Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on June 26, 2023.
Disclaimer: Our site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Please check out our Terms and Conditions. Pricing, operating hours, or menus may have changed since our initial visit and may not be reflected in subsequent updates. Please confirm these directly with any business or attraction prior to visiting.
Kingfly Spirits opened its doors in Pittsburgh's Strip District in early 2019 and is poised to be a new drinking hotspot in one of the city's most popular neighborhoods.
We ventured down to the Strip to check this one out on opening day and were rather impressed with what we found.
Kingfly Spirits Has a Gorgeous Space
The first thing you'll notice about Kingfly Spirits is that it is located about three blocks outside of the traditional shopping area of the Strip District (located on Smallman Avenue just east of Wigle Whiskey).
This is a benefit to the distillery as their facility is large (and that is an understatement). At 9,000 square feet, this 19th-century stable has been repurposed beautifully into a welcoming space that is perfectly suited for the Strip District.
Currently Kingfly their bar and distillery on the first floor, with plans to expand for a second bar and large performing space up on the second floor. (We can't wait to return for their Thursday night jazz series soon!)
A Large Portfolio and Plans for More Soon
But while the space is pretty gorgeous, we're here to talk about the spirits.
As of now, Kingfly only has four spirits available- a vodka, limoncello, white rum, and an aged spice rum (but has plans to release more spirits in the future including a Grappa- one we're really looking forward to trying).
These can be enjoyed either neat (with options available for as little as a half ounce, $2-$3 each, up to 1.5 ounces, $6-$8 each), or in a cocktail (all perfectly priced at $9 at open).
We, naturally, had a bit of both.
We started with a flight of the Limoncello, White Rum, and Bliss 1895 Spiced Rum, and were pretty inspired by the creations.
The white rum had a lovely sweetness to it that was fairly mellow for a non-aged product, and the spiced rum was a bit more forward with the spice notes while still being somewhat light as far as spiced rums are concerned.
The limoncello was a point of contention for us, as Angie thought it was a bit too sweet whereas I thought it was right on. This one is going to be more of a personal preference thing more than anything but has a nice lemon punch that hides its boozy foundation (as all good limoncellos do).
The cocktail menu at Kingfly Spirits is also pretty clever and includes categories such as various Highballs (build-your-own by spirit), Nouveau (classics like Old Fashioneds and Martinis), Revivers (Bloody Mary or coffee-infused Bushwacker), or Tiki (such as a Corn & Oil or Painkiller).
Most feature the distillery's own products, but it should be noted that several use other distillery's creations as the base spirit for the time being.
During our first visit we sampled two- the Corn & Oil and the classic Daiquiri. Both of these were really nice iterations for the drinks, with the Daiquiri being perhaps just a bit too strong on the lime and the Corn & Oil offering a complex flavor profile due to the house-made falernum. In any case, they were both delicious options that helped showcase Kingfly's crafted spirits.
Going beyond their own spirits, Kingfly also features spirits, wines, and beers from other Pennsylvania producers, making a rather well-rounded bar entirely of local creations (we can always get behind that). For cocktails we can see having other distillery's products being necessary for the time being (can't make everything with the spirits they have now, naturally), but as Kingfly grows we thoroughly expect this one to change.
We look forward to it!
Kingfly Spirits is located at 2613 Smallman Avenue in the Strip District.
Looking for more distilleries in Pittsburgh? Check out Maggie's Farm Rum a few blocks away in the Strip or Lawrenceville Distilling!
