Stage AE

If you’re looking for a super-swanky nightclub, a place to chill before the Steelers game, or the only place in Pittsburgh to catch live music either indoors or outdoors, then Stage AE is the place for you. 

Located adjacent to Heinz Field in the North Shore in downtown Pittsburgh, Stage AE opened in December 2010. It is named after American Eagle Outfitters, a clothing brand based in Pittsburgh. It is owned in part by the Pittsburgh Steelers and in part by Continental Real Estate Cos. It contains an indoor concert hall, an outdoor concert amphitheater, and a nightclub. The indoor hall can hold up to 2,400 people, the outdoor hall up to 5,500 people, and the nightclub up to 500 people. It also contains a bar and concessions stands to get refreshments during events. 

Since its opening, Stage AE has become one of Pittsburgh’s premier concert venues. Various indoor and outdoor concerts have been held here, featuring some of the biggest names in music as well as up-and-coming artists and local bands/artists. The first artist to perform at Stage AE was Girl Talk, a DJ originally from Pittsburgh. Another one of the first artists to perform here was Wiz Khalifa, a rapper from Pittsburgh. A video of his performance can be seen below. Stage AE also hosts various multi-artist concerts, such as the 96.1 Halloween Party. Held the week of Halloween, this annual concert features several of the biggest names in music. While the 2017 Halloween Party will host four different artists, it will be headlined by Pittsburgh native Daya. For an even more intimate concert experience as well as a bit more of a party than you’ll find at other concerts, check out a concert at Stage AE’s nightclub, The Club at Stage AE. A reviewer on Yelp said that the outdoor section doesn’t have a single “bad spot”, and that she saw one of the best concerts she’d seen in a while in the indoor section. It doesn’t matter whether you’re more outdoorsy or more indoorsy, you’ll enjoy a concert at Stage AE either way. 

Stage AE is also a great place to stop by before a Steelers game. Now, for those of you who have read my post on Heinz Field, think of this next bit of info as sort of an add-on to that. If you get to Heinz Field early on game day, don’t worry. You can check out the trophies in the Great Hall  Or, you can walk over to the neighboring Stage AE to get pumped up for the game. I’ve done this before with my family, and it’s a great way to pass the time. Starting a few hours before the game, the outdoor amphitheater area has several local bands playing. This is also a great place to do some pre-game tailgating. The indoor venue has open concessions stands, so that you can grab a bite to eat before the game. There are also tables set up all over the indoor venue, as well as a large screen set up on the stage to watch the pre-game coverage. It’s probably best to get to Heinz Field early on game day because of parking, traffic, and whatnot, which is why you should definitely stop by Stage AE before the game. 

It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to hear music in a club setting, an intimate indoor setting, or an outdoor setting. It also doesn’t matter if you get to a Steelers game early. Because in both of these situations, Stage AE is waiting for you.