R Bar — Restaurant in Dormont

I have some musician friends who invited me to check out this fun little place on West Liberty Avenue. It was a Wednesday night, because that's when R-Bar has their "jam night." First of all, the place was pretty packed - a great sign for a newcomer. The crowd was mixed. Mixed ages, mixed genders, mix races. A nice cross-section of our Pittsburgh culture, and everybody seemed to be having a great time. There were quite a lot of different musicians performing throughout the night, and obviously some of the best blues cats in the city are hanging out and playing at this place, because the music was excellent all night. A little bit of rock, but mostly blues and blues rock the night I was there.

There were a lot of people drinking tap beer, and that tells me that the management keeps their tap system in good order, so where I might normally order a bottled beer in a strange place on my first visit, I was comfortable getting a Yuengling draft. It was nice and cold, fresh, and served in a clean glass for a very reasonable price. The bartender was very friendly, cute, and attentive. My second round I asked her if there were any craft beers, not expecting there to be any, because in this city, most of the classic bars just serve the standard yellow beers. Much to my surprise, the young lady starting rattling off a pretty nice list of craft brews, including my selection, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA. Now that I know that R-Bar has good beer as well as good music, I will certainly be making a return visit.

Parking is on the street, so you might have to walk a block or two from your car, but West Liberty Avenue in Dormont is pretty safe, so no worries there. My only criticism is a personal thing: I don't like smokey bars. I later found out that the owner is going to change their smoking policy on Wednesday nights in deference to the many excellent musicians who frequent the establishment for the jam night. Wednesdays are going to be "no smoking," and that...

Has potential to be a really amazing spot! However they do not like young people coming to the music nights. In fact, on my second trip there, within 30 seconds of sitting down a man named garry came over and harassed for a few minutes "making sure were of age" (like i said, i had been there and spoken and bought from this guy before) After that he came back a second time and asked if we wanted drinks, usually i would buy from them (and have every other time) However with the way this strange man garry was acting i no longer wanted to drink. Right as our friends set started ( Wednesday nights) garry came back over to my girlfriend and i, and the drummer of the bands girlfriend and said "this is the last time this will ever happen, he wont be bringing you back here (directed at the drummers girlfriend) He then made a few passive aggressive comments as he was talking to us. Than he leans down to me and goes "between you and me, you're never going to sit here and not get a drink again do you hear me" With that he walked right out the back and went home. this man waited untill our friends had their set so he could take up the entire first song harassing us. Overall bad atmosphere and a pretty strange and terrible experience. If they were welcoming to musicians under 50, they might actually get some good buisness but untill then or untill garry retires i imagine theyll have the same 25 stagnant regulars they've had for the...

Home away from home...From out of town? Miss the old neighborhood? Like Blues and R@B? You've found it...at the R BAR... 5 mins. from downtown(avoid rush hour) The owner is a semi-retired musician..and his wife besides being a "Hottie" LOL..Is the salt of the earth...If you make it there on Sundays..You'll find one of the best"Bloody Mary's" around...and a 6 piece band called "The Midnight Horns" who all lead their own bands doing the week,but come together at the R BAR to roar..(Jazz,R@B,Blues)..I must also mention 2 of the best bartenders around..Toni and Billy.will treat you like family...So why not give the R BAR 5 stars? Only because of it's size,and no food..however a Pizza parlor opened next door with a wide variety of treats...good enough to feed those Boilermakers..from...