Stay up-to-date on what’s coming, going, and changing in the Northside business community with The Northside Chronicle’s monthly Northside Business Briefs. This month’s briefs feature Max’s Allegheny Tavern, BJ’s Event Center, and Shorty’s Pins x Pints.

By Ashlee Green

Photo: Film crews shoot just outside of Max’s Allegheny Tavern in Historic Deutschtown. By Randy Strothman

New Tom Hanks flick films at Max’s Allegheny Tavern

Tom Hanks is galavanting all around Pittsburgh as he films his new movie, “A Man Called Otto.” 

Hanks has been spotted, over the course of the last few weeks, filming at home improvement store Busy Beaver in Lawrenceville and surprising unsuspecting bridal parties at the Fairmont Pittsburgh Downtown. He’s been in the Northside too, at Max’s Allegheny Tavern in Historic Deutschtown: The establishment was closed March 23-26 for the filming of his new flick.

“A Man Called Otto” is an Americanized version of the 2012 Swedish novel by Fredrik Backman entitled “A Man Called Ove.” According to a neighborhood filming notice, it’s a “thoughtful exploration of how ‘the grumpy old man next door’ develops an unlikely friendship with his boisterous new neighbors.”

The last time Hanks was in town with Hollywood was 2019, when pre-pandemic, he was filming “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” the Fred Rogers biopic.

BJ’s Event Center hosts weekly ‘open stage’ for all ages

Northsiders can now showcase their talents at the weekly, all-ages open stage at BJ’s Event Center in Marshall-Shadeland.

The Woods Run Artists’ Open Stage event takes place every Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at BJ’s, located at 1439 Woods Run Ave. Hosted by Bill Henry of The Bill Henry Band, all ages and styles are welcome to participate and doors open at 6 p.m. Just show up to get on the list: Sign up starts at 6:30 p.m. 

For more information, see the BJ’s Event Center Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/BJseventcenter/.

Shorty’s Pins x Pints now open on the North Shore

Smartphones are optional at the new Shorty’s Pins x Pints on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. It’s, as they say on their website, “retro-tainment at its finest.”

In the interactive game room and bar, guests can take a step back in time, pre-internet, to the days of board games and real-life conversation.

In addition to board games, there’s corn hole, bocce ball, pinball, video games, duckpin bowling, shuffleboard, and outdoor fire pits; not to mention a variety of taco delicacies, cocktails, wine, craft beer, and nonalcoholic beverages.

Shorty’s is located at 353 North Shore Dr.