Brian Nagele
Pittsburgh, home of the famous football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, is a bustling city in Pennsylvania. There’s much to do in “Steel City,” from going to the Botanical Gardens to perusing the Strip District. One of the best activities to get into is bar hopping in the heart of the city.
The best bars in Pittsburgh aren’t that hard to find, as many are in popular neighborhoods and downtown Pittsburgh.
When I look for a top bar to enjoy sipping and trying new drinks, I expect a menu with all the classics and a few innovative cocktails as well.
If you want some great recommendations from locals and visitors that were highly impressed, check out my list of the best bars in Pittsburgh.
Maggie’s Farm Rum
3212a Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Phone: 412-709-6480
Visit Website
Maggie’s Farm Rum is in the Strip District near the University of Pittsburgh. This distillery is dog-friendly, boasts a fun and intimate atmosphere, and great music as well.
Locals and visitors comment on how cool it is to see the distillery equipment while you sip or enjoy typical bar food. The drink menu rotates, and unique art hangs on the walls.
The cocktails are genuinely flawless. Once you’ve enjoyed the nightlife in Pittsburgh, stop by Maggie’s Farm Rum for a taste of their award-winning rum.
The environment is similar to a speakeasy, and you get to sample plenty of drinks throughout the night. The bartenders are knowledgeable and always willing to accommodate your cocktail requests. Above all, they have the smoothest rum in the city, and their specialty blends are delightful.
The Warren Bar & Burrow
245 7th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-201-5888
Visit Website
The Warren Bar & Burrow is in the Cultural District, and it’s a neighborhood staple that creates unique cocktails with accompanying bar bites. It’s a casual environment that also serves excellent made-to-order sushi through a recent partnership.
Near the dining room, there is a shop with more than 200 bottles of wine from different parts of the world and local beers. The Warren Bar offers outdoor seating, and they accommodate small groups, solo outings, and dates easily.
They have reasonable prices on their cocktails and an extended range of whiskeys. I truly enjoyed the Tropical Cosmo and the Red Sangria on my trip to Pittsburgh. The potstickers and turkey burger were also far above the quality I’d expect from a bar. Drop by the Warren Bar & Burrow for specialty drinks and a good crowd.
Hidden Harbor
1708 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone: 412-422-5040
Visit Website
Hidden Harbor is one of the best bars in Pittsburgh for sure. It’s in Squirrel Hill South, between Phipps Conservatory and Frick Park. HH is a tiki bar that serves bar snacks and Polynesian-inspired drinks. The decor gives tropical vibes, and the overall atmosphere is fun. One of the best aspects of this bar is the small plates menu that lets you sample a little of everything.
The locals rave about the delicious Mai Tai, Blue Hawaiian, and fish tacos. It’s also cool to sit at the bar and engage in friendly conversation with the bartenders. They know their stuff when it comes to making imaginative cocktails.
They also have vegan options and mocktails, which is fantastic! Hidden Harbor is at the top of my list for sure when I come to the city.
Acacia
2108 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Phone: 412-488-1800
Visit Website
Acacia is in the South Side Flats, near the Monongahela River. This classy cocktail bar has a Prohibition theme and hand-crafted drinks in upscale glassware. If you want to know where to get a drink in Pittsburgh, Acacia is a top contender. The decor is lovely. There’s a brick stone wall on one side of the bar, and it looks trendy with the wooden bar.
They also have dim lighting, which is a nice touch alongside the music playing in the background. This intimate setting is perfect for a fancy night on the town. Their Whiskey Sour, Cinnamon Syrup, and Classic Negroni taste incredible. Acacia is a great place to kick back and unwind after a long day.
Butterjoint
208 N Craig St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-621-2700
Visit Website
Butterjoint is near the University of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Museum of Natural Museum. This hip spot serves high-quality bar food and New American fare, as well as beer, cocktails, and wine.
The servers at this bar are attentive, and the setting is cozy with chic decor. They have delicious appetizers and local dishes like pierogies and kielbasa with pickled cabbage. The price is incredible for the value.
My favorite shareable dishes were the Hollander Mussels, French fries with Aioli, and the Sauerkraut balls with honey mustard sauce.
Each dish was large and immensely flavorful. The restaurant has also received high marks for their roast chicken, pork chop, and Ribeye steak. The most memorable drinks were the Prosecco and the Smooth Criminal cocktail with Bourbon and orange liqueur. The Butterjoint is a diamond in the rough for sure!
Lorelei
124 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-214-6926
Visit Website
Lorelei is in the East Liberty neighborhood, tucked into the historic Werner Building. Lorelei’s offers snacks like marinated olives, woodfire pizza, salads, hot dogs, and more. The bar has an airy and expansive space with a lot of plants and natural lighting. It’s very much like a European-style beer hall with a fun atmosphere.
They have a long list of cocktails and beers, and the bartenders make excellent recommendations. They make a great Black Manhattan and Alpine Old-fashioned.
I enjoyed their Squash Soup and Chicken Pie. It was velvety smooth, and the textures and flavors blended well. Lorelei is a unique spot with a cool name and tons of sophisticated, fun, and creative drinks to indulge.
Bridges & Bourbon
930 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-586-4287
Visit Website
Bridges & Bourbon is in the Cultural district near Subway. Think small plates and modernist cocktails. This fancy bar is the perfect venue for a night out with friends or an intimate date. They present an out-of-the-box way to dine by seating up to eight guests outdoors in a dome for two and a half hours. Inside, the dining area is well decorated and looks super fancy, in a good way.
The service is attentive and friendly, and their menu is enticing. Recent reviews have highlighted the Bison burger, Curry Mussels, and the Beet Salad. Some of the more popular drinks are the Painkiller, the Classic Bourbon (of course), and the Old-fashioned. Bridges & Bourbon is a must-see if you’re in downtown Pittsburgh.
Tina’s
4114 Main St, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Visit Website
Sometimes a nice drink is all you need to complete the day. Tina’s is a bar that you can go to to take a load off. Tina’s is near a Rite Aid, just in case you have a bit of trouble finding it. Tina’s is a rustic establishment that gives off vintage diner vibes thanks to the decor.
This establishment is very concerned about your safety, so they will ask you for proof of vaccination to ensure the public’s safety.
Luckily, if you’re not vaccinated, they will seat you in a non-vaccinated area. All in all, the drinks are yummy, and the service is excellent. Stop by and try Tina’s exhaustive list of beers, spirits, and cocktails, such as their Martini and their Tequila Daisy.
Bar Botanico
4325 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Phone: 412-258-4790
Visit Website
Bar and Botanico is the place you go to when you want to have an experience. With the level of cuisine that this place serves, it’s hard to believe that it’s a self-proclaimed bar. However, once you taste their world-class cocktails, you can quickly understand why it’s rightfully named “Bar” Botanico.
Thanks to the quality food, this is a place to go when you have an appetite, and you want to enjoy some delicious drinks. Try out the delight oyster pasta or their playful yet enjoyable cauliflower wings if you’re ever in the neighborhood. While you’re at it, it’s worth it to try out their many cocktails, spirits, and their large selection of beer.
Apteka
4606 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-251-0189
Visit Website
Apteka is located a moment’s drive away from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Department of Anesthesiology. It’s the kind of bar that doesn’t quite feel like a bar because of the contagious energy in the atmosphere. What’s more, not only can you get great-tasting cocktails from Apteka, they even serve fantastic vegan food!
Visit the rustic and inviting establishment. You are sure to be blown away by the professionalism and their overall dedication to servicing you. A few dishes I recommend from here are Stuffed Cabbage, Mushroom soup, and Potato pancakes. As for the drink, you have to try the Tequila Spruce Vermouth.
Wigle Whiskey Distillery
2401 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-224-2827
Visit Website
You can find this bar near another bar from this list, Bar Botanico. The interior of the building is modern and gives the place an upbeat vibe. It’s spacious to boot. Here’s another area where you not only enjoy beer, spirits, and cocktails, but you can grab a nice bite to eat as well.
Try out these soups and salads and even some of their crispy cheese curds. Of course, you are most likely here more for the drinks, so you must try out the City of Champions Old Fashioned cocktail, which is a bourbon cocktail. The Saffron Negroni Dutch-style gin is another of their many cocktails that you just have to try!
Allegheny Wine Mixer
5326 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Phone: 412-252-2337
Visit Website
Allegheny Wine Mixer is a bar that you can find not too far from Cafe d’Amore. Here’s a place where you can get a little bit of everything. If you’re a little hungry, they have the perfect snack food. If you’re in the mood for beer and cocktails, they have that too, but chances are if you come to Allegheny Wine Mixer, you’re coming for the wine!
Try out the meat and cheese and decadent brownie plate, which is simply divine if you ever make it out to the Allegheny Wine Mixer. They have a draft beer that you can enjoy and if you came for the wine, choose from their comprehensive selection of quality wines. One wine in particular that you may want to try is their dessert wine.
Spirit
242 51st St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Phone: 412-586-4441
Visit Website
Spirit is located right next to a Sunoco Gas Station. The building is an older one, and the interior is modest and inviting. What’s more, Spirit even has a performance space with people performing periodically. Here’s a place where the food is fantastic, and the drinks are even better!
Be sure to try some of their fun and delicious dishes as you enjoy your cocktails made by skilled bartenders. Try dishes such as their delectable white pizza, garlic knots, and classic chicken wings. You can also taste some ginger beer, Tequila, and one of their many delicious cocktails.
Grapperia
3801 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Phone: 412-904-3907
Visit Website
Grapperia can be found right across the street from Umami, the Japanese restaurant. The brick exterior of the building is a nice touch, and the interior has a chic vibe to it. Grapperia has a host of skilled bartenders, and they welcome a conversation to anyone looking to have one.
Grapperia is a place to go when you want a relaxing drink in a comfortable environment. If you ever find yourself in Pittsburgh near Grapperia, stop in and enjoy a casual drink with some friends or even a date. While you’re at it, try the Aperol Spritz cocktail and Neshaminy Creek beer on your next visit to Grapperia.
