-1- FEDERAL GALLEY, NORTH SHORE
Federal Galley is one of the most architecturally open and unique concepts in the city of Pittsburgh. We love grabbing a seat by the window and people watching, or taking in the views of whatever mother nature decides to unleash. While visiting, grab a poke bowl from Shaka, snack on delicious fried chicken from Which Came First. If you want a different option, spring for fries that put McDonald’s to shame from Provision PGH, or 53 tacos from Guapo. You can’t go wrong, and you legit can eat around the world here. We haven’t gotten to the bar portion, but they pour over 20 beers, concoct some delicious cocktails, and carry some wines. From 4:30-6:30 PM Monday to Friday you can have all of these drinks for 1/2 price. MIC DROP.
-2- KORNER PUB, MT. LEBANON
Take a second to think of that one place that always makes you feel at home without being at home. Maybe it’s grandma’s house or your best friend’s place. Maybe it’s a ski lodge, cozy-ed up with some coffee, a small fury canine, and a fire blazing in the fireplace. For me, my happy place is Korner Pub. They offer up some rare beers on draft, offer nice comfortable seating, carpet throughout (I still don’t understand how it is so impeccably clean), and felt dartboards and a pool table. This is the coziest most inviting bar in the Pittsburgh area, especially when the temps dip below 45 degrees.
-3- CONDADO TACOS, DOWNTOWN LOCATION
Humbly, I’ll admit I wanted and tried to hate Condado when it opened. I was bitter that my former favorite watering hole Tonic closed (R.I.P. in peace). Now I can SAFELY say that I was being a hater and missed out on some of the greatest margaritas and tacos one can have in PGH during my two-month boycott of the joint. Sorry for my previous hate Condado. It wasn’t you, it was me. Love you.
-4- SAMMY’S FAMOUS CORNED BEEF, downtown
Sammy’s tops the list of places you could walk by 129,034 times but never even think to pop in for a beer. ALL those times you don’t go in you are missing out on three amazing things. One, they have a sneaky great beer selection with a few crafts on draft and cheap, strong drinks. Two, you can eat as much self-serve popcorn as you want. Three, did you notice corned beef in the bar’s name? Well, they serve up incredible sandwiches loaded with meats deli-style. On top of all of these reasons to visit, Sammy’s offers a great view of some of the BEST people watching on Liberty Ave.
-5- LORELEI, East liberty
Lorelei boasts one of, if not the best, foreign beer selection in the city. When you visit, be sure to splurge for some apps. Every time we go, we grab a truly unique Lorelei pretzel, complete with kielbasa-sauerkraut spread and mustard (insert pic). If we are REALLY hungry, we get the Sausage Pretzel Knots with beer cheese.
-6- KINGFLY SPIRITS, strip district
Kingfly makes this list because of their truly incredible ambiance. On the interior, it is one of, if not the most, beautiful spaces to have a drink in Pittsburgh. With plenty of seating options, there are plenty of places to sit and sip on a flight of the house distilled spirits. Cozy up with your SO or a friend at the bar and prepare for some great conversations: there aren’t any TVs here.**THIS ISN’T A BAD THING! ENJOY YOUR PEOPLE W/O TV SOMETIMES!
-7- CARSON ST. DELI, southside
“It’s just a deli with some beers on tap. ” -Not My Friend Anymore
I call bullshit on that! Carson St. Deli doesn’t just have ‘some beers’ on tap, Jack, they offer a shit load of beers on tap, frequently put beers on “cask” and create their infusions… If you consider yourself a beer nerd, you NEED to get into CSD as soon as possible. Back to that whole deli thing… wow. The sandwiches and…. quesadillas they are creating in this little place will blow. your. mind.
-8- SIENNA MERCATO, downtown
Sienna Mercato is the bar that is often suggested for food/drinks/happy hour and you can’t say no. They have three distinct floors for your enjoyment and a retractable roof that allows outdoor seating among the rooftops of Penn Ave.
-9- THE LIBRARY, southside
The Library has the Burgh BnB stamp of approval. They pretty much have a perpetual happy hour, basically giving craft beers away at $4.25 a pint and $5 mules. From 5-7 PM, The Library offers great appetizers.
-10- MOONLITE CAFE, brookline
The Moonlite as it is affectionately called by its loyal patrons is located in an often overlooked neighborhood for great food: Brookline. The Moonlite has cheap as hell domestic drafts until 7 PM every day, cooks up some of the BEST meatballs in the city, and from 8-10 PM every day, you can pop in for special treatment: a $6 menu with such delicacies as meatball hoagies and Italian subs. If you like wings and haven’t tried the Carolina gold, you haven’t lived. So there you have it. Hit up some new bars, or get back into your favorite spot! Do you think we missed the mark? Tell us your favorite haunts in the city! Cheers,
-G