June 6, 2025

Hello!

We love June! June is about Pride, Juneteenth, ArtsFest and so many things to do it's hard to keep up. We also love that the longest day of the year is this month where we get to enjoy nighttime economy in daylight!

We've been busy meeting with new operators, advocating for support of food and beverage businesses, night cultures and the music ecosystem, working on new trainings, researching smart policies, and nurturing peaceful co-existence among night businesses and the communities where they operate.

We want to share some of the beautiful collaborations out there. So many ways to get involved. Check them out!

Cheers,

Allison Harnden and Bret Kunash,

Office of Nighttime Economy

WHAT O.N.E's UP TO!

N.I.T.E School

In May, we invited businesses citywide to Mental Health First Aid Training led by Office of Community Health & Safety. Big THANKS to them and to City Theater for hosting space.

Sociable City Summit 2025 - Sacramento, CA

Sgt. Andrew Robinson and public safety officials from other cities discuss their efforts to keep nightlife safe.

At the Summit's closing panel Allison fielded questions from the audience for Nighttime Economy Managers from all over the world.

Pittsburgh won the prize for bringing the largest team (businesses, residents, commercial district managers, electeds, police and planning). After returning home, we debriefed to discuss what strategies to advance. If you'd like to get in on the conversation and action, let us know!

CITY/COUNTY/STATE UPDATES

City In The Streets - East Liberty 6/25

A Reminder From The Dept. of Public Works

In April 2022, Pittsburgh City Council unanimously passed an ordinance banning plastic bags and requiring at least 10¢ be charged for paper bags.

Please visit this website here, where you will find a compliance guide, checklist, F.A.Q, and a supplier guides

The City of Pittsburgh's Department of Public Works has inspectors checking for compliance, so make sure to be in compliance before you get inspected.

Email bagban@pittsburghpa.gov with any questions.

Comp Plan 2050, Get Engaged!

City-Funded Grants for Artists

Doing Business In Allegheny County, Resource Event

PA House Passes 'speculative ticketing' Bill

Speculative ticketing is a deceptive practice in which resellers list event tickets they don't even own.

Learn more about the Matzie bill here.

Image from Will Murphy

IN THE NEWS

2026 NFL Draft

What Can We Learn From Green Bay and Detroit?

And how can we TOP them?

Read the article at PittsburghMagazine.com

Bottlerocket Social Hall + UCB

The word's out, Bottlerocket Social Hall is partnering with the Upright Citizens Brigade!

Check out the article from the City Paper to learn more.

Affordable Housing For Artists

A New Opportunity For Artists In The Cultural District

Catch up with Patrick FIsher and their Demystifying The Arts blog.

Check it out here

Understanding PRT's Funding Crisis

PRT faces a $100 million budget deficit starting July 1, 2025.

Learn more about the challenges facings Pittsburgh Region Transit here.

What are the potential impacts on hospitality and nightlife businesses?

Read this article from Next PGH

SAFETY

How should your staff handle violence or harassment from customers?

How should HR handle workplace violence and harassment from customers?

"Customer hostility is at an all-time high, per a 2022 report from Axonify, with lack of preparedness being a key issue voiced."

Read the article here

TRAININGS

N.I.T.E School Safety Trainings - 6/23 & 6/24

Space is limited e-mail Bret to RSVP

Tech 25 - Lighting Control Training: 6/24 - 6/26

A 3 day beginner, intermediate, and advanced course

presented by Obsidian

June 24-26

9AM-4PM

Click here for all the information

INDUSTRY EVENTS

The PGH Music Ecosystem Town Hall - Part 2: 6/11

SOLD OUT !!

Stay tuned for how you can be involved in the future.

Townhall Revisiting the 2017 comprehensive study & recommendations on Pittsburgh's Music Ecosystem

PRLA's Restaurant Awards: 6/16

Celebrate the best restaurants in the city!

June 16

The Spirit of Hospitality Pittsburgh Restaurant Awards shines a spotlight on restaurant professionals who go above and beyond to elevate our industry.

For more info click here

GPAC Creative Hive: 6/24

Creative Hive June 24, 5:30 - 7:30

The Creative Hive is a monthly networking event designed to provide a friendly and casual space for artists, creatives, art educators, culture bearers, and arts administrators to establish and foster professional relationships.

For more info click here

PRLA Western Chapter Meeting: 7/29

Exploring Pennsylvania Liquor Laws: Expert Insights for the Hospitality Industry

Join the PRLA Western Chapter as they welcome guests from the PLCB, the LCE, and Attorney Daniel Conlon to discuss navigating the PLCB and best practices for all license types.

Click here to register

Summer Restaurant Week 8/11 thru 8/17

The most delicious time of the year!

Get a jump start on registration and plan to participate in Pittsburgh's 2025 Summer Restaurant week.

For more info click here

KUDOS!

USBG PGH Wins Again at the USBG 2025 Summit

USBG PGH brings home another win, this year for BEST COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS

"As bartenders, bar owners, bar managers, and hospitality professionals, prioritizing health and wellness is essential to sustaining our teams and ourselves.

USBG Pittsburgh has set the bar with thoughtful initiatives, meaningful conversations, and a clear dedication to creating a healthier hospitality community.⁠"

KUDOS!!!

Did You Know...USBG Pittsburgh is also home to two USBG Guild Houses? Space Bar and Tina's

See how you can plug in with the USBG Pittsburgh and everything else they're up to right here.

GET NOTICED AND GET MORE BUSINESS

Business Directories

South Side Chamber of Commerce

southsidechamber.org/directory

How to be added:

southsidechamber.org/web-directory

North Side Chamber of Commerce

Northsidechamberofcommerce.com

How to be added:

northsidechamberofcommerce.com

East Liberty Chamber:

Eastlibertychamber.org/A-To-Z-Business-Directory

How to be added:

Eastlibertychamber.org/Join

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership:

Downtownpittsburgh.com/things-to-do/

How to be added:

E-Mail: PDP@DowntownPittsburgh.com

Oakland Business Improvement District:

Oaklandpittsburgh.com/explore

How to be added:

E-Mail: info@oaklandbid.org

Lawrenceville Corp.:

Lvpgh.com/directory-lvbusiness/listings

How to be added:

Email: Ross@lawrencevillecorp.com

Strip District Neighbors:

Stripdistrictneighbors.org/public-directory/

How to be added:

E-Mail: info@sdnpgh.org

Not listed on your neighborhood's business directory?

Well, get on it!

STAY CONNECTED

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

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Newsletter Archive

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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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