why does the downtown close so early? (Pittsburgh, McDonald: how much, school)

[pman]

Originally Posted by jimmyev

In addition to the cities already mentioned, both Houston and Dallas have downtowns that die at 6 pm. I couldn't find anything open in Midtown Manhattan on the weekend either; and was actually able to find a bunch of empty street parking in the Financial District on the weekend. In New Orleans, the CBD is empty after 6pm. In Cleveland too. Maybe since you've lived abroad this is an American thing?

if you couldn't find anything open in midtown Manhattan on the weekend then you weren't looking very hard. the financial district is fairly quiet, but even there that's been changing. downtown itself is somewhat of an american invention. It's not all that unusual, though, since the destruction of most of america's central cities. OTOH, they are coming back almost everywhere.

[mrgonk]

the night life in the city just isn't there, that's all. it's on the south side, in squirrel hill, shadyside, the north shore, and oakland. downtown pittsburgh is almost exclusively office space and daytime business that serves the people who work in it. the same principle as why new york's financial district isn't exactly hopping at night - everyone works there, then heads to other areas of the city for entertainment.

[BrianTH]

I'm not sure there are even five neighborhoods these days with more going on in the evenings than Downtown. South Side and Shadyside, of course, but after that I think it gets considerably murkier how to rank neighborhoods against Downtown.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I'm not sure there are even five neighborhoods these days with more going on in the evenings than Downtown. South Side and Shadyside, of course, but after that I think it gets considerably murkier how to rank neighborhoods against Downtown.

That's why I gave the OP links to Inns located in South Side and East End.

[Blackbeauty212]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I'm not sure there are even five neighborhoods these days with more going on in the evenings than Downtown. South Side and Shadyside, of course, but after that I think it gets considerably murkier how to rank neighborhoods against Downtown.

Squirrel Hill and L'ville....

Squirrel Hill doesn't have much in the way of Nightlife but it bustles 7 days a week.

[Copanut]

Don't really give a crap, I'm in bed by 10.

I hate you young whippersnappers.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Squirrel Hill and L'ville.... Squirrel Hill doesn't have much in the way of Nightlife but it bustles 7 days a week.

Looking specifically at evenings, I wouldn't say Squirrel Hill has more going on than Downtown. Lawrenceville I find tough to gauge--it is really three neighborhoods, and things are spread out.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Looking specifically at evenings, I wouldn't say Squirrel Hill has more going on than Downtown. Lawrenceville I find tough to gauge--it is really three neighborhoods, and things are spread out.

Speaking as a resident, and someone who was formerly involved somewhat in "the scene" before having a kid, I would not call Lawrenceville "bustling."

Generally, there is not a bar crawl culture. If people are at 80s night on Thursdays at Belvidere's, they stay there. If they go to Pandemic at Brillobox, they stay there. If some dance night is happening at Remedy, people don't leave. I think the major exception are the bars/restaurants, like Round Corner Cantina, which a lot of people hit up earlier in the night.

And this is just counting the hipster hangouts. There's a little crossover between these places and New Amsterdam/Eclipse Lounge, but not much. And totally different people hang out at the Thunderbird, or Double D's Saloon, or Industry Grill, or any number of the dive bars (black/white) or the gay/lesbian bars in the neighborhood.

The bottom line is, while there's street activity at night, you don't see packs of brahs like East Carson. You see a handful of people in front of some bars talking, and a few other people walking around Butler at random other spots. Overall though, it's pretty quiet.

[BrianTH]

So right now, then, I am sticking with two clear leaders in terms of evening activity (South Side and Shadyside), and thinking Downtown is solidly in the mix for the next level down.

[thepacifist20130]

I would second the posts on Chicago. Downtown Chicago (which is really Michigan avenue and surroundings) is dead quiet in the evening. I used to live in Lakeview till earlier this year and it is much more livelier in the night. Rush and Diversey is also solidly packed, but is not downtown.