Steel City is a great place to hang out and have drinks. Pittsburgh's bars span a wide range, from wine bars to sports dives to neighborhood pubs with bartenders pulling drafts and lending sympathetic ears. Here are seven of Pittsburgh's best bars.
Pregame
1501 Sarah St.
412-481-1800
Foursquare's favorite among Pittsburgh sports bars, Pregame is a small (some would say "dive") bar on the Southside. It's known for heavy pours, beer pong and well-loved bartenders. It has a reputation for presenting fine drink specials with no cover every day of the week. Smoking is not allowed.
Butcher and the Rye
212 Sixth St.
412-391-2752
The Cultural District is home to Butcher and the Rye, the first of Pittsburgh's best bars ever nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award as an Outstanding Bar Program. The two-story building is decorated in a loosely "rustic Americana" design, with a 600-varietal Whiskey Wall on the first floor and first-come, first-served craft cocktail bar with a lounging library on the second floor. This is the place to catch a special-occasion rare whiskey unavailable anywhere else in Pittsburgh. Check out the creative menu offering contemporary riffs on rustic American dishes.
Nied's Hotel
5438 Butler St.
412-781-9853
The "perfect everyday tavern" favored by Pittsburgh magazine and lovers of 'Burgh history, Nied's is in the Lawrenceville area. Its claims to fame include cold beer in short-pour glasses, cheap 'n tasty eats and fine entertainment. The perfect time to show up at Nied's is whichever night the Nied's Hotel Band is playing.
Blue Moon
5115 Butler St.
412-781-1119
Pittsburgh magazine selected Blue Moon as the city's best gay bar, but hastens to point out that it's also just a great 'Burgh bar for everyone. Come for the drag queens, karaoke or comedy night, stay for the inexpensive drinks, dancing and friendly vibe. All are welcome and all have a good time.
The BeerHive
2117 Penn Ave.
412-904-4502
One of the bars in the Strip District with the highest Foursquare rating, the BeerHive earned its name by offering honeycomb-shaped beer samplers. The Hive has a dizzying array of beer, with more than 100 bottled beers, bomber bottles, growlers and 12 taps and happy hour Monday-Friday. It's also well known for its attentive bartenders, open mic night on Wednesdays and cut-throat trivia Thursdays.
City Works
2 PPG Place
412-448-2900
Calling itself an "eatery and pour house," City Works is the choice for those who want to watch the game while eating great food. The cuisine features modern American classics with a twist, like filet mignon sliders or a duck Reuben. They also have 90-plus craft beers on tap and you can catch them at lunch, happy hour, dinner and for late night food and beverages. Penguins fans love this place, as City Works is known to host Penguins ticket giveaways.
Allegheny Wine Mixer
5326 Butler St.
412-252 2337
This intimate, quirky wine bar has caught the eye of Pittsburgh magazine with its comfy chairs, high-top tables and eclectic decor. Patrons can view a framed photo of Vincent Price and a samurai sword. The wines proffered are just as diverse, from tasty picks from typical global producers to lesser-known varietals and bottles from unusual locales, along with a fair representation of dessert wines and bubbly. Cocktail lovers also have a friend in the AWM, as do those who pick beer. Standout cheeses, toastys and chocolate make their way out of the AWM kitchen, too.