Club Cafe has closed its doors after 25 years, but WYEP and the South Side venue had a long history of partnering with live concert broadcasts. On Jan. 22 at 7 p.m., listen to WYEP to hear clips from past Club Cafe simulcasts and hear music and conversation from Michael Franti, Tori Amos, Frank Black of the Pixies and more. We also asked WYEP listeners to send in their memories of Club Cafe!
The venue at 56 S. 12th Street was founded in 1999 by Marco and Paula Caramone, in a space that was once a piano club and a neighborhood bar. It was taken over by Opus One Production in 2011, where it continued to be an accessible space for local bands, as well as touring acts.
These voicemails to WYEP have been slightly edited for length and clarity:
“So many fun shows at Club Cafe — been going there almost once a week for the last 12-13 years… so many amazing artists way under the radar of the mainstream. It’ll be a dearly missed place. Such a great vibe, and wonderful events.”
“In 2005 or 2006 I saw Alejandro Escovedo for the first time. I read a lot about him, but had never heard his music… the audience was as transfixed as I was. Like every other time since, he stayed around after the show to chat and allow photo ops. I became a lifelong fan that night.”
“My favorite concert at Club Cafe was the Asylum Street Spankers. I became a real fan after that show… it’s the end of an era.”
“Bonnie & the Mere Mortals recorded a live album at Club Cafe… it was such an incredible night, sold-out show. Also, the album is one of my favorites. Now I live in Pittsburgh, but at the time, I was visiting and used to listen to it in Denver — and so many of my friends in the Rocky Mountains listen to it, too. It was all captured there… Such a special night. I’m going to miss going to the venue for all of the shows I’ve gone to, but especially that night.”
“I love this venue and I’m really sad it’s closing. Back in 2020, Caroline Rose had a double bill playing at Club Cafe. We liked them, so we bought tickets to both of ‘em. The first night, I was like, ‘Oh I’m not sure I want to go out and do that.’ But I convinced myself, and the next night we went out and saw an incredible concert, it was beautiful, everything was great. I was so glad I did because the next day, we all shut down because of the pandemic entirely. I’ll also remember that was the last thing I did before the world ended was see a show at Club Cafe.”
“I really wanted to mention Chuck Prophet. He’s been there several times, whether there’s a small crowd or big crowd, he’s an interesting songwriter, indie performer and so kind and most giving with his listeners, as well. He gets my vote, Chuck Prophet!”
“So many great memories at Club Cafe. One of the most favorite memories was seeing The Civil Wars before they broke out into the national scene. The club was packed. It was hot in there, tough to move around, but the show was amazing. Then we also saw Illiterate Light recently. What a wonderful show — so high energy. And with the intimate space, it just made it all the better… We really appreciate the staff and the focus on music and community.”
“In 2015 in the span of three days, I got to see two bands I’d never heard of: The Delta Saints and Barrence Whitfield & The Savages. I got there early and I was able sit 8-10 feet away from these two tremendous bands. What a venue! I will surely miss them. Well done, Club Cafe.”
“Club Cafe has been a great venue for the city of Pittsburgh. One of my favorite performances there were The Beat and Lee Rocker from the Stray Cats… I love that place.”
“Back when Hootie & the Blowfish were coming up, they had a special show that they were having there. One of the other radio stations, I believe, was having a promo through 7/11… to win a handful of tickets. My brother and I had a business at the time… he was lucky enough to win tickets and we saw a great show that night. It was really a good time, just a good moment in time.”
“I’d ever seen these artists or known about them if it wasn’t for WYEP. But my favorite memory was seeing Israel Nash. He was so humble, such a great performer, the crowd loved him. Then after the concert, we were walking to our car and we saw the band in the alley taking a smoke. We went over and we hugged them and shook their hands and talked to them. That was definitely one of my favorite memories.”
“One of my favorite national acts I saw down there was Jane Siberry. She was fantastic. Such an intimate setting at Club Cafe. And so cool to get to talk to her afterwards, ask her about her song, ‘Hockey,’ which is one of my favorite songs ever.”
“Wonderful memories of Club Cafe on the South Side! One of my very favorite concerts was Janis Ian, and she brought Josh Ritter with her before he was as big of a name as he is today. But what a wonderful, very intimate event, small venue, and incredible music. I will miss it.”
“I would say the number one concert that I just remember so distinctly, even to this day, is Jill Sobule. I sat at the bar. She was so wonderful. It’s such a great venue. It’s so warm and cozy. You feel like they’re singing to you more than anything else. Jill did not let me down.”
“This must have been 2014? Johnny A., a fantastic guitarist from Boston… Club Cafe is a small place, so you’re right there and seeing him with like, 40 other people. He’s halfway through a set and Johnny A. is shredding, and manages to hear two people at the bar who are just having a gab. It was amazing… he manages to lower each one of their volumes until it’s so quiet until you just hear those two people chit-chatting at the bar… Johnny A. basically tells them he’ll get on with his show after their conversation ended. That’s an experience you could only have at a venue as intimate as Club Cafe.”
“I have attended many concerts at that club, starting in 2006 when I saw Kathleen Edwards for the first time. She was with Shemekia Copeland, when the weather was pretty warm. She took a break outside and I was able to have a conversation with her. I’ve also seen Suzanne Vega and Rhett Miller and Kim Richey three times. It was a great venue for being able to see performers in an intimate-type of setting. I will miss that club, and hopefully other venues can take up the slack.”
“My favorite musical memory from Club Cafe was Leif Vollebekk from May 2017. It was a wonderful show, very intimate, and I’m so happy I got to see him in that environment.”
“I’ve seen so many wonderful shows at Club Cafe over the past 10 years, having just started discovering the live music scene in Pittsburgh. I made a point not to miss townsppl’s album release last September, and now I know it’s likely the last show I’d attend there, and I’m so glad I went.”“I’ve been going there for many years. One of my favorites was when Lloyd Cole… I saw him about seven years ago. He walked out on the stage and everyone in the audience was probably picturing him as a young, 25-year-old heartthrob, but he came out as a late 50s man with gray hair. There was an awkward silence, but he broke the silence by looking out at the crowd and saying, ‘Yep, you all look older, also.’ It broke the ice, we all laughed, and then he went on. Will miss Club Cafe!”
“One of my best memories at Club Cafe is being able to see my Pittsburgh friends play there. Ben, my tennis pro, played the drums and Peter, my sound engineer, played the bass for Dick Crow and numerous other bands that played there many times… seeing your local buddies play at Club Cafe was always a thrill. I love that place.”
“I’ve seen many a great concert at Club Cafe. I’m going to talk about Maureen Budway. She was a local jazz singer who is really fabulous. She was also a friend and she played at Club Cafe… It was a wonderful, celebratory, triumphant experience.”
“My favorite Club Cafe memory was meeting the love of my life… at a show I performed in 2017. Very grateful for the experience, and I found my love.”
“Probably most of the shows that we’ve gone to were probably heard about through WYEP. But as far as my favorite… I’m looking at a ticket stub, Feb. 9, 2002, Michael Glabicki and Friends… Just such a memory that sticks with me until this day. I know things come to pass, as Club Cafe is closing, but many, many great shows there.”
“My favorite Club Cafe memory was actually last night, Monday, Dec. 30, New Invisible Joy. Probably one of the best bands that ever came out of Pittsburgh, and still sounding amazing as ever… Hopefully we have another great replacement for Club Cafe.”
“Club Cafe was always a go-to for shows on the South Side. A warm atmosphere and intimate setting that made it ideal for a great live experience, which I was fortunate to have several.”