University of Pittsburgh buys former Hemingway’s Cafe
Pitt purchases property on Forbes Avenue in Oakland
FELICITY. DECADES OF MEMORIES FOR PLENTY OF PEOPLE. AT CHANDI. IT’S BEEN A CONSTANT STREAM OF PATRONS IN AND OUT OF HERE ALL DAY. SOME HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE FOR HOURS, THOUGH, JUST HOPING TO MAKE THAT LAST DRINK LAST A LITTLE LONGER. BUT WHAT WE’VE HEARD HERE TONIGHT IS VERY SIMPLE. MEANS A LOT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. LAST GUMMY WORM OUT OF THE PITCHERS IS CERTAINLY GOING TO BE ONE LAST MEMORY. AFTER OVER 40 YEARS OF SERVING UP THOSE PITCHERS IN OAKLAND, STAPLE CELEBRATES ITS VERY LAST NIGHT. I WOULD RATHER DID NOTHING ELSE IN MY LIFE. IN JANUARY, OWNER JOHN LAFSKY ANNOUNCED HE WOULD SHUT DOWN HEMINGWAY’S, SAYING IT WAS TIME TO TAKE A STEP BACK. SUNDAY NIGHT WAS LIKE NOTHING HE COULD HAVE IMAGINED. I NEVER TOOK HEMINGWAY’S FOR GRANTED BECAUSE IT WAS VERY GOOD TO ME. BUT YOU KNOW, THE RESPONSE THAT WE’RE GETTING FROM EMPLOYEES OR EX-EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS AND OLD CUSTOMERS, IT’S MAYBE I REALIZE NOW WHAT. WHAT IT MEANT TO SOME PEOPLE. PATRONS, YOUNG AND OLD, PACKED THE WATERING HOLE FOR ONE LAST DRINK. SOME HAVE BEEN COMING FOR YEARS WHEN, ON OUR FIRST LUNCH DATE EVER HERE WHEN WE WERE. I WAS 19, HE WAS 20. SO THEN THAT TURNED INTO OUR. OUR WEDDING REHEARSAL DINNER WAS HERE AND HAD TO COME BACK FOR THE LAST DAY. OTHERS NOT LONG AT ALL. I ONLY TURNED 21 JUST RECENTLY LAST SEPTEMBER. SO NOT TOO LONG, BUT ALL MY MEMORIES HAVE BEEN, I MEAN, JUST GREAT HERE. YEAH. I MEAN, IT’S IT’S A GREAT SPOT. GREAT VIBES, GREAT FOOD, GREAT BEER SELECTION. THOSE TWO AND MANY OTHER PITT GRADUATES CAME BY RIGHT AFTER GETTING THEIR DIPLOMAS. THE END OF AN ERA FOR THOSE STUDENTS AS THEY HEAD OFF TO A NEW BEGINNING. AND FOR HIM SAYS IT GOES OUT IN STYLE. WE’RE TOLD NOW THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO CLOSE AT 1:00. NOW THEY’RE PLANNING TO CLOSE AT 12. THE OWNER DID TELL US HE WAS HOPING TO SELL OUT TONIGHT, BUT IF HE DID NOT MAKE IT TONIGHT, OR IF YOU JUST WANT TO GET A PIECE OF THE MEMORIES WITH YOU, THE BAR WILL BE OPEN ON MAY 5TH AND SIXTH FROM 3 P.M. TO 6 P.M. FOR PEOPLE TO COME TAKE PICTURES OFF OF THE WALLS. THERE’S SO MANY HERE, AND THEY’RE ALSO GOING TO BE DOING AN ONLINE AUCTION WHERE YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO TAKE SOME OF THE FURNITURE OR THE DECORATIONS COVERING
University of Pittsburgh buys former Hemingway’s Cafe
Pitt purchases property on Forbes Avenue in Oakland
Updated: 4:09 PM EDT Jun 17, 2026
What was an Oakland institution has been bought by the University of Pittsburgh.Pitt officials confirmed the purchase of the former Hemingway’s Cafe on Forbes Avenue.VIDEO ABOVE: Customers raise last glass on final day at Hem’s”Generations of Pitt students celebrated milestones there, forged lifelong friendships, and made it their first stop back on campus when visiting,” Pitt spokesperson Jared Stonesifer said in a statement. “The university appreciates this rich history and recognizes that Hemingway’s will always have a place in the hearts and memories of countless Pitt students.”Hemingway’s closed in May after more than 40 years in operation. The owner that he wanted to spend more time with his family and felt it was the right time to step away.Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube ChannelPitt has not publicly shared any plans for the former longtime bar and restaurant.”The university is committed to growing in ways that are thoughtful and strategic, and we’re always looking for opportunities near campus that support our long-term mission and give us flexibility to meet future academic and community needs,” Stonesifer said. “While we cannot speak to specific plans for the space at this time, this purchase reflects that ongoing commitment.”Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
What was an Oakland institution has been bought by the University of Pittsburgh.
Pitt officials confirmed the purchase of the former Hemingway’s Cafe on Forbes Avenue.
VIDEO ABOVE: Customers raise last glass on final day at Hem’s
“Generations of Pitt students celebrated milestones there, forged lifelong friendships, and made it their first stop back on campus when visiting,” Pitt spokesperson Jared Stonesifer said in a statement. “The university appreciates this rich history and recognizes that Hemingway’s will always have a place in the hearts and memories of countless Pitt students.”
Hemingway’s closed in May after more than 40 years in operation. The owner that he wanted to spend more time with his family and felt it was the right time to step away.
Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel
Pitt has not publicly shared any plans for the former longtime bar and restaurant.
“The university is committed to growing in ways that are thoughtful and strategic, and we’re always looking for opportunities near campus that support our long-term mission and give us flexibility to meet future academic and community needs,” Stonesifer said. “While we cannot speak to specific plans for the space at this time, this purchase reflects that ongoing commitment.”
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.