For as long as she can remember, Monique Gillespie has been surrounded by animals. Her mom made sure their house was home to every kind of pet, from cats and dogs to frogs and birds. “You name it, we had it,” Monique says. But at the heart of the family was their Shar Pei, Keeta.

Most chefs finish their education with a degree in the culinary arts, but Patrick Terry is not most chefs. The head of the kitchen at Bridges & Bourbon has a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, an MBA from Point Park University, and multiple certificates in scientific fields, and he keeps going back to school for more.

Last Tuesday, October 14, The Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) held its second Acoustic Tuesdays event featuring local artists Oliver Hufford and Megan Paullet. Downtown residents packed the house, with close to sixty people in attendance!

Since we were kids, sandwiches have been a staple in our lives. From your mom’s grilled cheese to your favorite neighborhood hoagie, it’s probably difficult to imagine life without the sandwich. Whether you want to stick to basics or spice it up, Pittsburgh has plenty of options. 

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the world’s most popular graduate management degree for a reason. For those striving to become CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders in their field, an MBA can give you a leg up. Several schools in Pittsburgh offer these programs, but Point Park University is the only one rooted downtown, providing a direct connection to the city’s most active business sphere. 

A Registered Community Organization (RCO) is a non-profit that works to improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods it represents. In Downtown Pittsburgh, there are only two RCOs: Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) and Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP). It is DNA’s duty to promote the interests of downtown residents as the city continues to develop. 

Walking into Alihan’s Coffee & Breakfast feels like being welcomed into a big family’s home. As a formerly picky eater who had never tried Turkish cuisine, I hesitated coming here. But as soon as I received the menu, I relaxed upon realizing how expansive the options were. From sweet crepes to savory menemen (scrambled eggs with tomatoes and green peppers), there’s something for everyone.

Since its founding in 1939, Pittsburgh Opera has remained a premiere opera company, now home to one of the top five training centers for rising opera stars in the U.S.. Each year, a handful of exceptional young performers are selected from a pool of over 800 applicants. Don’t miss a chance to see these rising stars perform at the Pittsburgh Opera House, located in the Strip District.

To be a chef, you have to be passionate about your work. Thankfully, Yunus Atacan has what he calls a “pure love” for his job as Head Chef at Alihan’s Coffee & Breakfast. Since childhood, Yunus has been surrounded by food. Many of his favorite recipes came from his grandfather and namesake, and his parents run a bakery in Türkiye to this day. It naturally follows that he never saw himself as anything but a chef. 

Pittsburgh residents and community leaders have expressed great discontent with the staggering number of vape shops throughout the city. Around thirty of them are clustered downtown, with several along Liberty Ave. As these shops often target youth and low income families, public health concerns are growing amidst preexisting disparities. 

From bakeries to cafés, sweet treats are plentiful in Downtown Pittsburgh. Maybe you want a quick grab-and-go breakfast pastry or a rich, chocolatey brownie to reward yourself after a hard day’s work. From croissants to cakes, our list has what you’re looking for.

As part of our Living Well Initiative, the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) is excited to kickoff our downtown walking club on Saturday, October 25th! We’re looking forward to supporting healthy lifestyles and the community of downtown Pittsburgh. We’ve crafted a route that showcases some iconic Pittsburgh landmarks and views, so this is something you don’t want to miss. 

Autumn is upon us, and the cooler weather makes it the perfect time to cozy up with a cup of joe. Fortunately, Downtown Pittsburgh is full of vibrant coffee houses, both old and new. These shops play a large role in fostering community, creating a sense of home and routine. From business deals to catching up with friends, coffee shops are a pillar in any urban environment. 

Witness a lively symphonic performance in a glowing performance center at the second and highly anticipated Candlelight Crescendo, presented by the Downtown Neighbors Alliance. The event, featuring the band Cello Fury, will take place on November 1st, 2025 at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.

Downtown Pittsburgh offers a wide range of cuisines, each with its unique flavors. While we love to branch out, sometimes we’re simply craving a good, juicy burger. Don’t worry—there’s plenty of those downtown, too. Some patties are topped with a classic slice of American cheese, while others incorporate nontraditional ingredients for a more complex flavor profile.

Founded in 1990 by Karla Boos, the Quantum Theatre hosts site-specific plays throughout Pittsburgh, reflecting the city’s nature and its characters through art. No production of theirs is put on at the same location; instead, the setting is chosen based on the contents of the play. The theatre’s current production, ENRON, is staged at One Oxford Center. 

The holiday season is finally here, and Downtown Pittsburgh is ready to spread Christmas cheer! From drag shows to symphonic orchestras, you can celebrate the season with a number of themed performances. 

On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Pittsburgh City Council unanimously granted a historic designation to the city’s Three Sister Bridges. Named after Pittsburgh icons Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol, and Rachel Carson, these are the only known trio of identical self-anchored suspension bridges in the world.

As part of the Living Well Initiative, the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) held its first Walking Club event on Saturday, October 25 and saw a great turnout. The group met in Mellon Square at 10:00 AM and embarked on a journey to see the sights of Downtown Pittsburgh. 

The Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) is raising funds to upgrade the Downtown Dog Park at the base of the Rachel Carson Bridge on 9th St. and Fort Duquesne Blvd. Established in 2017, the public park has had many visitors, but a few updates would beautify the space and make it more eco-friendly. 

Health and wellness trends are always changing, making fitness seem more difficult than it has to be. That’s why residents of Downtown Pittsburgh flock to Etage Athletic Club at 422 Stanwix Street. There, men and women of all ages and levels of athletic ability are encouraged to simplify their fitness journeys and become their best selves. 

On November 4, the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) saw another big crowd at its weekly Acoustic Tuesdays event. Attendees were amazed with the stage presence of local artists Melina Bowser and Abby Morgan, two singer-songwriters with immense vocal talent and lyrical skills. 

Downtown Pittsburgh has plenty of restaurants that are perfect for date night or a nice family dinner. But is a night out truly complete without a glass of wine? Whether you feel like red, white, rosé, or sparkling, these spots have a great selection.

In July 2026, Duquesne University will have a new president. David Dausey will assume the role after serving as executive vice president and provost at Duquesne. As the university’s 14th president, Dausey has big shoes to fill.

Swing into the season with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Holiday Show! On Friday, December 19 at 7:00 PM, the world-class jazz musicians bring the magic of the holidays to the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University. 

As part of their Winter Music Series, the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University is excited to host Christmas Live with Joe Serafini! The musician and actor is best known for his role as Seb in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, but locals know him as a longtime performer with Pittsburgh’s CLO Academy. 

Ahead of the 2026 NFL draft, Downtown Pittsburgh is investing $600 million in community development projects. Arts Landing, a 4-acre outdoor entertainment complex, is an exciting addition to these upgrades. The $31 million public park will host concerts, birthday parties, and free festivals. 

One of Pittsburgh’s most iconic properties along the Monongahela River is under new ownership as of November 21, 2025. MS Development, a Massachusetts-based firm, purchased the lot with a plan to “elevate the retail, dining and entertainment experience while creating new opportunities for office and mixed-use partners.”

On December 2, DNA will host its last Acoustic Tuesdays event of 2025 at Liberty Magic. We could not be more pleased with the turnouts we’ve seen each week, and feedback from downtown residents has been overwhelmingly positive. Join us this week to see two Pittsburgh-based artists: Anne Eliza and Bobby Taylor. 

Pittsburgh’s CLO is thrilled to have Tony award-winner Denis O'Hare fulfill the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge in its 34th annual production of A Musical Christmas Carol. The highly awaited performance will take place at the Byham Theater from December 13 to 23.

Pittsburgh CLO is excited to present Yippee Ki Yay, the parody celebration of the classic film Die Hard from the mind of Richard Marsh. The epic comic poem will be staged at the Greer Cabaret Theater from December 2 to 21. 

The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts is a 2,800-seat theater that serves as the focal point for the Cultural District. It hosts Downtown Pittsburgh’s best performance groups, including Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and the Pittsburgh Opera. This winter, there are a handful of performances to look forward to!

The Byham Theater has been a staple in Downtown Pittsburgh since 1903, when it was called the Gayety Theater. Its 1,300 seats have seen countless performances, from musical theater and dance to contemporary films. The year 2025 may be coming to an end, but at the Byham, there are still memories to be made.