Alcohol

10 Spots Great to Enjoy Dry January in Pittsburgh

Oh dry January, you are always fun.

This annual celebration has become something of a global phenomenon, as many of us look to use the somewhat slow month as a chance to detox and get a break from indulgences (especially after the holidays).

Whatever your reason for participating in dry January is your own. But if you are looking to enjoy the flavors of your favorite beverages without alcohol, a number of restaurants, bars, breweries, and distilleries are starting to offer great options for dry January in Pittsburgh!

In this one, we thought we'd share some of the spots with the finest assortment of products. While this one is not comprehensive, we wanted to include places that have larger menus, share a variety of products, and more to give you a great cross-section of alcohol-free beverages in the city to consider if you are abstaining.

Please note: This article focuses on offerings for Dry January specifically and may not necessarily be accurate year-round. While many of the bars, restaurants, and breweries featured have great non-alcoholic products at all times, some increase their offerings for January. Likewise, cocktails, beers on draft, and other beverages are always liable to change. Please reconfirm directly with any business prior to visiting. Finally, some drink photos in this article may be alcoholic and are for illustration only.

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Solera Wine Co Offers Wine and More in a Welcoming Space

We are always of the mindset that Pittsburgh needs more wine bars and bottle shops, and, thankfully, our wine scene is improving with each passing year.

In 2024, Lawrenceville's wine scene got a new addition- Solera Wine Co.

Not only is this one a wine bar offering an array of wines by the glass, but it also offers an on-site bottle shop, small bites, and a modest cocktail program, too!

Go for a glass, leave with a bottle? We're okay with this.

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8 Oktoberfests in Pittsburgh to Celebrate Fall with a Beer

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!

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The Aperitivo Club Showcases Italian Flavor Downtown

If you've frequented Market Square in recent years, you may be familiar with the Wine Bar at Market Street Grocery. This little hangout spot tucked away in the back of the small grocery store offered an assortment of Italian wines in a relaxing ambiance.

In 2024, the Wine Bar underwent a rebranding and expansion to become The Aperitivo Club. While still offering a stellar selection of wines, this one added on an impressive collection of cocktails featuring Italian amaro, spirits, and more, small bites, and more!

Naturally, we had to check out the cocktail side of this bar shortly after opening.

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Cobblehaus at the Falls Brings Beer to Springfield Falls

Is there anything better than having a beer outside on a gorgeous day? What about having a beer next to a waterfall on a gorgeous day? Well, at Cobblehaus at the Falls in Mercer, PA, you get just that with a gorgeous view of Springfield Falls!

So if you are looking for a different kind of brewery experience on the next nice day in southwest Pennsylvania, put this gem on your radar and make the trek about an hour north of the city to check them out!

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Love, Katie Distilling Brings Spirits to Sharpsburg

Sharpsburg-based Love, Katie Distilling may not occupy the largest space by distillery standards, but it packs a punch with its beautiful decor, large spirits portfolio, and even larger cocktail menu.

This one is a love letter through and through, and not just in the name. As a woman and LGBT-owned business, Katie dedicates the space to her partner and opens it up to all those looking for a good space full of love!

So, with great anticipation, we visited the distillery to check out a spread of their cocktails.

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E.T.A. Review – Japanese Whisky and Cocktails Downtown

We love a themed cocktail bar, and when it is run by the team behind The Warren, even better.

E.T.A is a Japanese whisky and cocktail bar that opened in The Warren's back room in early 2024. The space was where the former wine shop was located and has been a bar we've been waiting to check out for quite some time. In fact, it wasn't until our friend Alex Eats Too Much stumbled upon this one on opening week that we even found it was close to opening at all. 

Naturally, we visited right away.

Whether you are visiting for whisky, a highball, one of their inventive house cocktails, or even a modest food menu, there really is a lot to enjoy about E.T.A.!

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5 of the Best Happy Hours in Pittsburgh for a Discount

When it comes to drinking in Pittsburgh, you have a lot of options. 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). 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.

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Sippin’ Santa Brings a Christmas Tiki Pop-up Experience

Christmas popup bars are a dime a dozen these days, and we almost always treat new concepts with a bit of suspicion.

But when we heard the international charity pop-up, Miracle Bar, was launching a second concept, we were interested. When we heard that it would be called Sippin' Santa and was going to be tiki themed, we were in.

Naturally, we went to this one as quickly as we could after it open for the season. With tiki classics, unique house creations with tropical themes, and profits going to charity, this certainly makes for a different kind of pop-up bar that we hope will return in future seasons!

Note: This review is from a visit to Sippin' Santa in a previous iteration. Cocktails and designs may change in future popups.

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