The 1975 Play First of Two Shows at Stage AE; Large Selection of Local Beers at Independent Brewing Co. (Mon., 10/31/16)

1) They are called The 1975, although the quartet’s music harks back more to a 1983 sound with a little contemporary pop thrown in for good measure. Blame the anachronism on vocalist and rhythm guitarist Matthew Healy, who found a book of Beat poetry with the date “1 June, The 1975” scribbled on the back page. Beginning with their breakout single “Chocolate,” this English group has had listeners from multiple generations bobbing their heads and moving their feet. This year, the band’s sophomore album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It, hit No. 1 on the UK chart and the US Billboard 200, a feat nearly unheard of these days for a rock band. The 1975 proved so popular in Pittsburgh that when their October 31 show sold out at Stage AE, they quickly added another one for November 1 … which now is also sold out. No costume requirement for the former, but it probably wouldn’t hurt. 070SHAKE opens. Doors at 6:30 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (CM)

2) Squirrel Hill’s Independent Brewing Company surveys Western Pennsylvania’s craft breweries and serves these breweries’ best libations in one tavern. Beverages from as far as Braddock’s Brew Gentlemen Beer Company and as close as Larrimer’s East End Brewing Company, plus plenty in between, are represented on the draft list. Much of the food is from local farms, and the spirits and cocktails are local, too, like Wigle Whiskey’s popular Monongahela style rye. The tavern’s regional emphasis harks back to the original Independent Brewing Company, a group of pre-Prohibition Pittsburgh brewers who helped to support one another. The new IBC has adopted that same goal as well as the old IBC’s logo. The tavern has daily specials, including “Day Drinking Appreciation Hours,” where they open two hours earlier and cut $2 off of all beers. Sundays, the kitchen is closed, but it’s BYOF, so order to-go from one of Squirrel Hill’s many other fine eateries and stop by for a drink. Monday through Wednesday, 5 – 11 p.m. Thursday 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. Friday through Saturday, 3 p.m. – 12 a.m. Sunday 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Note: kitchen closes two hours before the rest of the tavern. Kitchen is closed all of Sunday. (CM)

3) Perhaps you’ve seen the line for seating stretched out the door. Nak Won Garden, located next to Giant Eagle’s Market District, is the hottest Korean restaurant in the city right now. It’s also a family affair. Chung-Chu Yi and his sister and her daughter all help to run the establishment. They promise more traditional dishes, but, no worries, they have plenty of kimchi and that Korean BBQ Americans love. Pittsburghers, meanwhile, love Nak Won Garden. As for vegetarians, the menu asks to simply “Lettuce know before ordering.” Gotta love a restaurant with a sense of humor. 5504 Centre Ave., Shadyside. (CM)

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