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. 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.
We are lucky that the speakeasy scene in Pittsburgh has been growing in recent years- not just in the sense of establishments serving Prohibition-style cocktails, but also incorporating some hidden bar elements for a proper aesthetic.
At Co-Sign Speakeasy in the Bank on 8th building in Homestead, you get just that- a proper hidden speakeasy with classics and house creations all the same.
Go for the drinks and stay for the aesthetic and attention to detail at this one, because they really outdid themselves in the design just as much as the space. But, as with most of our articles, we don't want to give too much away, so we're going to focus on the drinks here!
Pittsburgh Winery has been a Strip District staple for many years with many delicious bottles of wine poured over that time.
But for those who want a bit more, you'll do well to look at the events in Pittsburgh Winery's cellar as they also have one stellar music venue with a great lineup throughout the year!
Wine and music? We're in.
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.
If you've frequented Market Square in recent years, you may be familiar with the Wine Bar at the Market Street Grocery. This little hangout spot tucked away in the back of the (now-closed) 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.
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!
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.
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.!