after a Pens game (Duquesne, Oakland: townhomes, college, live)

[airstrip]

Would anyone like to make some suggestions on where to go after a Saturday night Pens game? Are there any local favorites near the Mellon arena where fans might gather? We have an entire day & night to enjoy downtown, without kids. Really looking forward to seeing the city! Thanks for any suggestions.

[returnedYinzer]

mellon arena is in one of the worst sections of town. The east side of downtown is just bad. Uptown is very depressing. I am hoping that the new arena brings in a lot of redevelopment like it is suppose to. Your best bet is to go back into downtown into the cultural district, or go to smithfield st. Cross the smithfield st. bridge to the south across the mon then go on the southside for fun things to do. There is a bar for everyone on the southside if your a college frat boy, blues fan, jazz fan, sports fan, goth guy, etc.

[gallacus]

The mellon arena, although close to bad areas, is not actually in a bad area. I wouldn't wander down to the Fifth/Forbes corridor east of say, Stevenson st, but the lower hill area is not bad. Most of the blighted properties have been torn down and the area has been converted to a bunch of nice townhomes and such, and is actually pretty nice. My friend lives just off Centre and Vine, and its a nice little area.

With that said, there's really nothing to do, entertainment-wise, right near the arena. There is the light-rail, which you can catch right at the intersection of Bigelow Blvd and 6th Ave, which will take you over to Station Square. You can find a bunch of places over here where Pens fans will congegrate. You can also park here and take the light rail to the game, which will allow you to escape the post-game traffic. The southside (carson st. between 10th and hot metal streets is where all the night-life is. I would venture over there and you should be in semi-good company with Pens fans wherever you end up over there.

[vwscottie]

Originally Posted by airstrip

Would anyone like to make some suggestions on where to go after a Saturday night Pens game? Are there any local favorites near the Mellon arena where fans might gather? We have an entire day & night to enjoy downtown, without kids. Really looking forward to seeing the city! Thanks for any suggestions.

We don't do anything downtown after Pens/Pirates/Steelers/Pitt games....we ride the bus downtown and ride back out and enjoy one of the many establishments in Regent Square or Squirrel Hill.

[guylocke]

mellon arena is in one of the worst sections of town.

It is not. LOL. It's getting CLOSE to being in a bad part of town, but it's mostly surrounded by Duquesne kids all the time. In fact, there are huge and beautiful developments right behind the civic arena that stretch as far back as the hill district.

[returnedYinzer]

I'm sorry. I just thought that the areas designated uptown near the arena seem very depressing.

[gallacus]

Originally Posted by returnedYinzer

I'm sorry. I just thought that the areas designated uptown near the arena seem very depressing.

Uptown is depressing, thats the area I was talking about around Fifth/Forbes east of Stevenson st. You are right, hopefully the new arena, and maybe even the completion of the subway connecting Oakland with Downtown would revitalize this area.

I don't think the arena is technically in Uptown, however. I think it is considered downtown, on the border of the hill district.

[guylocke]

I don't think the arena is technically in Uptown, however. I think it is considered downtown, on the border of the hill district.

That's right. I believe it is still considered downtown but is on the border of uptown. Hopefully Duquesne will also help in this revitalization. They now own quite a bit of property along Fifth and Forbes. They just bought more from Robert Morris.

I was officially inside the new Sports Complex (Duquesne's new building) and it is BEAUTIFUL. I know they have a very large 10 year plan to develop all along Fifth and Forbes, but have remained mum on what it will all be. I heard rumors they are in talks with Giant Eagle, though, now that Giant Eagle created Giant Eagle Express. Wouldn't that be wonderful?????

I bet my life it'll happen.

[airstrip]

Thanks for the info. Parking in one spot & taking the trolley to get around was just what we had in mind.