We love a good speakeasy, and when we heard about Bitter End in Etna serving classic cocktails in a speakeasy ambiance (complete with green light above the front door), we made our way over as quickly as we could.
Although we had some concerns over the balance of our drinks, we always welcome more cocktail programs in the Pittsburgh region.
In many cases, we often overlook that Pittsburgh hotels often have on-site cocktail bars. Some of these may be your conventional hotel bar, while others may be a bit more.
At The Priory Hotel in the North Side, you get what is perhaps the most interesting hotel bar experience in the city, for one unique reason- it is said to be the smallest bar in the state of Pennsylvania.
Yes, The Monks' Bar is tiny, and according to The Priory's website, it seats just 14 customers. So cozy up with your fellow patrons, get to know your bartender, and grab a drink from this limited, albeit expertly curated, bar menu!
Ever since Dancing Gnome opened their massive new brewery in Sharpsburg, we always wondered what would happen to their original, more intimate location along Main Street.
In late 2025, Dancing Gnome announced that the original bar would be opened, renamed Nine Two Five (sometimes written Nine T(w)o Five- perhaps the most appropriate street-address-turned-bar-name you could ask for), and would be a welcoming, all-around bar with beer, cocktails, wine, food, and more.
Naturally, we visited this one on the first soft open, and while we would fully argue this one is a cocktail bar first that also has great local brews and PA wines, this one really has something for everyone- including a new food menu from Blue Sparrow!
Camino is a Mexican restaurant in Bloomfield with a fast-casual vibe. From the owners of other local Mexican spots Tocayo and Totopo, Camino offers a similar menu with cocktails, burritos, bowls, tacos, and more.
The space is bright and cheery, and while some of the entrees hit the mark for us more than others, the cocktails were respectable, and, perhaps most important of all, the food came in at an incredibly good value.
So if you want a reasonably priced Mexican restaurant, Camino has a lot to consider.
After visiting the stunning Hyeholde in Moon Township for our anniversary, we knew we would have to return for one of their prix fixe dinner experiences (either the chef's table or a periodic themed menu offering).
Shortly thereafter, we got our chance with Hyeholde's annual beer dinner with Altered Genius Brewing to celebrate the release of their collaboration house beer, the Hyeholde Grisette.
We were guests of Hyeholde for this beer pairing dinner with Altered Genius Brewing, and share more in this review from this incredible six-course feast!
We love a beautiful day in Pittsburgh, and when the weather decides to cooperate, our first thought is to all of the great spots we can eat and drink outside.
So in this one, we thought we'd share some great places for outdoor drinking and dining in Pittsburgh (and nearby) that we cannot get enough of. Some make this one for their epic views, others because the food or drinks are incredible. Some have proper patios with permanent infrastructure, whereas others may simply be picnic tables and chairs outside.
As such, it is worth re-iterating that we're taking a broad look at all things outdoor drinking and dining in this one and, as always, keep in mind that outdoor seating at many of these locations may only be available seasonally or during periods of good weather. So please reconfirm any outdoor options prior to visiting.
Looking for more great places to eat and drink outdoors? We discuss this topic with our friends at City Cast Pittsburgh on a podcast recording at the previous link!
We always welcome more international dining in Pittsburgh, and it is always an exciting day when we hear about a new Caribbean restaurant opening in the region in particular.
So when we heard about the restaurant, Curry Mouth, opening up and focusing on cuisine from Trinidad, we were in. For those who like flavorful dishes that pack the spice without being overtly hot, this one has a lot to love.
The Distillery Complex by Big Spring Spirits was many years in the making.
We have been following along with their restoration efforts of the Joseph S. Finch rickhouse building in South Side with great interest, as it is our personal opinion that Pittsburgh could use way more bars and restaurants with city (and river) views.
When we found out that the space was finally going to be open for visitors in July 2025 (thanks to a tip-off at the Allegheny County Wine & Spirits Festival the week prior), we knew we had to get in right away. So we watched for an official announcement on social media, found details on their relatively quiet soft open, and made our way over to this great new spot just a few minutes later.
This one was worth the wait!
Hyeholde is a Pittsburgh fine dining institution housed in a castle in Moon Township.
Built in 1937 originally as a combination restaurant and living space, the ambiance here is hard to beat with dining tables tucked into dozens of nooks and rooms around the castle. It's a special occasion spot for sure, serving up seasonal, high-end food and drinks.
Palm Palm is a vibrant small plates restaurant located in Shadyside near East Liberty. The restaurant, the second venture from the folks behind Ritual House, aims to blend the vibes and food from Palm Beach and Palm Springs, along with nods to other cuisines from around the world.
With good flavor combinations in the dishes, tropical-leaning cocktails, and coastal vibes, the spot has a feel-good ambiance that's sure to draw crowds.