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Hello!
November is one of our favorite months as it highlights the vitality that light can bring to life at night. This Saturday, Light up Night heralds this season, launching pop-up holiday bars, winter outdoor events, holiday-themed shows and twinkle-lit everything.
But there's business to attend to and money to be made. Find out how to do both better by checking out our update on winter safety compliance and business webinars.
If music is your jam, learn how to optimize sound quality and better control sound leakage or revel in the success of independent performance venues stepping up into the world of advocacy.
Happy Light Up the Night Season!
Allison Harnden and Bret Kunash,
Office of Nighttime Economy
| | Independent Venues Advocate to City Council | | ONE is so proud of our city’s indie venues for showing up and speaking with City Council. Moments like this strengthen our creative community, and can spark even more unity across the region’s music scene. | | (L to R) ONE's Allison Harnden, City Council Members Erika Strassburger and Bob Charland and representatives of PGH's Indie Venue Community Adam Valen, Chris Copen, Pierce Marratto, Brandon Lehman, Maddy Lafferty, and Adam Klenovich | | Indie venue operators and advocates Adam Klenovich, Brandon Lehman, Chris Copen, and Adam Valen | | |
Over the last month ONE has had the opportunity to work with community leaders, PGH Police, and business owners to investigate and mitigate sound issues.
We plan to continue this research to develop self-managing sound strategies for businesses and guidelines for communicating with your neighbors.
Are you having an issue related to sound? Let us know!
Bret.Kunash@pittsburghpa.gov
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What's happening?
ONE has continued to work with our NFL Draft Downtown & Ancillary Venues committee to plan for activating the City at times when official Draft activities are not scheduled.
NFL will be back in town in December and at the top of the new year things will start moving very fast very soon.
So buckle up!
| | City, State & Federal Updates | |
Budget Engagement Hearings
Budget hearings have begun at Pittsburgh City Council – If there is something you feel strongly about the City funding, you can address council in writing, online or in person.
Here’s the schedule.
Link to Council Meeting Schedule
Here’s how.
Click here for the how-to on submitting written comments or registering to speak in front of City Council. You can do so online or in-person.
| | Pittsburgh Regional Disparity Study | | |
The City of Pittsburgh is conducting a regional disparity study to understand the effects of race, ethnicity, and gender in the ability to conduct business.
Click here for all the information
| | New Federal Tax Law Changes Affecting Hospitality Businesses | | |
The U.S. Congress’s passage of Act (H.R. 1 of 2025) introduced several new sections to the U.S. Tax Code
Learn more about...
The Tip Income Deduction
The Role of "Mandatory Service Charges
The Overtime Pay Deduction
Compliance and Employer Responsibilities
For more information click here
| | Getting Carried Away with Twinkle lights? - Think Twice. | | |
Avoid the top 10 fire code violations this holiday season
Please assure your holiday decorations comply with the International Fire Code:
Interior trim. Combustible trim in new and existing buildings, excluding handrails and guards, shall not exceed 10 percent of the specific wall or ceiling areas to which it is attached. (804.1)
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Multiplug adapters, such as cube adapters, unfused plug strips or any other device not complying with NFPA 70 shall be prohibited. (604.4)
Extension cords and flexible cords shall not be affixed to structures, extended through walls, ceilings or floors, or under doors or floor coverings, nor shall such cords be subject to environmental damage or physical impact. Extension cords shall be used only with portable appliances. (604.5)
| | Fire Extinguishers: Get One and Learn How to Use it... | | |
Winter Reminders!
Keep walkways safe for your customers and other pedestrians.
All building tenants and owners facing City streets are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours of a snow fall.
Check out the City code.
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Restaurant Business Conditions Survey 2025
The National Restaurant Association is collecting info about current business condition in the restaurant industry. Take a moment to read more about their efforts.
Restaurant Business Conditions Survey 2025
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"GRAMMY U Membership Expands: How The Program Increases Inclusivity Beyond College Enrollment
GRAMMY U membership no longer requires college enrollment. In an important and expansive change, the Recording Academy has opened GRAMMY U membership to anyone between the ages of 18-29 who's going after a career in music."
Check out the article here!
| | NIVF + NIVA - Development Sessions 11/20 | | SBDC - Need Working Capital? Get Access Now | | |
11/20/2025
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM (EST)
No Fee
Contact: Terri Cook (412) 648-1542
Online Meeting (Live)
Training Topics: Business Financing, Business Plan, Business Start-up/Preplanning, Managing a Business
Description:
Hear from an SBA preferred lender to learn how to access capital from business acquisition to start-up financing to ground-up construction and every state in between. Click for more details
| | Light Up Night, What You Need To Know | |
Light Up Night is 11/22 starting at 4pm
Check out the link to the official Light Up Night 2025 schedule including times, entertainment line up, maps, and more!
Click here for all the information
| | GPAC - Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator | | |
The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator grant program provides creative entrepreneurs with small business consulting and $2,000 in critical financial resources to grow businesses and revenue.
Before applying, applicants must first schedule a consultation and business plan review with a local small-business development organization, called a Referral Coordinator. Referral Coordinators help applicants create an approved business plan, which is required as part of the application.
Important Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Dates
- Appointments with Referral Coordinators open: October 1, 2025
- Referral Coordinator deadline: January 7, 2026
- Applications open: January 19, 2026 (first-come, first-served basis)
- Applications close: February 6, 2026
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PRLAEF will be awarding $2,000 scholarships to qualified applicants.
The Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (PRLAEF) annually provides Pennsylvania students with the opportunity to further their education in the hospitality industry.
Click here for more info
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The Oyster House turned 155!
KUDOS! : )
Read the great write up here
| | GET NOTICED AND GET MORE BUSINESS | | Tell us About your Service Industry Night! | | |
Help us celebrate the front line workers that make our night's shine.
Build a real social network of peers to learn from and lean on!
Kulcher - Sundays 8 -12
Allegheny Wine Mixer - Sunday's, 20% off service industry
Urban Tap - Mondays, 9 - 12, $5 select cocktails, $5 wine, 1/2 off drafts & shareables
Arsenal Bowl - 9pm - 12am
Con Alma – Monday's, 9 – 11pm
Helltown Taproom in the Strip – Tuesday's, 6pm – 9pm
Howl At The Moon - Wednesday's, 25% off bar tab with proof of employment
Tell us about your Service Industry night and we'll be sure to include it in the next post. Bret@pittsburghpa.gov
| | Do you Have a Space to Rent? | | |
Have Space to Host for Parties?
Several people have contacted us asking where they can hold their holiday parties and special events. Do you have a private dining room or event space? Let us know and we'll add you to our list.
Send details to Bret.Kunash@pittsburghpa.gov
| | Follow us for daily updates on Pittsburgh's Nighttime Economy, upcoming news and events. | | |
Newsletter Archive
New to the Office of Nighttime Economy?
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HELP US HELP YOU: Send your questions, challenges, or useful tidbits to Allison Or give us a call at 412-400-900.
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| | References to a specific product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement. Always, consult your professional service providers to decide if a resource is a right fit for your business. | | | | |
