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!
We have a soft spot for all things Oktoberfest, and after getting to enjoy the celebration in Munich for its wild party, we love checking out all of the Pittsburgh Oktoberfest celebrations that take place throughout September (and spill into October).
As there are no shortage of events taking place in breweries and other public places, we thought we would share a few of the top Oktoberfest events you may want to consider. Prost!
Note: This article features a mix of Oktoberfest celebrations that have been announced in 2025 as well as celebrations that took place last year that we hope are returning this year. These will be noted in each section.
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!
Ever since Whitfield closed at The Ace Hotel (now the Maverick Hotel), we've been looking forward to a new spot that would be a worthy successor.
In 2025, Hey Babe opened and had a menu that made us think this could be the place, and we went in as quickly as we could to check it out.
On the surface, Hey Babe feels like a proper hotel lounge, with a robust menu of craft cocktails, wine, and beer. This alone would put the bar in the running for one of the best hotel bars in the city. But throw on their robust food menu as well, and this is the kind of place you can go for drinks, food, or a little bit of everything and not feel out of place- for guests of the hotels and locals alike.
To put it bluntly, Hey Babe has just about everything we look for in a good cocktail bar.
We've been awaiting the public opening of The Storyville Lounge in Allentown for many years.
This gorgeous speakeasy space was built several years ago and used for private events (with open houses during the bi-annual Allentown Night Market– when we would historically visit). But it was only recently that they expanded to maintain regular hours.
So in early 2025, we made our way back to Allentown to check out The Storyville Lounge, Conjure Bar, and more. For those who like housemade spirits, delicious takes on classics, and a stunning speakeasy ambiance, this one is for you!
When we visit Station Square, odds are good it is for brunch at the opulent Grand Concourse– a former train hub converted into a fine dining restaurant.
But did you know this space also has an equally historic (and beautiful) bar known as the Gandy Dancer Saloon? Next time you're in Station Square looking for a beverage, check this one out for the vibe as much as the drinks and food (oh, and their killer happy hour, too!)
We always love it when a new wine-forward bar opens in Pittsburgh, and when we heard that Bridges & Bourbon was opening Whisper, a self-described wine and dessert bar, we knew we had to visit shortly after opening.
As it turns out, this one actually has a robust menu of cocktails, wines, shareable savory foods, and dessert, all centered around classic recipes and wine brands you may recognize. This comes together for a bar with a high-end ambiance much like its sister bar next door and a welcoming sense of the familiar when reading the menu.
When it comes to drinking in Pittsburgh, you have a lot of options.ย But if you are looking to go out without spending a lot of money, your first thought may turn to everyone's favorite time of the day- happy hour!
It would be very easy for us to come up with a list of every happy hour special in Pittsburgh, but most would end up being unpalatable beers or daily discounts that aren't that interesting ($1 off a frozen cosmo on Wednesdays is not a good happy hour in our books).ย In this one, we wanted to focus on some of the best beverages with discounts to match at some of the best happy hours in Pittsburgh.
So if you're looking to try a unique and delicious libation in Pittsburgh without emptying your wallet, check out these personal favorites for great cocktails, local beer, and wine!
Note: Happy hour specials have been known to change without us being made aware. As such, it is especially crucial to reconfirm any promotions prior to visiting. If you have noticed a happy hour change, please contact us.