Pittsburgh's Original Oyster House Celebrates 150th Anniversary

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Original Oyster House, the city's oldest bar, marked its 150th birthday on Monday with free cupcakes, live music from musician Brad Wagner, and giveaways from the tavern and Iron City Brewing.

Having opened in 1870, the Original Oyster House in Market Square possibly is the second-oldest bar in the state. McGillin's Old Ale House in Philadelphia opened in 1860, when Abraham Lincoln was president.

According to the restaurant website, when the Oyster House first opened in 1870, oysters sold for a penny and beers was 10 cents a glass. The enormous fish sandwiches, which require a special bun, were introduced by Louis "Silver Dollar Louie" Americus, who was the proprietor from 1916 to 1970. The coating on the fish and oysters, a recipe of his wife, is still utilized by the kitchen staff.

As a teenager, Louis J. Grippo, was kicked out of the tavern and vowed to return and buy the establishment. Many years later, the vow came true and Grippo purchased the Oyster House in 1970. He was only the fifth proprietor of the tavern which has attracted politicians, judges, attorneys, sports figures, entertainers, newsmen and hundreds of thousands of others as customers.

It has been a favorite location for the movie industry having had 25 films shot on location. Among the movies filmed there are "Innocent Blood," starring Robert Loggia, "Three Rivers," starring Bruce Willis, "Cemetery Club," starring Danny Aiello, and the most famous film "Night of the Living Dead" written and directed by local Pittsburgh talent.

The Original Oyster House also has been featured on Travel Channel's "Food Paradise. "