Community rallies around Riley's Pour House; rebuilding plans unveiled at event

Longtime Riley’s Pour House customer Peggy Harkins knew no strangers when she’d visit the popular Carnegie establishment.

“We have nothing but happy memories of the Pour House,” said Harkins, of Scott. “Never did we go down there and not have a good time.”

That was evident Aug. 24, as more than 600 people attended a fundraiser to rebuild Riley’s Pour House after it was completely destroyed by a Nov. 14 fire.

The Raise a Glass to Rebuild Riley’s Pour House fundraiser held at the Grand Priory in Pittsburgh’s North Side neighborhood, raised more than $50,000 to contribute to the revival of the East Main Street institution, according to event organizers.

“This is a legacy and a community icon,” said Riley’s Pour House owner Joe Riley. “I did not want to see it go away under my watch. There was never any doubt we’d rebuild.”

Riley, of Scott, said he has gone through different stages of emotions, including shock and grief, since the fire. Over the months, he has learned how much the Pour House means to him and the community.

“It’s something you don’t know until it’s gone,” Riley said. “You take it for granted, in a sense. It’s a passion, and I know my partners all feel the same.

“The big thing I’ve missed about the Pour House is engaging with customers. They’ve become more than customers; they become family.”

Friend and longtime customer John Graf, who is also president and CEO of the Grand Priory, suggested the fundraiser to Riley months ago to bring Riley’s customers together and raise funds to help rebuild the pub. Insurance doesn’t cover everything, Graf said.

“When I saw the fire occur, it was just devastating for them and for the community,” Graf said.

Bands at the Aug. 24 event included Johnny Walsh on bagpipes, Pete Hewlett and The Good Guys, Brad Wagner and Weekend at Blarney’s, Murray-Colman Brothers Irish Step Dancing, Spin Cycle, Irish belly dancers, Life of Riley and The Low Kings. DJ Paulie Walnutz was the emcee.

Graf said the bands donated their time for the event and have played at Riley’s before.

He described Riley’s Pour House as a “very authentic Irish” pub and remembered the friendliness of the staff.

“They know your name, and they know what you like to drink,” Graf said, of Ben Avon. “It really is a magnet for people all over the region to come to Carnegie.”

Riley unveiled drafts and renderings of the new Riley’s Pour House, located at the same East Main Street site in Carnegie. He estimated crews would be breaking ground before winter and construction would be complete next year.

Studio St. Germain of Sewickley is the architect for the project.

“In a lot of ways, it looks similar to the old building but with modern amenities,” Riley said. “We’re planning on building something that fits in nicely with East Main Street.”

Harkins was impressed with the plans.

“The new designs look great. We squeezed in there many of times,” she said.

Graf said the Riley’s Pour House rebuilding committee is still collecting donations and people can donate at RileysRebuild.com. He noted there is a “transparency” section on the website that outlines where donations go.

Riley believes the pub’s future is bright.

“I think we are going to come back and be right up there as one of the top Irish pubs in the region,” Riley said. “I want us to be the place that when your friends and family come in from out of town, you tell them to stop at Riley’s Pour House.”