Live jazz in Pittsburgh is experiencing a "Renaissance" and although the overall following is not as strong as it used to be, it is refreshing to see so many new establishments hosting Live Jazz nights. The Firehouse Lounge has one of my favorite Pittsburgh performers, Etta Cox, on Thursday nights. I have not been to the Firehouse on one of the weekend nights, but I will tell you that this is one of the most beautiful spaces in the city. The staff is friendly, go twice and they'll remember your name, the food is excellent (try the burgers), and how can you beat 1/2 off of wine bottles? The best part about this jazz night is that you can still hear yourself talk and you don't leave smelling like cigarettes, a big bonus.

The Firehouse Lounge is a perfect place for a first date or a night out with a group. Thursdays are great for an older audience especially lovers of jazz.

Great food and wonderful service! Can't wait to go back in September when the dessert bar opens! My husband and I enjoyed our anniversary at the firehouse lounge...had a bottle of wine (1/2 price on Thursdays) and some really tasty appetizers along with some nice jazz music. Jessica was an awesome server. We'll definitely go back!

My friends and I used to crave Firehouse nights out...before it began going down the ominous road that many failed clubs/lounges in Pittsburgh have followed.

In the past: great vibe- alternative/professional/hipsters- a great mix in general. Stiff drinks. The music ranged from fun top 40's to house to hip hop. Steel City Funk used to spin great house music in one of the rooms while the other room would have hip hop/dance music going on. The crowds moved freely back and forth and you were always meeting interesting people.

Current: In our last 3 visits spread out over the past 3 months, the only thing that remains from above are the stiff drinks. The crowd has gone ghetto-fabulous and music is bad hip hop in both rooms. Other fun clubs in the past have gone this way and are either gone or empty....Touch, Deja Vu, Pure to name a few. One can only wonder if Firehouse is going to follow this trend.

I'd love to give this place a great review but I can only hope that some its unique characteristics that made it so much fun aren't permanently lost.

I just moved to Pittsburgh from Chicago, and so far this has to be the best thing this old steel town has going for it in the nightlife department. It's across the street from my house, so it didn't take long for me to stumble upon it's large wooden doors and inviting atmosphere. Perhaps I lucked out on the night I was there, but the owner navigated me through their drink menu, and I was shocked to see they were using products like acai juice, orange blossom water, and marmelades in their drinks rather than what I found on my first night in the "burgh" puckers and light beer. The crowd was pleasantly mixed at the Firehouse, and they have just expanded their menu to include plates suitable for sharing. I tried a pizzette and frittes , as a quick notes the frittes are perhaps the best I've had in a really long time, and then finished with a bananas foster wonton which was a huge surprise. The traditional country club dessert was dressed up as classic Chinese street food and served with a trio of mouth watering sauces, my favorite was the cassis-strawberry sauce. I was told they are opening a dessert lounge soon!

Now on to the cocktails. I'm actually a beer girl so it takes a lot of convincing to not explore what is on the taps, but per the owner's suggestion I started with a sidecar and ended with a drink called a "label who*e" how could I resist such a name? Both were made with the freshest ingredients and I was told they actually make all of their own sours from scratch. Perhaps that's why I never resorted back to a Lagunitas, but either way the drinks were so good and they were not overly sweet which is a big plus in my book.

I know the Firehouse has a great reputation for it's nightlife and after 10 crowd, but it really surprises me that it doesn't attract more city dwellers for light bites and happy hour. Then again, does anyone actually go out during the week in Pittsburgh who is over 25?

Friendly service. Patrons slightly above average for the Strip District. Creative bar-food menu.....the taste is just "OK" though.