There will be no more excuses. And that was sad news to hear for the people who patronize this popular South Side bar. Excuses Bar & Grille will turn out the lights one final time for last call on July 17. After 34 years along Carson Street on Pittsburgh’s South Side the well-known gathering place is going quiet—no more music or open mic nights. Owners George and Paul Pantelas said Wednesday a health issue within the family is taking precedence. "Owning a restaurant takes a lot of work,” said Paul Pantelas, 68. "If we didn’t have to close, we wouldn’t be closing, but we have to.” The bar which debuted in April 1988 is open seven days a week and is famous for its musical acts. It has a full-service kitchen and a bar such as Cheers where pretty much everyone knows your name. In the early days it was one of the few restaurants in that area of the South Side not far from the SouthSide Works. There was still a steel mill a few steps away and lots of undeveloped property. The name came from the word Excuses that was painted on the door when the family purchased the bar. A red neon sign of Excuses is lit in the front window. The building is easily spotted by the neon orange and bright green paint on the exterior. They added a kitchen early on. George Pantelas was the first cook. He previously was a sous chef at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association in Oakland. "It’s going to be hard saying good-bye to everyone,” said George Pentelas, 62. "This has been such a big part of our lives.” The brothers began offering open mic nights where musicians can come and sing a song and have a drink and just hang out. As a farewell, some bands are coming back for one final show. An open mic night will be on July 14 when Blues Attack, Don Hollowood and Lenny Smith will perform like they did in the early days of their band Hellhounds. On July 15, a "Farewell to Excuses” show will feature The Cheats, The Legendary Hucklebucks, The Molecule Party, and Neostem. Pittsburgh’s Billy Price, Norm Nardini and Joe Grushecky have played at Excuses. The Aris Paul Band is a regular. ”A lot of these guys got their start here,” Paul Pantelas said. The brothers, who are open to selling the business and have had some interest, posted on Facebook about the closing on Sunday. "We are deeply saddened but so, so grateful for the lifetime of memories we will always treasure…all of the friends, family, musicians, sports icons, and celebrities that walked through these doors in support of our little bar,” the post read. "It said the stories and performances of all the people who patronized and performed in the venue "are forever etched in our minds.” The comments came rolling in. As of Wednesday evening there were more than 240 comments and 320 shares. • A guide to the South Side • From 2021: Pittsburgh's Aris Paul Band wins national honor for best rock act Paul Pantelas said they tried to be a place for music, food, drinks and a welcoming atmosphere to watch sports sports. "Excuses is a big part of the neighborhood,” said Andrew Kolesar,who lives on the South Side. "When I moved here I walked by and thought, ‘this looks like a cool place.’ I love dive bars.” Kolesar who moved to Pittsburgh in August 2018 from Washington D.C. to attend the University of Pittsburgh. He stops in often. "It is pretty sad,” he said. "It’s been here a long time. I have met some really cool people. The music is great and the food is really good.” Especially the wings, he said. The wings are a favorite of former Pittsburgh Penguins long-time broadcaster Mike Lange. His image is displayed there — "Lange’s Gang.” He said he stopped in often to listen to blues music. "It is a special place to me,” said Lange. "It has a great tradition of live music. The people who work there became friends. The ownership is dynamic.” Lange, who continues to provide commentary and handle voiceover work on the team’s radio network, said Excuses was one of the first places to simulcast his radio coverage and sync it with the television for Penguins games. "I would not trade my time spent there for anything,” Lange said. "It’s authentic Pittsburgh, and that’s what makes it special. "I blend in when I go there. I can just enjoy myself and talk to people. Places like Excuses embody the city of Pittsburgh.” The brothers from Ross told their staff about the decision to close on Saturday. Bartender Amber Jakubowski hasn’t yet worked there a year, but has always treated her like family, she said. Over the 34 years, employees have joined together to raise money for the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. "We were pioneers in hosting live music,” said Paul Pantelas. "We’ve been here doing what we do quietly for years.” Now it will be even quieter. JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact JoAnne at 724-853-5062, jharrop@triblive.com or via Twitter . and help us continue covering the stories that matter to you and your community.