Riley’s Pour House breaks ground nearly two years after devastating fire
CARNEGIE, Pa. —
Riley’s Pour House in Carnegie has officially begun rebuilding nearly two years after a fire destroyed the beloved pub in November 2024.
Earlier this year, the owners shared that their initial design for the rebuild was over budget.
That led the owners to create a new plan.
Co-owner Joe Riley said the new pub will retain a familiar look but will feature an open floor plan, more natural light, and improved acoustics to enhance the live music experience.
Riley said Allegheny Construction Group is pushing for a March 2027 opening.
“When you’re from Carnegie, when you’re from Pittsburgh, and you get knocked down, you dust yourself up and get back in the game,” Riley said. “We are coming back better than before. We’re going to work our tails off to earn our customers’ loyalty back.”
The start of construction was celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday.
“I am so happy,” said Marlea Gallagher, one of the many supporters who attended the celebration. “I ran down to the fire, so I was definitely coming to the opening.”
Gallagher had a special connection to the pub.
“My husband Michael Gallagher, who has passed, used to play here, like weekly, and this is so much of my life,” Gallagher told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 Reporter Jordan Cioppa.
According to Riley, fire officials determined that the 2024 fire started in a fryer in the kitchen.
VIDEO OF THE FIRE BELOW:
Riley said that the new building will include a sprinkler system, which the previous structure did not have.