Former Site Of The Decade In Pittsburgh Condemned

PITTSBURGH, PA — The corner of Atwood and Sennot streets in Oakland once was the place in Pittsburgh where rock intersected with roll. It was the corner that housed The Decade, a nondescript bar that became legendary for the incredible performers who played there before going on to become superstars.

The Decade long ago faded into memory and the building that housed it soon might follow. The city of Pittsburgh has condemned the three-story building that now houses the Garage Door Saloon.

A recent inspection found the structure unfit for human occupancy, with concrete falling from the rear of the structure along with various electrical violations. No one is allowed inside until the condemnation violations are corrected; it's unclear when, or if, that will occur.

The official condemnation notice was posted on the bar's front door on Monday, The Pitt News reported.

On a stage not much larger than a coffee table, then- up-and-coming acts such as U2, the Police, the Ramones, Jon Bon Jovi and the Red Hot Chili Peppers played. Bruce Springsteen also once played there, years after becoming famous.

The parachutes on the ceiling were all the ambience the bar needed.

From 1973 until he sold it in 1995, owner Dom DiSilvio made The Decade Pittsburgh's ultimate rock and roll bar. Its incarnations since have included a deli, lesbian bar, produce store, and a bar named Cumpie's. It's been the Garage Door Saloon for more than a decade.

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