On a recent Friday night, my son drove home from college to collect some things for his apartment that didn’t fit in the original two loads, and of course talk turned to where we would go for dinner. In our house (perhaps like yours?) that conversation turns into “I don’t know what I want. Whatever you want,” until another person suggests something, which immediately triggers “No, I don’t want to go there. Anywhere but there.” Except this particular night. The weather was beautiful and it was the evening of a home football game at the high school.

“Easy. Saloon,” my husband said. As 5 p.m. came, I left work and came back to Uptown with them. The three of us took up seats in the window of the Saloon and for the next few hours, we talked off the stress of the week, gazing out into the street as we noshed on sweet potato fries to start the weekend. We greeted at least a half-dozen friends as they walked along Washington Road to pick up takeout and ran into several more inside the bar. Some patrons were dressed in Lebo gear and obviously on their way to the football game. Others were gussied up with a bit of glamour and headed up to the rooftop deck for the great sunset view. The thing is, at the Saloon, it doesn’t matter. Everyone can be themselves.

The Saloon of Mt. Lebanon has been a fixture on Washington Road for 47 years, and most Mt. Lebanon High School alums have stories of returning there after leaving for college. Over that history, you may have been just as likely to run into a Pittsburgh Penguin or Mark Cuban as you were to see your neighbors or classmates at the family-owned nightspot. Read Bob Batz Jr.’s story of the Saloon’s place as the bar that predated Cheers.

Speaking of history, nothing speaks louder about Mt. Lebanon’s founders than the stories you’ll find at Mt. Lebanon’s St. Clair Cemetery. Abigail Schade Gary’s story will likely inspire you to take a look back at some of our founding families who have found eternal rest there. Let her make some introductions for you.

October is going to be a fun month, from the Mt. Lebanon Artists’ Market, a still bustling Uptown Market to the Pumpkin Patch Parade (October 28) and Trick or Treat (always on Halloween). There’s so much to do and see this month and I hope to see you out there. Meet at the Saloon afterward?