Howlers closes in Bloomfield, date for East Liberty move undetermined

Howlers, an iconic location for live music in Pittsburgh, will not be taking a final bow in Bloomfield after all.

Last February, Howlers announced it was moving from its Liberty Avenue location but that it would remain open until the end of August.

But in a message to patrons on Howlers Facebook page, owner Susan Coe announced that the covid-19 crisis has forced an early closure of the Bloomfield venue.

“With the current challenges we are facing as a result of covid-19 closures, the difficult decision has been made to close Howlers permanently,” Coe wrote. “Plans for a final summer of fun here in Bloomfield just cannot happen.

“We had some grand plan for final shows in Bloomfield, and it saddens me to have to cancel them. The health and safety of everyone is of the utmost importance.”

Coe said she particularly lamented having to cancel the “Rockabilly Riot” scheduled for July 25.

“The ‘Rockabilly Riot’ is an extremely popular event for us,” Coe said.

Coe announced last February that Howlers, a mainstay of the Pittsburgh music scene, was ending its 19-year run in Bloomfield and moving to a new location in East Liberty in September.

Coe said plans are still in place for Howlers to open in East Liberty at a future date but couldn’t say exactly when. She said a lease has been secured for the spot of Howlers’ new home, but she is not ready to disclose the specific location just yet.

Coe said she will be catering to a different client base, but is hoping Howlers will remain a destination spot for everything from punk and metal music to Americana.

“We have extreme gratitude for 20 years of music, merriment and memories that will be held close our hearts forever,” Coe said on Facebook.

“To all of you that have come to a show, played a show or hung out and had some laughs, we will miss you and hope to see your faces at our new location.”