Filed Under Music

Hurricane Lounge

Influential Incubator for Pittsburgh Jazz

In the 1950s and '60s, the Hurricane served as an upscale jazz lounge that nurtured young musicians, a vision of its dynamic co-owner "Birdie" Dunlap.

Opening its doors in 1953, the Hurricane Bar and Lounge served as one of the numerous hubs for jazz music and night life in the Hill District. The Hurricane Bar set itself apart from other nightclubs nearby by its tropical décor, excellent cuisine, and diverse clientele. Sitting on 1603 Centre Avenue, it was frequently dubbed the “Happy House of the Hill District”. With an ample seating capacity of 120, the Hurricane attracted guests eager to hear the evening’s jazz ensemble; a stage tucked away in the back provided a platform to dance and listen to aspiring jazz artists. Performers at the Hurricane entailed a variety of jazz stars for the time; Gene Walker, with his “wailing sax and combo” were a favorite at the Hurricane.

The Hurricane was run by husband-and-wife Shine and “Birdie” Dunlap. Birdie was no stranger to running a nightclub on Centre Avenue; in fact, she had run “Birdie’s Crib” prior to opening the Hurricane. Miss Dunlap “spared no expense” in the designing of the Hurricane, wanting the lounge to serve as a “real show piece” of Hill District culture and life. The elegant décor, which had a tropical flair, was described as both “swanky” and “cozy” by patrons. Aspiring musicians frequently found themselves performing at the Hurricane to a diverse clientele that consisted of both black and white audience members. These musicians would later go on to become high salaried performing artists such as Jimmy Smith, who Birdie Dunlap personally knew and assisted in the purchase of his first musical instrument. Other big hopeful musicians who made their debut at the Hurricane were names such as Kenny Burrell, George Benson, and Wes Montgomery. The Hurricane attracted bands such as The Lun-A-Tones, a five-piece outfit that was touted as “[making] a bigger sound than most larger groups.” Robert Banks Organ trio from New Jersey would frequently open at the Hurricane, attracting headlines and crowds. The Hurricane’s food was as equally acclaimed as the music. Dinner specials at the Hurricane varied, but customer favorites included fried chicken, jumbo shrimps, and juicy steaks as well as a variety of “tempting” sides.

"The Hurricane Club was one of my favorite stops, because Birdie always kept things jumping. There was no such thing as being overcrowded. If you had money, you got a seat." -Ralph Proctor, from Song of the Hill
Jazz clubs in Pittsburgh’s Hill District stood as more than just a place for people to congregate and enjoy libations, they were focal points of the area where social gatherings and nightlife thrived. Jazz music in the Hill District carried a long-standing history of cultural significance, just as night clubs provided a space for black female performers to carve out a stage to broadcast their entertainment. The Hurricane was no different; embracing a “live and let live” attitude which permeated the Hill District during the 1950s.  The Hurricane’s contribution to jazz culture in the Hill District provided a space for entertainment and comradery that was unmatched. With its ritzy atmosphere, it’s no surprise the Hurricane was one of the most in-demand bars on Centre Avenue; it was just down the street from other jazz clubs such as the Crawford Grill. During the height of jazz culture in the Hill District, local musician Al Dowe remembers that “everybody from New York either came to the Hurricane or the Crawford Grill”.

The Hurricane’s blissful existence would be unfortunately short-lived. Like other bars in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, it fell victim to the changes in the surrounding area. Urban redevelopment demolished much of the Lower Hill, displaced thousands of residents, and dramatically altered the community and its business environment. In 1970, the Hurricane suffered a fire that shut its doors for good.

Despite the Hurricane’s demise, its influence was recognized on several occasions. In 1973 the Crawford Grill celebrated "Birdie Dunlap Night" to show appreciation for all Birdie had done to encourage and develop the city's young musicians. In 2007, the Hill House Association announced a monthly event that paid tribute to the jazz and culture of Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District. The jazz redux, titled “Live at the Hurricane” sought to recreate the “funky” atmosphere of the Hurricane lounge, showing that the legacy of the Hill's "Happy House" was not forgotten.

Images

Hurricane Lounge exterior Photo of the Hurricane Lounge exterior, as featured in a retrospective news story. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 4, 1980, 19. Creator: Paul Slantis Date: c. 1960
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Location

1603 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Metadata

Amanda Ryczek, “Hurricane Lounge,” Hill District Digital History, accessed November 10, 2024, https://hillhistory.org/items/show/4.