A fixture of student life near the University of Pittsburgh for more than four decades is calling last call. Hemingway’s Cafe, the popular Forbes Avenue bar that has served generations of Pitt students since 1983, will permanently close its doors on May 3.
Owner John Elavsky, who took over the establishment in the early 1990s, announced the closure with no plans to sell the business. The decision comes as Elavsky has increasingly focused on caring for his elderly mother, drawing his attention away from day-to-day bar operations.
For countless University of Pittsburgh students and alumni, Hemingway’s Cafe represented more than just a neighborhood bar. The establishment became synonymous with campus tradition, frequently serving as the destination of choice for 21st birthday celebrations and post-exam gatherings. The venue’s closure has prompted an outpouring of nostalgia on social media, where former students have shared fond memories of their time at the Oakland institution.
The loss of Hemingway’s marks another significant change for the Forbes Avenue corridor in Oakland. The Original Hot Dog Shop aka “The “O'”, located around the corner, shuttered in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fuel and Fuddle, another student favorite, also closed its doors. The successive closures represent a reinvention of a block that holds varied significance for alumni—cherished memories for some, regrettable nights for others. At least for now, students still have Gene’s Place.
As May 3 approaches, current students and nostalgic alumni alike will have one final opportunity to raise a glass at the bar that helped define the Oakland experience for generations.