JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES. STAY CLOSE. A STAPLE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH’S OAKLAND CAMPUS IS CLOSING ITS DOORS AFTER MORE THAN 40 YEARS. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR CUSTOMERS TO VISIT HEMINGWAY’S ON FORBES AVENUE. THE OWNER OF THE BAR SAYS HE CAN’T DEVOTE THE TIME TO THE BUSINESS, AND IT WAS JUST TIME TO CLOSE. WE SPOKE WITH A COUPLE WHO WENT ON THEIR FIRST DATE AT HEMINGWAY’S AND HAD THEIR WEDDING REHEARSAL DINNER THERE, TOO, AND WANTED TO SHARE THOSE MEMORIES TOGETHER. ON THE BAR’S LAST DAY. DEFINITELY SAD TO SEE IT GO AND JUST SURPRISED. I MEAN, BECAUSE IT’S SUCH AN OAKLAND STAPLE, AT LEAST FROM OUR COLLEGE GENERATION. SO CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S HAPPENING. STUDENTS ARE NO STRANGERS TO THE WOOD PANELED WALLS, WITH HUNDREDS OF FRAMED PICTURES HANGING FROM THEM. THE BAR WILL OPEN FROM 3 TO 6 P.M. ON MAY 5TH A
Customers raise last glass on final day at Hemingway’s Cafe in Pittsburgh
Updated: 11:27 PM EDT May 3, 2026
After more than 40 years, Hemingway’s Cafe in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood will officially close. Located on Forbes Avenue and intertwined with the University of Pittsburgh’s campus, the popular bar will close nearly three months after its owner announced it would serve customers one last time in May. “Since opening in 1983, Hemingway’s has been more than just a bar — it’s been a home, a meeting place, and an Oakland staple for generations of students, alumni, locals, and friends at the heart of the University of Pittsburgh,” the establishment said in a post earlier this year. “We are incredibly sad to be closing this chapter, but we are deeply grateful for over 40 years of memories, laughter, late nights, friendships, and traditions shared within these walls.”Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 was at Hemingway’s on its last day, Sunday, where one couple shared memories at the popular bar, saying it is sad to see it officially close up operations. “Mike and I went on our first lunch date ever here when we were 19 and 20 years old,” Maria Larson-Edwards said. “It’s such an Oakland staple, at least from our college generation, so I can’t believe it’s happening.” “Our wedding rehearsal dinner was here, and now, we had to come back for the last day,” Mike Larson-Edwards said. “I hope they can put something back that’s just as long-lasting, and could be a memory for the current students and community as well.”He continued, saying, “Definitely sad to see it go.” Recent Pitt graduate Harry Rittenhouse said Hemingway’s is a staple of the community.”It’s really a great spot, so it’s definitely going to leave a void at Pitt and the community as a whole,” Rittenhouse said. On May 5 and 6, Hemingway’s will allow patrons to take photos off the walls to keep as a memento from the popular bar. They will be open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.Owner John Elavsky told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that closing weekend really showed him the impact he’s made over the last 43 years. “I never took Hemingways for granted because it was very good to me. But, you know, the response that we’re getting from employees, ex-employees and customers and old customers. It’s maybe, I realize now what it, what it meant to some people,” he said. Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel
PITTSBURGH —
After more than 40 years, Hemingway’s Cafe in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood will officially close.
Located on Forbes Avenue and intertwined with the University of Pittsburgh’s campus, the popular bar will close nearly three months after its owner announced it would serve customers one last time in May.
“Since opening in 1983, Hemingway’s has been more than just a bar — it’s been a home, a meeting place, and an Oakland staple for generations of students, alumni, locals, and friends at the heart of the University of Pittsburgh,” the establishment said in a post earlier this year. “We are incredibly sad to be closing this chapter, but we are deeply grateful for over 40 years of memories, laughter, late nights, friendships, and traditions shared within these walls.”
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 was at Hemingway’s on its last day, Sunday, where one couple shared memories at the popular bar, saying it is sad to see it officially close up operations.
“Mike and I went on our first lunch date ever here when we were 19 and 20 years old,” Maria Larson-Edwards said. “It’s such an Oakland staple, at least from our college generation, so I can’t believe it’s happening.”
“Our wedding rehearsal dinner was here, and now, we had to come back for the last day,” Mike Larson-Edwards said. “I hope they can put something back that’s just as long-lasting, and could be a memory for the current students and community as well.”
He continued, saying, “Definitely sad to see it go.”
Recent Pitt graduate Harry Rittenhouse said Hemingway’s is a staple of the community.
“It’s really a great spot, so it’s definitely going to leave a void at Pitt and the community as a whole,” Rittenhouse said.
On May 5 and 6, Hemingway’s will allow patrons to take photos off the walls to keep as a memento from the popular bar. They will be open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Owner John Elavsky told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that closing weekend really showed him the impact he’s made over the last 43 years.
“I never took Hemingways for granted because it was very good to me. But, you know, the response that we’re getting from employees, ex-employees and customers and old customers. It’s maybe, I realize now what it, what it meant to some people,” he said.
Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel