Let's Talk About Fate Baby- Hollywood Gardens, Rochester, PA

Below is the post I wrote after the Olga Watkins Band's very first show at Hollywood Gardens just over 2 years ago. I was clearly enamored of the place immediately. I think the feeling was mutual to some degree (or some of the time, anyway) because I now make the 45 minute one-way commute to Rochester, PA three times a week to cook and/or tend bar and/or annoy people at Hollywood Gardens.
My regular employment there is a somewhat recent development. But the band has played several shows at HG since March, 2010 and we've loved and enjoyed it very much. The boys (men, whatever) in the band decided independently of me that this is the ideal venue for the live CD recording of "Truth and Trouble" and here we are one week away from what promises to be an amazing night for all involved. This band and this bar have each made such remarkable progress in the last 2 years; some of it obvious to the casual observer and some of it not so obvious.
Either way, I'm proud to be a member of both teams. My band and the whole staff at HG have all of my gratitude, love and respect for helping me make this CD recording possible and for making Hollywood Gardens a place that I am honored to represent. Whew! That's enough of that gooey bullshit. Suffice it to say that I am really looking forward to next weekend. And if you can't be there, I'll be posting an update after the event. I'm sure it will be just as glowing a review as was the first.

Check it out: Posting from March 21, 2010 "Hollywood Gardens, Rochester, PA"
Rochester, Pennsylvania may not be the first place you think of while making your weekend plans, but if you live in or around that part of Beaver County, perhaps it should be. Well hidden at 169 Pinney St. in "beautiful" downtown Rochester, (I think it was downtown) sits a little gem of place where my band was lucky enough to perform last night.

Hollywood Gardens Bar is a family owned establishment for more than fifty years, passed from father to son and recently renovated. The space is contemporary but casual and welcoming and offers an impressive selection of twelve craft beers on tap as well as hundreds of bottled micro and craft brews in their beer library, the latter available for take out in the form of mix and match six packs. (yum) The menu is simple and ideal for the setting and includes a gorgeous fruit and cheese platter, fried ravioli, pot stickers and a hand full of other appetizing drinking partners.

Frank, the owner and quite the dancing machine, who has neither his first nor last name listed on any piece of marketing material or advertising, is modest, laid back, friendly, knowledgeable about his product and exactly the kind of guy with whom you will want to share a quality beer. A music lover, Frank included a bandstand in his initial renovation which he is planning to expand and is working on building a deck for outdoor seating that is due for completion sometime around Memorial Day.

In addition to my band, Hollywood Gardens has hosted Harold Betters, the Blues Society of Western PA's Blues Night Out, and has dates booked for local favorites including Dave Iglar, Slim Forsyhte, the Mystic Knights and the Jay Wiley Band, among others. We are also planning to return for another show in the not too distant future. If you're looking for a relaxed, pub style, neighborhood spot( in a most unexpected neighborhood) with friendly service, great food and excellent music, Hollywood Gardens is patiently waiting for you.

Below are the hours and address. Here's a tip for the other dummies out there like me who rely too heavily on Google directions. If you're headed north on route 65, the second exit for 18S is 18S/68E to Rochester. At the bottom of the ramp go straight to the next intersection where you'll see a giant American Flag on your right. Take a sharp right there and Hollywood Gardens will be immediately on your right. Plenty of parking is available. If you're coming from any other direction, you're on your own.

169 Pinney St Rochester, PA 15074 724.728.2227

Bar: Mon - Sat - 4pm - 2am Kitchen: Mon-Thur - 5pm-Midnight Fri & Sat - 5pm-1am