For more than 40 years, Riley’s Pour House in Carnegie had been a cherished gathering place in Pittsburgh. It was a place not only for the Irish, but for anyone to gather with friends and family.
That all changed on Thursday, Nov. 14, of last year. That day in Carnegie, exactly two weeks before Thanksgiving, will forever be remembered as the day that a fire destroyed the local pub and left a cultural void.
The inferno shut down West Main Street for weeks during the holiday season while the remnants of the fire were still being cleaned up.
The fire hit Riley’s co-owners, Joe and Lisa Riley, husband and wife, very hard at the time.
But both of them were very relieved that no one inside or near the pub was hurt.
“You see what happened,” Joe Riley said recently, “and you have to say, ‘’I am so glad everyone is OK.’ That was my first thought, my primary thought.”
Lisa Riley echoed those sentiments when she said, “Thank God we did not lose a life.”
John Riley, who worked as a bartender inside Riley’s for multiple years, said the day fire occurred, “We certainly were not looking for a fundraiser.”
That was then; this is now.
The “Raise a Glass To Rebuild Riley’s Pour House” concert fundraiser is set to be held on Sunday, Aug. 24. The event will take place at the Grand Hall at the Priory Hotel at 615 Lockhart Street in Pittsburgh.
Doors will open at 1 p.m. The event, which will feature music, food and entertainment, will last from 2 to 9 p.m. General admission tickets, which cost $30, are available online at rileysrebuild.com. Tickets also will be available at the door for $35.
The fundraiser will feature a gourmet Irish-inspired menu, a cash bar including Guinness draft and Jameson, a ticket auction, a 50/50 raffle and more.
According to the rileysrebuild.com website, featured performers include Pete Hewlett & The Good Guys, The Low Kings, Spin Cycle, Brad Wagner & Weekend at Blarney’s, Life of Riley and Irish Belly Dancers.
John Graf, treasurer of The Friends of Riley’s Pour House Committee, said the committee is “proud to support the revival of this beloved community asset and invites everyone to be a part of its exciting new chapter.”
Joe and Lisa Riley said they are looking forward to turning the page, following the fire.
“It’s a place where 21-year-olds and 91-year-olds can come and enjoy themselves and listen to the same music,” Joe Riley said. “It’s always been that way.”
Both Rileys say they cannot pinpoint right now when Riley’s will re-open.
“However,” Joe said, “we are looking to have it open ASAP.”
The family and Graf have worked with borough officials, such as Carnegie Manager Steve Beuter, to help bring Riley’s back to life.
“Riley’s was always and always will be a big draw for the business district,” said Beuter, Carnegie manager since 2013. “It is something that draws people into Carngie.”
With talk of Riley’s coming back, Beuter said he feels the excitement in Carnegie’s air.
“I would definitely say that, yes, you can feel it,” Beuter said.
The Rileys said they don’t know if they will have any special events planned the weekend the pub reopens.
“All I can tell you,” John Riley said, “is that it will feel like our Saint Patty’s Day.”
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