Tag: Pittsburgh Happy Hour

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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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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.