Bloomfield, Lawrenceville and Garfield are three ethnically and culturally diverse… Bloomfield, Lawrenceville and Garfield are three ethnically and culturally diverse neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. They border one another and lie just north of Shadyside and North Oakland. Though they remain rather unsung, all three neighborhoods maintain distinct personalities that have drawn generations of curious students.

Bloomfield

When driving north across the Bloomfield Bridge, there’s a sign proclaiming this section of the city as “Pittsburgh’s Little Italy.” Lining the neighborhood’s main street, Liberty Avenue, are outstanding Italian restaurants that uphold the neighborhood’s ethnic character.

When you want to skip afternoon classes and grab a bite, remember that Del’s Bar and Ristorante DelPizzo has a must-try lunch buffet. They serve great Italian sausage and pasta dishes, too, but the buffet is delectable.

Tessaro’s, another reputable Bloomfield eatery (and there are many), stands about five blocks away from Del’s. Stop in to try the Roethlis-burger or a fresh-cut steak. AOL City Guide voted this restaurant one of the top 15 burger joints in the country last year.

But these two establishments are only a sample of the slew of restaurants, bars and shops along Liberty Avenue. Behind the bustling main street, sections of row houses sit in either direction and create a comfortable, close-knit community feel. Affordable housing also makes Bloomfield a contender for students on a cheap budget.

Lawrenceville

About three minutes from Bloomfield sits Lawrenceville, a part of town claimed by artists, musicians and hipsters. It emits the same small-town vibe as Bloomfield but with a younger, fresher voice.

Lawrenceville makes up part of Pittsburgh’s 16:62 Design Zone. The city government has designated the Zone, which constitutes the section between 16th Street in the Strip District and 62nd Street in Lawrenceville, as a favorable location for art galleries, studios and professional design firms. Lawrenceville’s bohemian reputation adds a unique touch to Pittsburgh’s blue-collar legacy.

The neighborhood also offers a handful of bars geared toward younger patrons. Belvedere’s on Butler Street hosts a popular ’80s night. And for those of you interested in the hard-music scene, the Lawrenceville Moose at the corner of 51st and Butler hosts many national and local acts on a weekly basis.

Farther down Butler is Arsenal Lanes, a bowling alley that has trademark specials every night of the week. Tuesday is college night, for instance, and you can bowl for 50 cents while drinking 50-cent drafts, assuming you’re of age, of course.

Lawrenceville offers affordable living as well, and the neighborhood’s fresh atmosphere is encouraging for those college students looking to get away from Oakland.

Garfield

Garfield hugs Lawrenceville’s southeastern border. The art galleries populating Lawrenceville trickle onto Garfield’s main street, Penn Avenue, and represent the former’s same youthful vigor.

Garfield Artworks exhibits the work of local artists and is also one of the last venues in the city still hosting completely independent musicians. Their calendar is booked well in advance, so if you’re looking to absorb some indie rock tunes, check out their website, www.garfieldartworks.com.

Quiet Storm Coffee is a locally owned and operated coffee house. They serve an eclectic vegan menu, a solution for students tired of Eddie’s and The O.

The neighborhood resembles Lawrenceville for its close-quartered housing, and 20-somethings roam the streets all day.

In sum, these three neighborhoods offer alternative entertainment for students searching to branch out from Oakland’s redundancy and discover a culturally dense and youthful environment.