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A COVID Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is one of our favorite days of the year. We usually spend the day popping in and out of local bars and restaurants and making pit stops at the local shops along the way. This year is different, and while we won’t be able to grab a seat at the bar, we’re still finding ways to support local! Whether you’re out in the burbs or city living, there is always someone or something local to support.

Take a look at our recommendations below, and be sure to drop your favorite local spot in the comments!

Beer

It’s no surprise that we like beer. Have you seen our freakin’ map?! Speaking of that piece of art, check it out to find the locally owned brewery closest to you. Grab a 4-pack, a crowler, or go big with a growler! You can even find options to order online and get contactless pick-up for an easy and safe experience!  Need a suggestion? Here are some of our faves (this is NOT an exhaustive list):

Black-Owned Businesses

There have been so many recent articles about some of the best Black-owned businesses in Pittsburgh. Since we couldn’t focus on all of them, we are dropping some articles that do! Check them out:

Clothing

    • Posh Local: a unique clothing boutique located in Brookline that now sells men’s clothes, too (Posh Proper). One of the coolest parts of this stop is that they offer same-day delivery! You can’t beat it!
    • No. 14: A Larry-ville favorite! Find your next favorite outfit there, perhaps a killer look for your Covid-friendly New Years’?
    • Figleaf Boutique: Located in South Side, the online shop is always open! Stay on-trend and check out what they have to offer!
    • Boutique La Passerelle: The window displays at this shop make it hard to walk by without popping in! Unique pieces for every style!
    • Vestis:  A high-quality menswear boutique in Lawrenceville. Splurge on your SO this holiday season and find them something special!
    • Mello & Sons: Another Lawrenceville stop for the favorite with free shipping on all domestic orders! What are you waiting for?!
    • Knotzland Bowtie Co.: Sure, we’re spending more time at home in our sweats, but you can’t tell me that you haven’t wanted to get dressed up for a homemade cocktail! Find your next accessory (or mask) at Knotzland!

Crafts and Gifts 

    • Wildcard: Probably a bit of an obvious choice, this Lawrenceville hot-spot is a Pittsburgh favorite. From adorable and funny cards to the perfect shirt, you can find a gift for anyone! They offer curbside pickup Wednesday – Sunday!
    • Gather: Located in Sewickley, this boutique focuses on local artisans, handmade items, emerging new brands, and unique finds. Pop into the many other shops on Beaver Street!
    • Hot Haute Hot: An ever-changing showroom has whatever home-decor piece you’re looking for. They work with their customers to find and create exactly what they’re looking for. They also recently set up an online shop, too! Don’t wait – check them out before this week’s showroom is sold!

Food

Pittsburgh is a foodie haven with its delicious locally-owned spots. You can support local bars and restaurants with take-out for breakfast lunch and dinner! While we could write a Harry Potter-length book (like Order of the Phoenix long) about everything Pittsburgh has to offer, check out some of our favorites!

Breakfast/Brunch

(I have to admit, we’re not big brunchers, so please drop your faves below!

    • Lola’s Eatery: Maybe, if not definitely, some of the best brunch in Pittsburgh! We’re a little biased, but we stand by what we said! Whether you grab a homemade donut or an egg sammie (on a homemade bagel), you will not be disappointed! Check out their Instagram for some kick-ass cakes, too!
    • Spoonwood Brewing Co.: Yes, it’s a brewery, but their Sunday brunch is talked about all week long. Check it out and extend Small Business Saturday with take-out on Sunday!
    • The Vandal: Brunching here on the weekends is made for Instagram! Plus, once you take the pic, the food tastes just as good as it looks! Offered Saturday and Sunday, this brunch is a must-have.

  • Lunch, Dinner, and any time in between

    • Walter’s Southern Kitchen: A great spot with great good! Have you tried the cornbread? It’s SO good. While we can’t gather and play games with strangers right now, we are gearing up for when we can!
    • The Yard: We LOVE sandwiches, and this place is the go-to place for unique, DELICIOUS grilled cheese sammies. Get some to-go and have leftovers for days (or hours). There are a few locations throughout the city, so find the most convenient one for you!
    • Federal Galley: Four stops in one! Grab an app from each restaurant to cover all of your bases!
    • DiAnoia’s Eatery: While the experience of eating at DiAnoia’s can’t be beaten, their food is just as good for takeout! Also, check our Pan e Pronto and Pizza Davide. A gift card to one is good for all three! What a great holiday gift!
    • Point Brugge: One of our friends describes this as their go-to spot when they want really good food with an upscale experience. Check it out this weekend (or anytime, really) when you want to feel wined and dined.
    • Gaucho Parrilla: This place got more space and they’re ready for ALL of your take-out needs. Don’t skimp on the empanadas and alfajores!!
    • Thai Touch Kitchen:  We’re South Hills people, so when we don’t want to make the trek to Noodlehead (which is de-loicious), we head to Mt. Lebo for some really amazing Thai food. Buy a few options and have leftovers for the next day – that’s what we do!
    • Leona’s Ice Cream: We once watched a couple bike up to a brewery just to buy a Leona’s ice cream sandwich. Like, they didn’t buy any beer. So these are that good.

Flowers

    • Roxanne’s Dried Flowers: Need to spruce up your home decor without worrying about killing flowers too quickly? Dried flowers are the way to go! They last longer and take away some of the hassles. Plus, when you stop by, you’ll be in the Strip, and you can’t take a step there without spotting something locally owned! Just don’t be that person that stops in the middle of the sidewalk and gawks. Keep moving or move to the side!
    • The Farmer’s Daughter Flowers: Are real flowers your thing? Don’t stop your search before checking out this place! They even deliver within a 10-mile radius. Safe, convenient, and beautiful!

 

We only hit upon a very, very small portion of what local Pittsburgh has to offer. We encourage you to do some more research, and let us know what you find! Now, more than ever, small businesses need our help and support. (Seriously) consider doing your holiday shopping at local hot spots around town. You can also check out Good Morning America’s Deals and Steals which has been highlighting small businesses all over the country that ship! Other online shops like Etsy and Poshmark are also a great way to support small businesses!

For even more options and information, broken down by neighborhood, check out Pittburgh’s city website: https://pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/sb-saturday.

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Yuzu Kitchen

Asian Fusion. Two words I always want to use together but never really felt it appropriate. That is until we visited Yuzu Kitchen.

I’ll admit that I’m not the most adventurous with food, and that I need a little push from my fellow Burgh B&B blogger. I like to think I’m worldly but when it comes to food, I’m simple. On the contrary, my partner in crime is quite the foodie and enjoys taking me to new places to try new things. After months of requesting to visit this not-so-new-anymore restaurant located downtown on Wood St (between Third and Forbes), I finally obliged and I am SURE happy that I did. Yuzu is easy to miss as there is lots of construction going on nearby. However, it’s worth seeking out. This place is a gem offering good food, good cocktails, and an even better happy hour at an inviting space.
what’s it like inside?

Upon entering, it might take your eyes a couple of moments to adjust. It’s a little on the dark side, however, it is wildly welcoming. Fake (or are they?) flowers cascade from the ceiling and beautiful adornments hang from the walls. A large wooden bar frames the space, and naturally we elected to sit there to chat quietly with the bartender and other guests. If the bar isn’t your scene, there are live edge wooden tables for any party size. Sitting at Yuzu sort of transports you to an outdoor garden, with a fantastic kitchen and bar ready to serve your needs!

It was a relatively quiet afternoon at Yuzu, so we don’t have any crazy stories. This place gets PACKED for lunch, though, so don’t take this as an invitation that you can just stop by between the hours of 11 AM -1 PM. Although quiet for happy hour, it was by no means empty. Groups, couples, and individuals were seated throughout the restaurant at tables with large, and I mean LARGE, bowls of food. In my mind, they’re chowing down on wonton ramen which is truly something special.

what’s for happy hour?

Food

For us, we opted for the happy hour menu as that’s kinda what we do here at Burgh BnB. With happy hour from 4:30 – 6:30 PM it’s a great spot for post work drinks and bao. Speaking of bao, this stuff is good. It was my first time trying this dish (pls don’t judge me guys, I’m growing), and I honestly dream about it at night now. Accompanying the bao in my dreams is the spicy karaage; a japanese frying technique that literally means “to tang fry.” Now we aren’t experts by any means, but we could get behind this for literally any type of food, because who doesn’t love fried stuff? Served on a bed of lettuce and served with sauce, I had a lot of trouble sharing this dish. So much so that I almost had to visit my old kindergarten classroom cause I alone and unabashedly downed these. Oops.
During happy hour, these dishes, along with a few select others are all 1/2 off. HALF. OFF. I know this is a relatively common theme among happy hours, but I will never not be excited about a bar or restaurant that offers food on happy hour, especially a fabulous deal like 1/2 off. So, props to Yuzu (did you see what I did there?). After inhaling spicy kaarage, I washed down these dishes with a cocktail that surpassed any expectation that I had. I love a craft cocktail – what millennial wanna-be doesn’t?
DRINKS

Yuzu offers $6 craft cocktails for those on a budget during happy hour. This allowed us to try a couple different options! Any more we would have been sleeping there. This seems as good a time as any to remind you to happy hour responsibly. These drinks were strong, flavorful, and prepared right before our eyes by a cool, hip and friendly bar tender. One look at their drink menu will have you deep diving into a rabbit hole of spirits and garnishes. The Sage Gin & Tonic gives those looking for a more of a classic but adding an appropriate twist with the hint of sage. For those looking for a bit more adventure, there are options such as the Far East Side which boasts flavors including junmai sake, tequila, elder flower, lemon, shiso, and yuzu. QUITE the ingredient list, wouldn’t you say? That being said, their cocktail list changes frequently, and there’s a good chance there’s something new every time you stop by. While I’m not adventurous when it comes to food, I am always willing to take the plunge into an exciting cocktail!

Have you tried any of the ones we mentioned above? What about the food? Leave us some comments below so we (and your fellow happy hour goers) can read your thoughts and feels! Overall, this was a very positive experience at Yuzu Kitchen and I can’t imagine a world where we don’t return. That’s right, unless Elon is taking us to Mars, we’ll be back!

Cheers,
D
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ART (and Happy Hour, of course)!

Are you looking to hit the Three Rivers Arts Festival Wednesday – Friday?

If you are, you should definitely snag a super well priced drink at one of these awesome bars. Talking from experience, a couple pints of suds or some well-stirred cocktails really opens up the wallets/purses at the Three Rivers Arts Festival.

How could you not support all of the great artists? Here is a link to check out the rundown of folks peddling their fares this week at the point and in Gateway Plaza.

Now, what you came here for…

City Works – Market Square

One of the closest bars to the activities, you can slug ½ priced wines, $4 select beers, and munch on $4 select apps. We at Burgh BnB highly suggest the pretzels with beer cheese; we haven’t NOT eaten 3 orders once… oops. We would give up our unborn baby to snack on these bad boys with a crisp Founders All Day IPA. We just wrote a post about City Works. Go check it out!

Wolfie’s – Greater Market Square

A somewhat hidden gem just a short walk from Market Square up Forbes Ave. They are pretty new and offer a great lineup of live music. Because you’re going to buy some pricey art, save a few bucks at this happy hour from 4:30 – 6:30 on Thursday and Friday this week, and get $2 off local beers, $4 domestics, $4 wines, and appetizers for $7 and under.

Some cool thingies in Market Square to see before you have some drinks:

Let’s say that you are downtown early on Thursday the 13th. Checkout the farmer’s market from 10 AM – 2 PM. Fight through the throngs of people to grab a pie, get some fresh strawberries, or get some pickles scooped from a bucket. We know this time of year as #CookieSzn, because Good L’oven Cookie Shop drops 3 cookies for $5 on us and we cannot even try to ignore such a special. Make sure you try the Steel City Crunch, Take 5, and Salted Sea Turtles cookies. You might have to go back for more!

Pork & Beans – 6th Street

A short walk from Gateway Plaza, this growing project from the folks that essentially own 6th street, Richard DeShantz Restaurant group, offers up some HOT specials. $2 Yuenglings drafts and $5 craft beers from 5 – 7 PM will surely make the Arts Festival that much more appealing. And while you are there, definitely smack on some of their BBQ. It’s incredibly delicious!!!

Let’s say that you couldn’t find a parking spot down by the Point. Tough luck, but you still can hit up about 100 places up on your way down Penn Ave or before traversing the pedestrian bridge from the North Shore! Here are a couple of our favorites.

Condado Tacos – Cultural District

A huge hot spot for Happy Hour goers, Condado boasts ½ off Margaritas (in the middle section of the menu) and $1 off tacos at the bar. I truly shouldn’t have to say anything more, but this place seriously knows how to make a damn good marg and a damn good taco. My personal favorite is the Gran Clásico.

The Foundry – North Shore

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Sometimes looked over from North Shore Drive due to their smaller store front (the place opens up like CRAZY in the back with a huge patio), The Foundry offers imbibers a solid beer menu for ½ off, $5 select cocktails, and $6 small plates. Take your furry pooch with you too, they LOVE to have dogs on their patio- we even brought ours to confirm!

So go! Go enjoy happy hour and all the fun the Arts Festival has to offer! Let us know where you went in the comments below!

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City Works: A Downtown Pittsburgh Gem

Do you find yourself easily distracted, or despise the taste of beer? Well, City Works may not be the place for you. However, if you love beer, huge TVs with a multitude of sports, people at every table, big windows and a patio overlooking Market Square (hello people watching), and the occasional DJ, this 11,200 square foot playground is right up your alley. While all of these things are great, the real star of the show is the tap selection at City Works because… there are 90 of them!

As we move into the blazin’ hot summer months, hit up the patio!

BEER!

You probably think you read that wrong. You didn’t. City Works offers NINETY different beers. Pilsner? Yes! IPA? Duh! Sours? You better believe it! (Please read this in JVN’s voice as that is the ONLY way I intended it to be read). If you can’t find a beer to drink here I pray for you trying to find one anywhere else. While only select taps are on happy hour, all are available all of the time. Come on, they couldn’t have all 90 taps on a discount! We’re not here to fight it but work around it visit other great bars in Pittsburgh. Even though we are totally biased, we suggest you use our Happy Hour Database filled with specials or if you aren’t a nerd, click around on our handy dandy Happy Hour Map.

UNSOLICITED ADVICE TIME!

As both of us absolutely LOVE unsolicited advice, here are some suggestions! Having to make choices is hard, especially when there are NINETY of them. We ventured out and tried this beauty on a recent visit to City Works: Founders Rubaeus. This beer is damn perfect for the warm weather rolling into the Ohio Valley, and City Works likes to play around and throw it on nitro. Definitely splurge on it.

City Works bar and a tasty Deschutes A delicious beer, the Black Butte Porter from Deschutes, regularly features as a $4 Happy Hour tap at City Works!

WINE!

That being said, if you absolutely hate beer, then I’m so sorry and I wish you all the best in life. Jkjk gotta have a sense of humor, guys. Joke numba two. Seriously, if beer isn’t your thing City Works has wine and liquor in which you can indulge. However, be aware that beer and wine are on special for happy hour. They are doing you and the city of Pittsburgh a real service for keeping liquor OFF the happy hour menu. Still, select wines are half price during happy hour so you can still find your way to a happy happy hour. That being said, alcohol is alcohol and it’s best to soak it up with some grub.

FOOD!

Happy hour at City Works also includes select apps for $4 each. And not just like chips and salsa, like actual food. Not that I don’t think chips and salsa is actual food. It is, and I would probably eat it for dinner three nights a week if I lived alone, but when you’re drinking you need sustenance. Sustenance like pretzel bites and beer cheese. Sustenance like freaking firecracker rolls. Sustenance like chicken in its most delicious state, popcorn chicken. When I went to the movies in middle school, I used to put Buncha Crunch in my popcorn. Would not recommend that for this.

now that we wasted your time

Regardless of whether you’re here to meet new friends or old, colleagues or parents, your group with will be sure to find something that suits their fancy. I’ve spent many work and personal happy hours here and everyone left satisfied. I even committed Burgh B&B’s #1 cardinal sin and went after happy hour. Even though it wasn’t happy hour, the food still amazed me and the 90 taps were in fact, still there which leads to my approval. That’s like a Michelin star for me.

Have you walked by at lunch and yearned for some brews and delicious food?We are guilty. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Library

There are very few places where you can find a happy hour that serves you specials seven days a week. It’s a special special (HA) that calls for fun all week long. Can you think of any places that offer this? Let us know in the comments so we can check these out for ourselves.

I know of one place, which I’m highlighting here. The Library in Southside is not a place to renew your books, but rather an oasis of good food, great beer and cocktails, and you guessed it, happy hour seven days a week. We stumbled upon this place one Sunday afternoon when the Sunday scaries washed over us so badly the only way we were going to get through the day was by drinking it away. We still make it to work on time, so it’s not a problem… At least that’s what we tell ourselves. It quickly became one of our favorite places and happy hours. While neither of us were avid fans of Southside, going to the bars and restaurants between the hours of 10 AM and 9 PM has shown us the light and fun that the neighborhood of bars has to offer.

I’m sorry if you love Southside and this offends you. I’m even sorrier for you that you love Southside.

Back to the point. The Library is located near the corner of East Carson St and S 23rd St, nestled among other shops and bars that have no trouble luring you in for a drink. On a Sunday afternoon/ early evenings, the streets are a little quieter and the clientele a little less rowdy. However this does not stop the traffic for both food and beverage service. People were constantly coming in to pick up their food orders. As the other B&B’er so eloquently stated, when people are coming in to pickup their to-go order and not get a drink, you know the grub is good. Food wasn’t originally in our plan but after watched so many people order it, we had to give it a try. It didn’t hurt that the happy hour special is 1/2 off small plates! We ordered The Pickle King appetizer, a heap of golden brown fried pickles, with some delicious ranch, which we might have liked clean. If you’re thinking it’s hard to mess up fried pickles, you are wrong because you absolutely can and I’ve had a many bad fried pickles, so terrible that I didn’t eat them for a very long time! However, The Library did not disappoint; they sure are the Pickle King. Afraid that the beer and our hunger led to disillusionment with the quality of the food, we decided to give it another try on a second trip. We recently revisited our new favorite Sunday hang out to try to suppress the Sunday scaries again, and this time we tried the Where the Wild Things Are. Any guesses on this app? Chicken fingers. We got to pick a sauce too, and their buffalo Parmesan garlic was everything we had hoped it would be; just spicy enough to make your mouth tingle, with a hearty scoop of parmesan cheese infused into the hot sauce. Does this sauce make your mouth water for wings? Well it just so happens this place has them! Oh, and they’re $14.95 for all you can eat. ALL DAY EVERY DAY. The fengas were also hand breaded and so juicy and delicious. Overall this was another W for us, and two great experiences easily solidified this place as another “go-to”.
On top of these daily deals for your advantage taking, they also have daily specials Monday-Thursday. For just $5.99, Monday’s specials is cheeseburger and fries while Tuesdays gives you 1/2 pound of ribs and fries. Not to mention both Monday and Tuesdays offer half bottles of wines as well! Wednesdays are 1/2 of pizzas and Thursdays their back to the $5.99 special that includes a cheese steak and fries. Add in happy hour with 1/2 off small plates and their drink prices and you’ve got yourself a full belly and happy heart.
What are their drink specials you ask? I guess I’ve failed to mention that while their happy hour includes apps, it doesn’t include drinks. Before you go totally writing off this place and this post, they don’t need to add drinks to their HH specials because their prices are BOMB each and every day, all day. $4.25 drafts. ALL OF THEM ARE $4.25!!! Don’t believe me? Check out their website and it’s the first thing you’ll see. Smackin’ you right in the face is one of the best deals on the Burgh. Not a draft beer kind of gal? Then you’ll have no problem finding a craft cocktail that you’ll love FOR ONLY $5! They have a whole page of their menu dedicated to Mules and Cocktails. Are you like me and irrationally love tequila? Try their Mexican Mule. Truly the drink of the summer.
Their draft list is flavorful and full of variety. You can find a triple IPA from Helltown Brewery (that’s over 10% ABV) or a stout, or just stick to your guns and grab a pilsner or lager. I didn’t have to drive so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to drink a 10% beer for $4.25. Does anyone else ever find their tongue hurting after a super hoppy IPA? Like almost the flavor of the beer strips all of the flavor feelers on your tongue? I definitely experience this from time to time, but this one had a surprisingly less effect on me. I’ll save the full review for another time, but I just needed back up on the tongue thing. Have I used the word tongue enough times in this paragraph?

Have you been to The Library? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! If this post got you there, definitely tell us in the comments so we can have some semblance of respect for ourselves for writing these blog posts.

Happy hour responsibly 🙂
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412 Brewery – A New Type of Suds

Breweries get a lot of wrap about not having a happy hour. But as Bob Dylan once wrote, “these times they are a changing.” Ron Burgundy actually has heard this quote. I haven’t personally checked with him, but I think he’d approve of this happy hour (although there is no scotch here, sorry).

Pittsburgher’s have a real thing for our area code (just DON’T put it on your helmets). We also have a thing for breweries. When you combine the two, you get 412 Brewery. While their main production facility is in McKees Rocks, their newly opened laundromat-turned-tap room is a chic space located on the North Side. Story time: on our first trip here, we were sitting at the bar when a guy comes in. The bar tender asks if he can help him the patron says, “I did my laundry here last year and just wanted to see what this place looks like now.” But don’t fret because he did end up staying for a pint.

The draft list boasts a variety of styles and strengths and is constantly rotating based on production and consumption. If you stop in on a Friday night, and come back on Tuesday looking for that same beer, you may be SOL. This is great for the visitor that loves to try some new beers and branch out from their normal beer!

While most new restaurants and bars in Pittsburgh don’t offer a happy hour when they first open, this place isn’t making us wait. A short while ago, we asked a different bar if they had a happy hour, they literally said, “we don’t need to offer a happy hour, we’re too new”. Yikes. That’s not the case and 412 Brewery respects that. From 3 – 5 PM on Thursdays and Fridays, you can grab a pint for just $4. They’re only open Thursday-Sunday, so this happy hour is pretty gracious. With 9 taps (8 of their own brews and 1 rotating cider tap), you can try all of them for just $36! This may be a little ambitious but shoot for the moon, people. Even if you fail, you’ll land among the stars *swoon*. Or you’ll land your ass on Western Ave. This seems like a good time to remind everyone to happy hour responsibly.

We spent some time here recently and loved talking with the patrons and beer tenders alike. A wealth of knowledge about beer and Pittsburgh, you will absolutely feel like you belong here. We sipped and tasted a number of beers, and I’m not sure either of us had a favorite. However, I will tell you that their flagship beer, R-U-Ready 4 One-Too, an English Special Bitter a perfect compromise for hop heads, or the IPA hater! It’s definitely special, with a fantastic interplay between hoppy and malty! They are already canning this, so you can take some home with you after your trip to the taproom. Soon they will start canning the 2 Hour Delay, an English Brown Ale that makes even this IPA loving gal want one. Speaking of IPA loving people, there are still options for you with the Boats ‘N Hops Session IPA, to the Hazelicious Hazy style IPA, to the Dankity Dank DIPA, their range is as good as Ariana Grande’s. Let us know which ones you tried in the comments!

If you’re looking to spend a chill afternoon/evening at this tap room but don’t want to miss a meal, then worry not. You can bring food with you or order some after a pint. They even have menus available from local restaurants so you don’t have to bury your face in your phone searching for options. Say what you will about breweries, but one thing they do is support other local businesses, and 412 Brewery is no exception.

Whether you did your laundry here in the past or you’re just looking to try some new beer, head dahn to the North Side to get some brews n’at.

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Beer, Blogs, Battlestar Galactica

That’s what we’re about here at Burgh B&B. Well, maybe not Battlestar Galactica, but definitely the beer and blogs!

Speaking of beer, there’s a great place that offers options on options on options! Sharp Edge Bistro has over 200 varieties of beer and 36 taps, but their full bar offers non-beer drinkers a place to find happiness as well. Sharp Edge focuses on Belgian and craft beers, with offerings from across PA and all over Belgium. This is one of the most unique beer selections in the city of Pittsburgh. Live a little, try something different and transport yourself to Belgium with a Wittekerke, a lovely little wheat beer with a sunny disposition served in a FANTASTIC frosted glass.

FANTASTIC beer right here. Accompanying glass is maybe even more fantastic.

 

If you like food, they also offer Buffalo Bites at $0.65 each during happy hour (this offer is also available 4 PM-close every Tuesday!). You can choose the sauces that your Bites get doused in, and their sauces are BOMB DOT COM. We haven’t had a sauce from here that we dislike, seriously. One time, Geoff got the molten lava and that wasn’t the greatest idea… they take their lava sauce game seriously here at Sharp Edge! If you are looking for a flavor suggestion, we suggest the honey jalapeno, honey bbq, jerk bbq, or Devin’s favorite: the buffalo bleu, which is a truly tantalizing hot, yet creamy, delicious mix of their hot sauce and blue cheese. 12/10 on this sauce!

(insert a picture of the wings from the website with photo cred.)

Not only are the drink options expansive, but so is the bar area. It stretches the length of the restaurant offering plenty of seating right next to the excitement, or you can grab a table or couch for more relaxed comfort. The couches also offer prime seating for people watching, and downtown, there’s a lot. It’s a real place to see and be seen, so keep your dance moved contained…or don’t. This place is very popular for happy hour, especially among the nearby offices, but don’t be disheartened if there is a crowd. The staff is friendly and super knowledgeable about beer. Nearly every beer at Sharp Edge has it’s own accompanying glass ware. Beautiful tulip glasses, iconic PA beer glassware, and teku style wine glasses line the wall behind the bar, staring you right in the face for your next brew.

PA beer glass. See all the glassware in the background?!

Happy hour is from 4:30-6:30 PM Monday-Friday with 1/2 off Belgian and craft drafts, $1 off cocktails and glasses of wine, and $0.65 buffalo bites. Guys, did I mention how good the bites are? Yes? Well, here I am telling you again. They make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Just me? I’m cool with that.

They also have bonus days like SUNDAY FUNDAY from 2-4 PM. Same specials, same greatness. Fight off the Sunday Scaries with bites, beer, and maybe Battlestar Galactica or whatever show you are bingeing on Netflix. May we suggest New Girl?

*Seasonal Bonus* During Steelers games, they have $10 all you can eat buffalo bites and fries with $4 Yuengling Black and Tans! Let’s just hope the Steelers score that big this year.

When you go to Sharp Edge it’s all about trying some different beers from all over the globe. After indulging in some buffalo bites, sink into your chair, choose a bad ass looking glass, and try a new beer.

Cheers!

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The Strip District’s Very Own: The Pennsylvania Market

If you enjoy the strip district and frequent the East End Tap Room, there was always that “coming soon” vibe to the building it inhabits. Remember when they had black tarp on the ceiling? Or when there was that sign with this wildly beautiful space rendered on a computer image? Well guess what… IT’S FINALLY HERE! Boasting a charcuterie program fit for Tony Soprano himself, bubbly pizza from Romulus Pizza al Taglio, Edgars Tacos, and an outdoor courtyard, there is something for everybody in this place. They have a WINE library so expansive that it rivals the Carnegie Library’s book offerings. Since our first encounter, the beers have morphed from Coors light, with the most “fancy” of beers being Sam Adams Oktoberfest, to our most recent visit, where we sipped on Hitchhiker Whole Punch Series and super hopped IPAs whilst under a beautiful blue January sky. As an outdoorsy type that enjoys drinking on patios, PA Market’s courtyard scratches the itch.

AMBIANCE

Inside: In all seriousness, this is one of the most beautiful spaces in the Burgh. A true honor to the industrial modern style: wrought iron gates block  the staircase when closed, beautiful Edison lights hang both above the bar and lounge space, exposed brick pretty much everywhere you look, and absolutely gorgeous wine cabinets fit for a French chalet. If you are looking to order some food upstairs, you’ll immediately be transported to a food hall style ordering system. Booths span the long counter, with Romulus and their pizza oven to the charcuterie masters slicing dried Italian meats. Below, you can see a great snapshot of their wine library and FANTASTIC lounge area.

Outside: This place has absolutely transformed from a year ago! Upon entering the courtyard, you are met with a true open air marketplace complete with city tours, tacos, a gorgeous mosaic pizza oven (sup Dante), and of course a bar stocked with a taps, wine, draft beers, and bottled beers hidden behind wooden doors. If there is in fact a fridge behind the doors, then they did a damn good job hiding it. There are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the great outdoors with your pooch (they are allowed, and encouraged, in the outdoor area).


Of all the bars in Pittsburgh, this one may be the greatest indoor/outdoor space you could ask for. Well worth the wait!

FOOD

The food at PA market is all about choices. You can pair a delicious slice of Romulus Dante pizza with some charcuterie or something from the stationsitchen. Outside, Edgar is slinging some of the best tacos you can get in Pittsburgh. The tacos are insanely tasty, and while we were at the outside Market, unfortunately Edgar wasn’t open. At least 5 people (we werent there long) came in looking for Edgar and his tacos, so you know these things must be damn good. 

DRINKS

Beers – our first trip to PA Market, we were slightly disappointed. There weren’t many choices and the bottle menu was nowhere to be found. BOY, HAVE THINGS CHANGED! PA Market has an made a shift! They still have a staple or two on tap, including Blue Moon and Coors. With that being said, they have added some kick ass options: Hitchhiker Brewing Company has made an appearance, with their whole punch series, and  Spoonwood has a couple kegs in the queue. 

Wines – we don’t know a whole heck of a lot about wine other than ordering the darkest dryest red that the place has to offer. PA Market has PLENTY of our wine, and plenty of wines that you’ll have to just point and ask for. Seriously, so many options from around the world!

Craft Cocktails – Sourcing excellent ingredients from around the globe, you’ll surely find a cocktail of intrigue. While sitting at the outdoor bar, we were able to try a couple cocktails that nearly took us off our stools, one in particular really took our breath away. Pairing smoky tequila with dragon fruit juice, this cocktail takes you far away from Pittsburgh to a simple, boozy place. Topped with tarragon, your brain will be 100% confused on what to expect from the first sip.

The cocktail on the left is the tarragon dragon fruit mix. The one on the right is hibiscus tea and pineapple. Both equally delicious.

THE REAL REASON WE LOVE IT


From 5-7 PM, PA Market offers 1/2 off all beers and $2 off all cocktails and glasses of wine. If you aren’t a wine yinzer, take the time to order a glass and try something new! Ask the knowledgeable bartenders what would pair well with your Romulus Dante pizza, or one of kitchen’s delicious creations.

WHAT TO ORDER

Personally, we LOVE Romulus Dante pizza. Every time we go, we snag a slice of pizza and take it with us wherever we roam. If you see the man in this picture, ask to see his special menu. He whips up some fantastic cocktails, and may have something special. If you aren’t a craft cocktail person, splurge for some international wine or a Pittsburgh beer.

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Winter 2019 Restaurant Week: A Week of Specials

Do you have a restaurant in Pittsburgh that you’ve always wanted to go to but it was just a little out of your price range? My one… and a half page list is filled with amazing options that I just can’t treat myself to whenever I want. Cue Restaurant week: 6 days (or more at select locations) of special menus at one low price. Sound like a dream? That’s because it is. We started this whole thing to highlight Pittsburgh happy hours and specials, and this one really gets us all sorts of pumped up (especially Geoff, he’s excitable).

Because we live in a bomb ass city, yinzers are treated to not one, but TWO restaurant weeks every year. From January 14-20, Restaurant Week one of two officially begins, and 74 restaurants will be offering three courses for one reasonable price! Prices range from $15-$36 for both lunch and dinner specials. Some places have early access so you can go before the week officially starts! Take a look at all of the participating places and their menus all on Pittsburgh’s Restaurant Week website! There are other bonus categories as well, such as BYOB, New Dish, Book Online (at OpenTable), and of course, Early Access. During this special early access time, you can visit restaurants before the week even kicks off. This is the only week you’ll want to last longer than 7 days. The options are limitless! Well, kind of.

 Can’t decide where to go? They’ve got you covered. Play Restaurant Roulette and let the weight of making a decision lift from your shoulders. Decision making SUCKS!

 PLAY NOW

Where will we be going you ask? We figured we’d let you decide (we really hate making decisions)! Head to our instagram page and vote on our story! We’ve narrowed it down to three places: Superior Motors (this one has been on the list for A WHILE), Cinderlands Beer Co (they have a sandwit* stand off, need I say more), and Capital Grille (we’ve never been and that place is fancy AF). While you are out enjoying the week, watch our Instagram, Twitter, and blog for updates on the restaurants we visit. No doubt, we will probably end up spending a good portion of our time in bars/restaurants this week. Bye bye paycheck!

Instagram: @bnbburgh

*Sandwit originated in college after a night of debauchery ending with the best sandwich ever and a snapchat that Devin will never live down.

Sandwit definition – a lit sandwich.

Use it in a sentence: This sandwit is bringing me back to life.

Do you have any recommendations for a restaurant that isn’t on our radar? Let us know in the comments, send us a DM, send us an email, send a courier pigeon. We prefer the pigeon.

Cheers!

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4 Must Try Restaurants Under One Galley Roof

For the seasoned yinzers, do you remember that old mall over on North Side? Well, it’s totally renovated with some awesome new tenants. One tenant, Federal Galley, is dishing out four distinct food styles, serving up cocktails with flare, and pouring delicious craft beers. Oh and yinzer juniors, if you haven’t been here already, it SLAPS. We know cool lingo.

AMBIANCE

With large wood beams wrapped in Edison lights stretching over high ceilings, you definitely will not feel claustrophobic. It’s the perfect feel for a new age bar! Galley goers can choose a spot at one of the long wood and metal industrial tables or elect a high top overlooking a beautiful patio and park. It’s a place worth visiting for the thoughtfulness in architecture and design alone.

FOOD

WHERE DO WE START? If you aren’t familiar with the Galley brand, there are four different restaurants within the friendly confines. The kitchens are leased separately. Some chefs try new cuisine and ideas, while others kick start their brand. Currently, Fed Galley is happy to host Provision PGH, Michigan & Trumbull, Supper, and El Lugar. What should you expect from the current kitchens? Check out below.

Provision PGH:  Heavenly fries. Legit the best fries to bless this universe. If you see the shining light, yes it is an angel bringing you fries. Don’t shy away from the homemade fry sauce, either.

Michigan & Trumbull: First off, RIP Tiger Stadium. This place pays homage to the “Detroit Institution.” If you are ever at Fed Galley and hear, “Eat em up Tigers, Eat em up.” that’s Geoff, the longtime Tigers fan after he gets his za from M & T. Anyhoo… nowhere better to get a Detroit style pizza then a place run by Detroiters. Hands down, meat-eaters HAVE to order the Packard Pepperoni.

Supper: This place is named after the institution where families sit together and dig into some home cooked food so naturally have to to go with a “plate.” While they make some bomb sandwiches, splurge for the hangar steak with sweet potato hash. It may even take you back to your grandma’s table!

El Lugar: More like mi lugar. You get three of their excellent tacos. We went with the Chicken Tinga, Pork Pibil, and Chicharron. All different, yet so incredible. Their black beans are also those velvety little legumes of love that are impossible to make at home.

*Fun Fed Galley Fact: El Lugar and Provision PGH are run by the same owners…. Which got us thinking. Can you imagine these two kitchens, morphed into one, and cranking out Fried Chicken Tacos with Korean BBQ and Kimchi? Then you get a side of fries with that taco, and homemade fry sauce? I mean, I’d weigh 34 tons if this combo was a thing.

DRINKS

There are 25 taps with meticulously picked craft beer. It’s one of those places you get to order by the number too, so you don’t have to pronounce any of those Cigar City beers!!! *cough cough Jai Alai*
If you want to checkout their current draft list, head to:
https://www.federalgalley.org/bar/

Cat Cannon a renowned cocktailer (she was one of the brilliant minds behind the Miracle pop up) ensures striking and delicious cocktails. Before divulging on one of the cocktails… I have two things: one, Cat Cannon is a bad ass name. Two, thanks for the excellent cocktail program Cat!!! See one of the creations below.

If you are one of the gin haters, or lovers out there, I implore you to try Oui, Chef, an excellently crafted cocktail. The gin marries so well with the smoked rosemary and refreshing pomegranate and soda… it just might make you a gin drinker for good!

Federal Galley offers wines from around the world, too! While we aren’t huge happy hour wine drinkers (makes both of us sleepy), the names sound fancy.

THE REAL REASON WE LOVE IT

From 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM on Monday through Friday, Federal Galley offers something of a cloud nine for us: 1/2  Off All Alcohol. Do we really need to say anything else? They have tons of beer on tap, different bottles of libations you’ve never had, and interesting cocktails abound.

WHAT TO ORDER

Tons of options abound, but if you can’t buy one of everything, snag a Michigan & Trumbull Packard pepperoni pizza*, and marry it with an order of fries from Provision. Pair this combo with any beer on tap AND a cocktail. You are there during happy hour, so take advantage of that ½ off alcohol special. Live a little.

*This pizza is Jojo approved. Jojo is Geoff’s mom. She grew up in Detroit and loves pizza. She’s had thousands of slices and said this was “one of the best”

Anyways, grab your SO, grab your coworker(s), or grab yourself and head to Federal Galley.