the location of the longstanding East Liberty community space and bar, the Shadow Lounge. Communications Manager Brogan McGowan says that because the space had been important to so many people, passersby were always talking about when it was the Shadow Lounge, with many mentioning how they used to perform there.
These stories were the inspiration for refiguring the room into a location that everyone could enjoy.
The Pines is now a open to the public as a fully functioning bar. The bar features retro furniture, dim lighting, and quirky touches, like displaying their drink menu on floppy disks. But the main appeal for many will be the different types of community programming hosted by The Pines.
Although they’ve only been open for a few weeks, The Pines has already played host to a night of poetry and spoken word, a live podcast recording, and the release party for Pittsburgh artist Moon Baby’s music video, “Pumps by the Pool.”
Whether it be Atari nights on their 10-foot projection screen, screenings of the Land Before Time, or music and 1920’s murder scenes, every night will a different experience at The Pines.
“The Shadow Lounge was a lounge where there was a microphone always on, and anyone could get up. We would love for The Pines to be known as a public space where that could happen,” says McGowan.
Events on the calendar for this week include a Queer Craft Night with Queer Pittsburgh on Sunday (8/20/17).
McGowan is currently developing a system where people can express interest in performing in the space.
“I hope it gets on people’s radar that we don’t charge for performing in the space,” says McGowan.
As for the bar, the drink menu is simple, with the highlight being the $7 ‘shot and a beer’ deal. While many would expect a bar under the same ownership as Bar Marco and the Livermore would be slinging craft cocktails, that isn’t the case for The Pines. Menu staples include the $7 shot and beer, and $8 classic cocktails, as well as individual beer and shots.
However, if people desire something a little more fancy, the Livermore is literally next door.
McGowan also laughs that people don’t need to order a drink, and are welcome to “just come in and sit on one of our couches, and hang out in the AC.”
The Pines is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until midnight, with extended hours until 2:00 a.m. on Friday through Sunday.
“I’m just excited about it being open, and I am excited that so many people want to use it as a performance space. I can’t wait to work with all these artists,” says McGowan.
The Pines (124 S Highland Avenue)
Where did the name, The Pines, come from?
Looking forward to stopping by